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estee chaikin

Estee looks after the TestGorilla brand and has spent over a decade covering social & environment impact and how these trends shape how talent is empowered.

how to choose a pre-employment assessment platform graphic

To choose a pre-employment assessment platform, judge it on the six things that actually predict a good hire, not the ones that demo well: test validity, score reliability, anti-cheating design, reporting depth, integrations, and debrief support.

How to choose a pre-employment assessment platform

Blog thumbnail How to assess Market Research Analyst skills

Olivier Wagner, Founder and CEO at 1040 Abroad, has hired and managed several analysts. When we asked him about assessing market research analyst candidates, he told us, “Technical competence is extremely important but I have learned it is only part of the equation!"  The other experts we spoke with agreed. They’re overall impression? Soft skills matter a lot when it comes to hiring market research analysts.  So what actually works to assess both soft and technical skills?  Below, we give you th

If you’re assessing market research analyst candidates, beware: Focusing only on technical skills is a mistake

how to assess technical support help desk representative skills graphic

In a recent chat with TestGorilla, LevelUp Operations Director Chris Winfield-Blum emphasized a key truth: “The success of a help desk hinges on hiring the right people.” But how can you hire the right people if you aren’t confident they have the right skills? And how do you even start evaluating those skills – without spending ages sifting through resumes or defaulting to gut instinct? As the leader in skills-based hiring, TestGorilla is here to help.  We spoke with several hiring pros – and ta

How to assess technical support help desk representative skills

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The consensus is clear: Companies that know how to use their data make smarter moves and stay ahead. But for that to happen, your coordinators, junior analysts, and operations staff need more than spreadsheet skills and number-crunching ability. They should feel confident turning data into decisions.  Resumes won't tell you that. They can list "data analysis" and "decision-making," but they can't show you how candidates think under pressure or work when data is messy or incomplete.  That's where

How to assess basic data analysis and decision-making skills in candidates the right way

how to assess design thinking skills featured image

Imagine two candidates sitting across from you. One slides over an immaculate portfolio – every pixel perfect, every case study polished and refined. The other pulls out a coffee-stained notebook full of interesting sketches and Post-its. You hire the candidate with the perfect portfolio, naturally. Six months later, they ship a gorgeous product – one that nobody uses. But the candidate with the scrappy ideas? They would've built you something users can't live without. This happens because evalu

The secret to hiring creatives: Evaluating design skills that matter

Rethink how you assess marketing analytics skills – before you mis-hire featured image


Marketers know how to market themselves. They’ll dazzle you with data, captivate you with case studies, and say all the right things during the Q&A. Before you know it, you have a new hire. But weeks in, the insights are thin, marketing efforts are lagging, and that “perfect fit” is costing you opportunities. You hate to admit it, but you’re stuck thinking, “Where are the skills that the resume and interview promised?” This article will show you how to assess marketing analytics skills the right

Rethink how you assess marketing analytics skills – before you mis-hire

Blog thumbnail Assess data exploration skills like a pro graphic

Data exploration occurs when a curious mind meets a messy dataset, transforming confusion into clarity and questions into insight.  It’s a nice-sounding definition – if only finding your next analyst were so simple. Interviews can miss their true problem-solving abilities, and paper-thin resumes hide the full picture of what they can do. What you need is to properly assess candidates’ data exploration skills before you even look at their resume or consider them for an interview.  And we’re here 

Assess data exploration skills like a pro

Blog thumbnail How to assess data storytelling skills

Too many hiring teams assume someone can communicate with data because they claim to know Power BI or Tableau, link to an impressive portfolio in their resume, or seem ultra-confident during an interview.  But in practice? These candidates create complex dashboards that no one opens, reports that fail to influence direction, and presentations that yield little to no action. If your hiring process still treats “data storytelling” as something you can spot on a resume or confirm with a portfolio, 

How to assess data storytelling skills the right way: Experts tell all

Blog thumbnail How to assess video content creation skills

Hiring a video content creator can jumpstart your brand storytelling, audience engagement, and business growth. Just ask DS Laboratories: The skin and haircare company saw a 470-fold increase in revenue from its TikTok Shop launch baseline and a 50% month-over-month growth result thanks to its TikTok marketing and sales strategy.  But finding the right video content creator – someone with the right balance of creative vision and business instinct to deliver authentic, on-brand messaging on time 

How to assess video content creation skills

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Is there anything more frustrating than when a new hire, who seemed perfect on paper, can't perform basic tasks on their computer? This digital skills gap can create onboarding problems, slow down your entire team, and leave managers frustrated. The solution? Stop relying on resumes and other flawed assessment methods. With the right methods, you can objectively measure a candidate's actual abilities and build a team that's ready to contribute from day one. In this guide, we show you exactly how

How to assess computer literacy in candidates (and why it matters)

14 interview questions to evaluate computer literacy featured image

Hiring someone who claims to know their way around a computer sounds fine – until they can’t figure out how to unmute on Zoom or format a basic spreadsheet. And new hires without the right digital skills slow teams down, frustrate trainers, and clog up IT with avoidable problems. That’s why evaluating computer literacy early in the hiring process is critical.  The 14 interview questions below can help you uncover practical digital skills – whether your workplace uses PCs or Macs. Plus, we show y

