In the first phase digital world, basic computer skills have become synonymous with basic life skills. Every business needs employees to get some level of computer knowledge, from word processing to the basic point of sale systems at retail stores. Even warehouse or inventory workers use portable computers to check inventory. In this case, the company needs to employ staff who know a solid foundation of basic computer skills. Industries that do not have traditionally short entry-level and mid-level employees will now seek candidates with basic computer knowledge and for good reason. In this information age, users get logged on and connected 24/7 in ways that were not possible a decade and even five years back. The shift has left many organizations struggling to find their digital feet. HR leaders are in need to identify and find higher qualified employees with high computer proficiency.
It is now possible to bridge the gap between demand and skills with a computer proficiency test in terms of finding qualified mid-level and entry-level talent. In this tech-savvy era, this can be done using a basic skill test to test a job applicant’s typing abilities and knowledge of productivity that will cause an increase in productivity. The suite of customizable skill-specific, comprehensive position-relevant tests will allow employers to identify candidates with the needed skills.
It has become easy to automate the initial screening process with validated testing software that ensures applicants of the basic computer skills succeed.
Need computer proficiency tests?
It is high time to automate the initial screening process with the types of computer proficiency tests. You can get access to hundreds of customizable single-subject tests that focus on Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Prime data entry, chat simulation, and digital literacy simulation. It has emails too. Most of these tests will have simulation to obtain a realistic measure of candidates’ proficiency in any number of software programs.
Typing as a computer proficiency test
Fast and accurate typing skill is needed for most positions. It will let you measure the candidate’s typing skills and offer employers insight into the candidate’s ability to accurately transcribe the text and audio recordings. Hiring employees who are capable of fast and accurate typing will help increase productivity, impacting the bottom line of the firm.
The typing skill test will include the following
- Typing audio
- Typing legal stuff
Even call centers and financial and medical sectors will hire candidates based on their typing skills. It is more so for the 10 key data entry, short and long versions. The typing test will check the following stuff.
- It tests whether the candidate can produce fast and error-free correspondence.
- It will see whether the candidate can efficiently and accurately complete forms and documentation.
- It will see whether the candidate can create work with fewer errors and complete administrative tasks with no help.
You can use the typing test to evaluate the typing ability of entry-level and experienced candidates faster and more effectively. You can do it for screening candidates for a range of job roles. Millions of organizations and individuals will rely on Microsoft Office and G Suite. It will help them create and distribute invoices, make statements, and business reports. It will help them make marketing materials and more.
It’s because they get so widely used, that basic computer skill tests to identify the employee who can never get the functions of productivity can reduce the recruit training period. It will increase productivity at the same time. 78% of mid-level jobs such as an administrative assistant or store manager will need proficiency in productivity software, based on the recent report. In addition, 53% of the positions are exclusively meant for entry-level candidates. You can choose from a large library of productivity software skill tests to measure the candidate’s proficiency. The productivity software skill test may include the following.
It focuses on MS Office- Excel, MS Office- Outlook, MS Office- PowerPoint, MS Office- Project, MS Office- access, and G Suite. Furthermore, the productivity software status will automate the screening of entry-level and experienced candidates to a large extent. A basic computer skill test will let you know that the job applicants have at least some basic understanding of how to operate the programs needed for specific jobs.
Programming Test based on the operating system and internet browsers
Evaluating the candidate’s ability to navigate the Windows operating system or the operating system that gets used in the position is integral to gaining a full understanding of the applicant’s digital literacy.
The operating systems and internet browser test will focus on the following.
- Firefox
- Google Chrome
- MS Windows
The programming test helps by going beyond the concept of a resume. Such tests make it easier to know the skill set of candidates in programming. The programming test predicts the job applicants’ ability to do the following.
- Launch applications
- Browse the file system
- Read and comprehend the error
- It will see the ability to read and follow the instructions of it by the operating system when installing programs and altering settings.
Email-based computer proficiency test
A proficiency test that focuses on email will make it easy to find candidates who are proficient in understanding email functions and know the standard guidelines to relay information.
The email skill test will check the candidate’s ability to do the following.
- It will see whether the candidate can compose meaningful correspondence or not.
- It will follow the procedures to ensure the successful delivery to the appropriate contact.
- It will understand and use email functions, terms, and tactics.
Requiring candidates to take the basic computer proficiency test will not only provide employers with quantitative data to make informed recruitment decisions but will also make them predict the time it will take to onboard the trainees. In addition to the single-subject skill test, Mttl offers hundreds of on-the-shelf skill checks designed to test the skills needed for jobs. You can learn more about the benefits of a computer proficiency test to find qualified candidates faster.