Taking Pre-Employment Tests
An Article by MD Angus & Associates

In this article by MD Angus & Associates, Bill Angus notes that there are two common types of tests that employers conduct during the hiring process:

• Aptitude tests measure ability and knowledge
• Personality tests measure integrity and orientation towards a specific job

Aptitude Tests

Do Your Homework:

Find out about the company before the interview. What products do they sell? What services do to they offer? What equipment do they use? This can help you answer questions about the company and may save you time if, for example, they ask you to edit a document using a Mac when you are used to working on a PC. Read our article on Company Research for more information.

If you find out about the testing in advance be sure to pay attention to the details. For example, if you’re a patternmaker they may ask for a pattern to be created for a specific size, if you want a job as a graphic designer they may ask you to produce an ad using Photoshop. Will they want to test your general aptitude? Your computer skills? Your language proficiency? Do you need to bring anything or prepare anything beforehand?

See what you can find out about the tests. A Google search may bring up a similar type of test with sample questions. The company may even be willing to give you a test booklet to practice with.

Bring the Right Tools:

If you know that there will be a test for you to perform (or even if you don’t) make sure to pack a few essentials in your briefcase or bag. It never hurts to have a pen and pencil on hand (and the all important eraser!). You might expect an employer to provide one for you, but you’d hate to discover they hadn't once you have been left on your own.

Make sure you bring any aids that can help you do your best. Your reading glasses could come in handy, a calculator (if allowed), or a small pocket dictionary may help you out when left to decipher a document.

NOTE: It is important to appear well put together in an interview situation, but if a typing test is in order, or you will be required to demonstrate your abilities working with machinery, avoid too many rings, watches or other appearance enhancers. You don’t want to lose out on a job because of a malfunctioning press-on nail.

Read the Directions…Twice:

This is the first opportunity to show your would-be employer that you can follow directions. If you jump right into the task at hand, without reading the instructions, you may miss an important detail that could cost you the job. Some employers even intentionally set little traps in the instructions to see if candidates have read them.

You may create the best press release ever written, but if you missed the instruction to place your name in the bottom left-hand corner, it will be thrown from the pile before it even hits the employer's desk.

Even when your task has a deadline, reading the directions is always time well spent.

Do it Right…But Don’t Dawdle:

Rushing through a test is a sure fire way to miss something. But taking the time to painstakingly make it perfect is not a great idea either. While an employer may encourage you to “take all the time you need”, keep in mind that they are running a business and probably don’t want you there for hours. If you take too long, it may raise questions about your ability to work effectively.

Internet Based Tests:

Some companies have contracted out their testing duties, or have created online tests that can be done before an interview is even conducted. If you’re asked to go online to complete a test or application, be prepared and get comfortable before logging in and allow yourself sufficient time to do a proper job.

Personality Tests

Answer Honestly:

When you are looking for work all you want is a contract to sign on the dotted line. But taking a job that doesn’t fit with your skills and personality will do no one any good. Personality tests are designed to see if you and the position are a match. Writing what you think the employer wants to hear may or may not get you hired, but it won’t make you happy.

Answer Concisely:

Remember this is an interview not a confession. Keep your answers about your likes, dislikes and interests short and snappy. You don’t need to defend every statement you make. Any questions you have raised in the employer's mind will get answered in the interview. Don’t provide a reason not to hire you before they ask for one.

Make sure your answers relate to the position. For example, if you are applying for an office job and are asked to list a weakness, do not write something like you have a “tendency to speed”. It’s irrelevant to the job at hand, which is what the employer cares about.

Know That They Like You (They really like you!):

These tests can be very stressful and may even seem unfair. No one wants to hear that it was their personality that cost them a job. But you must remember that it is a personality, not popularity, test. If the employer didn’t think you had great potential you would not have even been called in to take the test. This is a business process not a judgment call on you as a person. The employer wants you both to find a good fit.

When you find the right position, you won’t be able to help but ace the test.

Be Nervous Just Don’t ACT Nervous:

This is a tip that goes for both types of tests. Interviews are nerve wracking and everyone knows it, including your employer. They will take into consideration the stresses and time limits that they have put upon you when asking you to do certain tasks. It is how you handle yourself under these conditions that may in fact be the ultimate test. Remember to smile and try not to let your apprehension show in your face or body language.

If you draw a blank on a question don’t panic. Don’t take a wild stab at the answer either. It’s better to be unsure than dead wrong. Simply say "I’m sorry I’m drawing a blank right now, can we move on to the next question?" If the answer does come to you later on, find a break in the questioning to offer it.

Article Contributed by: www.poss.ca. The Possibilities Online Employment Resource Centre is a project of Findhelp Information Services with the support of

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