I have to take a 'psychological employment profile test...

[HowToBe]

Alright. I applied for a local job, went in for an interview, and I might have a chance to get the job (movie rentals/ retail). Trouble is, the manager informs me that when I applied I got a "yellow" on the profiling test, and must get a "green" score before she can consider me for hire. She gave me another chance to take the test (maybe I gave a good impression), so I'd appreciate some input. I need to retake it today or tomorrow. If I can get the job it might might give our family enough additional income to start buying grass fed meats and fats for diet changes, books, and also contribute to a land purchase we are trying to make. I will probably be working part time.

I'm generally honest and fairly intelligent, and fairly introverted. The trouble is that these tests tend to screen out the honest, intelligent, and introverted, based on what I've read. I don't think it's unreasonable for me to try and figure out the test since I can learn to behave in a way appropriate for the job once I actually have it, and I'm pretty adaptable (or so I think).

These links are the material I've read on the subject;
https://www.sott.net/articles/show/242040-US-How-To-Pass-a-Psychological-Employment-Profile-Test
_http://www.timothyhorrigan.com/documents/unicru-personality-test.answer-key.html
_http://www.reddit.com/r/geek/comments/9dz8l/the_unicru_test_is_a_common_commercial/

In addition, I was told by the manager (and I've been told this before) that it's best to always answer "Strongly Agree" or "Strongly Disagree" to the questions. The websites above also say this. The yellow score might be because I mostly answered with "agree" or "disagree", when they are looking for the more polarized "Strongly Agree/Disagree".

So, I was wondering if anyone with some experience could chime in with recommendations? I think I might have 'failed' the test if I hadn't read the SOTT article beforehand. I looked up the other resources today after the manager gave me this second chance. I have every intention of doing the job according to the employer's desires, within reason (keeping strategic enclosure and external considering in mind), but this requires that I first jump through this hoop. Is it reasonable to say that the situation "asks" for a bit of well-meaning deception?

I guess what I'm mainly wondering is if anyone can verify the information in the websites I linked?

 

[Cosmos]

Is it reasonable to say that the situation "asks" for a bit of well-meaning deception?

yes I think so

 

[mcb]

...The trouble is that these tests tend to screen out the honest, intelligent, and introverted, based on what I've read...

And/or people who think for themselves and question "orders."

...Is it reasonable to say that the situation "asks" for a bit of well-meaning deception?...

Yes, if you really want to work there still, knowing what you know now. Excessive honesty might be one of the things they are trying to screen out.

 

[HowToBe]

...The trouble is that these tests tend to screen out the honest, intelligent, and introverted, based on what I've read...

And/or people who think for themselves and question "orders."

Yes. We'll see if it works on me. ;D

...Is it reasonable to say that the situation "asks" for a bit of well-meaning deception?...

Yes, if you really want to work there still, knowing what you know now. Excessive honesty might be one of the things they are trying to screen out.

I was excessively honest when I was younger and in school, but what is "honest" is not always right, and in any case there is more than one way to be "honest", some more and some less selfish.

At this point I have a good picture of what they "want" me to say. My main concern is getting weeded out for answering the questions "too correctly". I'm suspicious of following any online "cheat sheets".

From the Kronos, Inc. website:

Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT): Applicants want shorter assessments while hiring managers want more predictive information about their candidates. Now you can achieve BOTH. CAT tailors the assessment to the candidate in real time, “adapting” the questions to the candidate’s responses as they are given. The test is harder to cheat and faster to complete while maintaining a high level of predictive accuracy – improving the overall quality of the assessment.

EDIT: Hmm, sorry for the soap box moment there, I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir.

 

[Mrs. Peel]

Yes, if you really want to work there still, knowing what you know now. Excessive honesty might be one of the things they are trying to screen out.

Ah, remember, "sincerity with everyone is a weakness." or something like that.

I can see them wanting a "strongly" kind of answer. Although I've not taken a test to screen me for a job, I've taken some while on the job. Try to look at it from the employer's point of view and answer what you think they want to hear, or how they'd prefer you act in a situation you may encounter while on the job.

With that said, I guess you basically need to be who they want you to be, unfortunately.

 

[ScarletBegonias]

I can see them wanting a "strongly" kind of answer. Although I've not taken a test to screen me for a job, I've taken some while on the job. Try to look at it from the employer's point of view and answer what you think they want to hear, or how they'd prefer you act in a situation you may encounter while on the job.

