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When new challenges pop up at work and your team lacks the skills to handle them, deadlines slip, customer satisfaction drops, and innovation stalls. A failsafe? Employees with fluid reasoning.  This article explains what fluid reasoning is and why it’s crucial in today’s job market. By getting a handle on this skill, you can make better hires and lead high-performing teams. Key takeaways Fluid reasoning means solving new problems, thinking logically, and adapting quickly. At work, it helps empl

Fluid reasoning: Why it matters & how to assess it

what are hard skills featured image graphic

Hard skills are the teachable, technical skills needed to do a job well. They’re any skills someone can learn, practice, and gain hands-on experience with.  There are broad hard skills – like project management or proficiency in Microsoft Excel – that can apply to many jobs and industries. There are job-specific hard skills, too – such as programming in Python for a software developer or operating heavy machinery for a construction worker.  Hard skills are much easier to measure than soft skills

What are hard skills?

Work-related strengths help candidates succeed across various roles. Know these strengths and how to spot them – and you can hire candidates with the best chance to thrive on the job. But amid endless resumes, gut-feel interviews, and worries about mis-hiring, identifying the right strengths in candidates is no easy task. In this guide, we break down the must-have work-related strengths to look for. You’ll also learn how to spot these strengths to shortlist interview-ready candidates. Key takeaw

16 essential work-related strengths to look for in the ideal candidate

Top 4 alternatives to CCAT featured image

Cognitive aptitude tests are useful for measuring how well candidates can use critical thinking skills to solve problems and learn new information. Employers use them to predict job performance, especially in roles requiring strong analytical skills.  The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is one of the go-to choices for many companies. It’s useful for a quick snapshot of candidates’ cognitive abilities. However, its one-size-fits-all approach can make it too broad for evaluating key skills

Top 4 alternatives to CCAT 

In a working world that’s becoming more digitized and data-driven by the day, the need for people who can work with abstract concepts like numbers, data, and software is greater than ever.

But why are some people really comfortable working with abstractions, and others are left scratching their heads? It all comes down to abstract reasoning.

In this article, we explain what abstract reasoning is, why it’s crucial for businesses, which jobs need it most, and evidence-based ways to test candidat

Abstract reasoning: Why it matters, and how to test for it

How many programming languages are there graphic

There are more than 8,000 programming languages in existence. Shocking, no? But don't be intimidated – you don't need to master them all to be a coding whiz, and you certainly don't need to understand them all to make good hiring decisions. The secret is knowing which programming languages remain relevant today and which will be used in your projects.  On that note, let's dive in and explore the exciting world of programming languages, shine a light on the crowd favorites, and discover how to sp

How many programming languages are there?

Top Alternatives to a cpi assessment featured image

The California Psychological Inventory (CPI) has been a staple personality assessment for hiring managers since its inception in 1956, but it's far from the only option. The field of personality testing has expanded significantly, offering a variety of tools that provide deep insights into candidates' motivations, work styles, and potential cultural impact. With so many options available, choosing the right test(s) for your hiring needs can be challenging. This guide breaks down six powerful alt

Top 6 alternatives to a CPI assessment

Nikolay software engineer candidate case study

Over the past fifteen years, Nikolay Andreychuk has built an impressive career in the software industry. He’s worked as a staff engineer and an engineering manager. His experience covers both front- and back-end development. Today, he is a senior engineer at TestGorilla. Nikolay’s career path might look linear on paper, but the journey to his current role wasn’t so straightforward. 

Skills assessments help software engineer Nikolay prove his talent to international employers

Poor customer service can lead to customer frustration and damage your brand reputation. When a customer calls for help and receives unprofessional or unhelpful responses, it drives them away. That’s why agents require a range of call center skills, from empathetic listening to problem-solving. The best way to evaluate call center representative skills is to forget about resumes and use talent assessments. In this article, we share useful tips and strategies to help you identify, measure, and im

13 essential call center skills (and how to assess them)

Top 9 must-have consulting skills and how to assess them featured image

Hiring a consultant can be a great force multiplier for your team or a huge headache if you pick the wrong candidate.  With each job posting attracting so many candidates, it can be challenging to sift through the pile of resumes and find the right talent. But with a winning strategy (that kicks resumes to the curb), you can hire for the top consulting skills and set your organization up for success.  In this post, we share the top 9 must-have skills for consulting, show you how to nurture those

Top 9 Must-Have Consulting Skills (and How To Assess Them)

