Psychometric tests

If they're really used as much as my business lecturer would have us believe, then I'm screwed. In the set book we have to read for that part of our course (I'm an engineering student), at the end of the chapter on personality there was a shortened version of the "Big 5" personality test that we could take (apparently this one is used the most)...I scored highly on "conscientiousness", but also highly on "negative emotionality" and got a low score on "extroversion". So, basically it's telling me I'm a neurotic introvert - not exactly a comforting thought when, as an engineer, I'd have to stay calm under pressure and spend a lot of time working in teams. I have no idea if there's even any job that those would be positives. It's things like this that make me dread graduating...maybe I should just stay on and do a postgrad course when I'm done...

Don't worry about it right now; you have a longish way before you get to the tests? :-) It's like worrying about your Advanced Diploma when you're only 14 and starting?

Here in the States they can be used but I think mostly by the huge firms and I'm sure there are many other factors when considering you for a job, just like there are more factors for University than just what grades you got. I would think of it as a "placement" tool for them so they don't put you with opposite personalities? And in beginning jobs you aren't expected to be "professional" yet, that doesn't happen until after quite a bit of on-the-job experiment.

Actual jobs aren't very much like school and don't "use" what you learn there. Most of school is getting your head in a place where it's able to think about problems in a useful way, approach problems in a way that can hope for solving them. You won't really know anything much when you get out (my husband an electrical engineer says). I've never had a job specifically use anything in my couple of degrees?

If you are worried about how you'll do in certain areas, then hone those areas! You've got your music, work with people there and talk to them, get to know them and "practice" with them so you aren't as shy? You do know how to work together and can "prove" it because of your music! I can't think of a place one has to work "together" as a "team" more, can you? Any chance you can join a chamber group or something smaller than you're in? You can point to that in job interviews as a team and impress heck out of the employer I bet.

Here, see if this reassures you a little? http://www.psychometricadvantage.co.uk/

Is the MMPI a psychometric test? I was told I had to take one while in the hospital, so they could better undertsand me, and the results led to that I had a peculiar personality, and it hurt my feelings...............

I used to work for a company that used psych testing as part of it's hiring process. Everyone had to go through it. It was called the PI and it was spectacularly accurate. Basically it took your answers and created a profile of you along 4 areas. I got reasonably good at reading them, because I did a fair bit of hiring. And I was hiring accountants, and it was amazing the number of candidates who did not have a personality profile that was at all suited to being an accountant. When I questioned around why they had become an accountant it ususally turned out that it had been a parent's idea of a good job.

In my own case I was hired to do one job, and while I was ok at it, I wasn't great at it,. and I wasn't particularly happy doing it. When I applied for another job within the company they looked at my PI and said, no wonder you're not great at what you're doing - you're the wrong profile for the job, you've had to modify your personality to do it. My profile was much more suited to a job in finance which I got, and totally loved and was very successful at.

So I think psych testing can be a useful tool in determining whether a candidate is the right fit for the job.

--splitimage

Thanks, Perna. Unfortunately, that's not necessarily true - two jobs I've applied for before have had shortened versions of "forced choice" psychometric tests, and these have just been checkout jobs! I guess I did end up getting one of the jobs, though, so at least I was ok that time. But I find it hard to believe they'd pay much attention to the tests with a job at that level.

That's good to know, thanks. One of the things the lecturer said that worried me was that these tests can be used to "make sure your face fits" - I rarely feel like I fit in anywhere.

Good point. Our Dynamics lecturer actually told all us mechanical engineers (we get put in with the aero engineers for that lecture) that we'd probably never use the subject once we graduate.

Actually, speaking of music, I found a poster a few days ago about someone thinking of starting up a ceilidh band! I emailed her, but haven't got a reply yet...hopefully I will. I don't know if there are any chamber groups here.

Thanks for the link!

Thanks for replying, Junerain. I've no idea, I've never had to take one of those before...sorry it hurt your feelings.

Thanks, splitimage. See, that's what I'm worried about - I enjoy what we're learning, and most of the time I'm reasonably good at it (three As and two Cs in the last exams), but it doesn't seem like I have the right personality at all for an engineering/design job, and it's looking like that could be used against me.

Having said that, though, I'm glad you managed to find a job you enjoy! I've been wondering if there is such a thing...

Rio, I think you're being too hard on yourself and rather negative. There is no one right personality profile for every job. Many jobs benefit from having a range of personality types. For example, you say you score as an introvert on this test and therefore you cannot work in teams as an engineer. A does not lead to B! You don't have to be an extrovert to work well in teams. Who told you that? I think you are placing too much stock in these tests. I am an introvert and have to work in teams all the time. Big deal. I am very effective at working in teams--my introversion does not hamper me. In fact, the structure of a team can be quite reassuring to an introvert. The expectations for interaction are clear. One type of person who does not work well in a team is the strong extrovert who always pushes his belief on others and can't see other points of view (the pushy, I-am-always-right extrovert who doesn't let other people talk--get these people off of my team!). My introversion would be more of a hindrance in a profession like salesperson, where I had to approach total strangers out of the blue and try to sell them something and risk frequent rejection. Just remember, you are young yet, and need time and practice to develop your skills. If working on a team doesn't feel completely comfortable right now, it can get better as you gain experience and success.

Rio, I actually think it is better if you don't take these tests, as it seems they are very discouraging to you. For your career, do what you love and it will most probably be a very good fit.

Thanks, Sunrise. I wouldn't be surprised, it's something I do regularly.

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I am an introvert and have to work in teams all the time. Big deal. I am very effective at working in teams--my introversion does not hamper me. In fact, the structure of a team can be quite reassuring to an introvert. The expectations for interaction are clear.

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I'd never even thought about it that way before - what you're saying makes sense, and it certainly makes me feel better! I guess it depends on the team - I've been part of a few, and some I found hard, but others worked well and I didn't feel left out.

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Rio, I actually think it is better if you don't take these tests, as it seems they are very discouraging to you. For your career, do what you love and it will most probably be a very good fit.

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You're probably right there. And thanks again!