Employment personality testing

[Christine]

I Can see why the CIA would do It. I can't imagine how many delusional people think they would be perfect for the CIA so it could be a weeding out process. Also, I would assume that the job would have high stress moments, so it would be nice to know that they were training someone who works well under pressure. That makes sense.
But applying for a job as a secretary to the owner of the local garden shop or to pound nails for a contractor. Not so much. You should be able to tell straight off the bat if the person is a complete fruit loop, and if they're just a little off? No biggie, as long as they are able to do the job.

I agree; however, I was addressing the aspect that one poster (maybe the OP) had regarding the legality of it. I would assume since a government agency does it as standard for their hiring, then it's probably legal.

 

[luvmy3]

I'm curious to know the answer to this as well. This to me is just plain discrimination against potential employees. How is this supposed to be Equal Opportunity Employment?

Could you explain how these tests violate EEO laws?

 

[dngnb8]

Employment personality testing has been the most stressful for me. I am an introvert by nature and feel if I answer honestly this makes me look very bad. I've done a lot and actively work to be more outgoing and do very well in my line of work.

My next question is: how is this even legal? The second test I just took, I was sure they were screening for mental illness. I am not diagnosed, but there were a lot of questions that seemed to be looking for depressed or bipolar people or people with anxiety. Are results cut and dry on these? How can you evaluate a person based on two choices?

Question: I have never lied. agree or disagree.
I say anyone who disagrees is a lier right then and there. Especially those who celebrate holidays with Santa, Easter Bunny etc. Not that I have a problem with that because I do too.

Question: I have never broken the law. agree or disagree.
I have had a speeding ticket so I would have to say I disagree.

Then all the questions like: I am more like the turtle than the rabbit.
really?

Question: I sometimes want to do things but lack the motivation

Question: Sometimes I am so mad I want to scream

Question: The earth revolves around the sun.

I would love input from HR professionals.

Thanks

I work in HR and yes, it is legal. I have taken MBTI and Strengths finder. Personality testing is a good way to understand who you work with. Many "perceptions" are based on personality. You say your an introvert. If people know, they are less likely to think youre stuck up.

Todays work force is finding out that employee enrichment through strength, is more advantageous then working on a weakness. My testing resulted in leadership skills, teamwork and strong skill sets in achievements. Im weak in data scrubbing and verification. Thus, it would be better to make me a project lead, then a data examiner.

There are some employers who would say, you need to work on your data scrubbing and verification techniques. I can make those better, but it isnt a strength. Instead, the employer would probably gain more from me in a project lead role.

 

[dicar123]

The company I work for does personality tests, but only for the highest level managers and Executives.

 

[2disneyboys]

I am in HR and while our office does not use personality tests (not relevant to our field) they are not illegal. race, color,religion,sex, national origin, age ( specifically the protected class of over 40) ADA, GINA. These things could be a case of discrimination...not hiring someone because they are more turtle or lion or peacock or answer questions in a way the prospective employer does not like, well, all of that is legal. You have to show they (the employer) violated one of the protected classes to claim discrimination.

With that said, I hate those tests.

 

[Tinkmom75]

I work in HR and yes, it is legal. I have taken MBTI and Strengths finder. Personality testing is a good way to understand who you work with. Many "perceptions" are based on personality. You say your an introvert. If people know, they are less likely to think youre stuck up.

Todays work force is finding out that employee enrichment through strength, is more advantageous then working on a weakness. My testing resulted in leadership skills, teamwork and strong skill sets in achievements. Im weak in data scrubbing and verification. Thus, it would be better to make me a project lead, then a data examiner.

There are some employers who would say, you need to work on your data scrubbing and verification techniques. I can make those better, but it isnt a strength. Instead, the employer would probably gain more from me in a project lead role.

I like the view of finding out what your perceptions are. I did one knock off test online of the Meyer Briggs test and I came up with INFJ which is a rare personality. I found it interesting for myself and reading about the personality. That said, the job I chose to take did not make me take a personality test!

 

[ColorsOfTheWind]

I too am a fan of the Meyers Briggs test, and I was even an INFJ type. If anyone is interested, the descriptions are very accurate an they even show famous people with your type. I think the most common type is ENFJ

 

[SandrA9810]

The first one I ever took was at 16, for Build A Bear application.

Best Buy has one of the most awful ones, but I also hate their application system. I can't think of the name, but it's used for a lot of sites.

It's rather stupid for most the companies that use them.

 

[Zachsmom4]

I was pretty much offered a job at a large financial/insurance firm, but the last step in the hiring process was to meet with a shrink and take the personality test. It was a 2 hour process. I was honest with all the questions and needless to say the job was not offered to me.

Oh well.

 

[Becky2005]

I hate those things & if you have ever worked retail & take one you are up a creek without a paddle. They are geared toward people who have never had a job.

I love the one I took that asked something about "do you think everyone lies" -- how in the world do you answer that one. I can guarantee you everyone is not 100% truthful but if you answer Yes to it -- it flags you to look like you are going to lie when on the job. Basically you are screwed no matter how you answer that question. Really -- if you are a commissioned sales person and someone is saying trying on a dress -- you think they look hideous in it, are you really going to SAY that?

Of course not!!! You are going to say something like, I don't think that color suits you, let's try THIS outfit instead or something like that. You are not going to say whatever comes to your mind with no filter.