Fortunately, there are helpful articles online where you can
learn how to answer tricky questions.
Unfortunately, they are maddeningly hard to locate because there are so many different types of assessments tests and way too many irrelevant articles cluttering up the web. Despite that, it’s worth the trouble to dig for answers because even though the test administrator may say there are no ‘correct’ answers, there are, of course, correct answers, and it will be these answers that will get you the job.
Unfortunately, they are maddeningly hard to locate because there are so many different types of assessments tests and way too many irrelevant articles cluttering up the web. Despite that, it’s worth the trouble to dig for answers because even though the test administrator may say there are no ‘correct’ answers, there are, of course, correct answers, and it will be these answers that will get you the job.
To answer tricky assessment test questions well, you will
need common sense, your wits and an understanding that these tests … and your
answers … don’t necessarily relate to the real world.
Answering personality
assessment tests
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| Personality assessment tests are used to gauge how well you will fit into a company's culture |
Typically, such tests start out with a simple question to
make you feel at ease and then the questions become more complicated. A simple
question might be, “Can you count to 20?” A more complicated question might be,
“Have you ever stolen anything -- Yes or no?” The latter question is obviously
more difficult to answer. No one wants to hire someone who has a history of
theft, but if you are truthful, you have probably stolen something even if it
was toy and you were a toddler.
Unfortunately, as in the theft question, the answer options
are so cut and dried, they don’t allow for human flexibility or frailties, thus
they have no connection to who you really are. Understanding that flaw in the system can help
you respond to personality assessment tests questions to your advantage.
The right way to respond?
- Give them the answers they want to hear while being as honest as you reasonably can be. Since by your usual nature (I assume) you don’t steal, the correct answer to the theft question is “No”.
- Be consistent and answer similar questions in the same way
- Answer quickly with your first instinctual response
- Don't over-think your answers
To learn more precisely how to answer personality assessment
questions, check out these actually helpful articles:
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| Richard McMunn |
What personality test questions do you find difficult to answer? Share them on WiserU.com or on the LinkedIn discussion group board that might have brought you to the blog.
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Basically, just lie your way through it. Employers don't want honesty on these things, they want correct answers. If you hate dealing with cranky customers and one of the statements is "I like working with customers even when they are insufferable jerks," you tick the box next to "Strongly Agree," or at least "Agree." If you don't lie, you'll never get the job.
ReplyDeleteSadly Silverbuttons, you may have a point. I've always hated when they ask questions like, "Have you ever taken anything from a company?" Well, if you are hyper honest, you're going to feel guilty if you accidentally took a work pen home and admit it on the assessment test ... very likely disqualifying yourself for being honest.
ReplyDeleteI'm having a lil trouble answering this question-[ what is your biggest weakness that ifs really a weakness and not a strength?
ReplyDeletecan someone give me an idea on how to answer a question on my application? like what it's my biggest weakness that's really a weakness and not a strength? why dye humans have2 eyes?
ReplyDeleteLillian, This article conveys my strategy for handling "what's your greatest weakness" question -- http://www.wiserutips.com/2013/10/how-to-respond-to-what-is-your-biggest.html -- the best answer is to talk about something that you are working to improve and turn it from a weakness to a strength. -- Kathy
ReplyDeleteI have taking a few of these lately and they are starting to mess with me. I'm taking it personal. I know I can do the job... Still haven't passed any of these test lost out on some great career positions, it's not fair... I'm very skilled.
ReplyDeleteUnknown, I know how discouraging it can feel about not passing assessment tests. The only thing that I can suggest doing is to read as much as you can about how assessment tests work and then take as many practice assessment tests as you can. Try to think like the employer as far as what they want and answer accordingly ... and consistently. Also keep in mind that not every company uses assessment tests so focus on the ones that don't ... if enough people refuse to complete the tests, maybe the employers will stop forcing them on applicants.
DeleteMy main gripe on this topic is an assessment I just took yesterday for a management job with Target Distribution where you are forced to choose between 2 bad things to continue the assessment. The questions are set up as a series of choices between 2 statements, and often sounded bad. For instance, I do not like working with others, OR I often find it hard to control my temper. Neither of those is a good thing, but you HAVE to pick 1 to continue with the assessment.
