James asks:
“I think another form of discrimination that needs to be addressed is the "assessment questionnaire." Every time I fill out an application online I run into that, and they say there is no right or wrong answer ( WRONG!). And if you believe that, I've got some swamp land in Arizona you might be interested in.”
Hi, James. Fair enough – certainly there are answers an employer wants to see for specific positions. What “there is no wrong answer” is trying to get across is that you need to answer truthfully to be placed in the best position for you.
Say you’re applying for a customer service job, and one of the questions is, “Are you often able to solve problems between other people?” And your answer is truthfully, “No.” You may not be well-suited for customer service. Imagine going through an eight-hour day behind the service desk or on the phone and having half of your interactions end with angry customers calling your manager – that wouldn’t make you (or your employer) happy. Sure, the employer is likely to choose someone who is equally qualified though better suited to the task — someone who can problem-solve like a professional negotiator when a faulty item is returned — but that person is also more likely to succeed in the role and enjoy job satisfaction.
In order to succeed in a job, it needs to match up with your skills and personality; social butterflies aren’t likely to enjoy being a 3rd shift stock person any more than a shy person is going to enjoy waiting tables.
The only wrong answer is the one that puts you into a job you hate, when someone else would have enjoyed it. That can be hard to accept if you’re struggling to find a job, but imagine you’re the well-fit candidate who lost out on a job you would have loved because someone else answered the assessments untruthfully, and it makes more sense. Hope that answers your question!
About Amy White
One question was, are you older than 16 but younger than 40.
How can you answer that question?
Hi Julie – can you tell me which employer that was? A link to the posting would be even better, we’d like to take a look. Thank you!
Most online applications ask this question at the end of the application.It concerns me because I think they’re discriminating against us folks that are over 40 years of age. I’ve been filling out online apps for 10 months and very few DON’T ask that question.
Yes, this is a form of age discrimination…Wacker, Cleveland, TN… and various employers in Tennessee, it is the last question on the assessment. I would not advise anyone over 45 to move to this area to attempt to find employment.
it was either Target or Home Depot.
its simple its saying are you in the ages between 16 and 40 if you are answer yes. If not then you put no im sure something will pop up asking for tour age.
yes or no duhh………
My answer to this question is I am old enough to bring dedication, common sense, and integrity to the table, while maintaining a youthful attitude that reflects in fresh ideas and concepts.
This question is asked when they are trying to figure out if you will quality for the W.O.T.C., which is a Work Opportunity Tax Credit. Other things that may qualify you are: being disable, war veteran and felons. This gives the employer a tax credit and in return it gives them about 2400.00 dollars back if you qualify.
Out of curiosity, is it then a good thing if you can answer yes to WOTC questions? I’m disabled, and meet 1-2 other criteria in there, normally.
Don’t these people realize that it is against Federal law to discriminate on the basis of age.
So If you answer that you are over 40 they reject your Resume anyway. Because the know you have little or no recourse.
Doesn’t mean that they still won’t decide against hiring you and they can always say there was another reason, even though it was because of your age.
I was turned down for a Recruiter position due to not meeting the minimum requirements. This position is with Itt Tech and i have been in the customer service business/Advertising Sales for 30 years. What does that actually mean? This is after I have taken two test and then a 12 page personality test. I am 50 years old and one of the questions was are you older than 16 but younger than 40. Mind you my Aunt in California is 54 and has the same position and the same School that I applied for
Hi Susanne – It sounds like age doesn’t play a factor in this position. Did they tell you the reason you were turned down was because of your test results?
They ARE NOT going to tell her this is the reason. They rarely tell anyone the reason(s) why they were rejected. This would lead to possible law suits if the wrong thing was said or said the wrong way.
Hi Mary! It depends on the company and the company policy. If they did give her a reason, then she would be able to work on her weaknesses in her next position.
Hey Mary. I just got back from home depot today. I filled out an application on Monday and went in to see HR on Wednesday about my application. Human Resources looked up my application and told me that I failed their psychological assessment on the application. I am a 19 year old student who applied for a Lot Attendant position.
I am in between those ages.
The answer would simply be yes! Because you are older than 16 and you are younger than 40. Try not to over complicate the questions.
Hi I am new. To this website will you help me.
.
Hi Sarah! We are here to help
. What questions do you have?
With… “Yes”! LOL
I get that question on some assessments and usually the next question they ask is to enter your birthdate.
I simply do not understand why most of the companies for whom you solicit require a resume / cover letter in addition to an application????? If I submit a resume with detailed bio-data concerning my employment, education, personal information, qualifications and references, why must I reiterate everything in an application. This seems redundant. A simple “See Resume” comment should be adequate. However, it is never acceptable and one cannot continue (even if a field not annotated required) is not completed. This is very frustrating. Hastings, Richland, WA and Autozone, Richland, I found are the most inane, especially for the type of low-level jobs for which they advertise. In fact, I believe the profile questions Hastings poses are illegal , in some instances. Autozone states that their system is not compatible with AOL, Google Chrome and MacIntosh. Does this company expect an applicant to purchase and apply to them on apps that are only compatible with their system? Please inform these establishments regarding my comments.
Hi Roibert, I understand your frustration with the employers that are using incompatible systems, but you are missing out on a big opportunity with regards to cover letter. If you are repeating the same information in your cover letter that is contained in your application or resume, you’re right – it is a waste of time. A cover letter may or may not get read, but you should view it as an opportunity to share *different* information and really stand out. Use the same voice you see reflected in their company materials, address the hiring manager specifically, share facts that show them you are REALLY paying attention to what you’ve applied for, and you want THIS specific job.
Let me know if you have any questions!
I remember that I was applying at Old navy for cashier position. After finishing completing the profile, the assessment questioner have intimidate me. It wasn’t like the other assessment question that I’ve taken or use to. One of the several questions ask “You are on break and decided to wait in the employee lounge area. You over hear one of the employees talking about taking one of the damaged merchandise from the store. What will you do?” Another was “You see two customer walking in the store. One is wearing suite while the other was wearing tearing clothing. Some customer started to complain that two of the men acted strange. What will be your course of action?”. Some of the question goes so far about spying on a customer or co-worker and other about me if I want to steal items from the store or if I find money on the ground would I report it to the police. Most of these question are down right scary. In fact I have to let some of my sibling and cousin see and read some of description of the questionnaire and they all agree that it was scary and down right intimidating.
But after finishing it off, six month later, I’ve received an e-mail from them stating that their kikosh have been heck and given me along with other 15 thousand people one year identity theft protection.
I have found that these type of questions are actually psych tests, and I wonder if this is illegal or not.
I recently filled out an application for Blockbuster and one of the questions on that assessment was, ‘ Is there any reason that would prevent you from becoming a customer of Dish Network?’ This question had to be answered and I answered yes because there is a reason I would not become a customer of Dish Network. I live with my parents and we have Comcast and don’t intend on switching. My question is, would answering No to that question prevent me from getting a callback? I find this question inaccurate. Then again, this is just my opinion.
Answer to your question, Sheila, is “yes”. Blockbuster and Dish are part of the same company now and I know from job interviews with Dish that they require their employees to be subscribers.
