Competency Testing - Recruit the Best Talent Available

Competency testing offers an objective, evidence-based way to measure the skills and abilities of potential employees. Lumenii provides competency testing based on the latest scientific research and uses sophisticated technology, providing HR with access to precise results and the ability to make data-driven talent decisions.

Why is Competency Testing Necessary?

Before investing in competency-based assessments, it is important to understand why competency testing is necessary. Competency tests help employers determine the skills, abilities and behaviour of prospective employees, empowering them to make more informed decisions during their recruitment process. Competency-based tools also reduce risk when hiring, as employers can assess the potential of candidates in a much shorter time and with greater accuracy.

Competency testing is a valuable step in any recruitment process, as it allows employers to look beyond the traditional hiring processes and gain a better understanding of the job, team and culture fit of job applicants. By using Lumenii’s competency tests, employers can gain an in-depth understanding of job seekers’ competencies, strengths, and possible development areas. This data-driven approach helps employers identify optimal candidates on an individual basis, saving them time when it comes to selecting employees that are best suited for the position.

Competencies for Leadership and Succession Planning

Competency testing can be applied to leadership and succession planning. By evaluating candidates in terms of the specific skills, behavioural traits, and aptitudes that match the position, employers can identify the best person for a particular role.

This minimises risk when promoting employees and provides an objective measure of their ability to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a new role. The Peter Principle shows that measures of competency-based potential are far more predictive of future workplace performance than simply relying on past performance in a specific role.

In a development context, competency testing ensures that employees are adequately prepared for roles that require specific skills, knowledge, and experience. By pinpointing which competencies a job requires and assessing each employee on those competencies, employers are able to highlight areas of strength and development. With this insight, organisations can then tailor learning and development activities to meet the exact needs of individuals or teams, ensuring maximum success for a business as it grows and develops.

Competency-based assessments can also be beneficial when it comes to succession. Being able to accurately measure and compare the skills, knowledge and behaviors of employees gives organisations a great understanding about who is most likely to excel in a particular role, which ultimately allows for effective succession planning. Furthermore, competency testing results can provide leaders with invaluable insights about an employee’s potential for leadership roles in the future. This information can then be incorporated into employees’ personal development plans.

Defining Competencies vs Competence

Competency is the ability to successfully perform a task or activity according to assigned standards and in a particular situation. On the other hand, competence is the ability to perform tasks or activities at the level of the average person.

Competency testing measures an individual’s potential and performance against defined criteria and assesses whether they possess the necessary behaviour required for success in a given role.

Competency testing can take many forms. Traditionally, job applicants completed written tests, role plays and presentations. More modern approaches rely on streamlined, online and objective testing. Lumenii’s competency-based assessments take one of two forms:

• A psychometric measure of competency potential, based on a Big Five personality test.
• A multirater measure of competency performance, based on a 360-degree feedback survey.

By understanding the value of competencies and competency testing, employers will be better equipped to identify applicants who have the best chances of succeeding in the organisation.