As part of the job application process, it’s possible that you will be asked to complete a round of psychometric tests. For some companies, getting a better understanding of exactly how their employees tick is a regular part of the hiring process. If you’ve been asked to complete tests of this kind, you may understandably be a little nervous. Here’s what to expect.
What do I have to do to prepare?
Absolutely nothing. Most psychometric tests are merely measuring fixed personality and aptitude variables that you can’t prepare for. Your employer will want to see if your personality matches with the job description, and if you have a style of thinking that gels well with the job’s demands.
What if I do badly on the test?
People understandably get quite nervous about psychometric testing. What if the test reveals something about you you’d rather not share? What if you do badly and the test shows that you’re “crazy”? The thing to remember about psychometric testing is that there is no way to pass or fail – the test merely shows more about you and how you work as a human being.
The tests are nowhere near as intrusive as you’d think. Be as honest as you can and relax about the rest.
Is it possible to cheat?
We all want to put our best foot forward. If the question asks you outright if you enjoy working in teams, and your honest answer is “only sometimes”, you won’t benefit by answering “yes always” just because this is what you think they want to hear. In fact, most tests have been specifically designed to detect this kind of cheating, so avoid lying or bending the truth and answer honestly.
What happens with the results?
Bear in mind that the results belong to you and that you can ask that they be shared with you. These results are also confidential and cannot be shared with just anyone. Show initiative and ask your tester and employer the purpose of the tests, who the results will be shared with and why.
Do I have to do these tests?
No. It’s entirely voluntary. Of course, refusing to do psychometric testing will often raise a few red flags for an employee, so tread carefully. If you feel the tests are unfair or something doesn’t seem appropriate, you are well within your rights to refuse.
All interviews are, in a way, psychometric testing. When employers have a high volume of applicants and they are looking for a very specific set of personality traits, psychometric testing offers a quick and usually accurate way to find this information out. Be yourself and forthcoming with your answers, and psychometric testing should be a breeze.
Here are a few sample personality tests to help you prepare.
