What’s the psychometric test all about? You’ve spent 3 years studying for your degree and now when you turn up at your job interview, they want to know more about your personality than what grade you got in your degree. It can seem a little unfair and confusing, so we created the quick tips to nailing your psychometric test that will help you sail through your interview without breaking into a sweat.
What is psychometric testing?
A psychometric test is designed to reveal your personality traits and cognitive skills, measuring your mental capabilities and behavioural style so that recruiters and employers can see how suitable you are for the job. They reveal the hidden elements of your personality that don’t normally show up in a typical interview conversation scenario.
In a nutshell, they want to make sure that they don’t hire an introvert with severe social inadequacies for that highly interactive sales job!
Quick Tips to nailing your psychometric test
- Do a little research into the job itself
If you’ve had little experience in the job world, knowing what the jobs you’re applying for can be a little daunting. The best way to get a good idea of what you’re getting into is to do a little research around the job. What people do, how they interact with colleagues and customers (if at all) and build a personality style around your findings. This will be a big indicator for the type of person they are looking to join their team. And indeed, if it’s something you want to get into. - Get online and practice
Head to google and type in the magic words: psychometric tests and viola, you will be presented with a list of websites where you can make yourself familiar with the tests and actually complete some. There are verbal and numerical tests that look at social sciences and business related areas such as marketing, economics and human resources. There is also the non verbal Abstract Aptitude Test which uses shapes as test questions. - Find out which tests your interview is going to use
Not all jobs take the same test, for example a senior position won’t run the same test as a level entry job, it makes sense when you look at it like that. So give your recruiter a call and ask what you’re likely to be presented with. Or if you applied direct, google the job you’re interested in and look at what test is likely to be associated with it. - Time yourself
Yep, to add to the pressure, they time how quickly you can complete the test. So if you don’t practice you’ll be in for a big surprise when faced with questions you’re not expecting. Some tests require the use of a calculator, so if your calc skills are rusty, don’t spoil your chances in a real life test. Do your homework and arrive prepared. - You can’t change your personality (completely!)
You might think, ‘ok, these jobs require this type of personality for the job… so I’ll answer the questions that way.’ Sorry no, the tests are designed to show consistency in your answers. So, if you trigger a false reading, it’ll raise big questions about your behaviour and you probably won’t get asked to come back for the second interview. Honesty is the best way to go. - Take a test now
There’s nothing like the present to take a free test now and see how you go. The Psychometric institute has a variety of tests you can try for free. TAKE A TEST.
- Do a little research into the job itself
Job success
Entering the workforce comes with many elements to it, education, knowledge, experience and as you’ve just read, how your personality suits the job. It’s important not to see this as a negative. It’s a bit like matchmaking, ensuring both parties are happy with the job which will result in job satisfaction and rewards. Use these quick tips to nailing your psychometric test to take the stress out of interviewing.
