SkillSurvey - Detailed Review
Recruitment Tools
SkillSurvey - Product Overview
Introduction to SkillSurvey
SkillSurvey is a cloud-based, data-driven solution that plays a crucial role in the recruitment process, particularly in the area of reference checking and skills verification.Primary Function
The primary function of SkillSurvey is to streamline and enhance the hiring process by providing insightful feedback from a candidate’s references. This feedback is crucial for assessing a candidate’s past performance and predicting their future success in a role. SkillSurvey achieves this through job-specific surveys that focus on soft skills and competencies that are key to job success.Target Audience
SkillSurvey is primarily targeted at large and medium-sized organizations, particularly those in industries such as Hospital & Health Care, Higher Education, and other sectors with significant hiring needs. The solution is most often used by companies with over 1,000 employees and revenues exceeding $1 billion.Key Features
Reference Checking
SkillSurvey simplifies the reference checking process, allowing recruiters to obtain feedback from references within a day or two. This is achieved through hundreds of job-specific surveys that assess soft skills and behavioral competencies.Data-Driven Insights
The solution provides detailed candidate reports and behavioral interview guides, helping recruiters make informed hiring decisions. The feedback is scientifically valid and correlates with job success.Talent Pipeline Creation
SkillSurvey enables recruiters to create a pipeline of potential candidates by inviting references to join the organization’s talent community. This can lead to a significant opt-in rate, providing a continuous source of qualified candidates.Turnover Reduction
By using SkillSurvey, organizations can reduce involuntary turnover by over 35% in the first year, as the solution helps identify candidates who are more likely to succeed and stay in the role.Integration and Automation
SkillSurvey can be integrated with other recruitment tools and systems, such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), to streamline the hiring process and reduce bias. It also automates various aspects of the recruitment workflow, including sourcing and nurturing campaigns. Overall, SkillSurvey is a valuable tool for recruiters and hiring managers looking to improve the quality of their hires, reduce turnover, and streamline their recruitment processes. SkillSurvey - User Interface and Experience
User Interface and Experience of SkillSurvey
The user interface and experience of SkillSurvey, a recruitment tool specializing in automated reference checks, are generally praised for their ease of use and intuitive design.
Ease of Use
Users find the platform straightforward and easy to use. The interface is intuitive, making it simple for recruiters to manage and complete tasks without extensive training. The automated reference checking process is particularly appreciated, as it significantly reduces the manual labor involved in gathering and assessing references.
User Interface
The platform offers a user-friendly interface that allows recruiters to easily create candidates, select and distribute surveys, and view detailed reports. The system includes features such as job category columns and survey details that can be sorted and filtered, making it easy to find and manage the necessary information.
Real-Time Reporting and Analytics
SkillSurvey provides real-time analytics and reporting features, enabling recruiters to quickly assess candidate suitability. This includes detailed insights into a candidate’s strengths and areas for improvement, which are presented in a clear and actionable manner.
Mobile-Friendly
The platform is mobile-friendly, allowing candidates and references to complete surveys on-the-go, which enhances the overall user experience and convenience.
Customization and Integration
While users appreciate the ease of use, some have noted limitations in customization. The surveys are often based on predefined job titles, and users have expressed a desire for more flexibility in creating custom surveys or mixing and matching question sections. However, the platform does integrate seamlessly with popular Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), which streamlines the recruitment process.
Support and Training
SkillSurvey offers comprehensive support services, including phone, chat, FAQ, forums, help desks, and 24/7 live support. Additionally, it provides various training resources such as documentation, in-person training, live online sessions, videos, and webinars, ensuring that users can get the help they need to use the platform effectively.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience is positive, with users praising the platform’s ability to save time, provide meaningful feedback, and enhance the hiring process. However, some users have noted areas for improvement, such as the need for more customization options and the occasional slowness when dealing with large volumes of data.
Summary
In summary, SkillSurvey’s user interface is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and provides valuable insights into candidate qualifications, making it a valuable tool for recruiters despite some minor limitations in customization.
SkillSurvey - Key Features and Functionality
SkillSurvey Overview
SkillSurvey, now part of the iCIMS Talent Cloud, offers several key features and functionalities that streamline and enhance the recruitment process, particularly in the area of reference checking and skills verification.
