To be baffled by Tesco's screening questions

Hingeandbracket · 2020-06-24T14:55:18+00:00

I applied for a job at Tesco but failed their questionnaire, which suggests situations and asks you to choose a multiple choice answer for what you would do in each. I always struggle with these kinds of tests as it often seems to me that all are good answers - or none - and there isn't an obvious answer. Does anyone who has passed this test have any tips about how it works? I want to work and I am prepared to put myself out to help people - but it is very hard to see exactly what Tesco are looking for in these ambiguous questions.

Maranello4 · 24/06/2020 15:58

Can you remember the provider name? As would be helpful eg Kenexa? There are a limited number of psychometric test providers in the UK and they usually have free ones you can practice with. Won’t be exactly the same but gives you an idea. They’re usually based on their values and ways of doing something so you may not have failed but pertains it’s not quite the right culture for you. Sounds like it was a situational judgement test? Did you ask them for feedback?

The80sweregreat · 24/06/2020 16:03

Those type of questions are hard to work out : I've been baffled in the past too. Seems ' ask the supervisor' was the main answer to a few for one online job I didn't get : why would I do this ? It didn't make any sense to me at all for a few of the questions : using common sense would have done it !
I hate all aspects of job hunting because of these silly tests and how they try and trip you up. I guess that's why my job hunting has been so rubbish in the past. They managed to filter me out very quickly.
Hang on in there though op!
Do a bit of research online first as well.

rosiejaune · 24/06/2020 16:07

These are indirectly discriminatory to various people. E.g. I am autistic and find it difficult to answer theoretical questions. But I would still do a good job actually working and using my initiative. So it doesn't give a true picture of my abilities.

Also there are often implicit cultural values which favour the dominant social group (for no valid reason).

PrincessPain · 24/06/2020 16:09

I've had jobs in a few places, including tesco.
The customer is always right seems to be the consensus on most the questions.
And anything that helps your team and shows initiative rather than needing hand holding all the way.
I passed and got jobs for Aldi and Tesco, so I assume I did something right.

Original poster

Hingeandbracket · 24/06/2020 16:10

Did you ask them for feedback?
There was "feedback" at the end of the test but frankly it was gobledegook, and didn't make clear whether I had passed or failed the test so I waited to get the outcome. The email they sent said "We hope the feedback that you received at the end of the assessment will support your understanding more about your strengths and help you with any future applications." I am glad they hope that but it really didn't - it didn't appear to have been written in English to me, it was very vague and full of waffle and didn't help at all - although I wish I had taken a copy now

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ultrablue · 24/06/2020 16:13

I kept failing the Tesco one, Googled the answers and got a job there. If you think the screening questions are difficult, try understanding their wages slips haha.

Google is your friend and good luck x

Original poster

Hingeandbracket · 24/06/2020 16:15

Seems ' ask the supervisor' was the main answer to a few
Maybe this was where I went wrong as I was trying to show I didn't need to rely on "asking my Mum" about everything.

I did try to answer all with putting the customer first - but there was a question about a spillage in an aisle and customers slipping and getting angry and I did think the priority on that one should have been safety - but the answers were very vague.

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Original poster

Hingeandbracket · 24/06/2020 16:16

Thanks @ultrablue - I have googled but all the results are very out of date and don't relate to the current questions.

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Pelleas · 24/06/2020 16:16

One general rule is

Help a customer first
Help another colleague second
Finish a task last

ultrablue · 24/06/2020 16:16

Meant to say (unless it's changed) at least with Tesco you get unlimited attempts, Asda and Aldi gave you one chance then it was a six month wait to try again

Bargebill19 · 24/06/2020 16:19

For retail online recruitment questionnaires it’s always put the customer first and if I’m any doubt ask a supervisor or more experienced colleague. Plus refuse to do what you’ve not been trained to do/use.
You are answering as if you are the perfect employee in a perfect world where everyone will help you and customers aren’t annoying.

Original poster

Hingeandbracket · 24/06/2020 16:24

Plus refuse to do what you’ve not been trained to do/use.
Hmm interesting - one of the questions was about working on restocking an aisle I didn't normally work on - but I thought the "refuse" answer was a bit jobsworth - maybe I was wrong.

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CurseryKinkajoo · 24/06/2020 16:28

Oh I’ve just done these for Asda with no feedback but no interview either so I assume I failed. I did try swapping the order on some of them on my second go.

Topseyt · 24/06/2020 16:30

I have no advice, but I just wanted to say that I share your frustration here.

I am also starting to apply for some things again. Not because I want to, but because it is now looking as though I will have to be made redundant from my current role.

I hate all aspects of job hunting and all aspects of the job market today. Especially these fucking tests. They are designed to trip you up and are very, very impersonal. If I could just get to meet an actual human being for an interview then I am sure I could sell myself much better than this.

