Computer programs help find the right new hire

WASHINGTON – Machines are starting to determine who’s right for the job. And, what’s more, they’re even predicting who will be the star employee.

A handful of companies have come up with video games and online questionnaires that measure suitability for jobs, from warehouse workers to investment bank analysts, reports Bloomberg.

David Ostberg, vice president of workforce science at Evolv, a workforce science software company that uses those technologies, tells Bloomberg that humans aren’t that great at evaluating other humans.

“We’re making sure people are using the right data, instead of the traditional methods that were previously thought to be valid but big data’s showing are not,” Ostberg says.

This month, Erik Juhl, who heads Vungle, a video advertising company, says he plans to start using an online video game to analyze patterns and behaviors of people who play a video game called “Wasabi Waiter.” The game follows a sushi server as he goes through his duties, Bloomberg reports.

But still, the algorithms don’t replace an interview or resume, they go along with them. The partnerships help an employer determine whether or not someone is the right person for a position.

WTOP’s Veronica Robinson contributed to this report. Follow @VRobWTOP and @WTOP on Twitter.

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