Psychometric testing....Updated : XML WIDGEThttp://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/low.mtmYou can use this XML spec to create a desktop widget or other application (i.e. Flash visualization). Please share it with us in our forum and we'll link it here!en-us280503http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q17<![CDATA[mewhitenoise @ 6/25/2008 8:12:10 PM]]>6/25/2008 8:12:10 PM2008-06-25T20:12:10+01:00279177http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q16<![CDATA[davbob @ 6/23/2008 4:03:10 PM]]> The "gentleman" who introduced the psychometric testing and thus denied me the original posting has since been sacked as it was discovered that he knew bugger all about what he was supposed to be doing.
Moral of the story: good things come to those who deserve it, even if it is 6 months down the line.]]>6/23/2008 4:03:10 PM2008-06-23T16:03:10+01:00206932http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q15<![CDATA[Moe @ 2/21/2008 12:39:54 AM]]>«titojuante : Yeah, I have had to do my share of those. I think the are complete BS. I have had companies that I had had numerous interviews with and in strong contention for the job. Then they tell me I need to do a phone interview with someone and I should wait for my call at 2:15 PM. Ok, good, my final interview. To my dismay the person doesn't ask me anything pertaining to my abilities or the job itself. They insist on asking me questions like "What animal would you prefer to be, a lemur, a spotted African lungfish, or a titmouse" or a question like "If you killed your boss and were to hide the body, where would you hide it"? I cannot answer these questions, I think these tests are BS.There are a couple of ways to handle these tests I think. On written ones, ALWAYS answer D. Or always answer D except for the middle question, which you answer A. Or answer in a perfect bell curve. Or always answer B A D B A D B A D
On interviews, you have GOT to look the test giver straight in the eye and say "I would rather be a TITmouse" and "I would hide the body in the trunk of YOUR car, but leave one arm dangling out" Then as you get up to leave, "accidently" spill your entire drink all over the desk and test notes that they have been taking.]]>2/21/2008 12:39:54 AM2008-02-21T00:39:54+01:00206857http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q14<![CDATA[sykeo56 @ 2/20/2008 10:09:15 PM]]> 1.) Would you enjoy the new job more than your current job? And would there be more room for advancement?
2.) Type of commute. You said an hour more driving each day. I take that to mean a half hour each way. Would this added half hour each way be a smooth commute on fast roads, or would it be half an hour more of sitting in stressful, stopped traffic? I like driving, so I wouldn't mind if I had half an hour more, as long as it was smooth. Also, depends on the quality and length of your current commute.
Another related factor is the area the job is in. Would it be in a city, while your old job is in a suburb? Is it nicer? Safer? More entertaining?]]>2/20/2008 10:09:15 PM2008-02-20T22:09:15+01:00206755http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q13<![CDATA[titojuante @ 2/20/2008 7:25:10 PM]]>2/20/2008 7:25:10 PM2008-02-20T19:25:10+01:00206686http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q12<![CDATA[Pocksucket @ 2/20/2008 5:54:08 PM]]>When you first insulted my good friend Davbob here with a "psychometric test", WTF was going through your thick skull?
1) I was thinking of that hot little number over in accounting and how she wiggles her sweet little bum just so when she walks to the water cooler and...oooooooo!
B) Just following orders with no conscious though whatsoever because I am the intellectual equivalent of Lime Jell-o
3C) Last night's episode of Lost
Q) Huh?
14) Davbob should get a raise
Q#2 - HR Departments that insist on using psychometric profiling are?
A) A waste of time
B) A waste of space
C) A waste of time and space
D) A waste of time, space and money
E) A waste of valuable oxygen
E) All of the above
I once worked at a company that I won't name who had this great idea of performing psychometric profiling on all their employees and then orchestrating a reshuffle so that everyone ended up in what would seem to be their ideal job.
After a lot of time, money and inconvenience, the results came back and not a single change was made - it turned out everyone was in the position best suited to their profile anyway.
Of course, the question there is whether these people had naturally gravitated to their most apt position, or whether their jobs had bent them into the shape they needed to be.]]>2/20/2008 5:54:08 PM2008-02-20T17:54:08+01:00206681http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q11<![CDATA[cheeselog1234 @ 2/20/2008 5:47:25 PM]]> from another perspective, moving up in responsibility should reflect well on future job opportunities.
though having a longer commute does suck.]]>2/20/2008 5:47:25 PM2008-02-20T17:47:25+01:00206591http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q10<![CDATA[rambler @ 2/20/2008 3:41:36 PM]]> It seemed like a stupid idea. There were 8 people who could be tested at the time, hardly a massive number to establish a good statistical base. There were 4 countries/offices where people could be sent, and... there were NO other people interested in going there anyway.
The experience was quite interesting for me, however, for two reasons: 1. It formalised a few things which I thought I understood about myself, and 2. It made very clear to me what was wrong in our company structure and in the way we were managed. The testing asked questions to determine your "locus of control", etc., etc. It became abundantly clear that we who were based in various developing countries, felt largely in control of our own work, were very confident in our daily operations, etc., but had little control/influence/belief into our own management in Head Office.
