Online testing has now become the norm for the majority of companies, as they opt to move away from the traditional paper and pencil approach that was prominent over a decade ago. We are now at the stage where a similar transition is taking place with mobile-friendly assessments.
When it comes to recruiting staff, more and more candidates are making applications via mobile devices. Page Up, a leading applicant tracking system provider, has seen nearly 40% of applications via mobile already and estimates that the number could reach between 80% and 90% by the year 2020.
A survey by Glassdoor, a site where candidates share their recruitment experiences, showed 89% of respondents see their mobile device as a vital tool when it comes to finding their next job.
Whilst a similar survey of 16,000 candidates by IBM also showed that a significant proportion of high potential candidates use their mobile in the application process, and 70% of see organisations that offer a mobile experience as more attractive.
The logical next step for employers is to allow candidates to take psychometric tests via mobile devices. This means that assessments can be completed much faster, helping employers identify and recruit high potential staff before their competitors.
Picking the right assessment
When it comes to assessment, the user experience is often the deciding factor when it comes to whether the candidate will engage with a potential employer or not. A delicate balance needs to be struck in order to create an aesthetic user experience but one that does not compromise basic testing principles.
A major factor for businesses will be realising the need to create fresh content specifically designed for mobile, as many existing application processes will not easily fit onto a mobile device.
As a result, firms will need to redesign from ‘a mobile first’ approach in order to create content that truly works well on smaller and larger screens, and to ensure the candidate’s experience with the application process is a pleasant one.
Moving responsibility
Previously the responsibility for ensuring candidates were taking the assessment in a fair and suitable environment rested with the company, however with remote testing, job seekers are now in control of where they take it.
Just like the shift from taking full responsibility for the application process to moving it online, strong communication and expectation setting is vital to ensuring that candidates take ownership of conditions and are able to perform to their maximum.
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