[Eclecticist]

I almost got a full-time job at a PBM, CVS Health. It was a desk job. Higher pay. Only having to deal with people on the phone and following prior auth cases. I had all the right credentials. Pharmacy experience, education, good references, including a friend who already works there. The interview went great. The follow up phone call was great. It seemed like everything was looking up for me at last.

The only thing that thwarted my chances of getting the job was a personality test/data entry test that I had to do right after sending my job application. Apparently they’re not allowed to hire anyone who got what they deemed a “failing” score. Which is what I got. The score will stick with me for 6 months and it will prevent me from applying to any positions similar to it until 6 months have passed.

I got a call back from them saying everyone was surprised by the score and they asked if I had any technical difficulties with the virtual job tryout. It seemed like a last ditch attempt to help me out. It was so tempting to say that “yeah, my internet connection isn’t great, it must have exited the test early...” or something. But honestly I have no reason to believe my score was due to any technical issues. And I was never very good at BSing anyway.

So I ended up telling them that unless they can see whether sections of the test obviously went unanswered, then it’s on me. I don’t recall any technical difficulties. I was nervous taking it like I always am in test-like or interview-like situations, which probably contributed to the score. It is what it is.

Anyway, I feel a bit hopeless now. My self-esteem is shot to hell. I’m neck-deep in debt so I really could’ve used the job. It’s going to be a primarily instant noodle diet for a while. My stomach is rebelling against the cheap and unhealthy food I now have to limit myself to. I feel nauseous often, I have almost no energy, and can’t concentrate very well which negatively impacts my work, and my daily functioning. Which will result in errors, and more angry people, more chores at home left undone, and then me falling further into a pit of depression. Just the thought of completing another job application feels like trying to climb a mountain.

I feel like I try so hard, and it’s never quite enough. Why bother.

Those tests that companies use to weed out job candidates are so ridiculous. All those tests prove is whether or not a person is good at passing tests.

Before you throw in the income-towel, if you have a college degree you have options during the school year to make an income, and avoid the ramen-noodle, food-pantry route. You can substitute teach. I don't know where you live, but every city has substitute teaching companies that place substitute teachers in schools. You may want to give that a shot until you can find full time work. Of course, if you hate kids, then it will be a challenge. But, if you don't mind spending 7 to 8 hours a day in different classrooms, following a teacher's lesson plan, making sure the kids do the work their teacher left for them, and collecting a paycheck at the same time, then you may want to join some temp agencies.

Originally Posted by Eclecticist

I almost got a full-time job at a PBM, CVS Health. It was a desk job. Higher pay. Only having to deal with people on the phone and following prior auth cases. I had all the right credentials. Pharmacy experience, education, good references, including a friend who already works there. The interview went great. The follow up phone call was great. It seemed like everything was looking up for me at last.

The only thing that thwarted my chances of getting the job was a personality test/data entry test that I had to do right after sending my job application. Apparently they’re not allowed to hire anyone who got what they deemed a “failing” score. Which is what I got. The score will stick with me for 6 months and it will prevent me from applying to any positions similar to it until 6 months have passed.

I got a call back from them saying everyone was surprised by the score and they asked if I had any technical difficulties with the virtual job tryout. It seemed like a last ditch attempt to help me out. It was so tempting to say that “yeah, my internet connection isn’t great, it must have exited the test early...” or something. But honestly I have no reason to believe my score was due to any technical issues. And I was never very good at BSing anyway.

So I ended up telling them that unless they can see whether sections of the test obviously went unanswered, then it’s on me. I don’t recall any technical difficulties. I was nervous taking it like I always am in test-like or interview-like situations, which probably contributed to the score. It is what it is.

Anyway, I feel a bit hopeless now. My self-esteem is shot to hell. I’m neck-deep in debt so I really could’ve used the job. It’s going to be a primarily instant noodle diet for a while. My stomach is rebelling against the cheap and unhealthy food I now have to limit myself to. I feel nauseous often, I have almost no energy, and can’t concentrate very well which negatively impacts my work, and my daily functioning. Which will result in errors, and more angry people, more chores at home left undone, and then me falling further into a pit of depression. Just the thought of completing another job application feels like trying to climb a mountain.

I feel like I try so hard, and it’s never quite enough. Why bother.