That doesn’t seem fair. If you don’t subscribe to Dish Network you don’t get the job, that’s discriminating.
I have been seeking a job for over a year and after submitting hundreds of resumes, cover letters, applications, and emails, I have only to receive a few offers for employment positions which require relocation or travel to Denver, which I specifically state that I have no intentions to relocate, and will only travel within Colorado Springs. Why do the employers disregard my clearly stated limitation to the Colorado Springs area and waste our time offering positions that they know I cannot commute to in any way? I am curious if they truly read more than just the skills and assessment results, or if they ask anyway because it sometimes turns up a few more potentials.
The semantics of many of the questions get me (I am from Germany). Even your example of "Are you often able to solve problems between other people?", can be interpreted in a number of ways. One might consider their current abilities to solve problems on a regular basis while another might consider their potential to solve such problems. Sure this might be a slightly silly example, but many questions are far easier to misconstrue. What a shame they don’t have more aptitude tests like we trained for in high school. I have filled out about 40 applications in the last two weeks and only Radio Shack among them cared about how smart and able I was. Most really only seem to care about things like employment gaps.
Assessments are completely discriminatory, and should be Banned. What ever happened to the good old interview ? Oh that’s right “You can’t get an interview because you didn’t score high enough on our assessment”. What a bunch of BS.
I don’t understand if I feel out a profile for Snagajob why I have to go to the companies website and re-enter all the same info. that is in my profile why can’t it automatically enter that information then just start from that point and answer any extra questions that different companies may require.
Here is the biggest problem with these assessments. Every single one you answer is a version of the MMPI a psychological assessment tool. The tool is being misused in the hiring forum. The reposnses were never meant to be absolute yes/no answers the original format allows for written responses to each question as well as the yes/no answers. The form is meant to be reviewed by a qualified psychologist but as a business assessment it is “graded” by computer. The whole format is invalid and being misused by employers. The computer grading runs contrary to a real assessment and draws inproper conclusions based on the lack of input by the test taker. Someone will one day file a class action law suit over this practice and win millions and millions of dollars before these biased assessments are dispenced with.
personally- I think your answers about the assessment questions were vague and suited to keep corporate happy- those assessment questions are, without a doubt, discrimintory. Plus for jobs that only pay minimum wage it is just ridiculous. It is because of greedy corporate america that many are without jobs right now. Corporations rule the workplace and application process- it is nuts. There is a time for questions to the prospective employee- it is called the interview- however the assessment tests block that 90 percent of the time.
I agree with the Majority here! The test even says beforehand when you take it, “there is no right or wrong answer” So how can snag-a-job create a forum with the so-called right answers? That makes absolutely no sense and a real waste of time for those who really need a job and the only thing keeping them from gaining one is a silly assessment that has no right or wrong answers. I’ve been applying for Kroger for five years. Each time i do I call and they tell me I didn’t score high enough on the assessment test probably. If there are no right and wrong answers how can i not score high enough? It makes complete and utter nonsense.
If a company asks if I am between 16 and 40, then that company is practicing age discrimination. The exception would be a very few occupations.. such as air traffic controller, law enforcement official, National Guard or Reserves.. and these occupations are not generally featured in Snag-a-job. Additionally, the personality tests are discriminatory because employers generally view these in lieu of other qualifications such as education and experience. A person’s personality is generally a poor indicatior of whether or not they would be good at a job. Many successful politicians, actors/actresses etc. have reported that they are generally introverted, but when it comes to their occupation they are able to project a different persona. People who are outwardly extroverted can often enjoy jobs that require lots of focus without distractions of dealing with people. My accountant is very friendly and chatty when I see him. He is still very good at his job! Personality tests also make very negative generalizations (DISCRIMINATION) based upon one’s responses.. i.e. extroverted people are all party animals who play and don’t work, or that introverted people are all antisocial and at risk of going postal at work. Fact is, in the big bell curve of life, 80% of all people are right down the middle. Most of these so-called personality tests do not give choices that allow for a moderate, middle of the road response. Most of the personality tests DO NOT result in more appropriate hires. I know because I’ve received some really some really bad service in companies whose HR depts rely upon results of these badly written and designed profiles to screen employees because their HR employees lack the education and job skills to interview applicants.
I retired from the Post Office last year after 28 years of service. I am positive that they would hire me back yet I cannot pass the assessment test (failed twice) on the website for non career employment. The answers possible range from strongly agree to strongly disagree with statements like, “I usually get my work done faster than others.” The first time I used “strongly agree” answers and the second took it down a notch to just “agree”. Anyone have any tips on what they are looking for? I am baffled.
I was hired by a store within a major chain company. The manager was so evil to me that the store manager at one point stepped in to yell at said manager in the open and told said manager that store manager was no joking and was serious so stopping thinking it was a joke becuase what said manager did (rather verbalized over the loud speaker re: me) bordered on Harassment!!! I never got training from that store and had to find it by going from store to store when they needed to replace someone gone for the day etc. I finally found a store willing to give me about 12 hrs/wk but never did get full hands on training even after about 10 months with them.
Now, looking for a new job, I just did an assessment test asking me to state what this new boss thinks of my work habits, ablities, am I late, and questions of me in the “SMARTS!) dept.! etc. How can this new boss know all this if they never really let me do the parts of my job that mattered? How can this New company ask me to state these answers, tell me to be honest because they can find out! When legally they CAN NOT ASK these questions,nor can my current boss give them. Can’t they be sued for this! Really…
I have worked for a lot of mean employers for years. The more experience in life
that i have the worse they get. Now i have more experience in job skills than
most of my bosses do. It’s real hard to take orders from someone half your
age to begin with. Let alone are they trying to learn anything to try to be able to
pretend to be your boss anyway. Talk about annoying and impossible pills to
swallow year after year. Ad nauseam………………………..
For decades, companies have been trying to increase revenue or stock value by decreasing operating costs. One huge way of cutting costs is “downsizing personnel,” and increasing the responsibilities of the personnel that’s left.
Well, the hiring department (HR) has not been the exception. So nowadays HR has to review more resumes, in less time, to find candidates that are more educated, better qualified, and can take on more responsibilities, for a smaller salary.
Many of you refer to the number of online applications you’ve filled out and are frustrated with the process and the lack of feedback. Online applications – warts and all – are a sign of the times, but you need to invest the time and effort to make a phone or face-to-face contact with the hiring manager. Before you throw a shoe at me, I know how difficult that can be. Recruiters don’t really want to communicate with you unless they initiate it, but you may be able to find a name or a Contact Us tool at the company’s web site. Use LinkedIn to locate people on that site who have connections to the companies you want to work with. Use your personal and professional network to let people know you’re looking for work. Use your local chamber of commerce and industry-specifc organizations to locate names and addresses of companies, maybe even names of executives. All that to say this, don’t let the online application routines discourage you. Be creative and take risks!
