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Cork-based Future Directions is using a product called e-validator, which enables companies to assess and test the skills and abilities of candidates over the Internet. According to Steven Peet, senior consultant with Future Directions, such a tool is necessary because of the high number of exaggerations and false claims to be found on CVs.
"A recent industry survey found that over 70 percent of companies had encountered serious discrepancies when closely examining CVs and job applications sent to them," said Peet. "Such incidences can be as minor as fictitious hobbies or leisure pursuits, but can be as serious as false qualifications and non-existent degrees. Most people will feel is it fair game to 'beef up' their career resume, but from an employer's point of view hiring the wrong person can be expensive in terms of time, money and professional credibility."
According to Future Directions, e-validator, which was developed by a UK supplier of on-line skills assessment tools of the same name, is an Internet-based system that provides pre-set tests covering areas such as administration, IT, and customer service. Additional questions can also be added to suit a particular company's needs. Candidates can sit the test either by visiting the Web site of their prospective employer or at their premises.
"It is basically a vetting tool," remarked Peet. "Some recruitment companies do not test candidates and instead use a 'machine gun approach' in that they send out as many as CVs as possible to a company in the hope that one or two of them prove to be hits. This can be very time consuming for those who have to sift through all these applicants."
According to Peet, e-validator allows companies to check that candidates have the necessary skills before they interview them. "This mean that they can select the best people to interview out of hundreds of candidates, which in turn saves them time and money," he commented.
Setting-up e-validator can cost EUR1,000 and EUR2,500, and there is a EUR25 charge for each test.
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