Streamlined Reference Checking
SkillSurvey allows recruiters to initiate reference checks quickly and efficiently. Here’s how it works:
- Recruiters can start the reference assessment process directly from the candidate’s profile in integrated systems like PageUp, using a Create Candidate API message.
- The system sends an email to the candidate with instructions and a link to input reference details and consent to a form. References then receive an email to complete a survey about the candidate.
- Once references submit their feedback, the recruiter is notified, and a status update is sent to the integrated system.
Job-Specific Surveys
SkillSurvey provides a wide array of job-specific surveys that focus on essential soft skills linked to success in various roles. Recruiters can choose from these pre-built surveys or create their own custom questions. This ensures that the feedback received is relevant and predictive of post-hire success.
Automated Feedback Collection
The platform automates the collection of feedback from references, significantly reducing the time required to gather this information. Recruiters can expect to receive detailed feedback within a day or two, compared to the traditional method which could take much longer.
Data-Driven Insights
SkillSurvey generates detailed reports based on the feedback collected. These reports include average numeric ratings, percentiles, and behavioral question assessments. This data helps recruiters and hiring managers make informed decisions about candidate suitability and potential for success in the role.
Integration with Recruitment Systems
SkillSurvey integrates seamlessly with various recruitment systems, such as PageUp and Okta. This integration ensures that all processes, from initiating reference checks to generating reports, are streamlined and accessible within the existing recruitment workflow.
Reduction in Turnover
Studies have shown that using SkillSurvey can reduce first-year turnover by over 35%. This is achieved by providing reliable, data-driven insights that help in selecting candidates who are more likely to thrive in their roles.
Post-Hire Feedback and Engagement
In addition to pre-hire reference checks, SkillSurvey offers a Post-Hire solution. This involves automated surveys that help organizations assess the strengths and opportunities of their employees post-hiring. It aids in identifying what motivates employees, what keeps them engaged, and how to better retain them.
Expansion of Talent Network
SkillSurvey Source allows organizations to expand their talent network by inviting references to join their talent community. This can lead to a new source of passive candidates, with opt-in rates ranging from 15% to 20%. This feature helps in creating and nurturing talent pipelines for specific roles.
AI Integration
While the integration of AI is not explicitly detailed in the sources, the automation and data-driven insights provided by SkillSurvey suggest a strong reliance on technological advancements to streamline and improve the accuracy of the recruitment process. However, specific details on AI integration are not available from the provided sources.
SkillSurvey - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluation of SkillSurvey in Recruitment Tools
When evaluating the performance and accuracy of SkillSurvey in the recruitment tools AI-driven product category, several key aspects stand out:
Automation and Efficiency
SkillSurvey significantly enhances the recruitment process by automating reference checks, which traditionally can be time-consuming and manual. It efficiently sends and manages reference requests from a single platform, allowing for personalized communication with referees and reducing the time spent on chasing phone calls by up to 10 days.
Accuracy and Insights
The platform provides detailed and accurate insights into candidates’ past performance through job-specific surveys. These surveys assess both hard skills and soft skills, which are crucial for job success. The feedback gathered is confidential and candid, with a high response rate of 85% from references, ensuring that hiring teams receive comprehensive and reliable information.
Predictive Hiring Insights
SkillSurvey offers predictive hiring insights that help in predicting a new hire’s success more accurately. This is achieved through sentiment analysis and benchmarking candidates against specific competencies and skills. This feature has been shown to reduce first-year turnover rates by 35%, indicating a higher accuracy in identifying the best-fit candidates.
Role-Specific Surveys
The platform includes over 135 role-specific survey templates that can be customized to gather targeted feedback for each position. This ensures that the feedback received is relevant and aligned with the job requirements, enhancing the accuracy of hiring decisions.
Fraud Detection and Secure Sharing
SkillSurvey includes features like fraud detection, which alerts users to dishonest candidates, and secure sharing options that allow easy collaboration and tracking of reports. This adds an extra layer of accuracy and security to the hiring process.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While SkillSurvey is highly praised for its ease of use and depth of insights, there are a few areas to consider:
- Dependence on Reference Participation: The accuracy of the insights depends on the participation and honesty of the references. Although SkillSurvey has a high response rate, any lack of participation or dishonest feedback could impact the accuracy of the results.
