Psychometric Test

mtong_3

Just wondering how much it contributes to the overall hiring decision and is it a difficult test to clear?

I am told by my recruitment consultant that I have cleared the interviews and technical assessment. HR now wants to undertake a psychometric test before they finalise the offer.

The consultant also mentioned that they think it is a formality only.
Does this sound usual?

I have yet to hear about the test date / confirmation though.

This is for a senior / executive level position. Please advise.

DVardysShadow

It sounds unusual. Psychometric tests are normally used as an early filter in the recruitment process.

SandC

They may well ask some questions depending upon what the results show.

I'm not senior level but one of my jobs had psychometric tests but these were done before second interview. I knew and was ready for questions to be asked on a certain area because I could see where the questions were going. There are groups of questions which all seem quite similar but they are actually different. I knew my answers would lead them to question my decisiveness. Which they did and I answered that I was indecisive with trivial matters such as choosing from a menu, but not with important things.

The only thing I can say for sure is be honest and don't answer the questions the way you think they want them to be answered. This will show up in the results. I know someone who had to resit theirs because the results showed this outcome.

But yes, if they use them then they would be daft not to pay attention to the findings!

KiKi

DVardysShadow wrote: »

It sounds unusual. Psychometric tests are normally used as an early filter in the recruitment process.

This is only true when you talk about verbal and non-verbal reasoning and analysis tests etc...in essence, basic and advanced skills tests, to do the filtering (usually basic at application level and advanced level for pre-interview).

However, for senior roles this approach is very common, but the tool is very different.

OP, this is very common for senior positions. They are most likely referring to psychometric tools such as Wave, which are for senior level roles, and determine your leadership style, approach to stress etc. Assuming I'm correct (and I am certain I am if this is an exec role) then you don't pass or not pass them, they are done from the perspective of making sure you're just not a complete mis-fit for the role (ie, no tendencies towards leadership, easily stressed, inability to work with others). They are a formality in the vast majority of cases, and used to look at your future development rather than used in the recruitment exercise.

Almost all large companies I know use this approach, and only administer the test on the person who gets the role (they are expensive to administer and analyse).

Don't worry about it, I would be 99% certain this is a standard leadership style test. Enjoy your new role!

HTH
KiKi

mtong_3

KiKi wrote: »

This is only true when you talk about verbal and non-verbal reasoning and analysis tests etc...in essence, basic and advanced skills tests, to do the filtering (usually basic at application level and advanced level for pre-interview).

However, for senior roles this approach is very common, but the tool is very different.

OP, this is very common for senior positions. They are most likely referring to psychometric tools such as Wave, which are for senior level roles, and determine your leadership style, approach to stress etc. Assuming I'm correct (and I am certain I am if this is an exec role) then you don't pass or not pass them, they are done from the perspective of making sure you're just not a complete mis-fit for the role (ie, no tendencies towards leadership, easily stressed, inability to work with others). They are a formality in the vast majority of cases, and used to look at your future development rather than used in the recruitment exercise.

Almost all large companies I know use this approach, and only administer the test on the person who gets the role (they are expensive to administer and analyse).

Don't worry about it, I would be 99% certain this is a standard leadership style test. Enjoy your new role!

HTH
KiKi

Thanks for the clarification and guidance! Much appreciated..

antrobus

mtong wrote: »

HR now wants to undertake a psychometric test before they finalise the offer. The consultant also mentioned that they think it is a formality only.Does this sound usual? .

Yes, it's largely a rear-end covering exercise; as in, yes we accept that we should never have offered them the job in the first place, but look they came through the psych test fine, so it's not our fault.

mtong_3

antrobus wrote: »

Yes, it's largely a rear-end covering exercise; as in, yes we accept that we should never have offered them the job in the first place, but look they came through the psych test fine, so it's not our fault.

Ok thanks. It's taking a bit longer to come through though. I have been waiting to hear from them for four days now.

mtong_3

Hello

The test is now scheduled for tomorrow.

They cal it 'occupational assessment' and the duration is 2 hours.

It seems too long..

Is it same as psychometric tests?

Please share some tips / advice on Dos and Don’ts.

Thanks!

montymud

Just practice some tests, the do become easier the more you take. When I first looked at one My score was ok - now I barely get one wrong. Google it and loads of practice ones will come up. Good Luck

cazziebo

mtong wrote: »

Hello

The test is now scheduled for tomorrow.

They cal it 'occupational assessment' and the duration is 2 hours.

It seems too long..

Is it same as psychometric tests?

Please share some tips / advice on Dos and Don’ts.

Thanks!

This isn't something you can practice. Best advice is to be yourself, answer honestly, and don't think too long over each answer. You probably won't need the full two hours. I have experience of Myers Briggs, SHL OPQ and Wave and think they take from 45 -90 mins.

You've got this far, they think you have the skills, experience and personal qualities for the job, so as Kiki says it is more or less a formality.

Best of luck!

mtong_3

cazziebo wrote: »

This isn't something you can practice. Best advice is to be yourself, answer honestly, and don't think too long over each answer. You probably won't need the full two hours. I have experience of Myers Briggs, SHL OPQ and Wave and think they take from 45 -90 mins.

You've got this far, they think you have the skills, experience and personal qualities for the job, so as Kiki says it is more or less a formality.

Best of luck!

Great, thanks for the advice.