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 deliver the value and results of simulation.
Highly realistic employment simulations consistently result in shorter training times, lower employee turnover, and an overall increase in performance and productivity. It’s easy to see why more and more businesses are turning to simulation to hire and develop top new talent.
What Are Employment Simulations?
What comes to mind when you think of a simulation? Whether you imagine a flight simulator or a simulated ride at a theme park, the term typically evokes an image of a highly interactive, engaging experience. Employment simulations bring this “wow” factor to the workplace.
Employment simulations are not tests. They are online virtual workplaces that immerse applicants in key job roles where they perform actual job tasks and solve real workplace issues.
While other HR tools may provide insight into a person’s opinions or ability to take a test, only employment simulations provide a direct measure of performance. As a result, employment simulations are proven to predict job performance with unparalleled accuracy.
What Are The Top Reasons To Use Simulations?
#1 – Accuracy. Employment simulations maximize the amount of information gathered in the shortest amount of time. As a result, simulations typically double or triple the amount of information as compared to traditional tests. Armed with more applicant information, employers are able to make more accurate, informed selection decisions. For example, simulations used for hiring often show increases in accuracy two or more times greater than other test results.
#2 – Fairness. 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.
#3 – Realism. There’s a reason new drivers are given a short road test before they’re granted a driver’s license. While the written test and eye test are important, only the road test proves whether the person can actually drive. Just like a road test, employment simulations let participants test drive the job and prove they have the skills to succeed.
#4 – Engagement. Employment simulations look and feel different than other HR tools. Highly visual and engaging, simulations expose participants to circumstances that might otherwise take weeks or months to experience on the job. Simulations allow people to handle the most challenging issues, to learn from their mistakes without consequences, and to experience mastery and success—making a direct impact on job satisfaction, performance, and productivity.
How Can You Use Simulations in Your HR Process?
Organizations use simulations in all phases of the HR process, including hiring, interviewing, and training and development.
Hiring. 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.
Interviewing. 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. 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, overcoming time restrictions, and eliminating travel costs.
Training and Development. Employee training 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 simulation success stories.
What Results Can You Expect?
Due to the fact that simulations are so realistic and job-related, they consistently deliver superior results when compared with traditional employment tests and provide the highest return 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:
Employment simulations are more than a trend; they are a proven tool for hiring the right people and keeping them performing at the top of their game. With the power of simulation at your fingertips, your employees win, your customers win, and you win.
Discover how leading companies are using simulations to hire, develop, and retain top performers. Click here to read simulation success stories.
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®. He can be reached at Joseph.S@EmploymentTechnologies.com.
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!
For a free test drive, contact us here or call 888.332.0648.