- Customization and Flexibility: While the platform offers a wide range of pre-built surveys, there might be specific needs or industries that require more customized solutions. Ensuring that the surveys can be highly customized to meet these needs is crucial.
- Integration with Other Systems: For optimal performance, seamless integration with other HR systems and tools is essential. Ensuring that SkillSurvey integrates well with existing HR software can enhance its overall effectiveness.
Conclusion
In summary, SkillSurvey performs well in automating reference checks, providing accurate and insightful feedback, and predicting hiring success. However, its effectiveness can be influenced by the participation of references and the need for customization and integration with other HR systems.
SkillSurvey - Pricing and Plans
The Pricing Structure of SkillSurvey
The pricing structure of SkillSurvey, a product within the iCIMS Talent Cloud, is not straightforward and does not offer publicly available pricing plans. Here are the key points to consider:
Custom Pricing
SkillSurvey does not provide predefined pricing packages. Instead, potential users need to schedule a consultation with the company to discuss their specific needs and requirements. During this consultation, users can inquire about pricing and receive a custom quote based on their organization’s unique circumstances.
No Publicly Available Plans
Unlike some other recruitment tools, SkillSurvey does not list specific pricing tiers or plans on their website. This approach can make it challenging for potential users who prefer the simplicity of selecting a plan and getting started immediately.
Free Trial
SkillSurvey does offer a free 30-day trial. This trial includes support from a free trial coach to use the Pre-Hire 360 workflow, account access for up to 30 days to the candidate feedback report, and the ability to use the service for up to 5 job candidates and 5 different job-specific surveys. This trial allows users to experience the software before committing to a purchase.
Features and Support
While the exact pricing is not available, the subscription plans typically include features such as:
- Access to hundreds of job-specific surveys
- The ability to reference check an unlimited number of candidates
- Dedicated customer relationship directors
- The option to build the reference process based on the user’s rules.
Given the lack of publicly available pricing information, it is essential to contact SkillSurvey directly to get a clear and accurate quote for your specific needs.
SkillSurvey - Integration and Compatibility
SkillSurvey Overview
SkillSurvey, a leading provider of behavioral, web-based reference-checking software, integrates seamlessly with several recruitment and HR tools to streamline the hiring process and improve the quality of hire.
Integration with Recruitment Tools
Greenhouse Recruiting
SkillSurvey integrates with Greenhouse Recruiting to automate the reference check stage. This integration allows organizations to add a SkillSurvey stage to their job’s interview plan, enabling the automated collection of reference feedback. To set this up, you need to create a Harvest API key and configure the necessary permissions, such as retrieving applications, candidates, jobs, and users. Once configured, you can send and review SkillSurvey assessments directly from Greenhouse Recruiting.
iCIMS Talent Platform
SkillSurvey partners with iCIMS to provide a seamless integration that manages sourcing, recruiting, assessments, reference-checking, and onboarding within a single web-based application. This integration enhances the pre-hire lifecycle, saving time and money while improving customer service.
Zoho Recruit
The SkillSurvey Reference Extension for Zoho Recruit allows users to submit candidates for reference checks and access finalized reports directly within Zoho Recruit. This integration simplifies the candidate process and makes it easier to track and access final reports.
Compatibility Across Platforms and Devices
Multi-Platform Compatibility
SkillSurvey is compatible with multiple platforms, including various recruitment and HR systems. It supports a wide range of businesses, from startups to enterprises.
Device Compatibility
SkillSurvey can be accessed via mobile browsers, ensuring that users can manage reference checks and access reports on different devices.
Language Support
While SkillSurvey itself is available exclusively in English, its surveys are available in five languages, which helps in gathering feedback from a diverse set of references.
Implementation and Setup
To integrate SkillSurvey with these tools, you typically need to follow specific setup steps, such as creating API keys, configuring permissions, and participating in kickoff calls with the SkillSurvey team. For example, integrating with Greenhouse Recruiting involves creating a Harvest API key and setting up the necessary credentials and permissions.