ReplyDeleteWHAT IN THE WORLD??
I DO like working with other generally, and if I did not it definitely is not something I would put on an application for a job. Also, I DO NOT find it hard to control my temper. So WHAT is the correct answer there??
There isn't 1, it is either are you a jerk, or are you a creep....
Thanks to that assessment I am not holding my breath to get a call back for THAT job!!
Exactly! I was taking that assessment thinking feeling like I was on some hidden camera prank show. I can't even imagine what the endgame for assessments like that is.
DeleteI use to work at Target in Dallas TX last year, I went personality and fill out the application ( the old style way) i call and ask to speak to manager for a status of my application, i got a interview and the first thing they gave me was the freaking pre employment question. Surprisingly the assignment have the answer writing over it, I think this was un porpoise because I answer them exactly as i saw in the assignment, got the interview and them got hire.
DeleteTry going in personally and apply, i use to have a rommate that did the same thing but with walmart and got hire without answering the questions.
Me personally I try avoiding employers that use pre employment question because it always a waste of time, 45 min of my life that im not getting back. Unfortunately most company are using those questions. I settle for less appealing job just to get small business going. If i get to a point that i need to hire employees, you can sure bet im not going to use that crap.
I need your halep
DeleteI need the answer about the Digital Literacy Certificate Test
DeleteWhen you get these impossible to answer questions, the only thing you can do is pick the least damaging of the two answers. In this case, it would be the one about not getting g along with others rather than the one about not controlling your anger. Also remember to answer all other questions as non angry and non-dangerous as possible because really your score is based on your overall answers not just to one impossible to answer question.
DeleteZlloyd1, I know exactly what you mean! I hate assessment tests as well, particularly when they only give you an option between something bad and something awful. In those instances, just keep trying to chose the lesser of the two evils that more closely matches what you prefer. I personally think companies lose good people because of stupid assessment tests.
ReplyDeleteI lie on these things and fail. I tell the truth and still fail. ������ wtf. ���� whats sad is im an amazing person to work with/for but noone will ever know because of these stupid tests.
ReplyDeletezlloyd1 - I am in the same position as you are. The assessment for target was painful to get through as 80% of the 2 choices I didn't agree with. IT was ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing I have a problem with is the questions like - are you going to make friends at work , or if your co-worker is having problems will you talk to them. Well 1 - if I say I am going to make some friends at work or I want to help a co-worker through their problems then it will come across as I am only there for a social agenda when I am actually there to work. I don't know which way to answer. So then I am either cold and heartless making me less than an ideal person to work with customers or I come across as someone who want to play. Thoughts
Just Jill, I think those kinds of assessment tests are judging whether you are a social type of person or an analytical one so I'd say the way to answer is dependent on the type of job for which you are applying. For example, if it's a sales job, I'd answer being more social. If you are handling the company's taxes, answer more analytically. It's very job-type dependent.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the tests that ask "what would your current or most recent employer say " ranging from below other countries workers to much higher than your computer workers?
ReplyDeleteSandi, I'm not sure I understand the question. Are you saying that a test asked how your past employers would compare you and used examples that included "worker from another country" or "computer workers"? If that's the question, I think it's awful that they asked such a question. It's insulting to workers in other countries (like they are somehow the complete and negative opposite of computer workers). and totally confusing for you. As far as how to answer it, if you really want the job, I'd try to answer honestly about where you'd place yourself in the range (tending toward a higher score than a lower one). Thanks, Kathy
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1
ReplyDeleteHow will you handle the operations of the mall where Ostrich eggs are being sold?
Question 2
Tell us about an Idea you have that most people would disagree with you about and why you think you are right?
Question 3
If the tortoise ever overtook the leopard in a race, what do you think would have happened?
i have trouble answering this question please help me
Wow, Sofia, I am sorry that you were asked such odd questions. No wonder you are confused about how to answer them! As far as how to answer them, I'd be guessing, but for the 1st one, I'd talk about how you will ensure that the ostrich eggs will sell successfully through merchandising, operations, marketing, etc. For the 2nd one, I'd just trying to come up with something not controversial (like don't get into politics, religion or anything prejudicial), maybe something like, "I don't believe that breakfast is the most important meal because I haven't been eating it for years and it makes me feel awake and eager to face the day." Regarding the 3rd question, about the tortoise and the leopard (or in America, we'd say the tortoise and the hare), I would say that if the tortoise won it was because smart, steady work ensures success because you are not rushing and making mistakes. In general, think what the questions are trying to get to ... in these questions, they are trying to see if 1) you can put a plan together to successfully sell something (the eggs), 2) you can deal constructively with people who have a different opinion and 3) you will be careful and methodical in your work.
