The assessment industry is growing quickly fueled by technology and easier access to data. As you consider potential assessment vendors, take time to understand how your potential partner will grow with your future business needs.
1. Does the vendor offer continued support?
You want a responsive vendor that is invested in their clients, the results of their services, and in building long-term relationships. It is inevitable questions or concerns (technical or otherwise) will arise after the assessment process is complete. Investigate how a potential vendor will provide ongoing support and is it included in your contract. Create some real-life examples and ask your vendor team to walk you through the details of how they would respond, timing, cost, and expected results. When you care about your organization’s hiring practices, the last thing you want is being negatively impacted by a non-responsive vendor.
Bottom line: Check a vendor’s references to verify they’re in it for the long haul.
2. How scalable is the vendor?
If your company is hiring, chances are business is good. Vendors with a strong infrastructure and all the technology tools in place are well-suited for growing with their clients as their hiring volume increases. Make sure to share with your potential vendors your growth plans and ask them how they will accommodate your needs. Ask about their data centers, ability to add additional capacity, current utilization levels, and staffing levels so you understand how they will support your growth.
Bottom line: Ask how the vendor would be able to support a large influx of activity if your company relocates or expands.
3. Are they committed to innovation?
As public expectations surrounding technology increase and more people become familiar with workplace assessments, applicants will continue to expect more from a pre-hire evaluation process that takes less time to complete. If the assessment company offers a lengthy, paper-and-pencil test, or an online multiple choice assessment that seems to have little relevance to the job, the process (and your company) is not likely to be as well-received by applicants who expect a quick, engaging, and job-relevant experience. What innovations has the assessment vendor provided to their customers that are relevant to your needs?
Bottom line: Applicants do not complete assessments in a vacuum. The assessment process should tell them something about the job and your company’s standards of excellence.
4. What differentiates the vendor from the pack?
In other words, what does one assessment provider offer that its competitors do not? Sometimes it can be difficult to see the differences between vendors who seemingly have all the major pieces in place. Figure out the importance the company places on being competitive, and you’ll walk away with a better understanding of the company’s products and services.
Bottom line: Knowing an assessment company’s competitive edge can help you make a final decision and open up your eyes to something you might not have initially thought your company needed or wanted.