By integrating with these tools and being compatible across various platforms and devices, SkillSurvey enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the recruitment process, providing valuable insights into candidate performance and potential.
SkillSurvey - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
For immediate assistance, you can contact SkillSurvey’s customer support team via email at customerservice@skillsurvey.com or by calling 855-842-5251 or 610-422-3532. This support is crucial for addressing any issues or questions you may have about the platform.
User Guides and Documentation
SkillSurvey provides comprehensive user guides that outline the steps for using the platform. These guides cover various aspects such as creating candidates, selecting surveys, and managing the reference process. The documentation is detailed, including instructions on how to read the home page dashboard, manage candidates, and finalize candidate reports.
Training Resources
To help users get familiar with the system, SkillSurvey offers an on-demand training video that lasts about 17 minutes. This training is particularly useful for new users and can be accessed after obtaining the necessary approvals from supervisors and HR offices.
Survey Selection Tools
The platform includes a Survey Selection Tool that maps commonly recruited job titles to appropriate SkillSurvey surveys. This tool helps in consistent survey selection and can save time when initiating reference checks. It also allows for the customization of surveys based on specific job requirements.
Automated Reference Assessment
SkillSurvey’s automated reference assessment process streamlines the collection of feedback from references. This process involves sending emails to candidates and their references, tracking the status of surveys, and providing notifications once the surveys are completed. The system also generates detailed reports that can be printed, downloaded, or emailed.
Integration with Other Systems
SkillSurvey can be integrated with other recruitment systems like PageUp, allowing for seamless communication and data exchange between the platforms. This integration enables recruiters to initiate reference checks directly from the candidate’s profile and receive status updates and reports within the integrated system.
By leveraging these resources, users can efficiently manage the reference checking process, ensuring timely and valuable feedback that aids in making informed hiring decisions.
SkillSurvey - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Improved Hiring Efficiency
SkillSurvey streamlines the recruitment process by automating reference checks, reducing the time spent on manual follow-ups and ensuring timely completion of surveys through automated reminders.
Enhanced Candidate Insights
The platform provides detailed feedback from references, offering a comprehensive view of a candidate’s strengths and areas for improvement. This helps recruiters make more informed hiring decisions based on quantifiable data.
Data-Driven Decisions
SkillSurvey utilizes analytics to support evidence-based hiring decisions, minimizing the reliance on intuition alone. This approach helps in identifying the best-fit candidates for the role.
Reduced Bias
Standardized reference questions help minimize unconscious bias, promoting a fairer evaluation process.
Higher Quality Hires
By gathering thorough reference feedback, SkillSurvey helps ensure that new hires are well-suited for their roles, leading to better job performance and retention.
Compliance Assurance
The platform ensures that the reference-checking process adheres to legal and regulatory standards, reducing the risk of non-compliance issues.
Enhanced Candidate Experience
SkillSurvey provides a seamless and professional reference-checking process, reflecting positively on the employer brand.
Scalability
It easily handles high volumes of reference checks, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises.
Cost Savings
The automation of the reference-checking process leads to significant cost savings over time by reducing the need for extensive manual labor.
Actionable Feedback
The platform delivers specific, actionable insights that can be used to tailor onboarding and training programs for new hires.
Disadvantages
Limited Customization
Some users find the survey templates to be inflexible, making it difficult to tailor questions to specific job roles or company needs. This lack of customization can limit the platform’s adaptability to unique requirements.
Performance Issues
Some users have reported that the platform can be clunky and slow, especially when dealing with large volumes of data. This can hinder the efficiency of the recruitment process.
Custom Report Challenges
Users have expressed frustration with the limited ability to create custom surveys or reports, which can be a significant drawback for organizations with complex recruitment needs.
Overall, SkillSurvey is a valuable tool for streamlining reference checks and providing detailed candidate insights, but it may not be the best fit for larger organizations or those requiring high levels of customization.
