What are effective methods for assessing soft skills in candidates?

When it comes to hiring new employees, many recruiters and employers focus primarily on hard skills, such as education, technical abilities, and previous experience. Sure, these factors are important, but they only tell part of the story. Soft skills, which include communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and time management, are equally important for success in the workplace. As a matter of fact, a recent study by LinkedIn found that 57% of senior leaders believe soft skills are more important than hard skills. The challenge, however, is that soft skills can be more difficult to assess than hard skills.

In this article, we will explore some effective methods for evaluating soft skills during the hiring process. Let's get started!

1. Behavioral Interviewing

One of the most effective ways to assess soft skills is through behavioral interviewing. This technique involves asking candidates to provide specific examples of how they have handled situations in the past that required the use of a particular soft skill. For instance, you might ask a candidate to describe a time when they had to work as part of a team to solve a problem or to give an example of how they have managed their time effectively in a busy work environment. By asking for specific examples, you can gain insight into how the candidate has actually used the soft skill in question, rather than simply relying on their self-reported abilities.

2. Situational Judgment Tests

Another effective method for assessing soft skills is through situational judgment tests. These tests present candidates with hypothetical scenarios that require the use of a particular soft skill and ask them to choose the best course of action. For example, a situational judgment test for communication skills might present a scenario in which a candidate has to give a presentation to a group of colleagues and ask them to choose the best way to handle any questions that arise. By evaluating how candidates respond to these hypothetical situations, you can gain insight into how they would handle similar situations in the workplace.

3. Skills Assessment Tests

Skills assessment tests are another useful tool for evaluating soft skills. These tests are designed to measure a candidate's proficiency in a particular soft skill, such as problem-solving or critical thinking. They typically involve a series of questions or tasks that require the candidate to demonstrate their ability to use the soft skill in question. For instance, a problem-solving skills assessment test might present a candidate with a series of puzzles or brainteasers that they must solve within a set time limit. By evaluating a candidate's performance on these tests, you can gain objective evidence of their soft skill proficiency.

4. Role-Playing Exercises

Role-playing exercises are a highly interactive way to assess soft skills. These exercises involve asking candidates to act out a particular scenario that requires the use of a specific soft skill. For example, you might ask a candidate to role-play a situation in which they have to negotiate a deal with a client or to act out a conversation with a colleague in which they have to give feedback on a project. By observing how candidates handle these role-playing exercises, you can gain insight into how they would behave in similar situations in the workplace.

Conclusion

Assessing soft skills is a critical part of the hiring process, but it can be challenging to do so effectively. By using a combination of behavioral interviewing, situational judgment tests, skills assessment tests, and role-playing exercises, you can gain a more complete picture of a candidate's soft skill proficiency. While these methods may take more time and effort than simply reviewing a candidate's resume or education credentials, they can ultimately help you make more informed hiring decisions and build a stronger, more cohesive team.

FastHire Context

FastHire, an AI-powered Applicant Tracking System (ATS), can help recruiters and employers assess soft skills more efficiently and effectively. With FastHire's custom application forms, you can include questions that are specifically designed to evaluate a candidate's soft skills. You can also use FastHire's voice questions feature to conduct behavioral interviews or role-playing exercises remotely, making it easier to assess soft skills even when candidates are located in different geographic areas.

Additionally, FastHire's AI-enabled CV analysis feature can help you identify candidates who have demonstrated soft skills in their past work experience or education. By incorporating FastHire into your hiring process, you can streamline your soft skill assessment efforts and make more informed hiring decisions.

Learn more about FastHire here.