A personality test is normally a questionnaire made up of between 100 and 300 multiple-choice questions.
Personality tests are used to give the employer an idea of what your personality is like and the way you work.
Amongst the things a personality test can reveal about you are:
- how structured you are
- whether you tend to be more detail-oriented or more overview-oriented
- your leadership traits
- whether you take initiative socially
- how empathetic you are
A personality test typically works by measuring 20 to 30 traits that influence your work performance.
Personality tests are normally untimed. Answers are compared with a control group.
Most tests can be used as employee-development tools, as well as to assess candidates during the hiring process.
The results of a personality test are never decisive for an employer. They are intended to serve as a starting point for discussion. During a review of your test answers, you will be asked to provide examples from your professional life that support your answers.
Example
If a position requires you to be detail-oriented, the employer will seek to identify how detail-oriented you are. If your test solidly indicates you are detail-oriented, it is unlikely the employer will spend much time on your results.
If your test suggests that you aren’t very detail-oriented, expect the employer to discuss your results with you. In reality, it may be that you are sufficiently detail-oriented overall, but in some situations you aren’t. Discussing your answers will give you the chance to add a layer of detail.
Most personality-test developers require that the person administering their test be certified. This is to make sure that your answers are interpreted correctly.
Preparing for a personality test
- Search for information about the test on the internet to learn more about it.
- Most test developers provide examples of the questions you will be asked to answer.
- Find examples of other types of personality tests on the internet. We recommend Cubiks Keep in mind that some websites will require you set up a profile if you want to take a full test.
- Ask people you know for their opinion. Ask them what they see as your professional strengths and weaknesses.
- The website jobtestprep.co.uk charges for access to a variety of tests. The site allows you to search for tests that are relevant for you.
Preparing can give you an idea of what a personality test will reveal about you, and that will help you by allowing you to prepare to address any questions the employer might have.
A skills test is used by an employer to measure your ability to complete a specific task.
These types of tests are now considered to be a standard part of the recruiting process in Denmark.
Typically, skills tests are just one of several factors an employer considers when hiring someone. Some firms use skills tests in the early stage of the hiring process, or to screen candidates they think might be worth calling in for an interview.
Skills tests usually include several different types of questions that measure skills such as:
- error-checking: your ability to quickly identify any errors
- comprehension: your ability to understand a written text. These types of tests will typically ask you to read something and then answer multiple-choice questions about it.
- numerical: your mathematical ability. These types of tests can include problems involving fractions, algebraic equations, statistical calculations, diagrams and other mathematical concepts.
- abstract thinking: your ability to identify logical connections and abstract patterns. These types of tests may involve answering questions or asking you to draw conclusions from abstract patterns.
Skills tests are timed. There are correct answers; you will be evaluated based on how well you perform compared with a control group.
In addition to evaluating you based on the number of correct answers, you employer will also be able to asses you based on how you answered: how precise were you? how accurate were you? how willing were you to take risks?
Preparing for a skills test
- Search for the test on the internet. The developer’s website often has information about the test and examples of an answer report. The website may also have examples of questions.
- If it’s been a while since you’ve had a maths course, the website regneregler.dk can help you brush up.
- There are a number of apps you can download to prep for a skills test. Search for ‘IQ test’, ‘free aptitude test’ or ‘abstract reasoning’.
- When it comes time to take the test, make sure you are sitting comfortably and have all the working aids you need before you start. Remember that the test is timed.
Make a mental note of which types of questions you found easy and which ones you found hard. If you get called in for an interview, you may be asked to discuss how the test lined up with your experience from your current and previous jobs. Do you find yourself having difficulty with the same types of assignments? How do you work around that?
Example
You know you aren’t very good with numbers, so whenever you have an assignment involving numbers, you know you need to get help from someone who is.
In a case interview, an applicant is presented with a relevant scenario and is asked to find a solution and then present it to the interviewer. This type of test gives an employer insights into your competencies and your communicative skills.
The amount of preparation time applicants are given varies: sometimes applicants are given the case ahead of time and asked to prepare an answer at home; other times, you will be presented with the case when you show up for the interview and be asked to answer questions about it before the interview begins.
Case interviews are useful because they present applicants with problems that are similar to those they would meet on the job.
It’s worth keeping in mind that an employer will be just as interested in how you solve the problem and how you present your solution as in the answer itself.
When given a case interview:
- Start by reading the case thoroughly and getting a good idea of what the problem is
- Work methodically.
- Present your solution and how you came about it.
- Do your best to make a good presentation.
There are a lot of things you can do to prepare for tests.
- Ask the employer about the test and how it is administered.
- Find out as much as you can about the test.
- Take practice tests.
- Give yourself plenty of time to complete / prepare for the test.
- Make sure you are sitting comfortably and won’t be disturbed while you are preparing for or taking the test.
- Read and understand all the instructions before you start.
- Answer honestly and intuitively.
- Be open and honest when the employer goes over your answers with you. Show that you are interested in the results, especially anything that comes as a surprise. The employer will assess you based on your reaction to the answers.
In general, relax and try to get the most out of being asked to take a test. If anything, it’s free career counselling that you can use to learn about yourself and may help you in your career.