Psychometric test

[iwantadogbutarabbitwoulddo]

Soooooo

I've just completed a psychometric test

I tried to answer the questions as honestly as possible and ive read all the bullshit interesting stuff on the testing company's website about how they can know everything about you. I am expecting to have to go through the results in an interview.

To the HR people, i know im a bit sceptical about these sorts of tests. I just wondered

1. Do you have any anecdotal/research evidence that they work?
2. How much stock do (private sector) companies put in the profiles?
3. Should i just say at the interview what i really think- that my personality and work commitment is far too complex and context dependent to be able to profile in a half an hour test?
4. Am i normal or should i be more open minded about these tests?

Hahaha, I like your post.

1. As the top world firms employ these tests, I find it hard to believe that they do not work. Think of these firms and how interested they are about money saving and profits. They wouldn't throw millions of dollars annually on these tests (and that is the cost of such a mechanism).
2. I guess this depends on the compny's profile..
3. I can tell you I had these conflicts too. I had to go through a lot of reading and practice to acquire the right attitude, I'm in the finance field.... You should try and use some guidance next time, as it helps to break down a surprise element and gievs you important insights. I've used a preparation pack from jobtestprep.co.uk that helped me a lot, and I'm using their services when I have an application process coming up.
4. I'd stick to open mindedness. :)

Brenda

Which psychometric test did you take?

What was the purpose in taking the test? It sounds like a potential employer asked you to take it rather than you taking it voluntarily for your own benefit/development.

1. Research varies by test. Some are well-researched and respected and others are not.
2. Depends on the company and industry.
3. [need more context on why the company asked you to take test]
4. I think it's smart to be skeptical, especially if it's not something you're doing for your own development. Even the best researched psychometric test will only highlight your general preferences. It doesn't say, for example, how well/adaptable you might be when you have to work outside of your preference.

Well, I think the difficulty is not about the reliability of the psychometric test and what it can tell you about general preferences etc, but rather that in many cases the company do not really know the profile that would work best an a particular role. Obviously if the role is high profile out and out cold selling, working an a busy environment surrounded by noisy people, then someone with very stong introvert tendencies would probably feel rather stressed, but not all job/role skills are as clear cut as that. Often they only know the strengths (and short-comings) of the previous person who did the job, and are basing their 'ideal profile' on that.

One of the ways that I have seen it being used well is when candidates were asked to consider how they would manage in situations that were not their preference, examples that they could give of how they had succeeded previously in those types of situations and what type of support they sought / used when things were stressful (and the converse too - how they used their strengths and supported others). For example one candidate who had brilliant social skills but was not naturally strong in routine analysis described the extent of routine tasks that she had to complete in a previous role and how she set aside a specific time to complete those tasks - switching off her email, phone etc so that more exciting tasks would not distract her.

Thanks everyone! It was the Harrisons test. I think Harrisons is supposed to be the best one around.

It's a weird one cos you have to put statements in order of preference. Thus, i found myself putting statements like 'i want to work outdoors' at the bottom and 'i am an analytical thinker' as most preferred just because i think being an analytical thinker is just generally a more important trait for me to have compared with 'wanting to work outdoors'. I cant rank them as they are not comparable iyswim. If the statement had been 'i work well outdoors', now that would have been a different placement.

Additionally, i just found myself saying i preferred doing tasks that I'd done in the past, e.g. because I didn't know if i wanted to 'lead' people. Never done it! So that statement was also bottom of the pile. But I couldn't tell the damn computer WHY!! Grrr!

My problem with these tests is that they don't look at the REASONS behind your choice and your thought process, just your answer. I am trying to be open-minded :)

Good info venusandmars!

I dont why i was asked to take the test Erac, am interested in hearing about my profile, though.

Will look at jobtestprep.co.uk,

thanks again!