The Power of Assessments in Hiring

Picture this: you've got a thriving HVAC or home services business. Things are going well, and you've got a big project on the horizon. You need to hire someone quickly to keep up with demand. You find a candidate, who seems great on paper, and their interview goes well. So, you decide to bring them on board.

But a few weeks or months down the line, you realize that things aren't working out as expected. Maybe they're not as good at their job as you thought, or they can't follow instructions, or they need more supervision than you anticipated. Sound familiar?

This kind of hiring misstep can cost your business more than just money; it can put your hard-earned reputation on the line. The truth is, when you hire the wrong person, it's more than a waste of resources. The wrong hire can pull your company down to an average level when you are aiming for excellence.

What do you really want in an employee?

You need someone who's really good at talking and listening, can solve problems, and can learn. You don't want someone who needs constant supervision. You want a team player who knows how to manage customers and themselves effectively over time. You want to attract top talent.

Sounds great, right?

How do you ensure you get an employee who is the perfect fit?

That's where testing and assessments come into play. They provide an objective way to evaluate a candidate's competencies and skills before you hire them.

Resumes and interviews can sometimes be misleading.

You might think someone looks perfect on paper, but it's not until they're on the job that you realize the truth. Testing gives you an insider's view of what your potential employee can actually do in the real world. For example, if you're hiring a tech for a customer-facing role, wouldn't you want to know how well they can communicate and build relationships?

Let's talk about apprentices for a moment. Hiring someone based on personal likability can lead you down the wrong path. Instead, you should focus on assessing their ability to learn, problem-solve, and communicate well.

When it comes to sales positions, the criteria for hiring can be quite different, depending on your compensation structure. Knowing a candidate's motivations is key in this scenario.

But here’s one hiring tip that’s important across the board: Emotional Intelligence.

It doesn't matter what role they'll play in your company; emotional intelligence is a great predictor of success. It influences how well someone manages themselves, their peers, customers, and relationships. It's a crucial factor that testing can uncover.

Reducing training costs is another benefit of using assessments. When you know a candidate's strengths and areas where they need improvement, you can tailor your training and reduce the time and money spent getting them up to speed.

Using assessments is not just about making better hires; it’s also a way to improve your company’s image.

When candidates see that you take the time to assess talent, it reflects that you value a high-quality workplace. This is something that can make your business more attractive to potential employees, a valuable currency in today's job market.

Bad hires can be costly for your HVAC or home services business, but you have the power to avoid them. Testing and assessments offer a window into a candidate's abilities and motivations, ensuring you bring the right people on board. By making informed hiring decisions, you can build a strong and successful team that helps your business thrive.

ApplicantList is our flagship product. We offer a talent acquisition model that includes validated testing tools and interview questions. It's designed to help you make better hiring decisions, saving you time, money, and stress. So, why not give it a try and find the right fit for your business?

For more information on using assessments in your hiring process, give us a call.

Happy Hiring!