Which specific tests should you use?
The following tests are useful in measuring the quality of your hires for call centre positions:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Abstract Reasoning
- Personality
- Job Knowledge Test
Verbal Reasoning
A verbal reasoning test assesses an applicant's ability to comprehend large volumes of written or oral information, identifying if the information is true, implied truth or entirely false.
Candidates achieving a high score on this test present outstanding communication skills essential to call centre roles for both understanding the callers' requests, as well as ensuring they are easily understood.
Abstract Reasoning
This is all about being able to predict follow up questions and potential challenges ahead of the caller having to address them. An abstract reasoning test measures an applicant's ability to think with fluid intelligence, meaning, they have the foresight and can answer or solve a query before it has to be asked. Solving with speed.
You can be certain a candidate performing well on this time-pressured test would make for a successful hire.
Personality
A personality test can be used to gauge whether a candidate would be a good cultural and team fit – for example how well they will build rapport with both the team and callers, how personable they are and how aligned to company values they are.
Traits call centre agents are tested on relating to qualities you would expect a customer-facing, team-oriented role to have. An ideal call centre agent would demonstrate skills in the following, which a personality test can identify:
- Personability
- Self-confidence
- Empathic
- Self-motivation
Job Knowledge Test
Job knowledge tests will be particularly specific, measuring a candidate's job readiness'. It will look at working knowledge of call centre systems, processes and data regulations. This identifies candidates who will require less extensive training to carry out their responsibilities.