By Joseph T. Sefcik, President, Employment Technologies
Simulations aren’t just for pilots and astronauts anymore. The use of simulation is becoming mainstream and progressive companies around the world are catching the trend. There’s good reason, too. No other HR technology can can match the value and results that simulations deliver.
Let’s explore why simulations are gaining traction and how they can revolutionize your hiring process.
A simulation is more than a test – it’s an immersive, engaging experience. Simulation assessments transform the workplace by placing applicants in virtual environments, replicating key job roles and tasks. Going beyond traditional tests, simulations provide a direct measure of performance, predicting job success with unparalleled accuracy.
Simulations maximize the amount of information gathered in the shortest amount of time. As a result, they typically double or triple the amount of information as compared to traditional tests. This wealth of applicant information enables employers to make more accurate, informed selection decisions, with accuracy rates two or three times higher than other methods.
Employment simulations create a level playing field where candidates are given an equal opportunity to succeed. Because they are highly job relevant, employment simulations result in higher accuracy, more favorable applicant acceptance, fewer legal challenges, and less adverse impact than traditional employment tests.
Similar to a road test for new drivers, simulations allow participants to “test drive” the job and prove their skills. By providing a realistic job preview, simulations help individuals demonstrate their capabilities before entering the role.
A simulation looks and feels different than other assessments. This highly visual and engaging tool exposes participants to circumstances that might otherwise take weeks or months to experience on the job. Simulations allow people to handle real workplace challenges, to learn from their mistakes without consequences, and to experience mastery and success – making a direct impact on job satisfaction, performance, and productivity.
Organizations use simulations in all phases of the HR process, including hiring, interviewing, and onboarding and development.
Employment simulations give employers a competitive advantage by pinpointing top-performing applicants. Simulations are proven to identify applicants who will perform better and reach performance goals faster. By hiring someone with a stronger skill set, employers not only save cost, but they earn a much greater and faster return.
Employment interviewing is often an expensive, time-consuming process that can be influenced by personal biases. Recognizing the inefficiencies of traditional interviewing, organizations are increasingly switching to virtual interviews, particularly for first round interviews. Our virtual interviews combine simulation technology with structured, behavioral interview questions to increase consistency, accuracy, and fairness. Virtual interviews are available 24/7, expanding access to qualified candidates, eliminating travel costs, and improving the candidate experience with flexible options.
Employee onboarding and development is a natural use of simulation because employees gain experience performing the same tasks they will handle on the job. Simulations create a risk-free environment where employees are free to practice their skills, perfect their techniques, and perform for optimal results. Consequently, employees require less training and are better prepared. For new employees, simulations have shown to reduce training time by as much as 66%. By shortening the learning curve, employers not only save in training costs, but more importantly, they can also generate revenue from increased productivity.
Discover how leading companies are using simulations to hire, develop, and retain top performers. Click here to read success stories.
Realistic and job-relevant, simulations consistently outperform traditional assessments, delivering substantial returns on investment. Employers save thousands to millions of dollars each year in turnover costs alone, not counting the increased savings due to shorter training times, fewer job-related errors, improved performance, and increased sales.
Typical Results Include:
Simulations are not just a trend; they are a proven tool for hiring and retaining top talent. With the power of simulation, everyone wins – your employees, your customers, and your organization.
Joseph T. Sefcik is the founder and president of Employment Technologies. As a thought leader in simulation technology, Mr. Sefcik pioneered some of the earliest employment simulations for organizations such as The Coca Cola Company, Ford Motor Company, and the New York Police Department. For more than 30 years, his passion has been the advancement of simulation technology for personnel selection and development, creating the industry’s widely recognized line of EASy Simulations®.
Employment Technologies is the pioneer and world’s leading developer of employment simulations for talent prediction. An unprecedented five-time national Top HR Product of the Year award winner, we offer a full suite of simulations designed specifically for key jobs and industries including, contact centers, customer service, financial services, sales, collections, hospitality, and more!