Elevate Your Talent Management Strategy: Nine Essential Questions to Choose the Best Assessment Partner

Selecting the right assessment and talent management partner is a critical decision for any organization aiming to drive business success. High-quality talent and leadership are essential to outperforming competitors and achieving long-term growth.  

Research underscores the importance of effective talent management. One study reveals that organizations with very effective practices are six times more likely to report higher Total Shareholder Returns (TIR). This highlights that investing in the right talent management strategies can lead to substantial competitive advantages and financial returns. 

Talent assessments play a crucial role in any talent management strategy, helping organizations make informed decisions about leadership selection, internal mobility and leadership development. They identify skills gaps, ensuring targeted development initiatives that prepare future leaders. When leveraged effectively, assessments provide the insights needed to build a strong leadership pipeline, foster career growth and align talent strategies with business goals. 

To ensure you work with the best talent management and assessment provider and maximize ROI, it's vital to ask potential partners the key questions outlined below. 

1. What Is Your Experience and Track Record in the Industry?  

Start by evaluating the provider’s experience. A trusted, proven and experienced talent assessment partner is more likely to deliver meaningful insights and better outcomes for your organization. Their track record in the assessment field — and specifically within your industry — can help gauge their ability to meet your unique needs. Look for a provider with a history of successful partnerships and ask for case studies or real-world examples that demonstrate their impact on leadership selection, internal mobility and development. 

2. Do You Strategically Align Your Talent Assessments with Organizational Goals?  

Ensure the provider’s talent assessments are tailored to your unique business objectives and culture. Assessments should not only evaluate candidates but also support your strategic goals. Look for a provider who can provide scientifically validated assessments that accurately measure important factors related to your specific talent needs and company culture. This alignment ensures that the assessments contribute to achieving broader organizational targets.  

3. What Methodologies Do You Use in Your Assessments? 

Understanding the methodologies used provides insight into how talent assessments are developed and how they measure candidates’ skills and attributes. Look for providers that employ a holistic, data-driven approach and a blend of methodologies — such as behavioral interviews, psychometric testing and customized simulations — to capture a complete view of candidates’ potential. Equally important is a user-friendly, accessible candidate experience, underpinned by integrated technology that is both trusted and committed to protecting data privacy. Ask providers to walk you through their approach, explaining their tools, methodologies and how they ensure a secure and seamless experience for every candidate. 

4. Do You Provide the Hogan Assessment and Other Research-Backed Psychometric Tools?   

The Hogan Assessment and other scientifically validated tools like Watson-Glaser are renowned for their rigorous research foundations and are considered the gold standard in psychometric assessments. These tools have been extensively validated and are known for their accuracy and reliability in predicting job performance and leadership potential. In contrast, some providers may use proprietary assessments that lack the extensive research backing of established tools. Asking about the availability of these renowned talent assessments ensures you are using proven methods that minimize bias and enhance the fairness and effectiveness of your selection process.   

5. What Are the Qualifications and Experience of Your Assessors?   

The effectiveness of talent assessments hinges on the expertise of the assessors. Ensure they hold advanced degrees, relevant certifications and have extensive experience. World-class assessors with ongoing training provide more accurate and insightful evaluations, enhancing the overall value of the assessment process. It’s an industry best practice to involve industrial-organizational (I/O) psychologists in building, validating and even conducting assessments. These experts ensure that the evaluation methods are rigorous, reliable and tailored to uncover true potential. Look for providers who integrate this standard into their processes to guarantee the highest quality outcomes. 

6. How Scalable Are Your Talent Assessment Solutions? 

In today’s dynamic business environment, organizations need solutions that grow and adapt with them. Scalability is key — talent assessment providers should meet your current demands and be equipped to expand as your organization evolves. Whether your focus is local or requires broader market coverage, ask providers how their solutions scale to your specific needs. If you have global operations and requirements, verify that the provider offers robust local support worldwide, including assessors who understand regional nuances, ensuring that assessments remain relevant and effective across different cultures and locations. 

7. Can You Act as a Total Talent Partner?   

To drive meaningful talent outcomes, your provider must do more than deliver assessments — they should seamlessly integrate insights from all talent solutions to maximize impact. A true total talent partner connects assessments with coaching, development programs and outplacement support, turning insights into action. For example, combining assessments with leader coaching helps identify and cultivate critical skills, strengthening leadership pipelines and improving retention of high-potential talent. By leveraging data-driven insights across the entire talent lifecycle, you create a cohesive strategy aligned with your broader business goals and drive measurable results. Be sure to ask about the depth of a provider’s solutions and request proof of how they’ve successfully delivered exceptional outcomes through an integrated talent approach. 

8. What Is the Quality of Your Candidate and Client Experience? 

Evaluating the quality of the candidate and client experience is crucial. One effective way to gauge this is by examining a provider's Net Promoter Score (NPS), which measures customer loyalty and satisfaction on a scale from -100 to 100. Providers with world-class NPS scores — typically between 70 and 100 — are recognized for consistently delivering exceptional experiences and exceeding expectations. Inquire about their NPS to understand how they benchmark against industry leaders and ensure that every interaction, from candidate engagement to client service, reflects the highest quality standards. 

9. How Do You Measure the Effectiveness of Your Talent Assessments?  

A good assessment is an investment that can return many times its cost. Measuring effectiveness is crucial for determining the ROI of your talent assessment programs. Inquire about the provider’s methods for evaluating the impact of their assessments on hiring success, employee development, leadership pipelines and overall organizational performance. A top-tier partner goes further by translating assessment results into actionable business metrics. They ensure that the right data is collected, reported and interpreted in a way that aligns with your strategic objectives. Look for a provider with a deep understanding of key performance metrics and the capability to transform insights into measurable results that drive business success. 

Maximize Your Success Through a Strategic Assessment and Talent Management Partnership  

Choosing the best assessment and talent management partner can significantly impact your organization's success. By asking the right questions, you ensure that your partner delivers high-quality, research-backed talent assessments and integrates seamlessly with your talent management strategy.  

This careful selection process not only enhances your talent acquisition and development efforts but also positions your organization to achieve better results and stay ahead in a competitive market. Remember, the right assessment partner is more than just a service provider — they are a strategic ally in your talent management approach and driving your organization’s success.