True or False: These Tests Can Tell if You Are Right for This Job

True or False: These Tests Can Tell if You Are Right for This
Job
1. On television, I usually prefer watching an action movie than a program about art.
A) Often
B) ?
C) Rarely

2. True or False: People often expect too much of me.

3. True or False: I like parties and socials.
4. Select one statement that reflects the viewpoint most like yours. Then, from the
remaining choices, select the one statement that least reflects your viewpoint.
A. I don't necessarily need to define and control the agenda.
B. It's almost never necessary to hurt other people's feelings.
C. I'm usually the first person to strike up a conversation with strangers.
D. I would never step over others in order to ensure my own success.
5. True or false: I do many things better than almost everyone I know.
6. True or false: I don't mind being told what to do.
7. Answer the following on a five-point scale, whether it is truer or more false.
1= True, 5=False
1
2
3
4
5

An applicant's handshake may be crucial at a job interview. But a personality test can tell a
company what's behind that handshake.
Companies as varied as electronics retailer HHGregg Inc., rental-car agency Avis Budget
Group Inc. and Sprint Nextel Corp. all use personality tests to help assess job applicants for
conscientiousness, extroversion or other traits that may be useful in forging a successful career
or, alternatively, derail one.

The questions are rarely straightforward, and neither are the answers. Psychology is involved,
after all. Applicants may try to give answers they think the company wants to hear, and aren't
likely to admit to character flaws or bad behavior. So there can be a great deal of opacity
regarding what the questions are even measuring, psychologists say.
Moreover, test makers say a single answer holds little meaning in its own right and must be
weighed alongside a series of other responses. For the best predictive results, companies often
find out what traits their high performers display, and then test for those characteristics.
Here is a sampling of personality-test questions, what psychologists and test designers say about
what each question is really looking for, and how the range of possible responses could be
interpreted.

NOAH WOODS

1. On television, I usually prefer watching

an action movie than a program about
art.
A) Often
B) ?
C) Rarely
This question, from 16PF, the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, addresses an applicant's
preference for logic versus feelings and intuition, says Ralph A. Mortensen, chief psychologist of
the test's publisher, the Institute for Personality and Ability Testing. Someone opting for an action
flick may be more fact-focused, an important trait for analytical jobs. Those who answer "rarely"
may have more creative personalities. If they choose the question mark on B, it doesn't tell you
much: Perhaps they do both an equal amount or perhaps they simply aren't sure.
2. True or False: People often expect too much of me.
This question, from the California Psychological Inventory, indicates a test taker's "conceptual
fluency," or ability to understand complex concepts, says Rich Thompson, director of research at

test publisher CPP Inc. Someone who answers "True" is likely to be easily overwhelmed and
may not believe in his or her own talent.
3. True or False: I like parties and socials.
A "True" response would be a positive sign for the "sociability" scale, indicating an outgoing
personality. But it's a negative for "independence." It could mean "you like being part of a
crowd," Dr. Thompson says. "And if you like being part of a crowd, perhaps you follow the
crowd."
4. Select one statement that reflects the viewpoint most like yours. Then, from the
remaining choices, select the one statement that least reflects your viewpoint.
A. I don't necessarily need to define and control the agenda.
B. It's almost never necessary to hurt other people's feelings.
C. I'm usually the first person to strike up a conversation with strangers.
D. I would never step over others in order to ensure my own success.
This question, from the Caliper Profile, measures someone's need to be controlling (A), as well
as their sensitivity (B), gregariousness (C) and aggressiveness (D). The assessment, published by
Caliper Corp., compares groupings of 23 personality traits. While some people may be deemed
more sensitive than aggressive, based on their responses to this question, that doesn't mean
they're pushovers. Other statements may reveal those same people are more aggressive than they
are self-disciplined. "It's all relative," says Herb Greenberg, Caliper's founder and chief
executive, and certain traits will be more important for certain jobs.
5. True or false: I do many things better than almost everyone I know.
Responding "True" to this question from the Hogan Personality Inventory could indicate
confidence or arrogance, while a "False" response conveys humility or insecurity, says Jarrett
Shalhoop, senior consultant at Hogan Assessment Systems.
6. True or false: I don't mind being told what to do.
Someone saying "True" may follow directions well, or in the extreme may be incapable of
independent action. A "False" response suggests autonomy, or could indicate the respondent is
difficult to manage, Dr. Shalhoop says.

7. Answer the following on a five-point scale, whether it is more true or more false.
"Is uneasy when receiving praise."
This statement, from the WorkPlace Big Five Profile 4.0, measures humility and pride, helpful in
identifying confident, successful salespeople. Pride is important, but humility is valued more in
academic or religious settings, says Pierce J. Howard, managing director of research and
development at the Center for Applied Cognitive Studies, which created the profile. "Spit and
polish and charm are not going to do it for that sort of audience," Dr. Howard says.