14 interview questions to evaluate computer literacy

Extraverts are the life and soul of the office. Friendly and enthusiastic, they’re great at pulling a team together and making everyone feel welcome.  But, how can you tell the difference between someone who’s genuinely extraverted and just really confident? Equally, is it possible to test for this personality trait without relying on gut instinct? The answer is yes, and it starts with using the right tools and interview techniques. Read on to learn everything you need to know about extraversion

What is extraversion and how to test it

If you’re looking to hire bilingual staff, you might appreciate knowing that about 22% of US citizens speak a language other than English at home. [1] That said, while your job candidates may be able to speak two languages casually or call themselves bilingual on their resumes, writing business emails, handling customer issues, or translating technical documents using both languages is a whole different ball game.  That’s where bilingual tests for employment come in. These tests can help you ens

Bilingual test for employment: What it is and how it works

What is conscientiousness and how to test it featured image

Employers often focus so much on hiring people with the right technical skills that they forget it’s not all it takes to succeed at work.  Imagine bringing on a highly qualified accountant or developer who looks great on paper but turns out to be passive, disengaged, or disregards company values. You’re back to square one – looking for someone else and training them from scratch.  The good news? You can avoid these issues by finding candidates with a strong behavioral competency profile, display

What is conscientiousness and how to test it

The modern workplace celebrates assertive employees who challenge the status quo and speak their minds – and that’s a good thing. But things can get counterproductive when everyone’s pushing back all the time – think constant tension, poor team dynamics, and a lack of trust among staff members.  That’s why building a well-balanced team matters. You need agreeable people to build strong relationships, smooth things over, and create a positive team culture. They’re the glue that holds teams togeth

What is agreeableness? + How to test it

When hiring for roles that require strong communication, deciding if a candidate must be "proficient" or "fluent" in a certain language might sound simple. But these terms mean very different things. Use them imprecisely, and you could end up screening out great candidates – or bringing on someone who isn’t the right fit. Evaluating language proficiency vs. fluency helps you write better job descriptions, align your hiring team, and set clear expectations for everyone. It also makes interviews s

Proficient vs. fluent: How to choose the right language skill for the job

What is C2 language proficiency featured image

Hiring candidates with C2 language proficiency is non-negotiable for any business that requires extensive communicating, collaborating, presenting, negotiating, or reporting. Even the best skills fall flat if employees can’t understand each other or engage with customers.  Yet, some employers overlook language proficiency in the early stages of hiring – for instance, by placing all their energy on measuring technical aptitude. Then they end up interviewing – or worse, hiring –  candidates who ha

What is C2 language proficiency? A must-have skill for high-stakes roles

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Hiring for entry-level roles might seem straightforward, but if your new team member can’t communicate clearly from day one, it can lead to costly misunderstandings, slow onboarding, and frustrated colleagues. Language proficiency might seem like a given for entry-level roles, but many employers struggle to assess it accurately in candidates. In this article, we’ll break down what A2 language proficiency means, which roles it suits, and how to test for language proficiency during hiring effectiv

What is A2 language proficiency? Screening entry-level candidates

Blog thumbnail What is B2 language proficiency

Hiring someone who can “communicate well” is one thing – hiring someone who can actually communicate with your team and customers is another.  Resumes often list B2 proficiency, but what does it mean for your business? How can you be sure applicants have the language fluency necessary for success in their role?  Below, we break down what B2 language level looks like, why it matters for business communication, how to test it during hiring, and where tools like TestGorilla’s language tests  can he

What is B2 language proficiency? A guide for hiring managers

Blog thumbnail What is C1 language proficiency

Research from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) shows that nine out of 10 employers rely on workers who speak languages other than English, making strong communication skills a priority when hiring. But how do you know if your candidates’ language skills are up to scratch, especially when hiring for highly technical or high-level roles? In this article, we explain the C1 language level, why it’s essential when hiring for complex roles, and how best to assess candi

What is C1 language proficiency? Hiring for complex roles

Blog thumbnail What is B1 language proficiency

Evaluating candidates' language proficiency against the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) – a language skills measurement scale – helps you avoid interviewing or hiring people who can’t communicate in the workplace language. This helps you save interviewing costs, prevent problematic miscommunications, and more. Below, we explore what communication candidates with B1 language proficiency can handle, which jobs suit their language level, and how to use language proficien

What is B1 language proficiency? Hiring intermediate role candidates

Being a team player is one of the most underrated traits in modern workplaces. However, strong teamwork skills aren’t easy to teach. They’re usually an amalgamation of different soft skills like communication, honesty, and problem-solving. These qualities help candidates build strong interpersonal relationships, navigate workplace challenges, and contribute to a positive team dynamic. In this article, we look at the five most important teamwork soft skills. We explain why they’re important, what

5 essential teamwork soft skills

Hiring & recruiting

Hiring based on technical skills alone can lead to tension in the workplace, poor teamwork, and costly turnover. Many job applicants seem perfect on paper but lack key soft skills such as communication and teamwork, stopping them from excelling in team environments.  In this article, we cover 11 examples of soft skills that are essential for all businesses – plus we discuss how to evaluate them objectively using methods like soft skills assessments to make smarter, bias-free hiring decisions. 


