About the test
The Cost Estimator Pre-Employment Assessment was designed to help you hire staff in this role. The test provides a whole-person evaluation by measuring job-relevant cognitive ability, personality, knowledge, skills, and relevant behavioral history.
Each component provides important data for hiring decisions. Cognitive ability has been linked to overall job performance in most jobs and correlates with a candidate's
ability to learn new skills and to solve complex problems. Personality characteristics determine how well the candidate will fit-in with a corporate culture. Knowledge and skills indicate how much training will be needed before a new employee becomes productive. Finally, relevant behavioral history detects counter-productive behaviors that can impact job performance.
The Cost Estimator test includes an animated work simulation in which candidates meet customers, colleagues and supervisors in a job-related context. Post-test surveys indicate the majority of candidates react favorably to these simulations.
The specific attributes measured include:
Cognitive Ability
- Analytical Thinking and Attention to Detail
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Knowledge and Skills
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Personality
- Adaptability
- Drive
- Integrity
- Resilience
- Teamwork
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Emotional Intelligence
- Empathy and Emotional Self-Control
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Behavioral History
- History Survey - Performance
- History Survey - Tenure
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Following completion, the test produces a Candidate Selection Report that includes an overall score and detailed scores for each attribute. The overall score weighs each of the factors based on research and analysis from the U.S. Government's Occupational Information Network (O*Net). O*Net represents over a decade of dedicated research evaluating the relative importance of various factors that lead to success in almost 1,000 different job roles.
The Candidate Selection Report also provides expert interview questions that help you probe critical or low-scoring areas, along with a guide for noting your evaluation of the candidate's responses. Consistent use of an interview guide is an important part of gaining better candidate insights and making better hiring decisions.
About the job
Cost Estimator
Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
Top activities and tasks for this job:
- Getting Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Working with Computers
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
More information about this Job
| Annual US Wages (2023) |
| Bottom 10%: | | $44,820 or less |
| Bottom 25%: | | $57,130 or less |
| Median: | | $74,740 (Average) |
| Top 25%: | | $96,740 or more |
| Top 10%: | | $124,520 or more |
| US Employment Statistics |
| 2023: | | 227,900 |
| 2033 (projected): | | 219,600 |
| Annual U.S. Job Openings: | 18,000 |
Top Knowledge Requirements
- Mathematics
- Economics and Accounting
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Building and Construction
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Design
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Top Skills
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Writing
- Complex Problem Solving
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Top Abilities
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Number Facility
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
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| Education Requirements |
| High School Diploma: | | 5% |
| Associate's Degree (2 yr): | | 9% |
| Bachelor's Degree: | | 82% |
| Master's Degree: | | 5% |
| This graphic shows the percentage of people in this role who have their highest education in each category. |
| Related Work Experience Requirements |
| None: | | 14% |
| 1 - 2 Years: | | 27% |
| 2 - 4 Years: | | 50% |
| 4 - 6 Years: | | 9% |
| This graphic shows the percentage of people in this role whose related work experience before they entered this position falls into each category. |
Alternate Titles for this Role: Acquisition Cost Estimator, Analyst, Building Construction Estimator, Building Estimator, Civil Estimator, Commercial Construction Estimator, Commercial Estimator, Commercial Roofing Estimator, Concrete Estimator, Construction Estimator, Construction Job Cost Estimator, Cost Analyst, Cost Consultant, Cost Engineer, Cost Estimating Analyst, Cost Estimator, Cost Recovery Technician (Cost Recovery Tech), Crating and Moving Estimator, Drywall Estimator, Electrical Estimator, Estimating Specialist, Estimator, Flooring Estimator, Heavy Civil Estimator, Industrial Estimator, Investment Recovery Technician (Investment Recovery Tech), Job Cost Estimator, Job Estimator, Mechanical Estimator, Print Estimator, Production Cost Estimator, Project Estimator, Quantity Surveyor, Sales Estimator, Service Advisor, Service Writer, Structural Steel Estimator
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