Great advice, Barbara! Thank you for sharing
I have been try for a school bus driver job and your advise to call the higher ups in the company only makes them angry even though you do it at there request always get this well I have a hundred other people to deal with.Just to say no body wants to take responsibilty to help you when you are job hunting or talking to HR dept Its like no human contact anymore and everyone is the same
I have been looking for work for over 3 1/2 years, submitted over 650 resumes and applications and have completely exhausted my network. I hold a BA in Business and a Masters in Education. Today’s hiring practices are designed to eliminate not recruit. My crime in the employment arena? I’m 66 years old and yes Virginia, the age question in the online assessment is designed to eliminate you no matter what kind of “spin” is put on its’ justification.
I agree with you while I am 24 I have been looking for 2 years with out luck,Monday I took an assessment for this company that felt more like a college entrance exam,while the personality test was way to personal asking if I am capable of loving,if I am loveable,if I have friends of the same sex what about opposite?do I trust people lol get real trust is earned not given however you don’t treat a person like crap just because you don’t trust them,none of questions on the personality test pertained to the job,and the job is billing support from transcom.I was told I did not meet the min score I askd what my score is and what their min is I get same answer,so I asked again today but I told them how the questions are too personal and I feel discriminated based on my personal life that it has nothing to do with how I will perform my job.if I have male friends or female friends they have nothing to do with how I will perform my job.we will see if they reply.these assessments don’t say anything about how some will perform a job.some people aren’t good test takers regardless of the test we have too many qualified people with out work in america,is it really lack of jobs?or the high expectations and nonesense of employers?
I applied to Best Buy and was asked for my Social Sercurity Number and My Birthdate on line you can’t continue If this Infomation was not supplied you cant continue with the applacation and they direct you to log out… Isn’t it against the law for them to ask your age??? i live in CA.
Thanks for any info.
Hi Jill! If a company is asking for your birth date, it is to make sure that you meet the minimum age requirement for that position. Example: You must be 18 to apply.
I hate the Social Sec. # part. On paper applications, I would write “Will supply on hire”. I wish places that ask it online would give an option to select that same thing
I agree that the assessment tests are discriminatory, it removes personal contact, what some of the questions pertain to is beyond me; I don’t even think people in HR would have a good idea of just what some questions about painter, electricans,carpet layers,and carpenters hrs
that they are able to work to get an imaginary company open by a certain time have to do with
most jobs, especially at min. wage jobs. It’s not gong to affect most of these types of jobs. Or
better yet where someone is going to sit at an imaginary table; my mind set is who cares where they sit, if you don’t like where you are sitting get up and move!!!!!
HR doesn’t write/evaluate the tests generally. There’s a branch of psychology called Industrial Psychology, and those who specialise in that field are the ones who write the questions and the evaluations for them.
I completed an assessment for a company which was lengthy to be told I did not pass. It followed with questions pertaining to my opinion of the assessment. They wanted to know how it could be improved. I TOLD them—-whoops
I took an assesment test for a job I really would have liked to have at a local bank. It did take a while and in the end I didn’t pass. I have customer service skills, I have experience with big amounts of money and I am very neat. I so hate that I can’t even get a job there or apply for another 6 months. I need a job now..not in six months. Some of the questions were statements that I was more honest than most people…then you have to either strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree or strongly disagree. Then other statements were that most people take a day off from work to go to the beach. Another said most people have lost a job at least once. Another is that rules at a job were meant to be broken. 35 statements later and staying very positive and going by my experiences…such as I have never taken a day off to go to the beach..and showing my reliability I found out they weren’t going to care. I didn’t pass. So upset that day. REally just got to me because if I had gone in I know I could have sold myself.
I think the assessment questions are too vague like for instance “I care about how other people feel at work” I don’t know about you but I’ve worked with some real looney tunes over the years and didn’t give a squat about what their problems were. I thing they should have a box that says “depends on the situation” because that would apply to SEVERAL questions if ya ask me…
how long does it take for a employer to contact you after you fill out an application.
Hi Julian! Great question. It really depends on the employer and how quickly they need to fill the position. You should follow up on your application and ask about their process. Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions!
I have talked to a local business’ manager that said I was perfect for the job, the correct skill set, plenty of experience, all the right availability everything. “Just go online and apply. You already have the job in the bag this is just a formality” Famous last words! I get to the end of the application, take the assessment and go back to my friend who is the manager. Well he has always been nice anyway. He tells me that I failed the assessment! If there is no ‘wrong answer’ and I have the skills, background and everything for the position what the heck happened?
Hi Michael – I am sorry you are frustrated. I know it’s hard, but don’t think of it as “failing” the assessment. Think of it as showing that you may not have been the best fit for that position and that organization. Different companies look for different qualities and skill sets from their employers. By answering truthfully, you will be able to find the company that fits you best.
I am in the process of a job search that has been needlessly lengthened by these assessment questionnaires. What is the correct way to answer them? some make the job application process seem like like an interrogation by law enforcement.
Hi Albert! Assessments can be scary, and can definitely feel like an interrogation. Your best bet is to answer honestly. You are more likely to find a job that you enjoy and that you excel in by being truthful instead of just telling them what you think they want to hear. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!
This is a pile of crap. I’m an unemployed veteran trying to support my family while going back to school for a better career path. In the mean time, I need a job. I’m smart, adaptable, loyal and a strong leader. I learn quickly and work hard.
I don’t need the job that makes me the happiest, I just need one that pays. I’ll worry about my contentment level, thanks. I can work a crappy job that I hate and excel because I’m taking care of my family with the money they pay.
I don’t have retail or sales experience, so these automated systems reject me quickly. But I’ve seen some of the morons that work in this field… it’s not rocket science, and putting food on the table is much more important than my work satisfaction.
Roger that!!
I have been trying to find a job for a while now, and EVERY application I fill out has an “assessment questionnaire” section, and every time i check up on my application i get a “I’m sorry, that position has been filled” response when they are still hiring for that specific position. more notably, I recently filled out an application at Walmart twice, and both times i failed the assessment part, even though i answered it differently each time… what gives? Also, what kind of answers should I expect to give to the “you’re screwed, and likely fired” situation questions?
Hi Carl! I know answering assessments can be frustrating, but ultimately they may be saving you from being miserable at work. Different positions require different skill sets and personalities, which is why you may have been passed over twice by the same company. Being honest will help you find the job that is a right fit for you.
“Being honest will help you find the job that is a right fit for you.” How so if you don’t get results back. It doesn’t help in anyway all these tests do IS state that you didn’t say what they wanted to hear. These jobs aren’t hard at all and even some people who are in these fields are miserable, hate their job, terrible at what they do, etc. But they got the job, because they answered everything how it should be. Since you seem like you know so much about these tests, please tell me, how would one know what job is right for them based off these ridiculous and biased tests?
I personally feel like those invasive questions you have to answer for a minimum wage job are ridiculous. I understand the employer thinks they are delving into the personality of the person to get the right person for the job, but it seems like talking to the job candidate and seeing their work experience will give you a better clue as to their qualifications rather than answering 200 questions that are basically the same questions over and over but re-worded.
Hi Adrianne! In a competitive market, there may not be enough time to meet with every applicant, and assessments are a way for employers to do an initial screening before interviewing. On an unrelated note, is this the email address you are using to apply for jobs? I know it sounds small, but you email address is important. While not inappropriate, yours may come across as unprofessional. Try creating a new address that is simply your name. You don’t’ want anything to distract them from your application. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!