Original poster

Hingeandbracket · 24/06/2020 16:31

BTW thanks everyone - I do appreciate the help.

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dementedpixie · 24/06/2020 16:33

I've failed it too before. I had even worked in a supermarket before so thought I'd do ok

KaptenKrusty · 24/06/2020 16:33

oh man I hate these things!

Last year when I was job hunting I applied for an office manager job and the first stage was to do task that would take about 2 hours - so i got up at 8am on a saturday to do the task - they wanted me to re-design their lobby area and gave me a budget and I actually had to go virtual shopping for all the stuff and had to make sure all the furniture fit etc - it was insane to ask people to do that kind of task for free - anyway I got an email 2 hours later saying thanks but not what we want ! good luck -

healththrowawayx · 24/06/2020 16:35

Honestly I think these tests are sooo easy! I used to smash them when I was 16 and looking for my first job, let alone after years of experience.

I just think it’s common sense, similar to driving theory tests. could you give some of the examples that you struggled with?

Original poster

Hingeandbracket · 24/06/2020 16:36

@Topseyt

I have no advice, but I just wanted to say that I share your frustration here.

I am also starting to apply for some things again. Not because I want to, but because it is now looking as though I will have to be made redundant from my current role.

I hate all aspects of job hunting and all aspects of the job market today. Especially these fucking tests. They are designed to trip you up and are very, very impersonal. If I could just get to meet an actual human being for an interview then I am sure I could sell myself much better than this.

Yeah, likewise, I am a basically friendly person who can help people even when they are being its. I know it's hard work and I respect people who do it, so I not trying to claim it's easy, but the test thing just seems stacked against me.

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Stuckfornow · 24/06/2020 16:40

These tests are ridiculous, I work for a large pub co and the answers make no sense to anyone with experience in the job...because applicants who get the answers wrong have to wait 6 months to reapply we ask them to come in and do the test for them at the interview stage if we want to take them on.

healththrowawayx · 24/06/2020 16:42

www.reddit.com/r/CasualUK/comments/ccnou4/tesco_screening_questions/?utm_source=amp&utm_medium=&utm_content=post_body

For example with these questions, i agree with all of the answers marked with an X, aside from question 2 where I would select B instead. Can you see that the answers are supposed to predominantly be in the interests of customer service, then being a team player. Things like restocking and tidying are the last priority.

MulticolourMophead · 24/06/2020 16:42

@KaptenKrusty

oh man I hate these things!

Last year when I was job hunting I applied for an office manager job and the first stage was to do task that would take about 2 hours - so i got up at 8am on a saturday to do the task - they wanted me to re-design their lobby area and gave me a budget and I actually had to go virtual shopping for all the stuff and had to make sure all the furniture fit etc - it was insane to ask people to do that kind of task for free - anyway I got an email 2 hours later saying thanks but not what we want ! good luck -

I'm always suspicious about this sort of test. I frequently wonder if they are using the results as a way of getting free ideas.

Original poster

Hingeandbracket · 24/06/2020 16:43

could you give some of the examples that you struggled with?
Unfortunately I didn't save them because I shared your optimism - if I apply again I will screenshot the questions. The "feedback" doesn't say which questions you got wrong so I don't even know where I went wron

One question I recall was about a spillage in an aisle - some customers had slipped on it already and were getting angry. You know the store housekeeper is busy doing something else and long way off - the answers were something like -
a)Close off the area and find a supervisor
b)Try to keep the area open but contact the housekeeper
c)Go and find the cleaning materials yourself (even though you don't know where they are) and clean up
d) I can't remember D

The answers aren't even a single tick box - you move a slider for more or less likely. I chose A.

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Giganticshark · 24/06/2020 16:46

I fked up tesco one, it was weird.
Passed aldi and Waitrose though.
I now work there. I'm astounded at the people who pass sometimes 😜
Please don't worry, it's totally irrelevant to the job anyway

Topseyt · 24/06/2020 16:46

They have actually had me in tears of frustration in the past. I am not relishing soon being properly back in the job market again either. I will be 54 in August, and we are just emerging from lockdown with all of the uncertainties that entails. Difficult timing really.

I really, really don't want to leave my current job at all. It is with a lovely, small and friendly family firm who I will miss very much, but severe illness is forcing them to sell it now, and so far it doesn't look as though the purchasers will be taking me on. All very sad.

It is PEOPLE I need to speak to in the application process. I don't want computers weeding me out before we have even got started. I don't think it is fair, and I am certain that they dismiss some very good people.

Job hunting absolutely sucks. I really don't know how long I can stick it for at my age. Not old, but no longer young either.