How to Beat the Personality Test Congratulations! You’ve just purchased the best guide available that helps you understand exactly what the corporate employment test is designed to do, and how to best communicate your own unique personality traits. Today’s employers are having an increasingly difficult time evaluating job candidates. Why? Partly because of the threat of a lawsuit, previous employers will only confirm your employment dates. In most cases, they will not offer positive or negative referrals. Either one could land them in court. So to protect themselves from potentially unscrupulous job candidates, employers have turned to these so called “personality tests” to help them determine exactly the kind of person you are and try to predict the type of employee you would be for them. Do they work? Chances are good they can indeed identify the type of personality you have. For example, if you’re a very introverted person, it’s not likely you’ll succeed in a sales job. If you’re not very analytical, you cannot expect to do well in an accounting capacity. Today’s screening tests are the result of many years of experience. Complicated algorithms have made the tests highly accurate. With all the advances in technology, its no wonder these computers can crunch your answers and predict exactly how you will perform. Or at least try to. The problem with these tests lies in the fact that they’re flawed. When you’re taking a test that could make or break your career, chances are extremely high that your anxiety level will affect the way you answer the questions. When you’re taking a test that could affect the rest of your life, can you really answer every question honestly? If you stand to gain a position that will guarantee wealth and opportunity for the rest of your life how could you possibly relax and answer every question without thinking about how your potential employer might interpret it? You can’t. That’s why you were smart to buy and read this e-book. Please understand that the recommendations that follow are based upon my own research. Personalitytestinc.com does not guarantee your results- only you through careful research can learn about these types of tests and answer them in a way you feel will benefit you most.
In the sections that follow, I’ll guide you through the most common types of questions, explain what the employer is asking for, and provide you with guidance as to the best way to answer. So read on, and enjoy the confidence you’ll gain by knowing that your true personality, the honest, hard-working person you are, will come through. Let’s begin by looking at an analysis of some common questions that check your integrity. “Describe circumstances when your integrity was challenged at work” Here you should be prepared to tell the interviewer about an experience you had where you were confronted with a situation that required your honesty and ethics to cause you to make choices most people would not make. Never mention anything but complete confidence that you took the high road without regard to the consequences. For example, if a fellow employee confided in you that he/she took property belonging to the employer, explain how you promptly reported it. Its stealing, and it doesn’t matter how large or how small the theft was, its still a crime. “What would you do if a co-worker, subordinate, or supervisor asked you to do something unethical?” Answer that you would never under any circumstances do something unethical. “Have you ever regretted not exercising better judgment in a decision at work?” Explain that you have never done anything dishonest to your employer because you understand that you have a contract to work. Your employer agrees to pay you, and you agree to show up and do your work for an honest wage. So you always make sure that you exercise caution in your actions and intentions at work. “What types of circumstances would you say warrant dishonesty?” This is a trick question. Answer that under no circumstances would it be acceptable to you to be dishonest, even if the president of the company asked you to lie for him/her. If the interviewer is trying to test your loyalty, they’re doing it the wrong way. Explain that you would not want to work for a dishonest supervisor. “When was the last time you saw someone do something dishonest at work?” This question invites you to brag about a crime you were witness too. Some people might be inclined to launch into a story about a past co-worker who stole the company blind. Keep your answer short, and follow up with the way in which
you reported this person, including the specific punishment they received, such as termination, and or filing criminal charges with the local authorities. “What personality types do you fit in best with?” Answer that you like to work with people that have the same work ethic that you do. Don’t be tempted to answer that you’d prefer personality types that aren’t as competitive, or are passive, or guarded personality types. Look for the answer that exemplifies the perfect employee, and choose that one. “What is a weakness that you have?” Careful with this question. People tend to think its an invitation to vent their problems, or that the interviewer understands that everyone has some type of weakness. Look for the answer that states your only weakness is that you tend to work too hard. “I enjoy everything I do.” Be neutral or disagree with this question. It’s testing your honesty. To say you enjoy everything is a flat out lie. People dislike cleaning, they dislike laundry, they dislike their mother-in-law. But overall, you should like the field you’re going into, and understand that like everything in life there are pro’s and con’s with every job. “I have never lied.” This is the humdinger of all questions. Strongly disagree with this question, because everyone at some point in their life has lied. You may have some hesitation here, but without a doubt everyone, even your most respected mentor, be it your father, mother, pastor, professor, whomever, has lied at one point in their life or another. Don’t be tempted to portray yourself as simply an honest person. The test will flag you as a liar for trying to present yourself as honest. Crazy, I know, but it doesn’t ask “I usually never lie” or “I am generally an honest person” it just flat out asks you to agree or disagree with the statement. “I never get emotionally upset about work.” Again, this is a lie detector. Everyone at some point has had some frustration. You should answer neutral, or disagree. In some cases you can “strongly agree” or just “agree.” Just keep in mind that unless you’re a robot, being a human being means you have emotion. Some of us are better than others at keeping that emotion contained, but everyone still gets upset, more or less.