No, I have an address that is just for job application related email that is just my name:)As a side not, I had an interview today from a job I applied to on Snagajob,and I MIGHT have gotten it! The manager really liked me, and they’re setting me up with an interview with HER boss:) Hang in there everyone!! Snagajob DOES work!
That’s great, Adrianne!! I’m very excited for you. Please let me know when you hear anything, I’ve got my fingers crossed for you
. Hope you’ll share your story – http://www.snagajob.com/resources/share-your-story/ We love to celebrate success 
http://www.snagajob.com/resources/tags/i-got-hired.
Hi , I’ve had bad luck with these assessment question, i just want to know the best way to answer the questions. I have had nothing but bad luck with these test. I am truthful with my answer and i still fell, so how do you pass a test when you’ re honest and it’s the wrong answer.
Here’s my two cents with regards to assessments – I’ve taken them before for jobs that I got and just recently took one yesterday for a job that I did not get (just got the email saying “thanks, but no thanks”). I’m with everyone else, they are a joke. I’ve taken ones with questions that ranged from “How many times did you get an A in high school” to ones that asked if you thought “People who smile all the time are hiding evil thoughts” – that was a real question. I’ve taken ones that have also asked things like “I can do a hobby well enough that someone has paid me to do it”, “I was on the honor role in high school (how many times)”, “The grade you most often received in grade school was (A, B, C, D, F)”, as wel as some of the others that have already been listed on here.
My most recent assessment experience was a lovely one put together by Select Advantage for a 911 emergency dispatcher position. Now, I have 16 years of law enforcement experience with federal, state, and local agencies – so I know what a dispatcher is and I know how to do it. I like to think that those years of experience have taught me a thing or two about how police, fire, EMS, etc. units work, what they do, types of calls they handle, how to handle certain calls, etc. I took the computerized Criticall test and passed it with flying colors. Great! You get to go to phase 2 which was the assessment. Ah yes, the lovely assessment. Here is how it starts off and this is straight from their website:
For the purposes of this test, the mission of a Emergency Dispatcher is: "Be the first link in assisting members of the community by receiving calls, gathering info and assessing customer needs. To obtain sufficient information from caller to initiate a response from the appropriate public safety agency while dealing with sensitive information in a discreet and professional manner"
Interest & Willingness Samples:
This questionnaire lists working conditions, which you must accept to become a dispatcher. Some people find dispatching is not for them because of one or more of these conditions. Successful dispatchers find these work conditions acceptable; some even enjoy these conditions. Use the following scale to show which statement best describes you:
A. I would enjoy this work condition and/or it clearly describes me.
B. I am willing to accept this work condition
C. I am not willing to accept this work condition
So the questions then range from things like “Must be able to work nights, weekends, holidays”, “Must be able to work shift work”, “Would enjoy saving someone’s life” – you get the idea. I answered A to all of them since I do enjoy the work and they clearly described me. Next set of questions were these (again, straight from their site):
Self-Rating Checklist Samples: The following checklist has pairs of statements, which describe people. In some cases you may feel that both statements describe you, but we want you to choose from the two items in each pair, the one, which best describes you.
1.
A. able to interact with the police department
B. willing to take responsibility for your decisions
2.
A. A. willing to do things without being told
B. able to sit for long periods of time
3.
A. is computer literate
B. willing to learn new things
4.
A. willing to be part of the solution not the problem
B. able to interact with the fire department
Here is where I begin to take issue with this particular assessment. Take #4 for example – I am willing to be part of the solution not the problem, but I am also able to interact with the fire department. Which one “scores” higher when the results are faxed to the company? This goes right along with what everyone else is complaining about with regards to “there is no WRONG answer”. Obviously there is and that’s why I want to know which ones are scored higher and why. Take #3 – willing to learn new things or is computer literate. Well, I’m both, but you can only pick one. Which one rates higher? I would argue since a dispatcher works with a computer and various agencies, that computer literate and able to interact with the fire department would score higher – but maybe they don’t.
And lastly, the next section:
Critical Incident Sample Questions: This test is a select sample of situations which dispatchers must be capable of handling. Each item represents an actual situation that a dispatcher either excelled or failed in the performance of the job. These situations are intended to be gender neutral. This test exposes you to those situations, which make a significant difference in a dispatcher's job performance effectiveness. Your choice of action reveals your readiness and potential to perform as a 911 dispatcher.
1. You have just received a 9-1-1 hang-up call. When you call back, you talk with a female that sounds odd but says everything is fine. While listening to her talk you hear a male voice in the background. How would you handle this situation?
A. Ask the female caller again if everything is okay
B. Ask the female caller if anyone else is present
C. Dispatch police to the scene just to make sure everything is alright
D. Ask a series of yes or no questions to obtain more information to know how to respond
E. End the call since she said everything was fine
2. You have observed a new dispatcher continue to make mistakes and the situation is becoming increasingly frustrating for both you and the new dispatcher. How would you deal with the new dispatcher?
A. Encourage the new dispatcher and let her know things will get better
B. Tell the new dispatcher to ask for additional training
C. Discuss the situation with your supervisor
D. Discuss the situation with the person who trained the new dispatcher
E. Ask the new dispatcher if you can help and spend some extra time with her
Again, clearly there is a “wrong” answer, but some of them are OK answers as well – so again, which one is “right” and thereby scored higher? They are clear that you do not need to know anything about dispatching or their policies and that you get credit for any answer. But again, obviously there is one that someone somewhere deemed to be the “right” one. Look at #2 for example, none of those are really “wrong” per se, but which one is right? Some of the questions absolutely could have been policy issue questions (depending on how this department does things), but you aren’t privy to that info – so do you answer them? From talking to the guy administering the test, he says they probably test thousands of people a year and hardly anyone makes it past the assessment section to continue the process – gee, I wonder why…….
I know this is long winded, but as I am in the job market now, I’m getting frustrated by these things as well. It’s not just government, it’s everyone anymore. Wal Mart, Target, Lowes, Home Depot, U Haul, etc. I understand they want to screen some people out – I get it. But these things are a joke. The sad thing is, you take them and do not pass them. Then you go to the stores and see who they are hiring and you have to wonder. I’ll also echo what someone else said with regards to the whole application process in general. I “join” a site so that I can apply for a job. I create a profile which includes all of my information and then it says to attach a resume. After doing all of that and I then go to apply, I have to fill out all of my freaking resume information all over again. Why did you ask me to attach a resume if I am just going to have to data enter it into a bunch of fields again???
Good luck everyone!
It appears the person trying to sell the bridge is Amy. I hope none of you are stupid enough to fall for this transparent ploy. There are simple rules to beating these assessments. If you are a manager, say you always lead. If you are applying for a non-managerial position, say you don’t like to lead. And always give a positive response, avoid paranoia… common sense deals. Also avoid betraying your MBTI type: when you are asked questions like “I make decisions immediately”, doesn’t that seem a little unbalanced? If you work with the public all day long, you’d better say you enjoy it whether you actually do or not. These questions aren’t designed for your benefit:– they are designed to reduce the company’s turnover and make the person who is hiring you look good.