Top 8 Plum alternatives to hire the best talent

Plum is a behavioral assessment platform that helps employers hire the best candidates for each role and identify growth opportunities for their workforce.  It doesn’t feature technical skills tests but aims to predict candidates’ job performance based on their soft skills and traits. Assessments identify ten recurring cognitive and behavioral patterns. To use the platform, you need to perform a job analysis for each role and then invite candidates to take a test measuring their personality trai

Top 8 Plum alternatives to assess applicants’ behavior and cognitive abilities

HR coordinators handle a range of administrative tasks for your HR team. From organizing training to assisting with hiring, supporting employee benefits, and more – they’ve got it all covered so the rest of your HR team can focus on what they do best.   But hiring a good HR coordinator is no walk in the park. It’s so easy to get caught up in checking if candidates are good at the “coordinating” side of things that you forget about HR knowledge, interpersonal skills, and other HR competencies tha

7 essential skills for HR coordinators

How to skills test for jobs: Competitive advantages for recruiters

Communication skills are one of the few skills you can directly observe during the traditional hiring process in the interview. Even then, you may not get the full picture of how a candidate communicates in a team or with those they’re managing. Besides, the interview stage comes after the initial screening, so you may discard people whose communication skills you know little about. You need a way to evaluate candidates’ skills directly before the interview process starts. That’s where a skills 

10 ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR featured image

Your databases are everything. They’re the digital filing systems that contain all the information your business needs, and your database administrator is the person who keeps them secure and functioning. So if you need to hire a database administrator, how do you make sure your candidates are up to the task? The answer: You must check their skills. Knowing the exact skills they need isn’t as simple as it sounds, though, as they require a tricky mix. But failing to understand and assess these sk

10 essential skills for database administrator

12 Essential Skills For Social Media Specialists featured image

Finding a social media specialist with all the skills, qualities, and expertise needed can feel like chasing a moving target. Social media platforms are always changing, and the pressure to churn out fresh, exciting content never lets up. Top-notch social media skills can lead to viral campaigns that elevate your brand’s presence and foster genuine customer connections. But how can you find someone who’s up to the task? This article breaks down everything you need to know about hiring social med

12 essential skills for social media specialists

7 essential skills for seo specialist featured image

It isn’t easy to hire a top SEO specialist. You need someone who understands SEO deeply, keeps up with the latest trends, and can grow your online presence.  They also need to understand your business and adapt your content to evolving search algorithms. The right hire can give your company a competitive edge and significantly boost your online visibility and growth. But the wrong one can really muck up your search rankings and digital strategy. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. This article helps

7 essential skills for an SEO specialist

Vervoe is a popular AI-powered hiring platform which helps you evaluate candidates’ skills through an automated skills-testing and interviewing process.  It aims to predict job performance and help you make data-driven hiring decisions, but like any tool, it comes with its own set of limitations (more on that in a bit), which might lead you to look into other options. To help you make the right decision, we’ve compiled a list of the nine best Vervoe alternatives and analyzed the pros and cons of

9 Vervoe alternatives for a streamlined hiring process

essential skills for system administrator featured image

Every company relies on a smoothly running IT infrastructure, and behind the scenes, system administrators make this happen. That’s why choosing the right person for this role is critical. But here's the catch: system admins need a wide range of skills. If you're not sure which skills match a system admin’s job description, you might hire the wrong person. Then, you could end up with system downtime, frustrated users, and security weaknesses – a nightmare scenario for any business. No worries, t

10 essential skills for system administrators

HR assistants are the backbone of any HR department, tackling everything from scheduling meetings and organizing paperwork to producing important reports for senior leaders. It’s a high-stakes job but, unfortunately, one that’s tricky to hire for.  Companies often treat the hiring process for this job like any other administrative assistant role without considering the specific skills needed for HR work. This can lead to major problems, including a chaotic HR team, unhappy employees, and even le

9 essential skills for HR assistants

Top 9 HackerEarth alternatives to hire the best developers featured image

Attracting the top tech talent to your recruitment process is a challenge. Somewhere in the sea of resumes, your next all-star developer is waiting – but how do you identify them?  You’ve probably heard that talent assessment platforms such as HackerEarth are the way to go. However, you may be on the fence with HackerEarth itself and are interested in learning about other platforms better suited for your hiring needs. With the right tools in your tech stack, you avoid expensive missteps and grow

Top 9 HackerEarth alternatives to hire the best developers

essential skills for director of operations featured image

Looking for the perfect director of operations? You might want to roll up those sleeves. This role calls for more than run-of-the-mill management skills. But knowing all the skills they need can be tricky.  A director of operations must understand your business inside-out, keep operations efficient, and manage resources – all while smoothing out processes and leading teams toward shared goals. Hiring someone who fits the bill can give your company a leg up in a competitive market and seriously b

