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Should workplaces be allowed to discriminate against prospective job applicants by having them pass a personality test for certain positions? These tests are now prevalent on online applications for customer service positions, and I know from experience that these inventories are not easy to pass and leave many able-bodied people searching for work when work would otherwise be available. It's my opinion that an employer should be willing to give anyone a chance, especially if it's the type of job that apparently "anyone" can do, e.g. unskilled labor. What are your thoughts on this? Who writes these inventories, and why?
I know I've been shut out many a time from getting another part-time job because of these personality tests. I don't agree with the insensitive cold mechanical glaze this nation is starting to apply. Everything is done online and sorted through by computers, like a machine that can't even catch my grammatical errors most of the time is capable of deciding whether or not I'm the right candidate for a job. I sincerely think companies need to rethink this hiring strategy.
What kind of tests are you talking about? Briggs Meyers typing or something like that, for management/professional positions or screening for jobs where personality and performance would clearly correlate? If so, employers should absolutely use them if they want. there's no reason on earth that they should give everybody a chance if they have a way of screening out applicants that have a low likelihood of being suited to the job. And job applicants should be happy about it. If I'm a detail and order freak how well do you suppose I'd do in a job that's has constantly changing priorities? Or if I'm a people person needing constant stimulation, how well am I going to do at a job that requires solitary and routine tasks?
And BTW, not anyone actually can do "unskilled" labor, or at least not for long. If somebody is overqualified or bored or has an "attitude" then they aren't going to do well with coworkers or customers, or they're going leave ASAP.
Last edited by kletter1mann; 03-17-2014 at 06:34 AM..
Reason: forgot a point
What a joke! Are you a boss? Those personality tests that make the online app take forever are a big waste of time. All that trouble to apply to an entry level 8-10 dollar an hour job? I've applied before and they're inconvenient.
I applied at an exterminator company for an admin job and I had to take a personality test. It was called DrakeP3.
I didn't get the job, but I don't think it was because of the test, the two interviewers were younger than me, and it sounded like they wanted someone with a sales personality(which is not me)
I have also had to take tests for Nordstrom & Macys.
What a joke! Are you a boss? Those personality tests that make the online app take forever are a big waste of time. All that trouble to apply to an entry level 8-10 dollar an hour job? I've applied before and they're inconvenient.
Yes, I am a boss. I'm talking about serious tests, per my post, such as Briggs Meyers. Ever hear of it?
As for whatever tests you've been forced to take, how do YOU know they're a waste of time? Just cause you happen to think so?
Yes, I am a boss. I'm talking about serious tests, per my post, such as Briggs Meyers. Ever hear of it?
As for whatever tests you've been forced to take, how do YOU know they're a waste of time? Just cause you happen to think so?
Figures only a boss would give such a standard rebuttal to the op. Point is, the personality tests on most online job applications for entry level retail work seems ridiculous. Why screen for jobs that require selling shoes or hardware? Now do you have a typical corporately response to that?
I have always had to take one as a 911 dispatcher, I think it has some value as it can weed out those with zero common sense (it is very scenario-based).
However, for retail jobs? Anything like that? Seems silly. Maybe they get so many applicants that they try and weed out people. I think the only winner here is the one who gets these companies to pay for their tests.
I give an indirect personality test, when I interview someone in our group. I let others interview the person as well to see how he/she interacts with others then get feedback from the group to see how they feel.
I have always had to take one as a 911 dispatcher, I think it has some value as it can weed out those with zero common sense (it is very scenario-based).
However, for retail jobs? Anything like that? Seems silly. Maybe they get so many applicants that they try and weed out people. I think the only winner here is the one who gets these companies to pay for their tests.
Exactly, for retail it seems like a big racket. For upper echelon jobs I agree they're pretty important.
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