I got some crazy questions from an AFLAC assessment recently:
* There are 24 hours in a day.
* There are 8 days in a week.
There were more like that but those were the ones that stood out. I had to answer true or false and the answers seem obvious. But what is the purpose of questions like those?
Wow! After reading all those comments, I am left with one feeling. Stop complaining and find a different way to go about your job search. I used to love to complain about what’s not fair, and how the US is out to screw us blah blah blah. Enough already. I listen to those who have a more positive spin on the whole thing, like following up with your application, going to meet the managers face to face. It may seem “old-fashioned” but it also shows initiative and drive, and creative thinking. I am 52 and I have answered all questions correctly. Will this put me out of the ball-park? I have the faith and hope that the best job for me will be presented to me at the right time. Following up is huge when there are so many people out looking for work. It shows the employer you really want the job and are willing to take those extra steps.
I also like to practice gratitude for everything I have and to find something to be grateful for through this time of looking for work. Maybe I can be grateful for extra time to work on some skills, or seek out help from agencies that offer employment specialists, and job coaches. Thank God for people like that! They are invaluable. Keep it positive and keep the faith, and take more action! That’s what I’m going to do,and I’ll be sure to let you all know when I get my first interview. Besides, age is just a number and statistics have shown that older workers are in demand today. Here’s to all of us! God Bless us everyone!
So, I apply to Macys online and they responded pretty quick, which by the way I was surprise. What I don’t like is there assessment profile, they said I just don’t fit in. I’ve look around the store, and I’m wondering all those “kids that are 18 yrs to late 20′s and mid 30 ish, plus over 40 yrs. C’mon how do they got their job. Has anyone really checked out their assessment questions. Yeah,I don’t see the MAGIC with Macys.
I don’t think there are very many arguments to support these assessment tests. First off, there’s no such thing as an “expert” in personalities. I just completed an application and at the end it said I’ve already done a personality test, and their experts believe that people’s personalities change very little over time. Even if that were true it relies on the assumption that a questionnaire could paint an accurate portrayal of a person’s personality in the first place.
Secondly, from what I’ve heard from people who worked in HR and such, if you have an assessment test that has as options: STRONGLY AGREE, AGREE, STRONGLY DISAGREE, DISAGREE you have to pick the correct STRONG options or it is marked as wrong. In other words, if you pick agree or disagree your question is automatically marked as wrong.
Furthermore it asks entirely subjective questions which could be influenced by people’s job experience. “Supervisors usually try to help get the job done” “People on the job are usually honest.” I had a job with TWO supervisors who stole from the company. In fact most of the jobs I have worked at had somebody who stole from the company. How can I HONESTLY mark STRONGLY AGREE to that answer? I’m ineligible to get a job because I worked with dishonest people in the past? I’m a bad person because I’ve worked with dishonest people? Is that what they are telling me?
Also, how do they account for people who speak different languages and who are from different cultures or upbringing? They may interpret a question differently. That alone qualifies as a sort of discrimination. Many people already argue that things like IQ Tests and Standardized testing are inherently discriminatory on this basis of differing culture/language, and those have answers that are actually considered RIGHT. How are these supposed experts finding the supposed right answer in a field of study that has no right answer?
Finally, how is this even important for a MINIMUM WAge JOB. The entire idea that a person could be unqualified for a minimum wage job that ultimately requires no real experience or qualifications is ridiculous. Every single minimum wage job I’ve applied for requires one of these tests. If I was applying to be a school teacher and they were giving me a test to make sure I didn’t have anger issues maybe I’d understand, but a personality test to be able to flip hamburgers?
I can’t even get a job at Walmart because I did not pass the assment test yet I have been in customer service jobs since I was 15! I don’t understant how my honesty on these test disqulify me from being a good hard worker.??????
How do you contact principle employers if its a employment agency and the agency doesn’t give a # or other way of contacting them? Every job I have thought about applying for is one temp agency or another. Every time I never get a call for an interview. The one person who I could talk to about the results of my test told me it said I had problems with authority and anger issues. She told me the next one I took I should lie. These assessment tests are absolute crap.
I’m told by HR professionals that an application is a signed legal document, but a resume is not. If you want a job follow the rules the employer or apply somewhere else
What’s truly ridiculous is when you’re given a timed test in which you have to answer math questions and be expected to have a vocabulary that is far above average and then complete a 12 page assessment test when applying for a job as a dishwasher.
The fact is these assessment tests for better or worse are here to stay. There is always a right and wrong answer on these tests no matter what Amy or any recruiter says. Before you even post your resume you should do some google research to prepare for the tests. Basically these tests are looking for people lying. They do this by asking the same question several different ways and seeing if you vary your responses. The key is to stay consistent with your answers. As a rule absolute answers score the highest (Strongly Agree, Strongly Disagree). They also want to get an idea if you are an extrovert or introvert. Always pick the answer that is the most extrovert like. There is more but again google will fill you in on a lot of the stuff you need to know.
These assessment test are here to stay, sadly. Most of the people failing these assessments are people that the employers would benefit greatly from. I’m quite tired of taking these assessments for just above minimum wage jobs. It is nerve racking to hear when a company is hiring immediately and having to take this test to never be called for an interview or being told I don’t quite fit their requirements.
I know employers to cut cost and save money. Who doesn’t? All I know is that I’m starting to prefer group interviews over wasting time filling out assessments for a company that cares about my personality over the skill sets that I have and can be beneficial to them.
Now I see why there are so many people that unemployed and just have given up on finding employment.
Amy,
I posted my resume online to a company advertising a work at home costumer service position. The company used Snagajob for the referal site. This was a week ago, September 25, and I haven’t heard from them. I’m not even sure my resume was received. The job is still on their site and is the perfect job for me, which is why I applied and very much want it. Should I send them a letter asking if they received my resume or should I re-send it with a cover letter again? This is my first time I ever applied to a company online and I don’t know the protocol. Your advice would be appreciated. These assessment tests are the least of my worries, I just want to start working from home now, and I have years of experience and training in customer service.
Thank You!
That is so right now a days the computer does all of the screenings if your application doesn’t have a key word they look for your not getting passed on to the hiring manger!! What happen to going in and showing your face with the application !!
I’m a plumber, I signed up with your sight to get a job. Your sight doesn’t allow me to enter a job search for my trade.
It seems your sight is only interested in selling my personal info.
Not a good thing….
Hi James! You can use our keyword search tool to type in “Plumber”. http://www.snagajob.com/job-search. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!
I applied & took assessment test for Ameriprise Finance, a question on the test was “Are you over the age of 40″….yes or no….I thought it was illegal to ask age questions like that….?
The people answering your questions on this web site are totally wrong….
We need the correct answers for these assessment tests, they are correct answers.
Its a shame that young people are going to have to cheat to be able fill out these tests.
So then the employer has hired people who have cheated just to get the right answers on their test, but what about hiring the right person. There are to many people out there that
need jobs quickly, and cant afford to wait another 60 days to fail another assessment test.
Unless you answer the questions as a horrible person you should be considered for the job.
