The candidate as a “test object” for employers
'Dear Candidate, Thank you very much for your application for the position in our company. As a first step we would like to invite you to our online test. Please follow the link: http://test.everyonegetstested.com and the instructions on the page. … Best regards HR' Sounds familiar? If your answer is yes, you’ve already been the “test object” during an application process. But you’re not alone, employers all over the world, in every kind of industry include recruitment tests into their processes to find the perfect candidate for a position. Besides interviews, case studies and assessment centers, testing methods are the most common instruments to recruit new employees. If you think about the GMAT – even universities do it. Ability – Are you good in working with numbers? When talking about testing methods, many of you will probably think of ability tests. Maybe because they already did one or prepared themselves to conduct one. When looking at ability, tests can be very different depending on the examined ability. Most commonly used methods are numerical, verbal and inductive reasoning. All these tests ask you to answer questions that are usually designed in a multiple choice scheme. In a numerical reasoning test, you are required to answer questions using facts and figures presented in statistical tables and charts. A verbal reasoning test provides you a text followed by statements and asks you to decide whether the statement is true, false or the answer can’t be given based on the information. While verbal and numerical reasoning tests aim to find out, if you are good with numbers and verbal statements, an inductive ability test measure the ability to work flexible with unfamiliar information and find solutions. What do they have in common? – They test ability and ability can be trained. There are plenty of books and websites out there, that help you prepare for ability tests.
But how do you train your personality? Personality – Do you like to work with numbers? While ability tests measure your ability to work e.g. with numbers, personality questionnaires on the other hand look at your preferences – at the way you like to work. It’s about how you prefer to fulfill your tasks. Companies therefore seek to get an understanding, if the candidate can thrive in their working environment. “Passing” a personality test means, that there is an overlap between your and the companies preferred way of working, which in the end is determined by the company culture. As a result, there is not really a way to train your personality and there should not be. Imagine you need to adjust your personality in order to meet the expected behavior in a company. Wouldn’t it be terrible to pretend to be different every day? It’s about culture and ways of working To find out, if a company is a potential cultural fit, there are many sources. You’ll find a lot of information on a company’s website. Look for values, principles and beliefs on the website, often provided in the ‘about us’ or ‘about the company’ section. Look at pictures and role models and if available, watch videos. But the easiest way to get a touch and feel of a company’s culture is talking to employees. Because you get first hand insights how life in a company really is. If you find the right company and they work the way you like to work – the personality questionnaire should be an easy one. If it is not the right one, ask for the result of the test. It will help you to find your perfect company. About RB RB is different: ‘good enough’ isn’t good enough here. RB is the world's leading consumer health and hygiene company. Every day, across 60 countries, we work with the best people to challenge conventional thinking and strive to find even better ways to give people innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes. That’s how we generate the gamechanging ideas that built 21 iconic Powerbrands around the world – well-loved names such as Nurofen, Strepsils, Dobendan, Sagrotan, Dettol, Scholl, Durex, Enfamil, Finish and Vanish. High impact, consumer-led research is the heart of the company's success. Ranked in the TOP 10 on the London Stock Exchange, our relentless drive to outperform has trebled our revenue since 2000 and quadrupled our market cap.