7 essential skills for a director of operations

9 Essential Skills for Salesforce Administrators featured image

Salesforce admins are like the backbone of a company’s customer relationship management (CRM) system. They handle user requests, set up the system, manage data, and more. But what really makes a great Salesforce admin? Knowing which Salesforce skills to look for in an admin is super important for building a strong team. Get it right, and everything runs smoother, sales go up, and customers are happier. Get it wrong, and you might deal with data problems, frustrated users, and missed chances. No 

9 essential skills for Salesforce administrators

Project managers are some of the hardest-working people around. After all, they juggle deadlines, budgets, and even people. The best project managers are self-starting, organized, confident, and great at communicating. However, that’s not always easy to spot when hiring purely on resumes. Recruiters who test for project management skills are more likely to find creative, proactive talent faster than anyone else. In this guide, we show you: The most important project manager competencies How to t

15 important project management skills (and how to assess them)

7 important observation skills (and how to assess them)

Let’s face it: Without observation skills, even the most talented people turn in poor-quality work. People with good observation skills, on the other hand, pay close attention to detail, think critically, and work well with others.  Luckily, it’s easy to spot perceptive, hard-working employees by testing for observation skills with talent assessments. Keep reading to find out the best personality traits, how to improve observation skills, and how to test observation skills with talent assessment

Skills-based hiring is the future of recruitment – but to build a skills-first hiring process, you need the right talent assessment platform. CodeSignal is a popular choice for many companies, but it might not be the best option for everyone. Maybe you’re looking for a platform that features a wider range of tests, more customization options, or a free trial. Whatever your exact needs are, if you’re looking for the best CodeSignal alternatives, you’ve come to the right place.  In this article, w

Top 10 CodeSignal alternatives to hire top tech talent

Project managers (PMs) are some of the most approachable and innovative people you can hope to work with. Sure, a good PM needs to know how to use certain software, but it’s not all about technical ability – there are many essential soft skills for the role. Project management soft skills help them be more understanding, motivated, and collaborative with others to reach shared goals. Without soft skills in project management, business owners risk missing deadlines, demotivating employees, and di

9 key project management soft skills (and how to assess them)

7 essential skills for a network administrator featured image

Finding a network administrator with a complete skill set can be a bit of a puzzle. That’s because candidates for this role need more than expert technical skills. They need to be able to navigate the maze of network security, troubleshoot software and hardware issues, and be up to date on emerging tech – all while keeping connectivity seamless across platforms.  Getting the right person on board can really push your company forward in today's tech-driven marketplace, supercharging your organiza

7 essential skills for a network administrator

14 Essential Skills for Hospital Administrators

Hiccups and inefficiencies in a hospital’s operations can quickly escalate into life-or-death situations. That's why having the right hospital administrator is so important. This key player makes sure everything runs smoothly and that your staff is well-equipped to provide world-class healthcare. Achieving this requires an individual with a unique mix of skills. Not sure what those skills are? Picking the wrong candidate for this role could lead to serious operational bottlenecks and put patient

14 essential skills for hospital administrators

13 ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

The first step to creating an environment where students and teachers can thrive is choosing the right school administrator. But finding the right person for the job is tough because they need the right combo of skills to keep the school running smoothly. Not sure which skills we're talking about? Then you might end up with someone who’s not quite up to snuff. As a result, your school might face some real headaches – like disorganized programs, unhappy parents and teachers, or students without t

13 essential skills for school administrators

10 essential skills for office administrators featured image

Office administrators are the backbone of any well-run office. They seamlessly juggle various tasks to keep everything from scheduling to supplies in check.  But here’s the issue: finding someone who can handle this variety isn’t easy. It’s pretty challenging to pinpoint the exact skills needed for such a broad role, and one wrong hire can lead to more than just a few missed calls – it can disrupt your entire business flow.  Scary, huh? Well, don’t sweat it. We’ve got your back.  In this article

10 essential skills for office administrators 

8 essential skills for case managers featured image

Case managers really have their work cut out for them. They need to handle everything from understanding complex healthcare systems to helping people in tough situations – all while keeping detailed records and staying on top of regulations.  It's a lot, and making a bad hire can result in stressed-out clients and higher costs for employers. But when case managers know what they're doing, everything runs more smoothly – from patient care to resource management. That's why we'll show you the top 

8 essential skills for case managers

13 essential skills for office manager featured image

So, you've been tasked with hiring an office manager for your team. But where do you start?  Understanding the essential skills for office managers is key to finding someone who will keep the office running like a well-oiled machine. But, without a clear grasp of what skills a candidate needs, you might have no clue where to begin.  In this article, we'll walk you through the skills every office manager needs, giving you the tools to spot the perfect applicant from a mile away. Ready to get star