SkillSurvey - Comparison with Competitors
When comparing SkillSurvey to other AI-driven recruitment tools, several key features and differences stand out:
Automated Reference Checking
SkillSurvey is renowned for its automated reference checking process, which streamlines the collection and analysis of feedback from references. This feature reduces manual labor and provides comprehensive insights into a candidate’s past performance, helping recruiters make more informed hiring decisions.Unique Features of SkillSurvey
- Compliance and Security: SkillSurvey ensures data privacy and compliance with industry standards, including GDPR and EEOC guidelines, which is a critical aspect for many organizations.
- Predictive Analytics: It utilizes predictive analytics to forecast a candidate’s potential success and fit within the organization, which can lead to better job performance and retention.
- Detailed Benchmarking: The tool provides benchmarking data to compare candidates against industry standards and peers, offering a more holistic view of candidate suitability.
- Multi-Language Support: SkillSurvey offers surveys and interfaces in multiple languages, catering to a diverse and global workforce.
Alternatives and Comparisons
Manatal
Manatal is an AI-powered ATS and recruitment platform that, unlike SkillSurvey, focuses more on candidate sourcing and engagement. Key features include centralized candidate sourcing from over 2,500 channels, an AI-powered recommendation engine, and in-depth analytics. Manatal’s pricing is more transparent, with monthly or annual plans starting at $15 per user, which can be more appealing to organizations seeking clear cost structures.HireVue
HireVue is another AI-powered recruiting tool that automates the hiring process through chat-based job matching and game-based assessments. While it does not specialize in reference checking like SkillSurvey, it offers interview automation and personalized text message-based recruiting. HireVue’s pricing starts at $35,000 per year for organizations with 2,500 to 5,000 employees, making it more suited for larger enterprises.Qureos (Iris)
Iris by Qureos is an AI recruitment platform that automates sourcing, shortlisting, and outreach to candidates. It generates customized job descriptions and sends personalized messages to shortlisted candidates. Unlike SkillSurvey, Iris focuses more on the initial stages of recruitment and does not have a strong emphasis on reference checking. Its multilingual capabilities and access to 100 job boards are notable features.Potential Alternatives
For organizations looking for alternatives to SkillSurvey, here are some considerations:- If you need a more transparent pricing model: Manatal might be a better option due to its clear and predictable pricing plans.
- If you focus on initial candidate sourcing and engagement: Tools like Manatal or Iris by Qureos could be more suitable due to their strong focus on these areas.
- If you require advanced interview automation: HireVue could be a better fit with its emphasis on chat-based job matching and game-based assessments.
Pricing Considerations
SkillSurvey’s pricing is not publicly available and requires a consultation to get a custom quote, which can be inconvenient for some organizations. In contrast, many of its competitors offer more transparent pricing models, which might be more appealing to those seeking clear budget planning.Conclusion
In summary, while SkillSurvey excels in automated reference checking and predictive analytics, other tools like Manatal, HireVue, and Iris by Qureos offer different strengths that might align better with specific organizational needs. Choosing the right tool depends on the particular requirements and priorities of the recruitment process. SkillSurvey - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about SkillSurvey
What is SkillSurvey and what does it do?
SkillSurvey is a sophisticated software solution that streamlines recruitment processes by automating reference checks and gathering detailed candidate feedback. It helps HR professionals and hiring managers enhance hiring efficiency and accuracy by providing comprehensive insights into a candidate’s past performance.How does SkillSurvey improve the hiring process?
SkillSurvey improves the hiring process by automating reference checks, reducing the time spent on manual follow-ups, and collecting feedback from multiple references quickly. This provides a holistic view of a candidate’s capabilities, reduces the risk of biased or incomplete information, and helps recruiters make informed hiring decisions based on quantifiable data.What are the key features of SkillSurvey?
Key features of SkillSurvey include automated reference checking, candidate sourcing, job posting, resume parsing, interview scheduling, customizable workflows, reporting and analytics, compliance management, mobile access, collaboration tools, candidate relationship management, background screening, offer management, onboarding, and integration with HR systems. It also offers customizable dashboards, multi-language support, and a candidate self-service portal.How does SkillSurvey pricing work?