11 soft skills examples

Human resources

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Great employees do more than just know their job – they communicate well, work with others, and handle change easily. These soft skills help teams run smoothly. However, when hiring focuses only on technical abilities, things can fall apart. Think: misaligned teams, missed deadlines, and new hires who don’t stick around. The missing piece? Essential non-technical skills, aka human skills. So, why do these skills matter, and how can you spot them when hiring? This guide breaks it all down with cl

What are human skills? Everything you need to know

analytical skills examples featured image

Analytical skills cover various types of skills, from data analysis to effective learning and prioritization. That's why the umbrella term can sound nebulous, confusing applicants and hiring managers alike. That said, carefully prioritizing and assessing individual analytical skills can help you find better candidates for your job roles, regardless of industry, specialization, or seniority.  And you're in luck! Below, we break down 12 analytical skills examples and how to assess them.  

Analytical Skills Examples (+ How To Assess Them)

What are soft skills in the workplace featured image

According to LinkedIn’s Global Talent Report, almost 90% of employers noted that their bad hires lacked soft skills.  Why were these candidates hired in the first place? Many companies struggle to clearly define, prioritize, and measure soft skills during the hiring process – putting all their energy into technical skills.  The result? Mis-hires who not only won't last but could also hamper team dynamics, customer relationships, and more before they exit.  Want to avoid these problems? We’re her

What are soft skills in the workplace?

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It’s easy to assume logical reasoning skills are a given. A resume might look diverse and impressive, but without assessing analytical skills, problem-solving, and adaptability, it could lead to a bad hire.  Someone who struggles with logical thinking can cause missed deadlines, repeated mistakes, and more time spent fixing avoidable problems. No need to stress. We’ve pulled together 11 logical reasoning examples to help you spot candidates who can think on their feet – so you don’t end up with 

11 logical reasoning examples to test candidates with

9 adaptability skills examples to look for in a potential candidate featured image

Adaptability is quickly emerging as one of the most critical skill sets in the workplace. According to LinkedIn 2024 data, adaptability is the top “skill of the moment.”  Given the rise of AI in the workplace, changing political landscapes, and the uncertain future of work, it’s easy to see why. But which specific skills should you look for to identify truly adaptable candidates? Read on to learn about the key traits of adaptable candidates and how to assess them effectively during the hiring pr

9 adaptability skills examples to look for in a potential candidate

11 leadership soft skills to prioritize when hiring top talent featured image

When employees quit because of bad leaders, you lose knowledge, time, and thousands in hiring costs. Finding strong leaders is about protecting your team culture and bottom line. The real challenge? Looking beyond impressive resumes and rehearsed interview answers to spot genuine leadership skills – especially the right leadership soft skills. In this guide, you'll discover which soft skills matter most when hiring leaders and how to spot these qualities in leadership candidates. 


11 leadership soft skills to prioritize when hiring top talent

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

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

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?

Measuring worth ethic can be tough. There’s no scale, grade, or test that you can assign to measure whether someone is a hard-working superstar or a sleepy slacker.  So how will you know if a candidate actually has what it takes to keep up with your high-performing team or are just good at selling themselves? Work ethic is a key behavioral competency, and can be evaluated in a variety of ways including pre-employment testing, asking strategic interview questions, and examining samples of work. W

How to assess work ethic

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

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This handbook provides actionable insights, use cases, data, and tools to help you implement skills-based hiring for optimal success

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The skills-based hiring handbook

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

How to elevate employee onboarding

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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Essential onboarding email templates

 Get all the essentials of HR in one place! This cheat sheet covers KPIs, roles, talent acquisition, compliance, performance management, and more to boost your HR expertise.

Download cheat sheet

The HR cheat sheet

Onboarding employees can be a challenge. This checklist provides detailed best practices broken down by days, weeks, and months after joining.

Employee onboarding checklist

Track all the critical calculations that contribute to your recruitment process and find out how to optimize them with this cheat sheet.

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Key hiring metrics cheat sheet

In a hiring world where bots screen bots, this one-pager shows how to refocus AI on surfacing real, job-ready people. Learn how to blend skills data, human insight, and smart automation to build a fairer, faster hiring process.

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Ending the AI arms race in hiring

Understand why hiring can sometimes feel like a matchmaking dilemma and learn how skills-based hiring can help you find "the one" for lasting hires.

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It's not you, it's your hiring process

Discover the science behind building high-performing teams by learning how to identify candidates who truly fit your company.

The dream job equation

Join us for an in-depth walkthrough of the 2024 Skills-Based Hiring Report. Our experts unpacked key trends, surprising insights, and why skills-based hiring is here and here to stay

 The State of Skills-Based Hiring 2024

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