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Original poster

Job Applications - Fuck Off with your Online Tests

68 replies

TheHateIsNotGood · 05/10/2021 20:47

Just that really. Been self-employed for many years, 95% wfh. Trade had got a bit slow and I thought I'd like to work in the outside world and have a bit of paye employment T&Cs too.

Seems everyone wants some psychometric, skills and the dreaded 'Situational Judgement' Test.

Some of these I'm quite delighted to thoroughly fail as Office Politics isn't a strength of mine; and yes I'm looking at you Civil Service - there isn't a UK Resident alive who at best knows at least 3 people still waiting for the DVLA to get their arse in gear.

Such a shame so many jobs come under CS remit - delivering a crap public service whilst being more concerned about how your colleagues are 'performing' is not one of my "strengths". Proud to report I'm 14th Percentile at that.

But is it really necessary to complete a similar test for every job going? Even an application for a part-time (8hrs pw) online order picker (nights) required a 'Situational Judgement' Test.

Maybe I'm destined to be forever self-employed......

OP posts:
DukeofEarlGrey · 05/10/2021 20:49

YANBU but they have to do it in order to reduce down the crazy number of applications to something manageable to actually sift, and at least they are using an evidence-based approach. You might have to grit your teeth and give them the answers that you know they are looking for!

Flossieskeeper · 05/10/2021 20:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VillKrill · 05/10/2021 20:53

YANBU at all - it is all utter bollocks. I’d dearly love to be self-employed!

Original poster
TheHateIsNotGood · 05/10/2021 21:01

EarlGrey, thanks - I understand 'why' they do it, and generally grit my teeth in the face of any adversity - but honestly does a part-time, night shift job at ASDA really have so many applicants they need to sift in such a way? I thought there was a labour shortage?

So far, I've answered every Test in a truthful manner - I've decades of work. eduction and Situational experience to base my answers on.

I may even have passed some of them - I don't know yet :)

OP posts:
Original poster
TheHateIsNotGood · 05/10/2021 21:03

Eduction=education. It's late.

OP posts:
DukeofEarlGrey · 05/10/2021 21:08

I agree, it seems excessive. But Asda is a massive company and they probably set the tests nationwide. Anyway, good luck and hope you find something you like!

lazyarse123 · 05/10/2021 21:14

I have worked in retail over a decade for the same company so you'd think i'd know what they're after. Nope. Our boss asked some of us a few of the questions and it was clear if we were applying now we would all fail.
One of the situational thingies i didn't properly understand and a lot were slanted towards people having a basic understanding of what was involved even though full training is given.
Sorry bit of a rant as we are short staffed because no one can pass the online application.

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 05/10/2021 21:25

I failed every one I ever tried. Moved back to UK from abroad figured I try and go back where I was familiar grocery chain and work I couldn't get in to save my life.
Years later I found out pretty much every answer was to refer to your supervisor. Answer like you know nothing. Years of working and dealing with situations alone out of office means I knew too much apparently.

romdowa · 05/10/2021 21:28

Sometimes you can find the answers to those online. Which might make it less tedious for you to fill out.

Eleganz · 05/10/2021 21:31

They are mostly based on pseudo-scientific woo with little basis. The whole HR industry is built on a pile of unsubstantiated bollocks as far as I can see. Myers-Briggs is another one that is just a pile of crap as well.

I just smile and nod. I've figured out how to pass the tests even though they apparently aren't "coachable" (hint - every test is coachable to some extent).

UsernameNotAvailableApparently · 05/10/2021 21:33

I could have written this myself. Long time self employed but need something on the side at the moment as just not bringing in the cash.

The tests… Angry They’re driving me up the wall. I did the Asda night worker one too and heard nothing back.

In fact, I’ve heard nothing back from most and the ones who have got back to me have given me the ‘over qualified’ spiel.

Good luck OP, it’s a nightmare right now.

RedToothBrush · 05/10/2021 21:49

They are bollocks.

You don't even answer honestly. You answer as if you are trying to pass a test and give the answer you think they want.

All it is then, is who can jump through hoops in the correct manner.

It also means you only recruit people who are all the same. It reduces diversity of thought in the workplace which i do think has massive consequences.

