Why robust data is key to supporting skills-based hiring
are now commonplace and skills assessments that speed up the decision-making process using reliable data are a key part of that. By using AI-based English language assessment tools such as Versant by app, recruiters can be confident that results are not only accurate but also unbiased, ensuring a consistent recruiting experience for all candidates and supporting wider DE&I initiatives.
Large-scale intakes can be incredibly difficult and time-consuming to manage. Using innovative AI-led technology can reduce the time to hire. With tools that reduce the number of manual touchpoints needed, you can streamline the process and deliver insightful recruitment metrics that can be used to inform and speed up future hiring decisions.
It’s not only recruiters who benefit from a more efficient hiring process with in-built skill testing. Candidates also value a speedy and streamlined process, as it increases their chances of finding the right role more quickly. AI-based skills testing can free-up recruiters to focus on a more thorough human assessment of candidates to find the best fit for the role (and candidates still value human interaction in the recruitment process, according to ).
Quality hiring means widening your talent pool
To attract the best of the best, particularly when hiring at speed and scale, you need to be sure that your talent pool is as wide and diverse as possible. From a well-written job advert and person specification right through to screening and language testing, the interview stage and beyond, demonstrating to candidates that you value communication skills will make your organization attractive to a far greater number of candidates. English language testing at scale can open the door to candidates all over the world, without risking the quality of business outcomes dropping due to employees’ English skill levels not being appropriate for the role.
app Languages’ VP of Product Management (Corporate), Nick Laul, says:
“Employers tell us that language proficiency is critical to the retention and success of new hires, but language skills are difficult to assess without support. Subjective judgments based on communication in interviews can give a misleading picture and often lead to qualified candidates being filtered out of a recruitment process or unqualified ones being advanced.
Using a tool like Versant by app, talent acquisition professionals can efficiently maximize the pool of qualified candidates and recruit based on the skills and experience most relevant to the role, safe in the knowledge that language won’t be a barrier to success.”
The long-term benefits of skills-based hiring cannot be overstated
Putting English language testing at the center of a skills-first recruitment strategy can bolster your hiring practices and increase top-quality, long-term hires.
A skills-first approach to quality hiring delivers a wealth of longer-term business advantages, including:
1. Cost savings
Raising the quality of hires by testing skills like English proficiency means fewer costly mistakes hires.
2. Retention
Putting the right people in the right roles reduces employee churn (a growing concern, particularly in the wake of the Great Resignation). Confident communicators find it easier to integrate into teams and feel a sense of belonging.
3. Productivity
A confident and skilled workforce positions your organization to operate and expand into an international marketplace.
4. Employee satisfaction
Hiring with a focus on communication skills leads to a happier, more confident and collaborative workforce.
5. Happy customers
Recruiting well means giving your customers the very best service, and by testing English proficiency at the hiring stage, you can be sure that standards won’t be compromised.
6. Better workforce planning
It’s far easier to make strategic, long-term plans and identify skills gaps with a skills-based approach.
7. A great culture
Putting communication at the top of your hiring agenda means a happier and healthier culture and team dynamics.
The quality of your hires is directly linked to the amount of time and resources you put into testing core communication skills like English language proficiency. This is set to shape the hiring strategies of the future as talent acquisition leaders work to get the most out of every hire.
Communication has always been, and will always be, an enduring workplace skill that underpins a wealth of other skills.
Testing English skills early in the recruitment process ensures you attract top-tier candidates and hire effective communicators. It can accelerate your hiring process, enhance team performance and help you retain the best talent.
Prioritizing English language skills supports a high-quality recruitment strategy, cultivating a competent and adept workforce that ultimately improves business outcomes.
