How ArcBest is hiring Data Input Specialists with ThriveMap

At ThriveMap, we love seeing our tools tackle real-world recruitment challenges. ArcBest, a multibillion-pound logistics provider, is a prime example. After successfully using our pre-hire assessments for Dock Workers and Operations Supervisors, they saw the potential to apply the same approach for Data Input Specialists—a crucial, detail-oriented role.

Here’s how we’re helping ArcBest find the most committed and capable talent.

The challenge: Selecting the most committed and competent Data Input Specialists

A typical administrative role may follow a 9-to-5 schedule; however, at ArcBest, their team of Data Input Specialists must often work night shifts to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of their 24-hour business. While this shift pattern may not be practical for everyone, it offers a suitable opportunity for those who prefer non-traditional working hours. Ensuring candidates understand the realities of the role early in the application process is crucial to reducing recruitment costs, maintaining business continuity, and streamlining the hiring process.

In addition to commitment, the role also requires people to be able to enter data at speed and with accuracy. Even a small mistake could have big implications on business operations.

The Solution: Thrivemap’s Realistic Job Assessments

ArcBest is partnering with ThriveMap to develop bespoke Realistic Job Assessments that highlight the specific challenges of the Data Input Specialist role, ensuring candidates possess the necessary skills and demonstrate competence, commitment, and fit within the organisation.

These assessments aim to offer a clear, accurate “day-in-the-life” simulation, highlighting the realities of night shifts while assessing candidates’ ability to maintain typing speed and accuracy under real-world conditions.

ThriveMap’s workshops and tools help ArcBest understand what the role truly entails, shaping a realistic Ideal Candidate Profile. This approach ensures that only well-prepared candidates aligned with the job’s demands move forward. The result is a more efficient hiring process, stronger long-term commitment, and reduced turnover, as only those genuinely suited to the role are selected.

“Working with ThriveMap was a seamless experience. The assessments provided a clear understanding of what the job entailed, making it easier to gauge fit and commitment. Collaborating with a team that values clarity and efficiency in the recruitment process was refreshing.”

Valentino Castañeda, Sr. Manager, Employee Experience,

ArcBest

Why Thrivemap?

At ThriveMap, we specialise in creating bespoke Realistic Job Assessments (RJAs) tailored to the unique needs of frontline, high-volume hiring. Our assessments go beyond generic tests, focusing on the real skills, behaviours, and cognitive abilities required for success in each specific role. Whether it’s evaluating behavioural attributes through situational judgement tests (SJT), or skills like typing accuracy, spatial awareness, tech literacy, and attention to detail, we ensure the questions reflect the actual demands of the job—not abstract scenarios.

Our process begins with a detailed job task analysis using a tool called Signal and a workshop we facilitate with subject matter experts. We gather insights directly from the workers who perform the job, identifying the core attributes needed to thrive in the role. From there, we design assessments based on real-life scenarios and tasks, giving candidates an authentic job preview.

What sets ThriveMap apart is our Realistic Job Assessment approach, a term we coined to describe our focus on testing candidates through bespoke, job-relevant tasks that mirror the realities of the role. Unlike off-the-shelf assessments, our RJAs are more predictive of success because they’re grounded in the actual working environment, making them ecologically valid.

Our RJAs also improve candidate experience and retention. Showing candidates a “day-in-the-life” narrative of the role helps them make informed decisions about whether the job is right for them, significantly reducing new hire attrition. Research shows that 55% of people leave a job because the reality doesn’t match expectations. Our assessments are designed to prevent this by giving candidates a true-to-life understanding of the role.

Finally, we’ve found that job-relevant assessments are the preferred method among candidates. Unlike abstract personality tests or games, which are often unfair and biased, our RJAs give candidates a sense of fairness and clarity, leading to better overall experiences.

If you’d like to learn more about why Realistic Job Assessments are a game-changer in high-volume, entry-level recruitment, request a demonstration of our software and services here.