Best Online Skills Tests To Boost Your Career
One of the most important things you can do when you’re job searching or working on growing your career is to show prospective employers that you have the skills they need in their next new hire. One of the ways you can do that is to take online skills tests and promote the results in your job search materials.
What are Online Skills Tests?
Some employers have job candidates take a proficiency test during (or immediately after) the application process to verify a candidate’s skills. One way to know how your skills are going to line up with the employer’s requirements is to take some online skills tests in advance. That way you’ll know what to expect and can prepare for the questions you’ll be asked when you apply for jobs.
In addition, you can take the initiative to complete these tests, boost your credentials, and show off your high scores via badges and certifications on LinkedIn, job site profiles, and on your resume.
These tests are standardized and objective, seeking to test your hard and soft skills as they relate to specific jobs and job requirements.
Why Skills Tests are Worth Taking?
It is one thing to list skills on your resume, but it is quite another thing to have a badge or certificate from a reliable source verifying your expertise. Employers don’t have to guess whether or not your resume is accurate: they can see that you possess the skills that they need.
How to Test Your Skills
If you feel that you possess a key skill for the job you seek, or if you’re not sure, check out these online skills tests. Take a test or two in order to feel comfortable. If you don’t pass the test the first time, try to find a study guide or tutorial to help you prepare for a retake.
These tests are usually multiple choice, and some may even encourage you to complete a test “open book” (that is, demonstrate that you can find the answer).
Top Free Online Skills Tests for Job Seekers
LinkedIn’s “Take Skill Quiz” Feature
If you haven’t already set up your LinkedIn Profile and identified your relevant skills, you should do that first. Most job seekers today use LinkedIn as their “home base” for keeping track of their skills, training, and experience. Also, keeping your profile up-to-date may bring recruiters your way.
When you scroll to the “Skills & Endorsements” section on your profile, note the “Take skill quiz” button. Hit the button, and you’ll see a list of possible skills tests you can take. Note that LinkedIn currently only offers technical skills tests, for skills such as coding languages and using project management software. You must pass by landing in the 70th percentile. You will receive a badge on your profile to prove your skills. If you fail, you can retake the test after a few months.
Indeed Assessments
Indeed recently equipped employers to have applicants complete skills tests and narrow their search for the best candidates. But if you want to take the initiative, you can visit the Indeed Assessments page and take some of those tests now.
The assessments are divided into four groups: cognitive and psychometric (measuring how you think and problem-solve); computer skills (mostly basic skills); job skills (working with a team and job-specific skills); and languages.
Mind Tools
Mind Tools is a self-development website that helps you identify your professional goals and build a curriculum to achieve them. If you’re a job seeker, you can take the initial assessment here. After receiving a score, you can view the suggested courses on the left of the screen and begin building a skills learning plan for yourself.
TestDome
While TestDome primarily serves employers wishing to streamline their hiring process, job seekers can take any of the site’s public tests. After successfully passing a test, you can add a badge to your resume verifying your hard and soft job skills.
Paid Online Skills Tests for Job Seekers
Brainbench
While this site offers a free version, you must pay to take full advantage of Brainbench’s skills tests membership. Unlike many of the free online skills tests, Brainbench gives certifications upon taking a skills test successfully. Not only can you add these test certifications to your resume, but the site will also publish your achievements to potential employers.
Its online test catalog features skills tests in all the following categories: general aptitude, IT, software, communication, basic skills, management, finance, office skills, and healthcare.
Degreed
Creators of Degreed built their system to help those that do not need to complete an online class (or degree) in order to pass a skills test. If you already possess the skills, complete an assessment and add the credential to your resume.
Many describe this site as a mini college application. It includes some skills testing but also asks you to provide work experience and references. Creating an account is free, but completing a credential will cost you a little money.
ExpertRating
This is another site built for employers and HR departments. And while it does offer courses and training, it also provides individual skills testing for immediate certification. ExperRating has one of the largest skills catalogs of all the providers here.
How to Share Results with Employers
On LinkedIn: When you take (and pass) a LinkedIn skills test, you’ll be able to add a badge to your profile. You can also easily add your skills to the “Skills and Endorsements” section. If you gain a certification, add it to the “Licenses and Certification” section. This way, employers, connections, and recruiters can see, at a glance, how well-qualified you are.
On Your Resume: If you use a paid test-taking service, such as Brainbench, Degreed, or ExpertRating, follow their instructions for adding your new certificate to your resume. When in doubt, simply add the credential to your education or skills section. Be sure to include the organization that administered your test, date passed, and the date that the badge/certificate expires.
On Job Site Profiles: Some job sites have a special place for you to include badges and certificates from skills tests that you’ve completed successfully. Check to see if the skills test website will integrate with your job board account to publish your new credential. Otherwise, simply add your new badge/certificate to the vocational certificates section of your profile.