CV lies make competence tests essential

With up to 75% of candidates prepared to lie outright in employment applications according to increasing surveys, proof of competence is fast becoming a necessity.

Exaggerated experience claims or overstated qualifications make real worth difficult to prove without in-depth testing - precisely why ClickATest, the online test specialists, have recently introduced more than 500 skills-based tests to become the UKís largest online test facility.

Proving professionals

The tests are not hard for real professionals. Developed straight from on-the-job situations, they probe exactly what level of experience a candidate has and how up-to-date they are.

Just as a credit check is routine with opening any new financial account, it is becoming routine to run a competence check when hiring any new employee. says ClickATestís CEO, Yngve Traberg. Lies on a CV inevitably increase the liability of hiring the wrong person altogether. Proving talent does the opposite - showing that theyíre worth investing in.

Counting the cost

And wrong hires are expensive. According ClickATestís own online calculator, accessible at http://www.clickatest.co.uk/calculator, they can cost anywhere from 20% to 200% of a yearís salary - especially if the person involved causes lost sales or slumps in customer confidence. At under 50 a test, that makes verifying an applicantís competence before hiring them an invaluable cost-saving tool.

Most of the tests are skills-based, for specific career-related disciplines to exacting industry-recognised standards. Others are psychometric assessments, to determine how well a candidate will fit into a particular environment or responsibility.

Online and instant

Both types are available online 24/7, to be taken by candidates whenever requested by employers - with results available by email within minutes.

Failsafe

But canít online tests be faked, or taken by a friend?

Not if you ensure that the test is held in a controlled environment, says Traberg. If a candidate is genuine and really wants the job, thereíll be no objections to being tested either. Itís easy enough to conduct a test at an employerís offices, or add a screening question to the face-to-face interview.

Boosting references

Tests are also a vital back-up for references, which are sometimes less than helpful. Though any reference should always be followed up and checked, some organisations are reluctant to release usable information, cautious of restrictions under the Data Protection Act.

The ClickATest skills test repertoire is the largest in the UK and the psychometric selection covers attitude and motivation across most commercial job roles.