Personality testing on 'first pass' interviews

Question

Recently I was asked to submit a personality test prior to the second (video) interview, given the results and then asked to give feedback on said results. The whole experience made me feel uncomfortable and influenced my opinion of the company negatively. Am I overreacting? Ultimately I did not get the position but the experience is sticking with me. What are your thoughts on this?

Katie Eksten Gomez · Answer

Personally, I think it comes down to how you fit with a company. I have interviewed for sales positions in the past where they started with a personality test. I am an ambivert on so many levels, but more of customer-centric employee and that doesn't always benefit the bottom-line for closing sales. To be honest, I don't want to work for someone who doesn't see my personality type as a part of their organization.

Now, I am part of a corporate mentorship program for military spouses looking to expand their networks and look for new or different career opportunities. I don't mind at all that they asked for a personality test before hand. It means that I am likely to be matched with a mentor that understands my type of motivators and has found success for themselves.

Were you allowed to see the results at all? What do you think it means for you in your continued search?

Nirupama Raghavan · Answer

I think it's okay to be uncomfortable with a personality test at any point of time during an interview.  Whenever possible, if you are asked to do this again, try to get information of why they like the specific type of test they are using and how it has helped them in the past.   That might help you become more comfortable.

I typically love personality tests, but I don't take them super seriously.  I use them as ways to trigger introspection and look for examples in my past that do or don't support the test.  I try to determine if there is anything I can learn from them.

When I interviewed with a communications company years ago, the final round was an interview with a psychiatrist (or psychologist, I don't quite remember).  It was a joke among my friends and classmates that I was one of 2-3 people in our class who came through that interview with an offer.  I didn't take the offer, but I still wonder why I passed that round and others did not.  I suspect it was because I was relaxed and positive and not overly concerned about what they might glean from that process.

Anonymous · Answer

That would make me feel a little uncomfortable as well. I have not had to take on personally, but feel my answers would be skewed based on the type of job I was interviewing for...

Anonymous · Answer

I was given the results and then asked to give feedback on their accuracy. Like I said ultimately I did not get the job. Was curious about everyone else's experience. 
For me it felt invasive and limiting.

Anonymous · Answer

To Katie's point, seeing your test results might help. Did they share this with you?

Keri Wilson · Answer

It feels too 'personal', even thought it's important that people 'fit' when they join a company.  I want to be judged by my body or work and professional knowledge.  I don't want someone to decide that, based on a test, I won't fit into the club (because for me, it's a lot about fitting in).  I understand your discomfort.  My experience with companies that use personality tests as a vetting/weeding out process do so because only a very specific type of person succeeds there.  Could be valid. Could also mean the company isn't diverse and may have leadership that prefers a 'yes' mentality, not a healthy discourse.  You may have dodged a bullet.

Ariana Nunez · Answer

Listen, it's better to take one of these personality exams, then waste your time going on an interview.  They know what they are looking for and if you don't fit, count your blessings.

Anonymous · Answer

take one*

Personality testing on "first pass" interviews

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