A research conducted by the Top Employers Institute on more than 500 companies across Europe shows that Dutch companies have a very extensive application process. Dutch employers, in half of the cases use IQ tests and role playing during the interview, while in the rest of Europe this occurs less often.
The hiring process of Top Employers in the Netherlands does not take one day. In addition to IQ tests and role playing, a whopping 82 percent of Dutch employers conduct a meeting with senior management as part of the application process. Eighty-five percent also conduct a separate conversation about working conditions. In the rest of Europe, this is an average of 20 percent. I had a conversation about this topic with one of the Top Employers in the Netherlands; Boudewijn de Heer, Recruiting & Staffing Manager at SABIC Europe and he told me: "By letting the candidates do an e-assessment at the beginning of the selection process, we have a better picture of the person sitting across from us at the first meeting. This allows us to better see whether a person fits the profile of the position and if it is a match with our organisation."
In France
Within Europe, it is surprising to see that France falls behind the Netherlands on this topic with only 7 percent of French companies conducting an intelligence test as part of the application process. Also in only half of the cases, a meeting with future colleagues is in the French selection program. In the Netherlands this is 74 percent. I would say that, if you don’t focus on the so called ‘click with future colleagues’, "as an employer there is a risk that someone does not fit the culture of the organisation. Ultimately, it is always best to know this before a contract is signed. Boudewijn de Heer told me: "Besides this you also give the candidate the opportunity to see if he feels at home in the team."
Language testing
Language testing is one area that Dutch employers remain behind the European employers. While 75 percent of employers in the rest of Europe are using a language test in the hiring process, this is done in only 16 percent of the cases in the Netherlands. I believe this has to do with the perception that the language education of the Dutch people is of such a high level that testing is not necessary. However, in practice this is often an assumption that could lead to disappointment. Dutch employees would be best served by more progress in this area.
What are some typical hiring practices in your country? Please comment below