SkillSurvey operates on a subscription model with costs varying based on the number of users and the volume of reference checks required. For small businesses, the cost can range from $200 to $500 per month for 1 to 10 users. For larger organizations, the monthly cost can range from $10,000 to $20,000 for 100 users, and upwards of $50,000 for global enterprises with 1,000 users or more. Implementation costs also vary, typically ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for small to medium-sized businesses and up to $10,000 or more for larger enterprises.Is there a free trial available for SkillSurvey?
Yes, SkillSurvey offers a free trial. Interested users can request a free trial to experience the software before committing to a subscription.What kind of support does SkillSurvey offer?
SkillSurvey provides comprehensive support services, including phone support, chat support, FAQ, forum, help desk, knowledge base, tickets, and 24/7 live support. Additionally, it offers various training resources such as documentation, in-person training, live online training, videos, and webinars.How does SkillSurvey ensure compliance and reduce bias in reference checks?
SkillSurvey ensures compliance by adhering to legal and regulatory standards in the reference-checking process, reducing the risk of non-compliance issues. It also reduces bias by using standardized reference questions, which help minimize unconscious bias and promote a fairer evaluation process.Can SkillSurvey be integrated with other HR systems?
Yes, SkillSurvey can be integrated with other HR systems, including Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. This integration helps streamline the recruitment process and ensures compliance.What are the benefits of using SkillSurvey for reference checks?
Using SkillSurvey for reference checks offers several benefits, including improved hiring efficiency, enhanced candidate insights, data-driven decisions, reduced bias, higher quality hires, compliance assurance, an enhanced candidate experience, scalability, and cost savings. It also provides actionable feedback that can be used to tailor onboarding and training programs for new hires.How does SkillSurvey handle large volumes of reference checks?
SkillSurvey is designed to handle high volumes of reference checks efficiently, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. It automates the reference-checking process, which significantly reduces the time and effort required to gather and assess references. SkillSurvey - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of SkillSurvey
SkillSurvey is a comprehensive recruitment tool that specializes in automating reference checks and gathering detailed candidate feedback, making it a valuable asset for HR professionals and hiring managers.
Key Benefits
- Improved Hiring Efficiency: SkillSurvey streamlines the recruitment process by automating reference checks, reducing the time spent on manual follow-ups and minimizing delays.
- Enhanced Candidate Insights: The platform provides detailed feedback from references, offering a holistic view of a candidate’s strengths and areas for improvement. This helps recruiters make more informed hiring decisions based on quantifiable data.
- Data-Driven Decisions: SkillSurvey utilizes analytics to support evidence-based hiring, reducing the risk of biased or incomplete information.
- Compliance Assurance: The software ensures that the reference-checking process adheres to legal and regulatory standards, such as GDPR and EEOC guidelines.
- Scalability: It is suitable for organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises, due to its flexible pricing model and ability to handle high volumes of reference checks.
Who Would Benefit Most
SkillSurvey is particularly beneficial for:
- Small to Medium-Sized Businesses: These organizations can leverage the automated reference checking and detailed analytics without the need for extensive manual labor or significant financial investment.
- HR Professionals: Those responsible for recruitment will appreciate the intuitive interface, automated reminders, and comprehensive reporting features that simplify their workflow.
- Organizations Focusing on Diversity and Inclusion: The new Demographics Insights feature in SkillSurvey Post-Hire allows employers to collect and analyze feedback based on various demographic values, supporting DEIB initiatives.
Limitations
While SkillSurvey offers many advantages, some users have noted a few limitations:
- Performance with Large Data Volumes: Some users find the platform slow and clunky when dealing with large volumes of data.
- Customization Options: There is limited ability to create custom surveys or reports, which can be a drawback for larger organizations with complex recruitment needs.
Overall Recommendation
SkillSurvey is a solid choice for organizations seeking to streamline their recruitment processes, especially those with simpler recruitment needs and a limited budget. Its ease of use, detailed reporting, and compliance assurance make it a valuable tool. However, larger organizations or those requiring extensive customization may need to weigh these limitations against the benefits.
In summary, SkillSurvey is an excellent option for enhancing hiring efficiency, providing actionable insights, and supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives, making it a worthwhile consideration for many recruitment teams.