[Molinit]

Originally Posted by Eclecticist

I almost got a full-time job at a PBM, CVS Health. It was a desk job. Higher pay. Only having to deal with people on the phone and following prior auth cases. I had all the right credentials. Pharmacy experience, education, good references, including a friend who already works there. The interview went great. The follow up phone call was great. It seemed like everything was looking up for me at last.

The only thing that thwarted my chances of getting the job was a personality test/data entry test that I had to do right after sending my job application. Apparently they’re not allowed to hire anyone who got what they deemed a “failing” score. Which is what I got. The score will stick with me for 6 months and it will prevent me from applying to any positions similar to it until 6 months have passed.

I got a call back from them saying everyone was surprised by the score and they asked if I had any technical difficulties with the virtual job tryout. It seemed like a last ditch attempt to help me out. It was so tempting to say that “yeah, my internet connection isn’t great, it must have exited the test early...” or something. But honestly I have no reason to believe my score was due to any technical issues. And I was never very good at BSing anyway.

So I ended up telling them that unless they can see whether sections of the test obviously went unanswered, then it’s on me. I don’t recall any technical difficulties. I was nervous taking it like I always am in test-like or interview-like situations, which probably contributed to the score. It is what it is.

Anyway, I feel a bit hopeless now. My self-esteem is shot to hell. I’m neck-deep in debt so I really could’ve used the job. It’s going to be a primarily instant noodle diet for a while. My stomach is rebelling against the cheap and unhealthy food I now have to limit myself to. I feel nauseous often, I have almost no energy, and can’t concentrate very well which negatively impacts my work, and my daily functioning. Which will result in errors, and more angry people, more chores at home left undone, and then me falling further into a pit of depression. Just the thought of completing another job application feels like trying to climb a mountain.

I feel like I try so hard, and it’s never quite enough. Why bother.

Did you answer the questions in ways that portrayed you as a non-team player, socially avoidant, or some other negative personality type?

If so, you need to change your tactics. Yes, it's a game. You need to always answer questions in the most affable, team-oriented, pro-company way possible. Saying that you were never one for "BS" is going to get you stuck in this "unemployable" sector for a long time.

It's a choice you need to make, play the game or be left on the sidelines. You can talk about your beliefs and values here and unfair it is, but as you see, displaying them on a personality test has you sidelined for 6 months now (possibly longer, because I can't imagine they'll believe a 2nd test that becomes magically acceptable to them).

They gave you an out - by allowing you to say you had a technical problem. What is the reason you didn't just say that? What are you standing for by producing a negative personality test?

"it is what it is" isn't good when you're trying to impress people enough to get a job.

[Eclecticist]

Originally Posted by Molinit

Did you answer the questions in ways that portrayed you as a non-team player, socially avoidant, or some other negative personality type?

If so, you need to change your tactics. Yes, it's a game. You need to always answer questions in the most affable, team-oriented, pro-company way possible. Saying that you were never one for "BS" is going to get you stuck in this "unemployable" sector for a long time.

It's a choice you need to make, play the game or be left on the sidelines. You can talk about your beliefs and values here and unfair it is, but as you see, displaying them on a personality test has you sidelined for 6 months now (possibly longer, because I can't imagine they'll believe a 2nd test that becomes magically acceptable to them).

They gave you an out - by allowing you to say you had a technical problem. What is the reason you didn't just say that? What are you standing for by producing a negative personality test?

"it is what it is" isn't good when you're trying to impress people enough to get a job.

If caught lying about a technical issue, I could be accused of job application fraud and be barred from ever applying anywhere in the company again. Anyone having access to it would see I had no problem finishing the test. Everything had been answered.

But sure, being honest about my personality type was clearly not a good idea. Lies about personality are harder to prove. This was the only time I had ever come across a company who used the personality test as the *only* thing that actually mattered in the whole hiring process. Apparently verifiable experience and education counted for nothing in this case.

[Eclecticist]

Originally Posted by cielpur

Those tests that companies use to weed out job candidates are so ridiculous. All those tests prove is whether or not a person is good at passing tests.

Before you throw in the income-towel, if you have a college degree you have options during the school year to make an income, and avoid the ramen-noodle, food-pantry route. You can substitute teach. I don't know where you live, but every city has substitute teaching companies that place substitute teachers in schools. You may want to give that a shot until you can find full time work. Of course, if you hate kids, then it will be a challenge. But, if you don't mind spending 7 to 8 hours a day in different classrooms, following a teacher's lesson plan, making sure the kids do the work their teacher left for them, and collecting a paycheck at the same time, then you may want to join some temp agencies.

