Interviews bear more weight than the personality assessment. Study the job description and think of examples that show how you’ve put the desired personality traits into practice. [2] X Research source Suppose a company is looking for salesperson who’s confident, self-motivated, and outgoing. In your interview, speak with confidence, mention a project you completed independently, and describe how you honed interpersonal skills at past jobs.
Pose 1 to 2 questions politely and professionally so you don’t seem paranoid or anxious about taking the test. If the interviewer doesn’t say, ask if they use the test to make hiring decisions. Some companies only administer personality tests to keep on file. For others, it plays a key role in the early stages of the hiring process.
For example, instead of asking “What personality traits are you looking for,” you could ask, “When did you first include the assessment in the hiring process? Has it improved your ability to build a workforce that embodies the company’s values?”
Example questions might be, “I’d rather do things quickly than perfectly,” or “I like everyone I meet. ” Your available answers will either be yes or no, or on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree or least accurate) to 5 (strongly agree or most accurate). Search online for “Hogan Personality Inventory practice test. ” This resource is a good starting point: http://www. personalitytest. org. uk.
Examples of aptitude tests include critical thinking, situational judgment, typing, mathematics, and verbal reasoning assessments. You can find practice tests in each category online. Practice GRE, SAT, and ACT tests are also good ways to prepare for critical, numerical, and verbal reasoning tests. Additionally, brush up on industry-specific skills, such as programs or coding languages.
A good night’s sleep is also important if you have to take any challenging aptitude tests. Try going to bed about 2 hours before you actually need to fall asleep. That way, if you do toss and turn, you’ll still get plenty of rest. [8] X Expert Source Katherine DembyTest Prep Specialist Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
It’s best to show up 10 to 15 minutes early to an interview or other appointment related to a job application. Arriving late is unprofessional, and showing up too early can be inconvenient for the company.
If the company finds that you might not be a match for their culture, it’s better to know sooner rather than later. You wouldn’t want to spend months in a job environment you hate. If you took any practice tests, try to treat the actual assessment like your practices. That will help you relax and feel less nervous. [11] X Expert Source Katherine DembyTest Prep Specialist Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
For example, answering “I would do anything to get ahead” with “Very Accurate,” “Strongly Agree,” or “5 out of 5” could indicate you’re willing to do something unethical or unlawful. [13] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source
For example, questions could include “I have never told a lie,” or “I am always on time. ” Claiming that you’ve never lied or are always punctual could show that you don’t like acknowledging weaknesses or have an unrealistic perspective.
If you got the job, ask which aspects of your assessment report helped them choose you for the job. You’ll get a clear understanding of how they perceive you and what they expect from you. If you didn’t get the job, use the opportunity to assess how your personality type fits with your career.
Suppose your scores related to energy and interpersonal skills were lower than the company wants in a salesperson. However, your reliability and creativity were high. These traits could make you a great fit for the design team. Even if the design job pays less, you’ll learn about the company’s products. You might also have opportunities to demonstrate the qualities that the company seeks in a salesperson. You could end up being at the top of their sales team in the future.
While the company could be looking for specific traits for its culture, you might need to work on qualities that most companies want to see. Reviewing your results will help you figure out which traits are particular to that company and which are industry-wide. Perhaps companies in your industry want salespeople who are competitive and extroverted. However, you appeared introverted and anxious in your personality assessment and interviews. You could work on being more confident and outgoing by taking a public speaking class or joining a club.