You should not have to know the trick to pass the assessment test. There are so many things wrong with this. The other thing is that you need to be on assistance or be disabled to be qualified to get a job so the employer gets money from the government. God help the
teenagers.
I feel the same as most of you, the questionare is discriminatory. I’ve been applying for jobs 6 months now and it seems to just get worst. Your computer has to be comparable with their program, it must have sound for the audio, it must have updated Adobe. This is unfair to people like me who don’t have access to a computer everyday. I have to travel to either the unemployment office or the library. Keep in mind you only have a hour to use the computer and questionare itself takes a hour. It’s even more upsetting when you don’t get a response but when you go to the establishment they have some of the GHETTOIST employees. How the hell did they get a call back.
Assessment tests are pure BS! They are a joke and utterly ridiculous!
BS indeed. They go off the assessment test first, rather then the application it’s self. You might as well say the assessment is the application.
I agree totally that the assessment questions are very underhanded. I read somewhere they are designed to catch out the unwitting through what amounts to psychological profiling. It’s hard to believe it’s come to the point that a group of people writing these questions are enough to consign your resume to the rubbish bin or shredder,but it is true and a very real problem in the job market. I come from the UK and very rarely have I encountered that kind of interrogation in my attempts to find work…It’s becoming way too impersonal and indifferent. Now I read you have to use only certain key words in resume’s to even stand a chance of being noticed..it doesn’t matter what qualifications you have or education now..it’s down to certain words and psychological trickery and games. It’s disturbing to see just how many employers are devoted to using these methods to employ people nowadays as well. It would be understandable if the jobs were extremely well payed and highly experienced,but most aren’t,these are low paid jobs..It’s going too far to my mind. Sadly though we have to accept this state of affairs and learn to deal with it best we can to even stand a chance of even getting a brief glance on a manager’s desk. I think some of the questions are so open to interpretation it’s not even amusing..most depend on the situation you find yourself in at the time and who you are dealing with. What should be done is someone should work out what these questions really are asking and exactly how to answer them..that way we could eliminate the who questionnaire sections once and for all. I’m sure if people are smart enough to create these questions there’s even smarter people capable of over riding them to the point they will be redundant..might be smart to study psychology the way things are going..just to get an interview..let alone a job! Although discrimination is obviously illegal it won’t stop employers using ever craftier methods to catch the unwitting out…Look on the website PeopleAnswers..they have software for sale which actually creates these questions and gives employers a way to work out scores from the answers..it’s not the answers so much you give,but what score they arrive at. It’s all so mechanical and unfair sadly.
Just another thought..It would be amazingly helpful if employers in the USA took a bit more time to accommodate foreign immigrant workers who have a dreadful time trying to fill in the online application forms. I’ve had to give up more than once because you can’t continue on an application because it doesn’t accept UK locations/postal codes or telephone numbers..and because the US education system is entirely different writing down your education history is near enough impossible!
I applied for a job at Staples and one of the questions was Do you shop at Staples? Is this a legit question and are they allowed to ask that? TY
Here’s one for ya’ll. I live in the mpls/st.paul metro in minnesota but used to live in Buffalo, mn. and I have a friend who is disabled, his family works at wal-mart, and I recommended him to work there as well, however, the assessment is a roadblock for him, as he has a hard time with spelling and reading some things, yet, he is still very dedicated, though I feel, this is also discriminatory to him, as it mentions to “ask for assistance completing questionnaire or there are alternate formats, such as audio, braille, etc…”, yet when you ask customer service or personnelm, they state they cannot help you answer the questions or read them, it’s cheating.
Now, being that I’ve worked there twice as an associate, am also disabled but don’t claim it, understand the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.), know the law, how does this not constitute discrimination on the part of human resources not helping him as required by law for applying for a position?
I just applied for a job and when it came to the questionairre I stopped the application process because I didn;t have the time to sit there for an hour. However, the store manager recently contacted me and said he would like to interview with me but I would just need to complete the questionairre first. I just completed the questionairre but it seemed really short maybe about less than 20 questions. Also, at the end it said I would need to complete the rest of the application process in the store if a manger likes my qualifications. Does this mean I did bad or good on the questionairre? And would it directly tell me I did not pass if that was the case?
Hi Anastasia! I cannot speak on behalf of the employer as each employer’s assessment take is unique. Have you heard back from the store manager since completing the assessment?
I filled out many applications that require you to answer an online assessment. All of the applications asked me if i was eligible or if i qualified for W.O.T.C, cal-works, welfare to work, employment training( something like that) etc. What do they mean by this? Are they asking if I am receiving this type of help or what?
I just took one of these tests it asked me questions like “are there 50 hours in a day?” and “are there 7 days in a week?” Also it asked questions with multiple choice of would do and enjoy it, would do, and so on to wouldn’t do it. The part that disturbs me is that are they going to think I am lying because all but one of the questions I answered with would do it and enjoy it! I love work! I am a self admitted workaholic! Sure I have off days but who doesn’t, mine, however are few and far between! I am afraid I am too honest for these people and they will think I am lying to them!
Hi Miriam! I wouldn’t worry about looking like you lied…I think you looked like you really enjoy working! Also, the questions about hours in a day and days in a week are to simply make sure you are paying attention the the assessment and aren’t flying through. Good luck and let me know how your search goes!
Hey Kim why don’t you be honest and quit telling these people to be honest on these assessment tests? These corporations are looking for lifelong order taking zombies that are content with low wages. There’s a reason why the morons are the ones deemed ‘right” for the job, their morons. These assessment tests have no value other than to find the easiest pushovers for management, the followers. If you want the job lie, then you can decide just how much of their BS you can live with.
What we really need is a list of these companies that are using these needless assessment tests so I for one would know where not to apply and where not to shop. These are self serving multibillion dollar national chains that expect a lot of responsibility and loyalty at minimal wages. The fact is we need to let these companies die a slow death, all they’re doing is driving down wages and setting precedents that being unfair and over demanding to employees is ok.
I’m have a whole slew of family members that are just entering the work force and every week I hear of more and more pre-hiring BS. The latest is my 17 yo niece applied to Harkin Theatres; they called her for a part time 20 hr a week position that pays $7.25 an hour but first she has to go out and buy a 4 piece uniform set. This is from the entertainment industry that is spending millions lobbying congress to enforce copyright protections to protect people that overall contribute very little to humanities needs but recieve more income than most of us will ever see in our lifetimes. Yet, they can’t afford to pay a decent wage and provide uniforms or an allowance to their employees. This is like the guy that applied at Comcast and they expect him to spend part of his income for their services. It’s time to let companies like this go, we don’t need them and I think it’s obvious that they’ve shown us their true colors.
I would rather spend my money and work at places that I know care about the employees and the community. I have a grocery store in my neighborhood that Walmart is killing but I spend extra and shop at the grocery store because I can remember Walmarts underhanded methods to rise. They put a lot of good companies out of business by distorting the made in the USA theme and then as soon as they had dominance switched to overseas suppliers. I’m not saying that they don’t have a good business model but that they are purely and in my opinion overly capitalistic to the point that they are manipulating pricing and wages nationwide. Now they’re looking for the perfect braindead zombie slaves to support their labor needs. I couldn’t honestly say that I would want anyone I love to work for a company like that.
