Human Resource executives confirm concerns of candidate cheating in online tests. SHL survey highlights current HR usage, concerns and benefits of online testing.
95% of HR leaders recently surveyed by SHL recognize that candidates could deliberately mislead organizations or exaggerate their education or skills when applying for a job. 70% believe it is possible to cheat in an online ability test.
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) October 10, 2006
95% of HR leaders recently surveyed by SHL recognize that candidates could deliberately mislead organizations or exaggerate their education or skills when applying for a job. 70% believe it is possible to cheat in an online ability test.
These figures— gathered in a recent survey conducted by SHL (http://www. shl. com/SHL/americas)— demonstrate the concern that US HR executives have about the validity of data that is collected in the job application and interview process. They also help to explain why only 30% of those surveyed report that they currently use online testing (http://www. shl. com/SHL/americas) in their hiring processes.
“HR managers need to ensure that they are adopting the smartest processes to effectively identify the best candidates early”, said Kevin Kerrigan, Manager Director, SHL Americas. “They also need to feel protected against the real risks of cheating and lack of data security”. US companies are not alone in their concerns about how to put online testing and recruitment tools to work for them. SHL data and experience has shown that companies around the world—particularly those recruiting on a global level—are looking for ways to make online testing a part of their hiring process (http://www. shl. com/SHL/americas) that they can trust.
With only 30% of the companies surveyed citing that they use online testing in their hiring processes, SHL is focused on bringing new solutions to market that deliver the data security and reliability that companies require to confidently add online assessments to their screening process. “The tremendous advantage for companies incorporating online testing into their processes is the substantial saving of time and money” highlights Kerrigan, “along with, of course, the company’s ability to quickly identify those candidates who should move into the interview process so that they can hire the best and brightest”.
The 30% of HR leaders using online testing in the hiring process confirm the top three advantages as; helping them select the best qualified candidates, screening out unqualified job candidates and collection of assessment data to use for employee development.
The drawbacks of online testing identified in the survey are ones that SHL has been paying particular attention to addressing. Companies listed among their top concerns as verification of the test taker identity and cheating.
The area of verification of the test taker and finding ways to minimize and identify cheating (http://www. shl. com/shl/americas/info/onrec) are the “areas of major development for SHL” explains Kerrigan. “SHL developed SHL Verify™ with input from our global clients and we are now incorporating it into their processes to bring the rigors of data security and validity that will deliver piece of mind.” SHL Verify introduces randomized test technology, enhanced data security, and a quick re-test to verify candidate ability, that allows hiring managers to test with confidence, while keeping pace with the selection demands of their business.
About SHL Group PLC
SHL is the world-leading provider of psychometric assessment and development solutions. The company supports organizations in the selection, recruitment, promotion, succession planning and development of talented people at all levels and across all sectors. Operating in 40 countries and more than 30 languages, the SHL Group devises innovative approaches to help organizations increase productivity and gain competitive advantage through the more effective use of their human capital. SHL has over 5,500 organizations as clients, including many of the Global and Times Top 1000, and is recognized as the foremost provider of objective assessment products in the world. For more information please visit www. shl. com.
About SHL Verify
SHL Verify was developed following extensive research with customers that revealed their need to reduce costs and time taken to administer the ability testing process, while at the same time eliminating issues regarding candidate identity. An added HR challenge was to help HR professionals to identify unsuitable candidates early on in the recruitment process ensuring only those likely to succeed would make it through to the later, more expensive stages of the recruitment process. With SHL Verify, recruiters can authenticate the candidate’s ability through a scientifically-based short re-test thereby removing the time and expense of a full length re-test. The solution is also underpinned by regular security audits which include web patrols to detect any sharing or downloading of SHL tests and data forensics to monitor test response data to detect cheating or test fraud. In trials SHL Verify identified 95% of cheats.
For more information, contact:
Tiffany Stronsky, Senior Marketing Manager
312.496.8078, tiffany. stronsky @ shlgroup. com
This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www. HRmarketer. com) on behalf of the company listed above.
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