ReplyDeleteyou are a blessing thanks so much
DeleteWow thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat last answers really helped.
I am an employer,and,believe me,the answers the tests suggest are not the ones I myself would give)))) Most of those questions and answers make no sense to me,an employer. Why should I answer Strongly Disagree to I am never late to work If I am in fact never late to work???? Simply because an average Joe happens to be late often? Companies who use these tests miss good people and get those who know how to cheat the system. If it is what they want,fine. I do not. No wonder,we have too many people who have no idea how to do their jobs. All they know is how to pass the test )))
ReplyDeleteI am an employer,and,believe me,the answers the tests suggest are not the ones I myself would give)))) Most of those questions and answers make no sense to me,an employer. Why should I answer Strongly Disagree to I am never late to work If I am in fact never late to work???? Simply because an average Joe happens to be late often? Companies who use these tests miss good people and get those who know how to cheat the system. If it is what they want,fine. I do not. No wonder,we have too many people who have no idea how to do their jobs. All they know is how to pass the test )))
ReplyDeleteThank you all for bringing up your thoughts -- it's exactly why I want to do more posts on assessment tests -- they are so tricky and confusing (and often, in my opinion, evil). I want to try to figure out exactly how to answer them so that as job seekers, you'll know what you are being judged on when you answer the questions.
ReplyDeleteKathy i have a issue with some assessment test asking you to choose the best right answer including the best wrong answer and even if you pick the correct anser its does not mean that the answer is correct same goes for the wrong answer
ReplyDeleteI have taken 3 in two days and didn't pass..i tell the truth on all and i still don't pass..yes they are losing good people with these test..i hope they re-think using them..but I'm not giving up..
ReplyDeleteI have taking 4 tests in the last 3 months and did not pass either one. One job I have worked at before and they loved me (about 10 years ago when they did not have these tests). I still don't get it. I have worked 2 different management jobs and can't get a single job just as a stock associate now.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know? When they ask the question, : "do you think this online test was a good form of recruitment?". Do I lie or tell them how I really feel. Job at stake.
ReplyDeleteI am in the same situation! These stupid test are every where. Like others have mentioned, you tell the truth you fail-you lie you fail.WTF. I keep getting stupid drug questions like-do you do drugs, have you went to work after doing drugs or have you been late to work, have you ever called into work sick when you really weren't, and my favorite would you tell on a co-worker if you saw them stealing or leaving early. Paper applications are becoming a thing of the past even if you go in - they will point you to a computer in the corner or tell you to go to a website to apply which triggers these stupid test. They also use them at the temp places. I am a great worker but keep getting horrible supervisors. After a while it is time to move on when you put in 120% but can't get a raise or promotion. I'm almost ready to go push a hotdog cart. Thanks for the comments as I was feeling like I was the only one.
ReplyDeleteI've been taking those pre-employment/personality assessment tests for about FIVE YEARS now and STILL FAIL every single time! Those tests have to go! I'd like to start a campaign, drive, or some type of movement to have those tests legally and permanently removed from part of the job requirements! As other comments say, because of those tests, employers are missing out on good people and great talent! I hate those tests and, yes, they are evil!
ReplyDeleteUnknown, I so agree with you. I absolutely hate assessment tests because they keep out good people who happen to be bad at tests. I believe it also minimizes the importance of staff picking out who they believe will be best in the position.
ReplyDeleteThese assessment questions are crazy and a poor recruitment tool. I failed my first one and I was applying with a company I felt didn’t meet my standards and they rejected me!
ReplyDeleteThose double Questions like “people find me hard to get along with or I am much better than everyone I have worked with before” ‘WTF!?”
The only thing I can think is that these large corporations need to have their HR, recruiter and hiring personnel each personally go through their own hiring practice then come back and still be able to say that their online assessment and automated hiring process is still a good idea!