Everyone take a moment to digest what I’m going to say, please or at least consider it with an OPEN MIND. (-_-) “Doug” sure does have a mouth on him. “Stop complaining”?!….. Doug wouldn’t be saying that if he was in anyone elses shoes and by his tone, it’s quite evident he never contributed such a pause of consideration for other people’s positions. He just felt the need to take his success and rub it in other unfortunate peoples faces who don’t deserve to be unemployed. My story short is that I’ve been down the same road as everyone else. I answered the questionnaire honestly as a REAL potential employee should instead of feeding them BS and my answers were appropriate, but the lesser issue is that these test are indeed that of corruption, yet they’re part of a bigger latent scheme manifested by our corrupt system. And before anyone replies back saying not to blame the system, just save it. My uncle works within a clandestine place of our government so his input is a legit addition to what dirt I dig up on my own. The agenda is to suck the wealth out of middle and low class of course and has been orchestrated for so long, yet these online applications are just a new twist that have been introduced.
The methods how the billionaires and corrupt politicians have been doing this is almost endless, however it’s all going to end soon, but can come a LOT sooner if we get up and WANT it. The Elite minds responsible for this have been captured behind the scenes and during the course of this year, their manner of misdeeds are finally going to be exploited and disclosed to the public along with a vault load of other secrets they’ve kept under wraps. I feel for everyone and those of good intent looking for work, but trust me when I say this isn’t going to be lasting anymore. Unfortunately we just have to endure a little longer and await ‘Disclosure’ and the NESERA abundance program which will redistribute the abundant funds the global dictators have hoarded for themselves for practically centuries. It’s been estimated that approximately ? $43,000,000,000,000 (trillion) ? has been stripped from the people and contained by the 1% responsible for the economy crash and everything else. Whether you believe this or not, it’s your choice. Sit around struggling to manage with a bent financial and economic structure or we start asking the big questions that we know that we need to ask deep down. Some people are just either afraid to or too lazy, yet want to complain. The quicker we promote “NESERA” and DEMAND it now that the top dogs have been arrested, this waking up everyday and feeling like you’ll never meet the next bill payment, get your fair cut, pay for a medical fee, and etc. will end.
If you’re skeptical and in senseless denial then you’re free to remain in state you’re in now, but before you dismiss anything I say try doing some research first before trying to dispute against my word -_-. Unlike those few, I’m getting up and doing something about this and demanding our money gets returned to our pockets, the employment system is adjusted from the favor of the tyrannical individuals, and the rest of the secrets get pulled out the closet for the public knowledge. Such knowledge pertains not only to the true origins of our human history, but also how we’ve been helped by other people in secret ways. In fact we wouldn’t be alive without them. Like I said, look into before you finalize your conclusions.
Look up these keyowrds anywhere and you’ll get a ledge of some of the info that the government has been keeping us from.
1. “NESERA abundance program” 2. “Discolsure” 3. “$43 trillion laundered”
And for a bonus for those who demand that they get this source of information straight from people in the government instead, then here you go. This link below leads to a video pertaining to “Disclosure”. There’s going to be a conference in Washington D.C. focused on distributing important information to the public now that it’s safe for some Military Veterans and honest government officials to confess the truth to the world about what’s going on. If you don’t believe me then, listen to the people who are now free to pull the skeletons out the closet. Read the information in the video description for details of the conference date and how you can even get tickets to personally witness it yourself if you want.
- The Citizens’ Hearing on Disclosure is Coming -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23ZxPuDOkfs
In reply,
First off I have written numerous messages on this site and received no replies from users or moderators sadly. I’ll continue anyway as it makes me feel better if nothing else. Oh yeah and a lot of the time trying to post just ends up with an error message saying you can’t post anything.. I come from the UK and believe me if you think getting a job here in the USA is hard for the people who live here try being a permanent resident who has been here just over a year,it really is no fun! Most firms here don’t even recognise the UK in their on line application forms for some strange reason. All my UK details won’t upload in their systems,drop down menus don’t accept any UK postcodes,addresses,telephone numbers or even education details. How can I fill in these details when they don’t accommodate for it? My education was nothing like in the USA and my qualifications were nothing like yours and were awarded to me almost 30 years ago! I have updated my resume in any way I can,I wrote my first cover letter the other day, It would be nice if the employers had the good grace to tell us why we don’t come up to the expectations they require then we could amend the pointless mistakes we are making over and over,as it is it’s a game of eliminating what might be wrong. It would be easy to just get someone else to write a resume and cover letter,but when some of them cost more than you can afford it’s not very likely. I’ll tell you this though,the place to be employment wise is writing resumes and cover letters and knowing the exact way employers think and how to make all their tricks and barriers redundant. The idea that most of their conclusions are based on computer programmes and computer selection processes before they even look at your resume is appalling. These psychological questionnaires are no more than underhand discrimination very cleverly disguised,not that you can do a lot about it sadly. People would argue it gets the best employees out there,it doesn’t though because you could be Einstein and if you word your resume just one bit wrong your chances end up in the bin. The good old 10 second rule..a quick glance,a cursory flick across the heading..that’s all it takes to be shredder material. The thing is you have to be realistic to the point of it being painful,the employment market is totally mercenary now and you have to think along those lines to get anywhere. My wife recently had a web interview. I sat in the background listening,you could tell the questions were worded and presented to extract as much psychological details as possible and done in a really underhand sneaky way. One question was about how you would deal with a situation where people couldn’t afford the service offered..how would you feel? My wife said she’d feel bad for the people..wrong answer..the real reply is : My feelings don’t come in it to I would follow company policy,that way you throw the problem back at the employers,it’s not what you would do if you had a free choice.They make the rules you don’t. Make the employer feel even more full of themselves. Play the little person who willingly carries out these rules and doesn’t question them. If they ask how do you really feel. then tell them,but make it plain you leave your personal feelings as you leave your house in the morning. Work is no place for personal feelings and being compassionate. Remember no matter how wonderful a company presents itself in public,it’s almost never like that in private and the main focus is making as much money as possible for the least output. You represent the company if you are employed all they want is you to make them money,the more the better. Whatever they offer you for your services you can be sure it’s nothing to what they will expect to make out of you. Cynical? not at all, but brutally realistic that’s all. When I write a resume or fill these questionnaires in future I think like a mercenary. play people on their own terms. What you would really do has no bearing in the equation any more,it’s what the employers would do that counts..and remember they aren’t after the truth all the time,just a number that says you are good enough or not on a computer programme.
I’ve been doing assessment test for over 6 months and had no luck! I haven’t passed one yet! What should I do? I’ve been told jobs hire at 17 and up but it seems like places only hire 18 year olds.