And so the result of that testing excercise was to support our own feelings of self-worth, and to confirm the fact that our bosses and so-called "support structure" in Head Office, was basically clueless.
The testing excercise was aborted when the message became clear, we all stayed in our jobs, and it was never mentioned again.]]>2/20/2008 3:41:36 PM2008-02-20T15:41:36+01:00206583http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q9<![CDATA[moe @ 2/20/2008 3:33:41 PM]]> I mean if the person who was "perfect" for the job just quit, then their evaluation of you (and her) was f*cked from the get go. You do NOT want to be managed by, or have to answer to, someone who is an asshat. Thus the need for this test. And you can tell them I said so, in those exact words.
Question #1: When you first insulted my good friend Davbob here with a "psychometric test", WTF was going through your thick skull?
1) I was thinking of that hot little number over in accounting and how she wiggles her sweet little bum just so when she walks to the water cooler and...oooooooo!
B) Just following orders with no conscious though whatsoever because I am the intellectual equivalent of Lime Jell-o
3C) Last night's episode of Lost
Q) Huh?
14) Davbob should get a raise
Plimers: Please copy this question and append the next question of your own devising.
Davbob: When we are done making the test, give it to HR and have them take it. I will grade the answers and tell you if you should accept the position.]]>2/20/2008 3:33:41 PM2008-02-20T15:33:41+01:00206569http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q8<![CDATA[tomphoolry @ 2/20/2008 3:20:15 PM]]>«davbob : Job is pretty much doing the same as I am now for a little more money. As for fulfillment and enjoyment; it's a job. I have never particularly enjoyed working but it's not the worst job I have ever had.
Careerwise, if I decide to stick with this company I could go far but on the other hand if I don't I could go equally as far in other lines of work.Well then, it sounds like a coin flip to me.]]>2/20/2008 3:20:15 PM2008-02-20T15:20:15+01:00206566http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q7<![CDATA[davbob @ 2/20/2008 3:12:47 PM]]>«tomphoolry : Not really enough information as to whether to take it or not. Which path seems like it leads to more money and/or further advancement in the long run? Which path seems like it would give you more enjoyment or fulfillment?Job is pretty much doing the same as I am now for a little more money. As for fulfillment and enjoyment; it's a job. I have never particularly enjoyed working but it's not the worst job I have ever had.
Careerwise, if I decide to stick with this company I could go far but on the other hand if I don't I could go equally as far in other lines of work.]]>2/20/2008 3:12:47 PM2008-02-20T15:12:47+01:00206551http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q6<![CDATA[SpamTrap @ 2/20/2008 2:53:56 PM]]> I would accept the other job only if it created a climbing opportunity. Lets say at my current place I was in a dead end, and at the other place there would be plenty of space for growth, then I would accept the job. Chances are I would stick it to the man.]]>2/20/2008 2:53:56 PM2008-02-20T14:53:56+01:00206515http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q5<![CDATA[tomphoolry @ 2/20/2008 2:14:49 PM]]>2/20/2008 2:14:49 PM2008-02-20T14:14:49+01:00206479http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q4<![CDATA[TchEngRox @ 2/20/2008 12:57:22 PM]]> I'd ask for specifics as to why you're qualified now but weren't before.
How different is the job from what you already do?
Will you have less time to spend with your little girl since the commute time increases?]]>2/20/2008 12:57:22 PM2008-02-20T12:57:22+01:00206472http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q3<![CDATA[deepchill @ 2/20/2008 12:51:16 PM]]>2/20/2008 12:51:16 PM2008-02-20T12:51:16+01:00206470http://www.plime.com/education/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q2<![CDATA[maven @ 2/20/2008 12:49:38 PM]]> I've taken some personality profiles that were dead on, but there are a lot out there that are bunk. and of course, if you aren't honest when taking the test, you can always skew the results. It's usually not hard to determine the answers needed to get the positive result.]]>2/20/2008 12:49:38 PM2008-02-20T12:49:38+01:00
3391http://www.plime.com/f/3391/1/xml_widget.rss#q1<![CDATA[davbob @ 2/20/2008 12:44:11 PM]]> About 2 months ago a position came up at work which I figured I would be an ideal candidate for, I applied only to find that our company has adopted a new method of interviewing which includes an hour long psychometric evaluation.
I don't know if anyone has ever done one of these tests but it involves such questions as: How would you best describe yourself to others? 1. Warm 2. Green 3. Humorous 4. Damp
Means absolutely nothing to anyone but it's how they determine whether someone is the right "type" of person for the job.
Needless to say I was not the right type of person for the job however I would be kept on file for when a position suiting my profile became available.
A new person was brought in who ticked all the boxes and psychometrically speaking was perfect for the position and I thought nothing more of it.
She quit on Monday.
The company have now offered me the position as they feel that I would understand the job role a lot better than another outsider.
Do I take it? The money isn't dramatically different and it would mean transfering to another office and adding about an hour travelling time to my day.
Any thoughts on the job or on psychometric testing?]]>2/20/2008 12:44:11 PM2008-02-20T12:44:11+01:00