Research Report

5. Assessing External Talent
For decades, candidates applying for jobs have been asked to provide information about themselves, in the form of
application blanks, answers to interviews and responses to test questions, as part of application processes. Organizations
benefit by using standardized, structured assessment processes that have been linked to key business outcomes such as
on-the-job performance, turnover and other key metrics. 6
The majority of organizations use some form of testing as part of their hiring processes (85%; see Figure 2). Likewise, most
organizations use online testing (81%) versus paper and pencil testing (see Figure 3). This finding is consistent with the
2010 report.
Figure 2: Tests/Assessments in the
Hiring Process
2%
13%
85%
Yes
Unsure
No
- 12 -
Figure 3: Online Tests/Assessments in the
Hiring Process 7
2%
17%
81%
Yes
Unsure
No
6. Schmidt & Hunter, 1998
7. This question includes those who responded “Yes” to the following question: Does your company use tests/assessments as part of the hiring process for any jobs?