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Interview Tips: survive Psychological Testing

If I was to say to you ‘Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Analysis’, or ‘Belbin Team Roles’ you may think I was talking a foreign language! But these are just two of several psychological tests that are commonly employed by companies and headhunters around the country as part of their recruitment process.

Psychological tests are becoming an increasingly popular way for companies to screen candidates for potential jobs. Whether you think they are worthwhile or not, it is important that, as a job-seeker, you are familiar with the different types of tests and that you understand what is being asked of you in the different circumstances.

To help you feel more at ease with the world of psychological testing, Dr Stephanie Jones has written a comprehensive guide to the most popular recruitment and career development tests, in her book Psychological Testing. We have one copy of this invaluable book to give away in our next book giveaway – find out about the competition here. In the meantime, follow Stephanie’s top 10 tips to help you prepare for your next psychological test:

10 tips when going to be psychologically tested for a new job

  1. Don’t try to second-guess what the potential employer might be looking for – be yourself!
  2. Make sure they will give you a feedback session afterwards, and not just a written, computer-generated report. You are spending your valuable time on this. You deserve a feedback session with a trained psychologist.
  3. Ask them about why they are using psychological testing. If they say ‘to save time’ – not so good. If they say ‘to compare with existing employees – we’ve been using this test for years and it’s very helpful for matching the right person to the right job’ – more encouraging!
  4. Ask them why they are using this particular test and not others – appear knowledgeable and savvy to potential employers.
  5. Ask them ahead of time about the psychological tests they use and look them up in the book. If they are not there, check them out on the website of the British Psychological Society. If they are not there either it might be that the potential employer is using a ‘cheap and dirty’ exercise. Draw your own conclusions!
  6. Take your time during the test but don’t ponder too long.
  7. Try to be consistent or it might look like you are trying to present yourself in an unnatural way.
  8. If you don’t understand the wording ask the test administrator for an explanation.
  9. Ask for the test in your native language if this is not English. Many reputable tests are available in many languages. Most tests are designed for native speakers.
  10. If you don’t get the job – it is probably not that you ‘failed’ the test, unless it’s not a personality test as such but testing specific technical skills, which you don’t have. Most hiring decisions are based on interviews and competencies as well, not on psychological test results alone.

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avatar Vince 2 September 2010 Career advice
  • Darren

    Every time I have failed to get the job, it’s because of these blasted tests! Everything else about the interview process was fine, they would have me, but “Computer Says No”, so that’s that.

    It doesn’t matter that I’m not necessarily the right personality for the job, it’s whether I’m willing to work for a living that counts, irrespective of whether I would enjoy the job or not.

  • Geraint

    In my opinion these tests are a method which allows employers to weed out introverts, freethinkers and potential awkward squad members – people like me in fact! Sooner they’re outlawed, the better.

  • calvin

    some time telling employers want people there can manipulate and use

  • Shahzad Ahmad

    Gosh… I didn’t even know such a thing existed. I wonder how many people could be made redundant if such techniques were used on the existing employees.

  • Jo

    Employers simply want to be as sure as they can they are not going to be spending money on an expensive mistake. It’s part of the ‘getting to know you’. People make ‘wrong’ decisions as often as computers crash…it’s how they learn. Culture is as much part of the job as skills. If the job is hard and you are well matched you are more likely to stay and do what is needed.

  • Francis

    These tests are just a ruse by HR agencies to squeeze money out of hard-pressed employers. The HR companies come up with anything they can to spin out ‘assessment centres’ into days when a simple one hour face-to-face interview would suffice. That’s my experience as a recruiter.

  • Ian

    Employers use personality profiling to ensure a good match. If you don’t get the job then the match wasn’t right or more often somebody else was a better overall match. They are also proven to be the best predictor of success. Whether you like them or not they are here to stay – get used to it and make sure you are only applying for jobs that fit your personality.

  • http://www.uk.linkedin.com/in/tonykingdigital Tony King

    Francis
    Do you not think it is a little optimistic to expect an employer to make a sound judgement, based on an hour’s chat, that will affect the interviewee’s life and the profitability of the organisation. I feel it is our duty as recruiters to give employers all the tools we can to enable them to make an informed decision. We should be consultants to their business if we want to add value.

  • colin

    I agree with francis, all this testinng is a waste of time and effort on everyones part. An individual can take all the tests and pass with flying clours, theres still no guarantee they will be capable of doing the job. HR depts and recruiters are trying to add some mysticism to the recruiting process that is a waste of time and totally unnecessary

  • CFox

    What a total crock! The last time this circus was in town was the last Recession – how depressing is that…unfortunately I can remember it – why don’t they do star signs/read the tea leaves/crystals… people make a living out of peddling this rubbish…

  • Tom

    Psychology is a grey area in the study of grey matter !!!!
    These tests are a gimmick and complete waste of time and money…. They are not a definitive way of assessing a human being……when in fact research proves we only understand 20% of the homosapien brain…….

  • Darren

    Why am I applying for jobs that I’m technically competant at but wouldn’t necessarily suit my personality? It’s because there’s been nothing else to apply for for a long time now that does suit my personality.

    For example, sales, telesales, retail & service industry jobs are all that’s available for me at the present time. None of these jobs suit my personality, but I would be prepared to put up with any of them to work for a living.

    Meanwhile for the jobs that would suit my personality better, I don’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of getting as I never seem to match up with the increasingly obscure and rigid job and person specifications they have, mostly driven by a human resources driven ‘closed shop’ mentality.

    Instead, “Computer Says No”, so here’s to a lifetime on JSA then.

  • veronica

    well done DARREN, you are a gorgeous person in your own right i agree that is that and maybe being submitted to a test and put in a box just releases you to explore something else..outside of the box or maybe its a straight jacket!

  • Don

    Great, so what is an E.N.T.J like me supposed to do? I need a job, but I’m stuck with this “leadership personality” that sends red flags to employers. Employers want obedient “yes” men employees, not a leader. We live in a service economy, 80% of the jobs are in services. Of course not everyone is going to be able to land a job to match their personality. Service jobs require ENFP’s.

    • Psychclaire

      Don, you are being hard on yourself. I think you are very lucky to be a natural leader, I wish I had it as I am introvert and need regular breaks to refresh (INFJ). A healthy workplace has all personalities and people have differing skills. You sound like that you will be good as a leader!

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