The BBC were (don't know if they still are) using them for example.

Orangejuicemarathoner · 05/10/2021 21:53

@TheHateIsNotGood

EarlGrey, thanks - I understand 'why' they do it, and generally grit my teeth in the face of any adversity - but honestly does a part-time, night shift job at ASDA really have so many applicants they need to sift in such a way? I thought there was a labour shortage?

So far, I've answered every Test in a truthful manner - I've decades of work. eduction and Situational experience to base my answers on.

I may even have passed some of them - I don't know yet :)

It varies, doesn't it - not so long ago a supermarket manager friend was telling me they were getting so many applications that they didn't even have the time to glance at more than about a tenth of them. Now we hear about the labour shortage
Orangejuicemarathoner · 05/10/2021 21:54

I think these tests are pointless. Different employers want different things, and as your employee, I would do as I was told anyway, so tell me what you want, and I will know how to answer the test then, wont I.

WormYourHonour · 05/10/2021 21:56

I applied for a job at my.local Boots.
Had to do one of the situational tests.
Which I failed.
Not suitable, it seems, to stock the 3 shelves of the small shop with nappies and tampons.

Wbeezer · 05/10/2021 22:02

They get loads of applicants because of people having to prove they have applied for lots of jobs to in order to claim benefits, even ordusudur they are jobs they can't or don't want to do.

3cats4poniesandababy · 05/10/2021 22:08

What annoys me the most is when they ask for all of these then ask my salary expectation. Low and behold the next day I get an email saying the job is below what I want - idea job where the same job description/title is used for people right from entry level to £80k.

Just put the god damn salary range in the advert and do not waste my time. As an employer you clearly have an idea if roughly what level/pay you are looking at.

JulesRimetStillGleaming · 05/10/2021 22:11

I failed the Tesco one. I have quite a few degrees and qualifications, lots of work experience and thought I was using common sense but whatever I put wasn't right. I feel your pain.

25yearsnhsworker · 05/10/2021 22:15

I ranted about these when DD applied for a part time job at boots and didn't pass the test. Like people say what does it prove she could have got her sister to pass it for her if she had wanted to who had a part time job there.
Hey ho she got a job she loves in a small shop been there 2 years and has a really good work ethic, never been off sick and never not wanted to go!

justasking111 · 05/10/2021 22:19

If you're serious about a job use an agency they do all the crap for you. A friend is a whizz at these. Applications we sat together to fill in the blurb, I bought her a lunch and got the job

Taxwolf · 05/10/2021 22:23

Sorry you don’t perform well on the tests but in my opinion they work. Having worked in the civil service for 20 years - the people who have been recruited more recently are well balanced, pleasant and able. The people who do well are good colleagues and effective workers.

Tabitha005 · 05/10/2021 22:28

@justasking111

If you're serious about a job use an agency they do all the crap for you. A friend is a whizz at these. Applications we sat together to fill in the blurb, I bought her a lunch and got the job
Ha ha, I love doing other peoples' job applications - especially friends I've known a long while because I can clearly see their skills and exceptional talents when they're being too modest to go into detail.
IncessantNameChanger · 05/10/2021 22:31

I passed a online test and was interviewed in a retail job two weeks ago. I was told I would here back in two days but dispite checking my name when I was called into the room, I think they filled out my form for another applicant ( so you have worked here before? Er. No). So I never heard anything. If only they was as professional in their real life situations as in the made up scenarios.

I should have checked they had my name right on the form as soon as they got my history wrong.

Cocopogo · 05/10/2021 22:37

@Taxwolf and after 20 years are you at the top of the CS command or are these well balanced people jumping through hoops for little more than minimum wage in a job with no prospects of promotion anytime soon?

PinkFootstool · 05/10/2021 22:41

If you're this resentful now, I'm not sure you'll enjoy the work if you do bother to exert the minor effort required to apply..... Frankly lots of employers have much more batshit ways of recruiting - all the group work, team building type shite so you can be part of a group applying for a Christmas job in a supermarket for example.

Yes I'm CS, no I didn't think the tests were worth it either, but feeling superior before you've even been offered a job is rather pointless, no?

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