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!
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.
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 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.