I have several employers that require a "personality assessment" as part of the interview process.

4 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 19,2022 at 6:51PM UTC

   I am UK based, but when we have used them, it is to direct the interview process. So for example, if a person appears conflict avoidant, we will ask about how they managed a recent conflict. We are looking for emotional maturity and balanced personalities. These soft skills are just as important as the professional qualifications. Chances are that if you are at the formal interview you could do the job - so these tests are often about fit.

2. Mary MelloyApril 19,2022 at 7:28PM UTC

   If a company is requiring this as part of the interview process, I refuse because I do not feel like it will accurately represent me.

   I learned the hard way, that when a company requests this and doesn't like the results they will say "you weren't the right cultural fit." How do they know, they never talked to me!

   Not sure what a personality best would have to do with accounting other than seeing if you fit the company and team cultural.

3. AnonymousApril 20,2022 at 12:44PM UTC

   I took one of these assessments for a job and I was SO turned off by the process that I almost withdrew my name from consideration. Questions about liking myself or thinking I’m a good person we’re absurd…but I powered through. The questions weren’t real world, they seemed antiquated and biased.

   Another poster mentioned that the info was used to guide interview questions. So if you answered that you get easily frustrated, this “service” spits out questions about your tolerance for other people in the workplace and how your function under pressure.

   I eventually hired someone while in this role and we used this survey to help guide her interview. I found it to be useless. She was a great interview, people on the team connected with her, and she turned out to be a terrible hire. She was out the door within three months.

   As you can tell, think these assessments are absolute horse shit. I can’t even imagine what the hiring firms are paying for this service but they’re getting conned IMO.

   I’m sure they’re are others on this board who may have had a positive experience with these assessments. But this obviously wasn’t me! Hope this helps. Best of luck in your search!

4. AnonymousApril 24,2022 at 3:03PM UTC

   I have to respectfully disagree with the one post and say this is an archaic practice and a major red flag. The implication that this is an innocent practice that is intended to help the interview process is what they want you to think. But it's actually the start of them expecting you to jump through hoops and be treated like a circus animal.

   The only time personality tests are acceptable are when they are given AFTER you are hired. And that's still gambling on hoping the company had good intentions.

   If the folks there aren't competent enough to ask you interview questions so they can gain an understanding of your soft skills, the answer is not to have you take a personality test. And be mindful those kinds of tests used for interviews are absolutely used as a reason not to hire you AND they are designed to figure out when people are lying on it.

   Any company where the folks there think they can decide if you are "happy enough" is a major red flag. For starters, what you may or may not deal with personally is NO ONE's business. But it is unacceptable for a company, boss or peer to make a judgement call on if you are "happy enough", "motivated enough", etc.

   Lastly and must importantly, please remember that it is 100% illegal to discriminate against an applicant for mental health (that counts anxiety and depression) and you are 100% right those questions are what you would see on mental health screening.

   I personally run when I see things like that after having been through it a few times.