Re: job interview with tests

Subject: Re: job interview with tests
From: kcronin -at- daleen -dot- com
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 10:23:51 -0700

I wouldn't worry too much about it. If your skillset is completely
mismatched for the test, and/or if the hiring manager puts too much weight
on some bizarre set of testing criteria that make no sense to you, think
of the test as saving you the trouble of joining a company that doesn't
suit you.

That said, I've encountered the following tests:

1) Document an everyday activity. I've been asked to document how to wash
a car, how to use a stapler, and I've been threatened with but never
actually forced to plot the steps involved in making a peanut butter and
jelly sandwich.

2) Logic test. Stuff like this: Bob is Russian. Everybody in Russia wants
to be happy. Some Russians are nice people. Is Bob nice? Lots of if/then
questions. Makes you feel like you're applying to Mensa. Kinda fun in a
twisted way...

3) Personality test. I filled out one where they found 2 or 3 ways to ask
whether it was every ok to steal from the employer, and 5 or 6 ways to ask
if it was ever okay to HIT a coworker. Never got called back, but I think
I'm okay with that - sounded like a scary place to work....

For the record, I like the idea of testing job candidates, but I have not
done so. I was verbally beaten to within an inch of my life for posting a
query to the List a couple years ago about what everybody thought about me
giving a writing test to job applicants.

I'm a little more confident now. If my company ever starts growing again
:( maybe I'll put together something.

Personally, I think people are overly concerned with trying to find out
everything about the interview BEFORE the interview. I do my homework on
the company, but I go to the interview planning to be myself, and with my
radar WAY up so I can try to figure out if I want to work with these
people.

Go in and do what you do, and show them what you know. Not what you think
they want or what you think THEY think you should know. Go with an open
mind, do your best, and see if it's a fit. Good luck!


- Keith Cronin

_____________________________________

Rap. Like music, except you don't need to be able to sing or play an
instrument.


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