Pre-employment tests: what to expect.

November 11, 2020

Pre-employment tests give employers insights into the capabilities and traits of potential hires and help the company sift through various candidates to find one that fits a particular position.

Photo credit: Charles.

While in school, I remember how exams were mandatory to take before you progressed on to the next class or grade. If you passed you joined the next class but if not, you had to repeat. This would go on from high school to higher learning institutions.

Employers too use a variety of tests process to verify the information provided by the candidates on their resume. The tests also help the company sift through various candidates and find one that fits a particular position. They are called the pre-employment tests, they give employers insights into the capabilities and traits of potential hires.

In this two-part series, we highlight the type of test you should expect (part 1) and how you should prepare (part 2). Here are some of the tests you can expect:

Aptitude test

This type of test is used to measure your general intelligence and ability to perform a specific job. It is also known as cognitive ability test. It highlights your ability to use logical, verbal and numeric reasoning which is relevant to the job. Many companies use it to get accurate prediction on the candidate’s job performance. Please note that this isn’t the same as an IQ test.

Personality test

Having the right personality traits for the job is necessary and equally important. This test is given to understand if your personality goes hand in hand with the company’s culture. In most cases, professions that involve interaction with people such as a salesperson or public relations officer are likely to undergo this test.

Skills assessment

This is also known as a trade test. If you have some work experience in relation to the job then be assured that it will be tested. The level of knowledge and proficiency you have already acquired will be verified. This is inclusive of both soft and hard skills. It may focus on data checking, leadership or research and writing assignments.

Emotional intelligence

No company wants to hire someone who can’t control their emotions at the workplace. For that reason, they will ask questions to recognize if you are emotionally intelligent. Understanding your emotions and those of others is essential. The skills that will be put to the test are adaptability, team work, empathy and conflict resolution.

Physical ability

It focuses on jobs that require more physical strength than others like joining the army, marine, police officer and firefighter.

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Comments

Kennedy | November 27, 2020 08:03

Great script there!

Charity | November 26, 2020 12:48

wonderful article

pauline wamwea | November 25, 2020 07:14

great advice

Brenda | November 24, 2020 04:21

Thanks alot and great to know about emotional intelligence as, am telling myself to work on it especially when, it comes to feedback...asante sana

Christopher | November 23, 2020 13:32

Great very helpful

Cherono Jackline | November 23, 2020 10:44

Lovely

Nicholus | November 21, 2020 20:58

Helpful for sure.

ANTHONY | November 21, 2020 02:59

Very helpful

Ebby. Adem | November 20, 2020 19:59

It is such an exciting in put in today's professional world

Fridah | November 20, 2020 08:51

Great

George | November 20, 2020 05:25

Highly important and a must to know

Hamisi | November 19, 2020 20:14

This article is good and helpfully one,thanks.

Esther nduta | November 19, 2020 18:31

Great article

Esther nduta | November 19, 2020 18:30

Good

George | November 19, 2020 17:44

Quite helpful

CHARLES | November 19, 2020 16:42

Remindful to what is needed of me by the employers

Awori | November 19, 2020 15:12

This is so great

Jackline | November 19, 2020 13:37

A very informative article. Thanks.

ROBERT | November 19, 2020 13:19

This is such an insightful piece

ROBERT | November 19, 2020 13:18

This is do insightful

LAWRENCE | November 19, 2020 12:36

Insightful

Warren | November 19, 2020 11:32

I love it

Alice | November 19, 2020 10:59

Thanks for the article,i have learnt a lot.

Ndyamusiima | November 19, 2020 10:27

what a good article, this is!

Rodrix Amai Onyara | November 19, 2020 10:21

Great

Okurut | November 19, 2020 10:09

Lovely information

samuel | November 19, 2020 10:08

Great and helpful information.

Linus | November 19, 2020 10:06

i love the article

santo | November 19, 2020 08:44

Thanks for such wonderful article! please keeps ringing

Sauda | November 19, 2020 07:55

Great information

OBICH | November 19, 2020 07:43

absolutely these are the right areas that are normally focused on by most employers on assessing their new employees .

BENISTERS | November 19, 2020 07:07

I like the article,so helpfull

sammy | November 19, 2020 06:46

Great one

VICTOR | November 19, 2020 05:58

The article is okay since it equip employees with enough information and skills required in the field of employment.

Kioko | November 19, 2020 04:51

Very useful information.

sheilla | November 19, 2020 04:42

Lovely

Claire | November 19, 2020 04:19

If you are asked what do you expect from the job and what you are super at

Samuel | November 19, 2020 04:10

A great read

Alice | November 19, 2020 02:45

This article was helpful..

Hakim | November 19, 2020 02:11

Grateful. An opportunity from companies with such brains to test employees is one of my favorite