- \n
- Take-home project<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Case study<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Async challenge<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Trial project<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Assignment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\u2026and a dozen other names! But while the names vary, this step’s purpose remains the same \u2013 to verify candidates have the skills to excel in the role<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So here\u2019s everything you need to know about Toggl Hire Homework Assessments<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83e\udd41<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is a Toggl Hire Homework Assessment?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Homework Assessment is a new assessment type designed to help hiring managers evaluate candidates\u2019 true ability to solve job-specific assignments. It\u2019s ideal for testing shortlisted candidates\u2019 hands-on skills required in the day-to-day work and can help with predicting future job performance. Just what the doctor ordered!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Homework Tasks combine nicely with other assessment types, such as Skills Tests and Video Intros, but can also work as a stand-alone assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n \n![\"Top](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/toggl-mjtweaver\/img\/brain.png\")
\n Top tip:<\/span>\n <\/span>\n \n \ud83e\udde1 Small print you’ll love
\n<\/strong>Users on all plans will have access to Homework Assessments. Free and Basic plan users will have access to standard homework assessments, while Premium and Business plan users will have full access to all homework assessment templates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\nLet\u2019s explore this new assessment type in more detail \ud83e\udd13<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The benefits of making Homework Tasks part of your recruiting process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hiring high performers is incredibly hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one<\/em> step in the recruitment process can predict a candidate\u2019s future job performance \u2013 but all of the different data points aggregated together can provide valuable insight<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adding a homework assignment to the hiring process allows hiring teams to achieve exactly that \u2013 verify the skills and expertise<\/strong> discussed throughout the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#1 \u2013 Raise the quality of your hires with proof of competence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The biggest benefit of putting candidates\u2019 skills into a work-related context is the ability to get immediate proof of competence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The uncomfortable truth is that candidates who do great in interviews won\u2019t necessarily turn out to be great performers. Which is a bit of a problem for companies that want to make every hire count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using interviews as the main method for assessing candidates\u2019 hard skills<\/strong> is risky, to say the least. But with homework assignments, hiring managers can get a glimpse into how candidates think, solve problems, follow instructions, explain their ideas, and reason logically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to add bar-raisers to your team, then you must raise the quality bar for your hiring process. And now it\u2019s as easy to do as it is to advise \ud83d\ude2c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raise-the-quality-of-your-hires-with-proof-of-competence-1024x584.png\")
The easiest way to build high-performing teams is to ensure you’re hiring the best people for the job. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n #2 \u2013 See how candidates apply their skills in a work context<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can\u2019t judge someone\u2019s cooking skills by listening to them describe a recipe, can you? In a similar vein, when evaluating candidates\u2019 technical abilities seeing is believing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A 2-hour homework assignment enables hiring teams to connect the dots between a candidate talking about past achievements<\/em> and a candidate demonstrating how they tackle work projects<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Practical assessments level the playing field for all candidates. Those who struggle to \u201csell themselves\u201d during the interview process can still impress the hiring team and move forward in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Compare](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/2-\u2013-See-how-candidates-apply-their-skills-in-a-work-context-1024x649.png\")
Compare and shortlist candidates based on performance, not interviewing skills<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n #3 \u2013 Design assignments that match the exact job requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For roles that rely heavily on company-specific processes and systems, a generic assessment won\u2019t cut it. If you\u2019re hiring for a highly specialized role, we recommend going for a custom assignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tailoring a take-home task to job specifics has more predictive value<\/strong> and helps to ensure new hires possess essential skills<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also works both ways. By picking up a task that\u2019s closer to their future day-to-day responsibilities, candidates get to try before they buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finding the right skills match<\/em> can work magic on your employee turnover rates<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4 tips for getting the most out of Homework Tasks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sold on the idea of homework assignments? Let\u2019s review a few smart tips & tricks to maximize the value you can get!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#1 \u2013 Combine with other test types<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To experience the true power of skills-based hiring<\/a>, design your entire hiring pipeline in Toggl Hire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Set up a Skills Test, Video Intro, and Homework Task as stages in the hiring pipeline and use test results to make better-informed hiring decisions. Simply drag & drop candidates to move them along to the next stage. Or invite candidates to a specific assessment for a fast-tracked experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Adjust](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Frame-845-1024x621.png\")
Adjust your hiring flow for every role. Easily add, remove and customize stages in your hiring pipeline with Toggl Hire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n #2 \u2013 Use expert-designed tasks to save time and effort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t have the time to create in-depth homework assignments? Use our library of 450+ expert-created tasks for various skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From coding to marketing to finance \u2013 creating a take-home task is as simple as picking a skill to test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better still, every question comes with a tip from the Subject Matter Expert<\/strong> who created the question on how to evaluate candidates\u2019 answers. This way, you can ensure everyone on the hiring team is using the same evaluation criteria when shortlisting candidates<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Roll](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Use-expert-designed-tasks-to-save-time-and-effort-1024x445.png\")
Roll out homework assessments in a pinch with 450+ tasks available in our library.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n #3 \u2013 Vary up question difficulty and weight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Our Homework Tasks support 3 questions. This means you can choose up to 3 smart questions from the library, create 3 of your own questions, or mix and match smart and custom questions in one assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all cases, you can assign a point value to each question. The question(s) that test core skills should carry more weight, while the rest is more of a supporting act<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"We](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Progress-bar-feature-1-1024x523.jpg\")
We recommend assigning points based on question difficulty and importance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Say you\u2019re hiring a Senior Engineer. You might want to give them a system design task that will carry 5 points and two related tasks that will carry 2 points each. If the candidate fails to solve the most important task, the rest doesn\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What truly matters is mapping your job requirements<\/a> correctly and setting up the evaluation criteria in advance \u2013 and we\u2019ll help you do the rest!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#4 \u2013 Design a custom homework assignment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Every organization has its own approach to hiring. Different recruitment strategies<\/a> require different processes, and the breadth and depth of skill sets teams need to assess is truly vast. That\u2019s why we made customization really easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the best homework task for the role is one that you design in-house, go Custom Test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Select Homework test type and click on Custom Test to start designing your assessment. Create questions using images, code snippets, rich text editing, links, and other options<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also add notes on how to evaluate the question that the rest of the hiring team will see when answers start pouring in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Create](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Progress-bar-feature-2-1024x458.jpg\")
Create Custom Homework Assessments for a highly tailored recruitment process. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Best practices and key takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
And finally, here are a few thoughts on how to deploy Homework Tasks in the most effective way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What should be tested with homework assignments?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Focus on testing deeper knowledge of a specific issue. If it\u2019s a follow-up task to a skills test or an interview, let the candidate know so that they understand the context better.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n - Ask for practical solutions to a specific problem. Steer clear from hypothetical questions \u2013they won\u2019t help you select the best person for the job.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n - Test how well candidates can explain their ideas in writing.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n - Ensure you\u2019re using take-home tasks<\/a> as a way to reduce<\/strong> the number of interviews. This way, you can speed up your time to a hiring decision and keep candidates engaged in the process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What are the best practices when designing homework assignments?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- Focus on testing deeper knowledge of a specific issue. If it\u2019s a follow-up task to a skills test or an interview, let the candidate know so that they understand the context better.