...to be upset at not getting a job....PURELY because of a personality test?

[FergusSingsTheBlues]

I knew I was front runner. My interview went over by an HOUR and there was much talk of my first few projects etc. there was also joshing about how only a weirdo would fail the personality test, and not to worry etc.
oh, and haha, once somebody did fail it and HR vetoed the hire.

Guess what....a couple of weeks later I find out I was just as odd! They're not offering me the job because if that one test.

I'm so mad. And embarrassed.

Of course it's upsetting. Can you ask for feedback?

I really hate personality tests and I don't understand why so many employers use them now?

I might be wrong but I didn't think a personality test was a pass of fail type test anyway- it's just designed to see how you would 'fit' into the job/ department etc.

If they don't feel your personality fits with what they're looking for, it's not because you've 'failed'- you just weren't suitable for this job in their opinion.

Yeah, but think about it. Do you really want to work for a company that uses personality tests? What next star signs?

I don't think I could take a company like that seriously. Unless their were questions of ethics in there, a personality test isn't an insightful glimpse into a person.

This is an interesting one - was it the Saville and Holdsworth test? If so I would agree, people rarely "fail".

Sometimes it gives indicators the person would not be good in the job (so they get a low score in "attention to detail" for example when they are going to need that in the job). I personally wouldn't call this a fail myself, it is merely an indicator that the person would be better elsewhere. This may be what happened with you.

Only once in many many years have i seen someone "fail" and it was something to do with a combination of answers given which indicate extreme independance along with a disregard for authority and some other stuff which indicates the person has some severe issues.

I think you need to check which it is (NB they may not tell you!)

I don't think it was very professional of them to say 'only a weirdo' would fail the test. My company uses a company to do phone interviews and they match people against various profiles to see if they are suited to the job. I think HR have been over-ridden on stopping the hire following the phone interview on a few occasions - and the hires did not work out well. That sounds harsh, I'm sorry - I think you've been very badly treated by the way they set your expectations, the way they spoke about the test, and the way they have dropped you now. Definitely ask for feedback. Is there a way to discuss the recruitment process with HR? (Obviously how much you want to rock the boat might depend whether it was an internal application or not, whether you are likely to try for another position with the company etc).

Do you know which company did the testing? I know they say you can't prepare for these things, but there is a lot of information out there about the various kinds of testing done during recruitment that might help.

Yeah, but think about it. Do you really want to work for a company that uses personality tests?

Exactly. This speaks volumes about the company. It sounds as though you've dodged a bullet.

It's rubbish.

My work have just started 'profiling' . It's a load of crap to try and make work places more corporate and everybody drones.

Last year I seen many many valuable experienced 'older' employees get pushed out for various bullshit reasons. What they really want is young, preppy cheerleading American types who who yell "have a good day" every five mins.

This is appalling. Definitely ask for feedback and then take them to court.

Hey test bashers Lots of companies use them but they are only 1 tool when used with interviews (good structured interviews) they are proven effective in being a good indicator as to job performance but they have to be used properly which it sounds like they not here.

And yes I do work in HR and am trained in psychometrics so have seen first hand the positives. Why on earth would the fact they use tests be an indicator of them being a poor employer or company that's just bloody ignorant

Ask for feedback OP I would suspect that's not the only reason you didn't get job however if they have the neck to say it is then yes you are better off out of there as they clearly idiots

We had a big re org. Some people had to apply for jobs because theirs were redundant. Excellent people with years of experience ended up in the resource pool because they failed the personality tests.

This is appalling. Definitely ask for feedback and then take them to court.

On what grounds?

Personality tests are a load of bollocks IMO but a company can use them to try and assess the perspective employees compatibility in the business and doesn't have to give any other reason than they just won't 'fit'- there's no right or wrong answer.

do they want an extrovert ?

was it a myers briggs test?

I "failed" a personality test for a job and I was quite flattered!

They sent me a report saying I wouldn't fit into their organization because of my personality traits.

Points they made were that they thought I would be challenging of authority ( true) that I would encourage other employees to do the same ( also true).

In effect I wouldn't be compliant enough.

He didn't say 'weirdo' but he did say that once somebody managed to fail it, to which I responded that that would be a very hard rejection to deal with...and there was much ' yeah....I know!!' Going on.

Fucking hell. I just feel a bit robbed given its probably the first interview in over ten years where I've not got the job. Rejection isn't a bad thing but since when did some asset management company decide that it's all about the people?! All they care about is making money so this shtick is a bit odd. And 1970s.

YABU. It's not a pass or fail, more of an audition. They want apples, you are an orange. No big deal. Far far worse to be the wrong fit on a team. That was me once. I was the only "red" on my team and everyone else was a "yellow", and therefore a spineless arse, in my opinion!

I was too much of an individual achiever (true) and not enough of a team play (true).
they forgot to say I was an egotistical bitch who doesn't really take failure well though. Can't believe how upset I am.

Why on earth would the fact they use tests be an indicator of them being a poor employer or company that's just bloody ignorant

Because as a company you want a variety of viewpoints and personalities. Otherwise your job and product gets stagnant and loses relevance. You want disagreement in the workplace (disagreement, not petty bickering), if everyone agrees on everything and is too much the same you aren't going to stay on top of your product. It's how you get one hit ponies and companies following a predictable formula, and slowly losing relevance. Bluntly, it's how teams become redundant.

So when you take a personality test it's the same as saying "Are they similar enough to fit in?". You actually do want people that challenge authority (in good taste) and aren't afraid to state their opinion. You don't want yes men. More importantly, the big picture people bring just as much to the table as the attention to detail people. Personally I think attention to detail is subjective anyway, getting lost in the details is just as much a vice as not noticing them in the first place.

Like I said, unless there were ethical questions, a personality test really reveals nothing about a person any more than a star sign does. It doesn't say how well they'll work with you, and it doesn't indicate how well they'll get along with the team. I may be an introvert, but I am also charming and get along with just about everyone and am hard working enough to always deliver. Not hiring me because I'm not an extrovert is really silly.

Personally, I think it's better to go on references and ask past employers how you worked with them, and their assessment of you.

Ah, you will bounce back. It obviously wasn't meant to be. Most likely something bigger and better around the corner.

Which test was it OP?

Bit risky, to have an asset manager investing on behalf of clients/portfolios, but who wants to go it alone and take on board the team?

But what the heck do I know, I am not a banker. (Thank god)

Rather than take on board?