I work for a college as well, and recently hired a technician. We didn't require any sort of tests, but now I wish that we had. While my technician is wonderful working with computers, she can't write worth a darn. As some of the job requirements include making presentations and writing (draft) grant proposals, her failure to write professionally means that I need to redo everything she does before it goes out. With university politics the way they are, we can't get someone new, either. So if you can give them a test--of technical skills, writing skills, or otherwise--do it, otherwise you may have to live with the consequences.
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I work for a college as well, and recently hired a technician. We didn't require any sort of tests, but now I wish that we had. While my technician is wonderful working with computers, she can't write worth a darn. As some of the job requirements include making presentations and writing (draft) grant proposals, her failure to write professionally means that I need to redo everything she does before it goes out. With university politics the way they are, we can't get someone new, either. So if you can give them a test--of technical skills, writing skills, or otherwise--do it, otherwise you may have to live with the consequences.