Journalist Test

When looking to fill a journalist position, it's important to make sure that the candidate has the skills necessary to do the job. A journalist skills test can help ensure that the candidate is a good fit for the position.

  • What is a journalist skills test?

    A journalist has a range of jobs including researching, writing and editing. A successful journalist will be able to do all three, and more, efficiently and skillfully. The journalist skills test helps to identify these skills through a user-friendly system, asking multiple-choice questions and focusing on a variety of different scenarios.

    As well as writing, a journalist will need a range of skills that can be tested including problem solving, communication both verbal and written and interpersonal skills.

    The journalist skills test is a simple way to test a wide range of skills on a large group of candidates.

Identify the best candidates and hire faster

Our pre-employment tests let you drill down to the best candidates at the click of a button.

  • Find those candidates who will excel in the role.

    Select the assessments that match the skills or behaviours for the position. You can test for software or coding competency, soft skills like teamwork, or personality traits, to be sure those who pass have high potential.

  • Reduce costs and time.

    No more laborious sifting of resumes or cover letters. Pick your ideal assessment mix, invite your applicants to take them, see the results in your dashboard. Get to the interview stage fast.

  • Eliminate bias.

    All your candidates take the assessments on a level playing field. Only their results determine whether they get shortlisted.

  • What are the benefits of using the journalist skills test for pre-screening?

    A journalist must find accurate and interesting information and report on it. It is important the information is factual and from a range of sources including people all around the world. A large part of the job is working with different people, meaning interpersonal skills are essential for a strong applicant.

    Using the journalist skills test, you can remove all unconscious bias, as personal information is withheld. The results from the test are the only information considered when making decisions on who should progress to the next round of the hiring process.

    Some of the skills which can be tested through the journalist skills test are soft skills such as interpersonal, communication and problem solving. As well as these other skills which are crucial to the role will also be tested such as critical thinking and software skills such as Microsoft Word.

    Other roles could also use this test to support their hiring process. Jobs such as editor, writer, web editor, researcher or content creator.

How our test measures journalist skills

Test questions are designed to assess industry-specific technical skills, soft skills, aptitude and suitable personality dimensions. Our data-driven approach provides results that enable you to determine how suited is a candidate for the role.

Depending on the type of question, the format of the test may vary. Multiple-choice questions are used to measure aptitude, technical skills and soft skills, while agreement on a Likert scale assesses suitable personality dimensions. Skills tests ensure that candidates are being evaluated in a precise and impartial manner, their results demonstrating the true knowledge and potential of each test taker.

The characteristics required to be a journalist were determined by looking at the skills and abilities listed in the US Department of Labor’s O*NET database, which collects data from professionals in various fields.

O*NET is the largest database of its kind, providing detailed information about occupations and the requirements for each role.

Our team of I/O psychologists and psychometrics worked closely with subject-matter experts to create an extensive question bank that can be used to test multiple candidates. We also conducted rigorous field testing with a representative sample of candidates to ensure that the questions were reliable and valid.

Test scores are averaged together to give an overall score. The average score is compared to other candidates' scores to ensure there is no bias toward certain candidates.

Our journalist test is constantly updated and optimized to ensure the best experience and results.

Validated

Predictor of job success

Picked provides evidence-based recommendations for tests to use for over 750 jobs. Our recommendation engine leverages data from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
  • Assessments

    A full suite of assessments

    Our platform comes with 12 tests across both foundation and advanced levels so they’re suitable for everyone. Including aptitude, behavioural and personality tests, you’ll have a full range of tests to help you find the candidates you’re seeking.

  • Analytics

    An array of candidate metrics

    For each of your candidates, you’ll be given a comprehensive report. Included will be all the metrics you need to build a detailed picture of each candidate and ensure you’re making the right hiring decisions.

“The platform is so simple to use. I had used competitor providers for over six years and will never go back. Fast, efficient and friendly!”
Greg Chambers, HR Business Partner, Littlefish Ltd
Greg Chambers, HR Business Partner, Littlefish Ltd

Journalist Test FAQs

What skills are needed to be a journalist?

There is a range of skills that are needed to be a journalist. These include soft skills as well as computer-based skills. Communication and interpersonal skills are essential during the research stages for a journalist and software such as Microsoft Word is necessary during the writing and editing stages.

Can I use this test to assess software skills?

Yes! The journalist skills test includes software such as Microsoft Word which is an essential skill for a journalist. This test could also be applied to other software skills such as PowerPoint or Excel, as these can be beneficial for a journalist to understand.

Can I see what the test is like?

Yes, of course. You can try the test for free by signing up for a free trial.

Are these tests available in my plan?

We have a range of plans available. The difference between the plans is the number of test attempts permitted, not the type of tests. All our plans include our full test suite comprising all tests and all levels.

“An unbeatable service, impressive platform and fantastic value for money.”
Laurence Fishman, Partner, NLPCA
Laurence Fishman, Partner, NLPCA

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