Whether you’re looking to relocate to the UK for a job, or you are job hunting inside the country already, its best practice to have an understanding of the recruitment environment you will be facing. An adequate understanding of the tools and techniques of recruitment in the geographic location you’re stepping into allows you to better prepare to compete for the role you’ve applied for; here is a look into how widely psychometric testing is used in the UK today.
Although it is commonly quoted that 75% of Times Top 100 companies in the UK use psychometric testing as part of their recruitment process, there is a scarcity of information in regards to the proportion of smaller-sized, family-owned businesses using similar tests. Regardless of this lack of specific data, it still appears that psychometric tests are exceedingly popular, with the overall use of psychometric test use predicted to grow each year by as much as 10-15%. Looking at this information, it is reasonable to conclude that all companies will be using psychometric testing eventually, as part of their process to find the best fit for their role – you!
Increasing use of psychometric tests
Since the 1980s, UK-based businesses have begun to incorporate more and more psychometric tests in their recruitment processes. It has been suggested that psychometric tests in the UK have sprung out of a need for the UK to be more ‘internationally competitive’. There has been an abundance of government-driven reports highlighting which skills the UK workforce is in dire need of obtaining. Because of this, employers have been more receptive to administering tests that objectively analyze candidates’ skills and competencies; an essential in what is a nation comprised of a high number of highly-qualified professional immigrants and working with very differing backgrounds.
In the UK, it is reasonable to assume that the more complex and rarer a role is, the more likely it is that the recruitment process will have psychometric testing as a component. This is especially true for technical roles, which recruitment professionals themselves will lack the competence to assess. If you intend to apply for a role such as this, expect your employer or human resources department to outsource the psychometric testing component to a specialized agency capable of assessing your abilities.
Be prepared for any eventuality
While psychometric testing is great for roles with intricate requirements, they are also becoming more and more common for every type of job, from entry-level to upper-management. It has become easier than ever for large numbers of people to apply for a single role; a psychometric test serves as a filter for employers to sift through the large quantities of computer-generated applications, allowing them to cut down valuable recruitment time.
Because of this, it is essential that all UK-based or bound job seekers polish up their psychometric skills regardless of the role they are looking to obtain. Before you apply for your next dream role, why not spend some time doing a diagnostic test to see where your weakness and strengths lie? With a bit of dedicated practice, you are sure to do well. After all, being able to excel in a psychometric test will give you transferable skills that help you both in test conditions and on the job – what could be a better investment in your career than that?
Want to know how ready you are for a pre-employment aptitude test? Try our free Aptitude Test Readiness Evaluation.
