If you do/have done hiring at work...

[justjen]

We have a test. But it's editorial, so it's different...

[krystee]

We did a social media test where we gave them an article we wrote and had them draft social posts for three channels (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) and we had a sentence about our audience on each channel. It let us see if they could pick out the most interesting news, they had no grammar mistakes, etc.

[thebreakfastclub]

You could ask them about a time when they had to learn a new skill.

But really, I don't know that I would expect an entry level person to learn and execute all things after being taught once. I can't always do that myself.

[shoeless]

I needed candidates who have intellectual curiosity. I hire analysts so I need them to ask questions about the data being presented to them (instead of just believing it). Google gave me some great ideas on questions to ask them, and traits to look for. My favorite question so far has been: 'Give an example of the last time you taught yourself something new'.

[mlvmd]

We will ask how they solve a problem without having all the needed information. How they faced a regulatory challenge and overcame it (legally). We are looking for critical thinkers who know how to look things up and try solve a problem without relying on us 100%.

[vmars]

I think it's unrealistic for an entry level employee to walk in and need very little training. You either want to pay someone with experience who can make an easy transition or you want to pay someone less and spend time training them. Training someone doesn't mean you are going to have spend hours explaining things but it will more than likely take more than one time. You are setting yourself up for disappointment with this attitude in my opinion.

[irish]

Ask about extra curricular activities in school/college. This can often give good insight, as can asking about what they like to do on their own time. Are they into solo sports/activities? Team sports or group activities? Basically, have they an interest in being part of a team?

[everafter07]

We also have a test we give. Shows the ability to think on your feet and gauges how flustered someone can get.

[livinitup]

We have a data department that is growing and staffing needs similar to what you describe. We use a temp agency to recruit folks to send to us. Sometimes we interview, sometimes we start them based on their resume/employment CV. We know within a few days/weeks if they can cut it. When they do, great. When they don't, we tell the temp agency and they end it for us and send someone new. They are really great at finding what we need - especially around those admin skills.

And it's pretty fast paced around moving people in and out without having a tedious HR involvement. Folks kinda have to make-it or break-it, on the job. And since they are technically employees of the temp agency, it keeps those terminations off of our record with the state for UI. Anyway, not traditional but effective.