Dear Experts,
How are ‘personality tests’ different from any other form of discrimination? Can I refuse to take these tests?
bvv
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5 Comments
I don’t think these tests are useless- but they should be used very carefully to inform the hiring managers and HR. An applicant with an awesome portfolio, references, and interview should not be passed over simply because they are barely “in the yellow” due to creative thinking or growing up in a rough neighborhood (therefore having to answer yes to questions like “do you know anyone who has stolen something?” YEAH, MY NEIGHBOR VINNIE STOLE MY MOM’S BIKE… TWICE! THE JERK! Turns out Vinnie would also cost me a job 15 years later!
It IS discrimination. The question is “can it be proven” and “could litigation succeed”?
These tests are designed so as not to offer outsiders any blatant evidence of discrimination.
Employers do discriminate on personality during interviews. It’s just impossible to prove. Employers are under no obligation to hire you, only to provide every qualified applicant the same level of opportunity.
Continental Airlines, Whole Foods, and many other reputable companies have scrapped these tests. They figured out that it was mostly a sham to sell software platforms. It does screen out the loonies and kleptos. Most companies that use them are dead-end jobs who hire from among bottom feeders.
Personality tests have little validity at all. Its silly that companies put so much emphasis on them. Employers need to get back to the basics: look at skills, education and ability to do the job.
Personality tests have little validity at all. Its silly that companies put so much emphasis on them. Employers need to get back to the basics: look at skills, education and ability to do the job.
Personality tests have little validity at all. Its silly that companies put so much emphasis on them. Employers need to get back to the basics: look at skills, education and ability to do the job.