Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open. (E. Letterman)
Here is how your boss decides to use personality tests. Then we will show you how to “beat” them.
His story
Your job as boss is in danger. 3 more people have quit. 5 of the last 10 people you hired are having performance problems. Technically they are proficient. At least you got that right. They just aren’t working hard. They complain constantly. They don’t fit in. What can you do to keep your job?
You’ve got to hire better, right? You go to HR (human resources) and ask for help. Jill, the VP of HR, has no time for you. In desperation you blurt out, “Can’t we test these people to see if they are good team players?”
Jill stops, smiles and says, “I’ve seen just the test for the job. It costs $95 every time you give it, but it will do the trick. With your sponsorship we can make it mandatory for all new hires.” Now she has time for you. Why? You just saved her job too. She is also under fire for all the hiring problems. Testing will prove it is not her problem.
A mistake hirers often make is getting the personality they want. Got it? They hire the exact person they want. They just want the wrong person. An accurate test won’t fix that. Better interviews won’t fix that. And truthfully, the tests are a pain to take, but reasonably accurate.
FAQ
How do I beat a personality test?
Be yourself. Answer honestly. Don’t get upset. Really. It works.
So, what do you do when asked to take a personality test?
Take it. Do your best.
Should you worry about the company that asks you to take it?
No. Someone there is trying to hire scientifically. It may work and it may not. It depends on their attitude towards the test, and you have no way to measure that. So don’t worry.
Can I change my answers to score better?
No. Don’t try. You will probably fail miserably. Test makers work hard to make their test detect liars. Anyway, do you really want to get a job that a company thinks is a bad fit for you? Just answer honestly and openly.
Isn’t there a chance I’ll be wrongly excluded?
Yes, yes, yes. That’s the biggest problem with personality tests. It is also the biggest problem with interviews. Hirers sometimes are looking for the wrong person. Get used to it. And sometimes you really are the wrong person for the job!
Personality tests are just another form of interview. Companies pay huge amounts for interview training that may or may not help. They also pay for tests that may or may not help. Don’t take it personally. They are trying to figure out how to hire better. Work with them. Do your best to help them make a good hire.
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Something To Do Today
For the fun of it, go online and find a free personality test. Take it. Does it get close to your personality? It probably does. That means the problem is not the test or you. The problem is that the hiring manager is looking for the wrong result, or that you really are the wrong person for the job.
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Later: Resume blasting
Certifications – gold and lead
Recruiter motivation