With that said, I guess you basically need to be who they want you to be, unfortunately.

I agree with Mrs. Peel.

I'm also not so sure I agree with this portion of the SOTT article:

Bottom line, don't think...just answer, and do it quickly

Going back to check your answers for consistency may also help since there's likely to be more than one question asking the same thing.

 

[NewOrleans]

Well, HowToBe, congratulations on aiming for this job. I think you have the right intuition: look at the answers from their point of view, not your unvarnished honesty. An employee, in their eye, is not usually a complex thinker, but simply a doer, so strongly agree/disagree just might be the answer they're looking for. Black and white kind of answers. Simple.
Let us know how it goes.

 

[DavidHP]

My wife just got one of these tests sent by her employer, apparently the "corporation" wants all the employees to take it. I took a look at it and noticed is asking lots of very personal questions.

The employee is asked to rate themselves in a number of categories. I do not see the reason for the test because she has been employed with the same employer for more than seve years.

 

[Yozilla]

An acquaintance of mine had taken a "psycho test" few yeas ago when she applied for a job in bank. She wasn't hired - but she knew well someone on employer side who told her that she had the best result but they were looking for someone more kind of dull...
Argh those banksterz

 

[liffy]

I guess you'll figure it out if you really want this job.

On a less serious note; your nickname combined with this topic is rather funny

 

[HowToBe]

On a less serious note; your nickname combined with this topic is rather funny

Ha! :D

The current situation is that the manager who was working with me is away on a trip for a while, and apparently the application system won't allow me to take the test again for 10 days. She said she was going to see if she could send me an email that would allow me to retake the test, but I never received it, so it seems I may need to wait a week. I'll keep working on it and other things and tell ya'll how it goes. ;)

 

[Thomas Alan]

Thanks, HowToBe and those who responded for this thread. Now, I understand why the managers don't like me at work. It should have been easy to see. I let my intelligence show too much!

I sometimes point out why their policies don't work very well thinking that they would want to know so that we can have better results. Shame on me for wanting to be helpful. I can see, now, how it is annoying to them to have someone point out the obvious. Especially, when other employees are listening.

I can also see that it isn't going to improve. Their latest big policy changes are supposed to increase sales and a feeling of being on a team, not individually motivated. The whole thing looks like a recipe for disaster to me. Dumbing down, more corporate control will have the results they always have.

Mac

 

[mcb]

...I sometimes point out why their policies don't work very well thinking that they would want to know so that we can have better results. Shame on me for wanting to be helpful. I can see, now, how it is annoying to them to have someone point out the obvious. Especially, when other employees are listening...

That doesn't sound very adaptive on your part. When you are working with someone you need to put away the baseball bat and start from where the other person is now. The book Just Listen by Mark Goulston contains much practical information about what to do and not do with anyone, from a friend to a psychopath (his advice for working with the latter: "Run!"). You might find it interesting.

 

[Mrs. Peel]

...I sometimes point out why their policies don't work very well thinking that they would want to know so that we can have better results. Shame on me for wanting to be helpful. I can see, now, how it is annoying to them to have someone point out the obvious. Especially, when other employees are listening...

That doesn't sound very adaptive on your part. When you are working with someone you need to put away the baseball bat and start from where the other person is now. The book Just Listen by Mark Goulston contains much practical information about what to do and not do with anyone, from a friend to a psychopath (his advice for working with the latter: "Run!"). You might find it interesting.

Well, nobody likes a know-it-all, and I may not care for somebody pointing out what I'm doing wrong in front of others either, depending on the way it was presented. The higher up on the corporate ladder they are, the less they like having "mistakes" pointed out. Yeesh, if I went around here doing that, I'd be next on the layoff list! ;)

 

[mcb]

...Well, nobody likes a know-it-all, and I may not care for somebody pointing out what I'm doing wrong in front of others either, depending on the way it was presented. The higher up on the corporate ladder they are, the less they like having "mistakes" pointed out. Yeesh, if I went around here doing that, I'd be next on the layoff list! ;)

It depends on the result you are seeking. If what you want is to be "right" about it then go ahead and do whatever comes to mind. If you are seeking to promote actual change within the organization and you are dealing with this kind of person then something more subtle and adaptive would seem to be called for.