I never considered subbing before. I'll think about it...

Originally Posted by Eclecticist

I never considered subbing before. I'll think about it...

Look at it this way, joining a substitute teacher placement agency (you can do a short-call license vs. long-call license, if you don't have a full teaching license), means you can substitute teach from September until the middle of June. That gives you plenty of time to find a full-time job, and not worry about your finances b/c you'll be paid every week through the substitute placement agency. Short-call teachers are un-licensed substitutes, who can fill in for teachers at a school for up to 2 weeks, or substitute teach for multiple schools between 1 to 14 days at each school. Substitute teachers can make up to $20/hr depending on the school district's hourly payrate for substitute teachers.

[seesaw]

I have another suggestion. You have an MI. Employers are required to provide accommodations if you need assistance with a test. If this happens again, ask them to modify the test because you have disabling anxiety and that affects your ability to take those personality tests. That could or could not help you, but at least it's an avenue that might help.

Seesaw

[Eclecticist]

Originally Posted by seesaw

I have another suggestion. You have an MI. Employers are required to provide accommodations if you need assistance with a test. If this happens again, ask them to modify the test because you have disabling anxiety and that affects your ability to take those personality tests. That could or could not help you, but at least it's an avenue that might help.

Seesaw

It's an interesting thought. I've never requested special accommodations before because it just seemed like a hassle. I'm not even sure what special accommodations would consist of or what exactly would help me out..

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by Eclecticist

It's an interesting thought. I've never requested special accommodations before because it just seemed like a hassle. I'm not even sure what special accommodations would consist of or what exactly would help me out..

I would suggest asking for whatever you think would help you on the test. Like if you need it to be untimed or you need someone to help explain the questions...if they really liked you, but then all you did was bomb the test, I bet they'd be willing to help you if you explained your anxiety disorder. Just be careful that you don't describe it in a way that makes them think you can't do the work.

Just an idea if this is a persistent problem.

Good luck!
Seesaw

[Molinit]

Originally Posted by Eclecticist

If caught lying about a technical issue, I could be accused of job application fraud and be barred from ever applying anywhere in the company again. Anyone having access to it would see I had no problem finishing the test. Everything had been answered.

But sure, being honest about my personality type was clearly not a good idea. Lies about personality are harder to prove. This was the only time I had ever come across a company who used the personality test as the *only* thing that actually mattered in the whole hiring process. Apparently verifiable experience and education counted for nothing in this case.

Things have changed, it's an employers market and even in teaching a personality test holds a huge amount of weight. It has to do with fitting in - if a person can be determined to "not fit in" before being hired, the company can't just close their eyes and hire them - it's not likely the relationship will work.

It costs a lot of time and energy (and sometimes money) to hire people. Companies are trying to pare down their expenses these days and this is another way to do that, by not hiring people who aren't likely to work out on a long-term basis.

[Eclecticist]

Originally Posted by Molinit

Things have changed, it's an employers market and even in teaching a personality test holds a huge amount of weight. It has to do with fitting in - if a person can be determined to "not fit in" before being hired, the company can't just close their eyes and hire them - it's not likely the relationship will work.

It costs a lot of time and energy (and sometimes money) to hire people. Companies are trying to pare down their expenses these days and this is another way to do that, by not hiring people who aren't likely to work out on a long-term basis.

I understand companies do what they have to do to save money. But these tests should help employers hire people, not decide for them.

What gets me is that I had already displayed my personality during the interview. I was honest and said I was the nervous type, but it has never stopped me from doing a good job. The interviewer even said that in her experience the nervous types tend to be the best anyway, and that it was no problem. She was excited to have me on her team. When my score ended up being consistent with what they already knew, they weren't allowed to hire me due to some policy that says so.

It wasn't really matter of not fitting. It was clear she wanted me there, my friend who works there knows me and believes I would've been great, and I believe I would've performed well there too. It was just a company policy that prevented it from happening.

I'm not going to wait to develop a more "fitting personality" to get hired somewhere. It might be years of work reconstructing my brain to be less depressed and anxiety-ridden. But I agree I should work on how I "play the game".