Does anyone actually care what people post on here any more? I have posted a few times and got no reaction at all. I have a reason to post,I am trying to find help because my situation is even worse than most of the unemployed out there,not all,but most I would imagine. I am trying to get on my feet anyway I can and it’s so hard it’s becoming painful. I don’t expect special treatment above everyone else,although right now it would be highly appreciated. It’s not about money for money’s sake it’s about being able to survive. I don’t care for luxuries any more I had too much of them in England when I was at work. It’s when it becomes hard to even eat properly or pay utility bills,that what I need to get a job for. I am not a citizen here yet,I am a permanent resident and as such am very limited to the help I can be given here even though I am married. My wife is the breadwinner in the family only because I can’t do anything apart from apply for jobs on line and do the housework she’s not at all well which just compounds the urgency I need to get a job. I have no criminal,drug or drink convictions. I had to leave my last job through voluntary redundancy to come here after 14 years. I lost just about everything I could to come here apart from a few personal possessions I had sent over. I am in good health for a 52 year old male. I just get nothing from all the jobs I apply for. I tried Home Depot because my wife said they were hiring a load of people,she said ring human resources or personnel so I did. Every time I get through all I get is the answer phone,now they direct you to their website to apply,which I have 10 or more times with no success. I read you can be perfect for the positions and if you fail the questionnaire you have no chance.It’s totally disheartening as this is a new country to me and I feel like an outsider in many was where work is concerned. I know there’s a lot of unemployment,but this is ridiculous. Most jobs are just above minimum wage..how does anyone live like that?
Could this be why I can’t find a job at Walmart or McDonalds? Because I’m being honest?
I cannot understand the questions that begin “Coworkers would consider you…”. Am I really supposed to know what others think?
I have a question, what does it mean when they ask do not answer more than 4 middle responses? Help please…
I was wondering if anyone can help me out? Can anyone tell me how to pass the people answer assessment test? I seriously think these test are crazy. what happened to people giving the hiring companies thier resume, filling out an app, and going in for interviews. these test are so imersonal, and how can they tell if someone would be a good employee. I have been in customer service for over 20 yrs and i know my stuff but i can seam to even get the interview because of these assessment test. I believe that both career seekers and employers are both loosing out. if you answer one way you seam to cocky or your lying if you and another way ur under qaulifyied. So can some pls help me out.
Thank you
sherri
I am looking for server position for almost one year, no luck.
I worked as waiter for fine dining restaurants, I met a lot of famous people, they were nice.
I was a hard working person and I care about what I do, unfortunately I lost the job because of the chef who has no idea about dining room service, not the menu. I used to make between $200 to $400 a night. When the comes to my face and said to me to shut the fucked up over and over, what did I do? I left the room without saying anything. NOW I AM LOOKING FOR BUSBOY POSITION OR BARISTA AND I WAS ASKED FOR A COVER LETTER.NEXT WEEK I AM GOING TO NEBRASKA I MIGHT BE LUCKY TO FIND JOB.
Hi Judi! Have you followed up on your application? After you submit your application, your next step would be to follow up. Check out this video: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/video-how-to-follow-up/ where we break it down for you
.
I just applied for a job at Kmart, and it was a question on the online job app.
Hello Ms. White, to answer your question. The employer that ask the question are you older then sixteen but younger the forty is Walmart and Target. I filled out and application for both companies and this question was asked on their assessment form.
alot of them do
Employers have many tricks to find out how old you are without asking you a question directly geared at your age. By asking you to list all of your employers starting with the most recent is one of those questions and inside that employer disclosure there are how long you worked for this company and how many years of experience do you have in this field are some of the other questions that the employer can calculate how old you are. Another question is what year did you graduate high school or college. List of previous addresses if you have lived in your present address for less than 3 years. To sum it up, the employer can always figure out about how old you are without actually asking you point blank!!!!
Mr. Vasquez, I answer no to the question are you older then sixteen but younger then forty, no other boxes popped up for you to scroll to your age. When I answered no the page would not let me move on unless I check yes.
Tressia,
This answer sounds good but is it appropriate? You are not trying to loss the job before you are hired.They will look at it as you are being a smart mouth.
Kristen, if they are asking this question for WOTC then they do not need to ask this question just look at the persons date of birth. And if they are trying to see if you fit the criteria read the resume it will tell you if the person is unemployed, plus the assessment asks if you are receiving government assistance, and it asks for your case workers name and case number. So there is no need to ask this question if you are older then 16 and younger then 40. That question is just hog wash.
AMEN! I’ve been working for almost 40 years, then took early retirement from a position I held for over 33 years because they just kept adding more and more workload to my plate to the point that just one person could no longer effectively do that job (what they expect now is ridiculous!). My retirement pay is not enough to pay the bills, so I’m just looking for a simple paycheck type job and am even willing to do something that I don’t particularly want to spend my day doing (such as working at a burger joint, but apparently I’m not quaified for that since I haven’t done it since I was 17 in 1973; I’ve applied for dozens of these jobs so far) – and I’d be happy to be paid only $10 an hour when I was used to earning $23 an hour and worked very hard for my money ….. yet no one seems to want a hard-working employee who still has 10+ good years left to work before I retire. I’m thinking that they feel a person 20 or 30 years my junior can do a better job than someone with years of experience and dedication AND much better work ethics than most of the younger women who worked in my office (the ‘I’ll do the least amount I can get away with and still get paid’ attitude).
Older workers such as myself also need to feed our families!
Okay, I’m done venting…..
A recent study showed that companies are now looking at Facebook profiles to decide on new hires, and that they are more telling than personality quizzes. What’s interesting to me is that they said they were looking for people “who have a lot of friends and take a lot of silly photos.” I believe the idea is that people only want to hire people who are relentlessly positive to the point of being delusional and are a bit needy for attention from others.
The rationale is that if you are introverted or value quality of friends over quantity, you must be hiding something, or be hopelessly socially awkward, or something along those lines.
The majority of people, even introverts, can be friendly and polite in a customer service setting. In many workplaces a majority of those actions are scripted, anyway. But I’m noticing a disturbing trend in entry level jobs of managers favoring people who make personal friends with them and the rest of the staff. Not only can this be juvenile and unprofessional, but it has nothing at all to do with work skills. I understand that no one wants to work with a rude jerk, but few people like working with a person who is completely incompetent but bakes cupcakes for everyone either. There’s also more and more research to suggest that charming people with toxic personalities such as narcissists and even sociopaths do very well on these tests and find it easy to network in the short term on the job. I think that soon the trends for these personality tests will die down and people will begin checking references again instead. These tests are too easy to cheat and too many people get false negatives because of the way the questions are asked. There’s still no substitute for sitting down and talking with a person.
Ignore Kim. Just think of a robotic human programmed specifically for the position you want. What would they say on the questionnaire?
You love people. You love helping people. You would never call into work unless you were dying or in the hospital. You would tell a supervisor if you caught a coworker stealing even a pen. You have a relentlessly positive attitude about everything, and nothing ever frustrates you or makes you angry. You believe that bad luck doesn’t exist in the financial market, you don’t feel pressure or sadness, you’re perfectly content to work a stupid minimum wage job and get 15 hours a week for the rest of your life.
Your boss will not ever see this or care if you lied. All they will care about is results. These tests are easy to beat if you have common sense. It’s like dressing up for a job interview. No one likes dressing like that, but it’s part of the process.
Beautifully written.