What employers assess: A large-scale mapping of competencies formalized in early-stage screening across Latin America

This study provides region-wide evidence on platform-observed employer assessment demand in Latin America, defined as competencies employers formalize through standardized screening. We identify the most frequently assessed competencies, examine cross-country variation, and explore gender-related patterns. We analyzed records from 618,924 candidates across 38,075 selection processes in 17 Latin American countries, totaling 1,296,587 competency evaluations. We computed assessment intensity, used logistic regression with country-stratified bootstrap inference for cross-country comparisons, applied linear models for gender differences, and computed pairwise correlations of competency requests at the process level. Customer Orientation, Effective Communication, and Achievement Orientation were the most frequently formalized competencies. Attitudinal families dominated, while digital and leadership competencies were less frequently formalized. Country profiles revealed a shared regional core of leading competencies, alongside country-specific deviations that were substantial for some competencies and markets. Gender differences were small, though systematic patterns emerged: men scored higher in Mental Agility/General Intelligence; women scored higher in Customer Orientation and Collaboration. Competencies were selected independently rather than in fixed blocks. This study offers one of the first large-scale mappings of employer-requested competency assessments in Latin America using platform-based recruitment data, distinguishing formalized competencies from stated preferences in job vacancies.