ADVICE: Don’t Take Drug Test If You Know You’ll Fail

December 10, 2009 by sparktalk

Cartoon by CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Teena Rose

A business owner recently to vented his frustration to me around the number of job seekers who FAIL drug tests at his company.

As a fairly active employer when it comes to hiring, I need to share with you my recent frustration when it comes to new hires and drug testing. We have had a particularly bad run in the last quarter with over a dozen failed tests. With over half of the candidates being college grads, I was particularly surprised! It actually seems more like an IQ test, why take it if you are going to fail? People currently in a job hunt should really be more aware of how testing works, and be prepared to pass. It is both disappointing and expensive for us as employers.

Now, you might be thinking, “I bet this it was a bunch of punk kids,” or “The job probably pays squat.” Well, you are wrong. When I contacted him to get more details around the situation, here’s what he told me:

In 3 months, he tested 39 prospective employees at $45/test. That’s an estimated $7,000/year spent on drug testing.
Only 25% passed.
Their ages ranged between 21-52 years old.
The owner estimates the additional cost of the wasted time/expense that went into interviewing these people prior to the test at $24,000+.

More importantly, these people missed out on jobs that paid between $50,000 – $58,000/year!

Here’s the takeaway for job seekers:

Many companies are using drug tests these days as a way to weed out employees. Be sure to find out BEFORE you apply if the company is going to ask you to take a drug test to avoid any embarrassment.

What should you do if you find out about the drug test AFTER the interview?

If the company fails to mention the drug test until after your interview. Simply say you’d be happy to take the test and leave. Then, call them back and say that upon reflection, you’ve decided the job isn’t for you. That way, you won’t be embarrassed when you fail and you’ll save the company the cost of giving you the test.

In summary…

Using drugs is your choice – you just need to acknowledge that choosing to do so comes with consequences in the form of limiting your job options. It’s a small world, failing a drug test isn’t good for your career. So, be smart and move on if you know you can’t pass one.

Article by J.T. O’Donnell

Technorati Tags: advice, application, apply, career, company, drug, drug test, employer, fail, interview, job search, pass, test

Filed Under: Career Advice (Articles), Interviewing, Job Search Tactics
Tagged: advice, application, apply, career, company, drug, drug test, employer, fail, interview, job search, pass, test

Comments

ginavalo

I can appreciate the frustration an employer must feel when candidates fail drug tests. That being said, your advice to job seekers to find out if there is a drug test before applying is backwards. Asking an employer about this would only raise a red flag, even if they don't use drug testing.

I don't think an employer should care whether or not applicants use drugs, but if they choose to test applicants it should be their responsibility to disclose that in the job description and make sure candidates are aware before the interview process. This business owner could have saved himself a lot of time and money by being upfront about the process rather than blaming the applicants.

As someone who has been blindsided with a drug test by an employer, I was offended at the lack of communication up front. I knew I would pass, but I was annoyed that they would have wasted my time with interviews and negotiations. It doesn't make sense for either party and the responsibility should fall on the employer.
CAREEREALISM

Gina, you make great pointS that I should have been clearer on.

Most companies do post that there will be a drug test in the job posting. That's what I meant about checking to see. You are right, you don't want to ask outright as it will set off a red flag.

For the record, the employer who wrote in above did list it as a requirement on his job posting and this STILL happened. Hence his heightened frustration.

And, I agree with you 100%. Companies that aren't being upfront (like the one you dealt with) aren't being smart. Not only does it offend/surprise a candidate, it wastes valuable time and money.

Thank you for making those excellent points!
Donnie

Or, you could not drug test them. Not all people who use drugs are dirty, lazy hippies. Imagine how many would fail if everyone was tested for alcohol.
CAREEREALISM

I appreciate your perspective Donnie - that's why I said it's a choice. You only have to watch Bill Mahr on HBO to know that a lot of professional people engage in using drugs. He pushes for legalization on his show regularly.

However, what do companies who have been burned by people who were under the influence do? Companies are at serious risk of being sued if something happens. That's why they do it. One person could cost the company 1000's of $$$ in legal fees. So, they feel forced to take precautionary measures.

At least those who use drugs can walk away. Ask anybody who has police record how hard it is to find a job right now - it's next to impossible. With so many people looking for work (currently 6 job seeker for every 1 job), these are the first to be put in the 'no' pile. I get e-mails from people almost every day about that.

I guess that's why it was important I share this post - I don't want people to make it even harder on themselves.

Thanks again for stopping by and sharing!

JT