How do you truly answer this question?

[TurtleCrusher]

I already answered it, but how do you really answer this in accordance to what the employer wants you to say? This is the only question I was stumped on as if you were to say strongly disagree, one might infer I meant there is usually an acceptable reason to break the law, which I disagree. If I said strongly agree, which I did, it could mean that I do find it ok to break the law in any form, which I disagree with as well.

This is a no winning question. I know with these that any answer in the middle means you failed.

I hate entry level personality tests...

 

[Dr. Zaus]

These tests are nothing special. They ask "are you a thief" and most people, if they are thieves, will say "why, yes, yes I am".

Or they'll ask "Have you ever stolen anything, even if it was very small, from work?"
Thieves will say "yes".

Or they will ask "When was the last time you did coke while at work"
never, 5+ years ago, 1-5 years ago, within the last six months, within the last six weeks.

A druggie will answer something other than "never".


It's like when the cop pulls you over and you were speeding. He asks "do you know how fast you were going"; someone that was going 20 will say "two or three over", because they want to be a little honest. Similarly, your dumb ass will say "5+ years ago" because you want to be a "little" honest about how you're a coke head.


They will also include a "Liar" or "faking" scale or socially desirable answer choices vs. functional useful answer choices. Even more useful, though, is just saying "we know if you are faking answers"; which they don't, but will change the behavior of 30% of respondents.

This is the 'theory' that drives most personality tests Big 5

Essentialy:

You want to be:
Open to new experiences
Extroverted
Conscientious
Emotionally stable
Highly Agreeable

Those are the "right" answers; you could get away with "wrong" answers in some jobs (introverted accountant): but even then why risk it?

You also need a "I command my fate" perception of self and NEVER say you won't do something because it's "not in my job description".


BTW

Interviews are the most bias least-valid method of choosing someone. It's worse than using hand-writing analysis (which is total bullshit, but at-least it's chicken-bones bad not 'justification for my implicit biases' bad)

That said, to ace an interview: 1) Repeat back what the interviewer says, use similar mannerisms and gestures 2) Sell yourself, talk about your good points at all turns.

Doing these two things accounts for nearly 60% of the variance in interview-based selection.

 

[HAL9000]

I already answered it, but how do you really answer this in accordance to what the employer wants you to say? This is the only question I was stumped on as if you were to say strongly disagree, one might infer I meant there is usually an acceptable reason to break the law, which I disagree. If I said strongly agree, which I did, it could mean that I do find it ok to break the law in any form, which I disagree with as well.

This is a no winning question. I know with these that any answer in the middle means you failed.

I hate entry level personality tests...

There are some rare instances where it is acceptable to break the law. E.g. Speeding in a medical emergency, or trespassing to save someone who is injured, so strongly agree is the best answer.

 

[edro]

Laws are generally accepted by all citizens.
I strongly agree.

Yes, we all break little rules, like speeding... but that is a very small portion of the law.

 

[FoBoT]

if you have played D&D you already know the answer

 

[lxskllr]

I answer everything honestly. If they choose not to hire me, it's probably best for both of us. Btw, the correct answer is 5 ;^)

 

[ManBearPig]

if you have played D&D you already know the answer

LMAO! Hahaha, this is great! I take the "the" out of psychotherapist!

 

[DrPizza]

During the course of the day today, I cannot think of one law that I would have an acceptable reason to disobey.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

On questions like that, I find the best answer is "Bacon." I just scrawl it in the margin and circle it. Because, honestly, when is bacon not the answer?

 

[MovingTarget]

Ugh. That looks like it is from one of those "computer interviews" that you have to go through at Best Buy. Unicru was the name of the company, IIRC. Yeah, its garbage. Only select that you strongly agree or strongly disagree, depending on what they want to hear. Computer tests for this have no room for nuance.

 

[clamum]

Strongly disagree ftw!

 

[Born2bwire]

I already answered it, but how do you really answer this in accordance to what the employer wants you to say? This is the only question I was stumped on as if you were to say strongly disagree, one might infer I meant there is usually an acceptable reason to break the law, which I disagree. If I said strongly agree, which I did, it could mean that I do find it ok to break the law in any form, which I disagree with as well.

This is a no winning question. I know with these that any answer in the middle means you failed.

I hate entry level personality tests...

They did use the word "seldom." I would strongly agree too, there is seldom a time where you have an acceptable reason to break the law. Doesn't mean that there ISN'T, just that it only occurs very rarely. One can always come up with some situation with mitigating factors, but just how often does such a situation present itself to everyday Joe Schmo?