Games-based assessments
Game-based assessment or gamification, is an emerging trend that many bigger employers like PwC, E-ON and Siemens are using as part of their recruitment process.
Quite simply, it involves job applicants playing a game on a computer or mobile device so the company can assess their suitability for a job.
Gamification assessments help match people to the right job roles. Psychologists devise a ‘fit’ profile for different jobs taking into account the job goals, challenges and requirements and it is the ‘fit’ for this job that an applicant is being measured against. There are different ‘fits’ for different jobs, so you could be an unsuccessful fit for one job but a perfect fit for another.
Where does it fit in the recruitment process? How does it work?
It is generally used at the initial stages of recruitment instead of, or as well as psychometric tests, to select for the next stage of recruitment, which can be an assessment centre and/or interview.
The employer will send you a link to the computer game which you can play on your mobile or desk-top computer. You don’t need any experience of gaming but you do need to make sure you read the instructions properly.
What are employers assessing?
In a fun way, the games assess an applicant’s cognitive skills and behavioural preferences and depending on the job may include others skills such as abstract reasoning, numerical ability and decision-making. For example, the test could look at how much information you can process, your ability to remain calm under pressure and your attitude to risk taking.
Some games are simulation activities of a work style environment while others are unrelated to a work situation.
Gamification is not measuring ‘good’ or ‘bad’ aspects of an applicant’s personality, but natural behavioural responses, so remember to relax rather than second guess.
Often, you’ll get your own report of what strengths and weaknesses you demonstrated in the game, which is useful feedback for you to take forward.
How can I prepare? FREE access to Graduates First
The good thing about gamification is you don’t need to do much preparation. However,
- it is a good idea to have a go at playing the gamification examples on Graduates First so you know what sort of thing to expect
- as with any assessment task, look at the company website to see if it gives you more details of the type of game and what it is aiming to assess
Graduates First
Although people say you can’t prepare for it, as it’s so random, there are ways to boost your confidence before doing them! I used Graduates First to really understand how they worked. This resource is completely free and something I always recommend to students!
Saumya Surendran, MSc Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management
Read more of Saumya's advice on our blog
What should I do when taking the assessment?
- Make sure you’re in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed and can focus on playing the game
- Don’t use a device with a cracked screen
- If you’re going to do the game on your phone, set it to ‘do not disturb’
- Read the game instructions carefully before you begin
- Don’t over think it – it’s meant to be fun!
- As with any part of the recruitment process, if you have a disability then let the employer know so they can accommodate this
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