Take Candidates on a Test Drive

Are you tired of the traditional hiring process that relies solely on resumes and interviews to make critical hiring decisions? Do you wish there was a way to truly evaluate a candidate’s skills and fit for the job before making a full-time hiring decision? Look no further than taking candidates on a test drive. By offering hands-on experience through various test drive approaches, employers can gain valuable insight into a candidate’s abilities and make more informed hiring decisions. In this article, we will explore some examples of test drives for new hires that can help employers reduce turnover, improve performance, and ultimately drive better business outcomes.

1. Project-based test: Assign a small project related to the job and evaluate the candidate’s work quality, attention to detail, and communication skills.
2. Job shadowing: Have the candidate spend a day or two shadowing a current employee in the same or similar role, to gain an understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities and tasks required for the job.
3. Internship or co-op: Offer the candidate an internship or co-op position to gain hands-on experience in the job. This allows the candidate to develop their skills, and the employer to evaluate their performance and fit for the job.
4. Skills assessment or test: Administer a skills assessment or test related to the job to evaluate the candidate’s technical skills and competencies.
5. Role-play exercise: Create a role-playing scenario where the candidate performs tasks or solves problems related to the job. This allows the employer to evaluate the candidate’s ability to perform in real-life situations and their fit for the job.
6. Freelance or contract work: Hire the candidate on a freelance or project basis to complete a specific project or task. This allows the employer to evaluate the candidate’s performance and fit for the job before offering a full-time position.
7. Trial period: Offer the candidate a trial period where they work on a part-time or contract basis for a set period of time, such as 30 or 60 days. This allows the employer to evaluate the candidate’s performance and fit for the job before making a full-time hiring decision.
8. Simulation exercise: Create a simulated environment or scenario where the candidate must perform tasks or solve problems related to the job. This allows the employer to evaluate the candidate’s ability to perform under pressure and their fit for the job.
9. Group exercise: Invite the candidate to participate in a group exercise or activity with other employees. This allows the employer to evaluate the candidate’s communication skills, teamwork, and ability to collaborate with others.
10. In-basket exercise: Provide the candidate with a hypothetical set of tasks or problems related to the job and evaluate their ability to prioritize and problem-solve.

By taking candidates on a test drive, employers can gain valuable insight into a candidate’s skills and fit for the job, ultimately making more informed hiring decisions. Not only do these test drives provide employers with a more comprehensive understanding of a candidate’s abilities, but they also improve the candidate’s experience by providing them with an opportunity to showcase their skills in a real-world setting. Additionally, test drives can help reduce turnover and improve performance, leading to better business outcomes. Start implementing test drives today and take your hiring process to the next level!