Taking a test
Hey everyone! I have an interview next week for a position I really want and part of it involves a 30 minute written test. It's in the environmental research field. I have never had to take a test as part of a hiring process and have no earthly idea what this "test" involves or what I should prepare for. The science stuff isn't a problem, I've held this same type of position before. Are they just screening to make sure I'm sane, literate, or that I know when the War of 1812 started? Has anyone had to take a test as part of an interview and what did it entail? The HR person wouldn't give any details and I don't know anyone that works there. Some input is greatly appreciated!
Honestly, it could be anything. Many companies give personality tests these days, simliar to what you'd get on eharmony or match.com. Some give technical tests or general aptitude tests. You'll just have to wait and see. Study up on the technical stuff just in case, be yourself on a personality test. Don't try to answer those with what you think they want to hear, you don't know what they want to hear, just be yourself. They either way who you are or they don't. Tess Quick question, if you don't mind. Is it that the HR didn't give an details because you didn't ask and she/he didn't offer? Or is it that you asked and the HR refused to pony up the goods? If the answer is that HR didn't give the details and you didn't ask, it could be that she/he thought you would know what type of tests were to be administered and didn't feel that the information needed to be disclosed. She/he could have come upon this decision because you didn't ask. If the answer is that you did ask but that HR just refused to tell you then that is very telling to me. It tells me that either the HR is uninformed and didn't know her/his own self, in which case I would be leary of a company who asks workers to perform a task and then doesn't give the person all the information needed to complete this, ie: incomplete training practices. It also tells me that the HR could be intentionally sabataging your chances because she/he has a specific person already mind. And in her/his little brain could be thinking that if you are not given all the facts coming in to the interview, then you will blow it. (I hope this isn't what the situation brings, but I have a habit of looking at the worst case scenario as well as what could be the best case). That aside, it is quite probable that the tests being adminstered are behavioural, personality and maybe even some simple math and science questions that you may need to display knowledge of because of the type of work you will be performing. I have taken such tests before and they were adminstered in parts. 10 minutes to complete the personality test; 15 minutes for the behavioral, etc. Of course, I also was, for most jobs because of my field, asked to takes tests such as typing for speed, shorthand, document composition, spelling, etc. | |
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