Confronting the Dreaded Personality Test
Many organizations use psychological assessments as a part of the candidate screening process. It can be intimidating for the candidate. Many candidates worry about “failing the test.” Some candidates try to predict the answer the employer wants. Worrying and trying to fool the evaluator are sure-fail strategies. Follow these three tips the next time you are faced with the dreaded personality assessment.
1.) Understand the Purpose of the Assessment
Calling this a test leads to the perception that you can pass or fail, which you can’t. These are assessments to determine the type of job for which you are suited. The company may have openings for multiple positions and want to determine where a candidate would excel. Additionally, the company aims to identify candidates that best fit the company’s culture.
2.) Stay Calm and Answer On
Consider the question: “If someone mistreated one of your family members, would you confront that person to defend your family member.” You might wonder if you answer “no” will you seem disloyal? However, if you answer “yes,” would you seem easily agitated? Don’t waste time stressing about that one question. Answer in a way that matches your feelings, even though neither response perfectly describes you. Maybe you would defend you family member if they were in danger, but, you would not find it necessary to start trouble over a minor insult. The questions are designed to get a picture of you based on the complete evaluation, not just one question. So, relax and move through the questions without second-guessing your choices.
3.) Be Honest
Treat the assessment as a part of the interview and be totally honest. There are no “wrong” answers on the assessment. Making up your answers or trying to “game” the system will not work. Also, why would you want to cheat? If you present a false front, you might be offered a position for which you are not suited.
The Bottom Line
What the employer is hoping you’ll do is relax and answer sincerely. This is not a ploy to uncover your hidden defects. This is part of a multi-faceted system to find the most appropriate candidate for a position and to place a candidate in a suitable role where the company and the candidate can be successful.