Freaking rejected again by lame psychological test.....arrrrrgg

michaelh20

Senior member
Sep 4, 2000
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Except this time it was over the phone and for Wells Fargo Phone Banking...

I also took the same frigging same test on a computer for another position I am applying for (State Farm). Can anyone tell me what these people are looking for on tests that ask questions like : "Peers always come to you for advice" "I am always striving to achieve more than others" and "I always feel optimstic" "I find it difficult dealing with strange new people" and things like this? I didn't actually overtly lie on this test, I just tended to hit "mostly agree" with what seemed to be the more positive statements. Is this is a test to screen out overachievers or what ?

Everyone quick call 1-800-932-2224 , enter a bogus social security number and try out the test for yourself :)

Of course, they might figure out who you are, but hey you're interesting in a 10.50/hr Customer Service job huh?

I have a letter in the mail to Richar Kovacevich...
 

radioouman

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2002
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They probably ran your SSN and you didn't fit the demographic that they want :)

Just kidding
 

michaelh20

Senior member
Sep 4, 2000
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doh, are you actually looking for such a job? :)

It said something like 150 calls/day ... eek

Next time I think I will have to go with Brutal Honesty, since obviously slightly fudged and extremely fudged didn't cut it.

I just keep seeing the same test questions over and over again...

One question I had (more or less I think this was it):

1 a lot like me 2 a little like me 3 neither little nor lot like me 4 a little not like me 5. not like me at all

You are walking down a street and you pass a little girl who dropped her ice cream cone and do absolutely nothing to help her.
 

rubix

Golden Member
Oct 16, 1999
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i failed that stupid test at 2 different places too. it's evil and lame. i heard you are supposed to only answer with the extreme answers, ie 1 or 5, never imbetween, which i always did.
 

Nocturnal

Lifer
Jan 8, 2002
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Well if you are answering honestly to those and you say you would not like to deal with certain people, or you've stolen on the job before, that's probably why they don't call you back. When you lie on something like this it's called a little white lie.
 

michaelh20

Senior member
Sep 4, 2000
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You see the first time (this is the second) I got flat out rejected after taking a test like this I was trying *not* to come off like someone who was anti-social... there weren't any questions about stealing stuff (I'm not *that* stupid :) ), more like "you're always in charge" "you're always given responsibilitiy for others", "you're the life of the party", etc..

I think possibly not being completely honest might have done something, but what does it say for you if you can't agree with "You are given considerable responsibility in your work life" and people don't "ask you for advice" .. last time I checked those things don't happen for people < $10/hr :)


Perhaps you are right.. I do like to use 3 & 4 (sort of like me) a lot :)
That stinks if that's the case.
 

everman

Lifer
Nov 5, 2002
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I"ve seen this discussed before, some of the questions are a kind of control question to see if you are lying or not. You can easily outsmart the test if you know what you're doing.
 

Draknor

Senior member
Dec 31, 2001
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Originally posted by: everman
I"ve seen this discussed before, some of the questions are a kind of control question to see if you are lying or not. You can easily outsmart the test if you know what you're doing.

Oh really? Care to elaborate? :)
 

BD2003

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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The test is designed to weed out people who lie on the test. You have to know how the test works to counteract this, but it will definitely easily screen out people who say yes to everything.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
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Hey, to work at Gateway I had to go through like 2 hours of those kinda tests. :eek:
 

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
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I think the reasoning is that if you put a lot of 2-4 answers (i.e. "kind of like me") that shows you're not a decisive person. Either you're likely to help someone or you're not.

Take the question above..

You see a girl drop an ice cream cone and do nothing to help her.

WTF does it tell someone if it's "a little like me"??

Either it's in your nature to help her or it's not. It's not like "well, if I had a good day, I'd *think* about helping..."

Answer either 1 or 5 on most questions. Be assertive. They're weeding out the weak minded indecisive buffoons who can't handle responsibility. :D
 

BD2003

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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They will straight out put contradicting reverse questions to weed out the yea-sayers and nay-sayers.

There will be one item like "I like to eat potatoes" and another like "I dont like to eat potatoes" but they will be worded differently and they will be far away from each other.

Sorry I cant give a better example but Im so wasted right now. :D
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: BD2003
The test is designed to weed out people who lie on the test. You have to know how the test works to counteract this, but it will definitely easily screen out people who say yes to everything.

Put together a mental image of Company X's "ideal worker", and tailor your answers to fit that model. You are decisive, social, honest, and put the company's interests ahead of those of your peers.
 

feralkid

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
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Originally posted by: BD2003


Sorry I cant give a better example but Im so wasted right now. :D



Now THAT'S being honest! You are SO freaking hired! Except not; because your honesty was influenced by wastedness.

 

Antisocial Virge

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 1999
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I took a test like that somewhere, passed it. The one that I took asked the same question 4 different ways but they were basically the same questions.
 

michaelh20

Senior member
Sep 4, 2000
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I think there are no requirements except passing the "lame psych test" and getting through an interview.. of course I don't know what comes after the psych test since I did not pass it :)


Put together a mental image of Company X's "ideal worker", and tailor your answers to fit that model. You are decisive, social, honest, and put the company's interests ahead of those of your peers.

That is what I tried to do and I failed the test :)

I was especially trying to play up the social :(
 

gopunk

Lifer
Jul 7, 2001
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these tests are designed to show who lies and who doesn't... answer accordingly.

edit: that means, just answer honestly!