13 essential skills for office manager

12 ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR A PRODUCT MANAGER featured image

Every year, tons of new products hit the shelves, but not all of them make it. The success stories? They’re usually the result of a skilled product manager's hard work. That's why choosing the right person for this role is crucial. But here's the catch: product managers need a wide range of skills. If you're not sure which skills are key, you might end up with a dud product, a frustrated team, and money down the drain – a scenario no company wants to face. Don't worry, though. Our guide is here 

12 essential skills for a product manager

essential skills for cyber security analyst featured image

Every day brings new cyber threats, each scarier than the last. These pose serious risks to businesses and their data. The safeguard? A sharp cybersecurity analyst. But picking the right analyst isn't always easy because they need a mix of skills to keep your systems safe.  If you're unsure about what this mix of skills looks like, you might hire an analyst who’s missing some essential skills. Then, your company might end up vulnerable to cyber-attacks, data leaks, and the costly messes they bri

16 essential skills for a cybersecurity analyst

8 Essential Skills for Account Managers featured image

On the hunt for a strong account manager? Well, you’ve got your hands full.  Account managers do so much for your clients and your internal team. Their task list is enormous, and they need the right skills to balance their everyday to-dos.  If you don't find a candidate with strong account manager skills, you risk losing clients and harming your brand’s reputation – and your revenue growth could take a hit.  Rest assured, we’re here to help you avoid that! Our guide breaks down eight essential s

8 essential skills for account managers

12 essential skills for project manager featured image

Project managers really have their hands full. They have to deal with tight resources and surprise problems, keep everyone in the loop, and make sure projects stay on track. It's clear they need a special set of skills – and some smart planning – to handle all this. But figuring out exactly what this special set of skills is can be tricky. No worries – we can help. In this article, we'll dissect the core skills every project manager should have – and show you how to assess project management ski

12 essential skills for project managers

8 ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR A FINANCIAL ANALYST featured image

When it comes to financial analysts, telling the difference between a real pro and someone who’s just winging it can be tough. That's why it’s key to know the skills a truly great financial analyst has. This way, you can write job ads that grab the attention of the best candidates and make smarter hiring choices. After all, picking the wrong person to handle your business’s financial decisions can be costly and risky. Don't stress, though. We've put together a simple guide to show you the essent

8 essential skills for a financial analyst

essential skills for program manager featured image

Program managers have a lot on their plates. They need to juggle big-picture business goals with the nitty-gritty of daily tasks, while also dealing with stakeholders and making sure their team is on track. If they slip up, they can miss objectives, strain partnerships, and steer your projects into chaos. Plus, the costs of hiring the wrong person can bring extra headaches. But the right program manager can help your projects run smoother, meet deadlines, and make sure your projects are in top-n

7 essential skills for program managers

10 Essential Skills For An Assistant Manager featured image

Ever found yourself sifting through resumes for an assistant manager and feeling like you're looking for a needle in a haystack?  The thing is, it isn’t about finding someone with the “right” experience – skills matter more than experience in this role. The exact skills you’re looking for will vary wildly based on industry. But, that doesn’t mean you're destined to wander in the dark.  Understanding the skill set required for assistant managers is key to finding that perfect candidate. Whether y

10 essential skills for an assistant manager

9 key negotiation skills (and how to assess them)

Negotiation skills are one of the pillars of a high-performing workforce. Whether it’s closing a lucrative deal or resolving conflicts in the team, the art of negotiation is indispensable.  You need to hire people who bring effective negotiation skills to the table – and resumes can’t find them. Let’s look at nine negotiating skills useful for difficult conversations and constructive interactions. We also discuss talent assessments, which are the best way to evaluate and build these vital skills

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A comprehensive guide packed with detailed strategies, timelines, and best practices — to help you build a seamless onboarding plan.

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A comprehensive guide with in-depth comparisons, key features, and pricing details to help you choose the best talent assessment platform.

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Top talent assessment platforms: A detailed guide

This in-depth guide includes tools, metrics, and a step-by-step plan for tracking and boosting your recruitment ROI.

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The blueprint for boosting your recruitment ROI

A step-by-step blueprint that will help you maximize the benefits of skills-based hiring from faster time-to-hire to improved employee retention.

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The skills-based hiring checklist

With our onboarding email templates, you'll reduce first-day jitters, boost confidence, and create a seamless experience for your new hires.

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Employee onboarding checklist

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Key hiring metrics cheat sheet

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