“I am always happy.” Answer “disagree.” No one is happy ALL the time. This is similar to the question about never having lied. It’s just not possible to always be happy. If you’re dog died would you be happy? In most cases of course not. “Successful people finish what they start.” Agree with this question, it shows you have the ability to follow through without getting frustrated and giving up. A successful person will tend to carefully evaluate a task to be sure they can finish it. Kind of like I’d never start a fight I couldn’t win. But an employer wants to know you have the stamina to last through minor setbacks during the process of completing your assignments. “I work hard but value my vacation.” Their testing to see where your heart is. The ideal employee will prefer to work, than think about vacation. Answer “Disagree.” You may consider being neutral as well. Most people love their vacation time except workaholics who feel the company will fail without them. But the truth is, employers love workers that dedicated their lives to the company. “Employees should not be expected to work long hours to get a project done.” Strongly disagree to show that you are a dedicated employee that will do anything to get the job done. If you’re working on an important proposal that has a deadline, your employer wants to know you’ll work day and night to make sure that it’s the best it can be. “If I didn’t have to work, I wouldn’t.” This question is trying to determine if you work because you like being productive in your life. If you truly enjoyed being productive, you would continue to work regardless of your financial needs. You should disagree with this question. You may even believe you wouldn’t work if you won the lottery, but after a while you’d lose a sense of purpose. So you might do work for your family, or for charity, or a hobby. But most ambitious people want to make something of themselves, and will eventually come around to doing something.
Questions about being Outgoing Being extraverted or introverted is a central dimension of human personality. Extraverts (sometimes called "extroverts") are gregarious, assertive, and generally seek out excitement. Introverts, in contrast, are more reserved, less outgoing, and less sociable. They tend to have smaller circles of friends, and are less likely to thrive on making new social contacts. According to Carl Jung, introversion and extroversion refer to the direction of psychic energy. If a person’s energy usually flows outwards, he or she is an extrovert, while if this energy normally flows inwards, this person is an introvert. Extraverts feel an increase of perceived energy when interacting with a large group of people, but a decrease of energy when left alone. Conversely, introverts feel an increase of energy when alone, but a decrease of energy when surrounded by a large group of people. Most modern psychologists consider theories of psychic energy to be obsolete. First, it is difficult to measure mental "energy" in a way that can be scientifically measured and tested. Second, more detailed explanations of extraversion and the brain have replaced Jung's rather speculative theories. Nevertheless, the concept is still in popular usage in the general sense of "feeling energized" in particular situations. Let’s examine some questions designed to test your personality. “I’d rather listen music by myself” Definitely this person would be very introverted. People that are outgoing love to enjoy music at parties and at concerts. Strongly disagree. “I get fire up when I go to football games.” Yes, you should agree with this question. That is, if the job you’re applying for is in a position where you meet a lot of people, like sales. If the job you’re applying for is something else, like accounting, you may disagree to show how introverted you are. “People state that I’m an open book – easy to read.” Definitely agree with this one. If you’re an open book it means you have nothing to hide. People can ask you anything, even embarrassing things, and you just
spit out the truth. Regardless of the type of job you’re applying to, the answer is “Strongly Agree.” “I am the Life of the Party” This is a very common cliché, and most people are afraid to answer agree because they feel they might be characterized as a wild drunk. Don’t make this mistake, it just means you are a really fun person at parties. So Agree with this one, and you’ll be fine. “I hate it when people talk to me on the plane.” Most people that travel a lot would agree with this. It’s very annoying to have some loudmouth tell you his life story. But if you are a friendly caring unselfish person, you would be glad to chat with someone any time, any where. “When I’m talking to someone, I just listen” Here you may want to show how patient you are, but if you’re truly outgoing, you’ll be the one doing all the talking. In some executive positions, this is required. “If my date leaves me alone at a party, I go introduce myself to someone in the room.” Most people stick to their dates at parties, unless they know the crowd. Really outgoing people have no qualms about walking up to a group of people and introducing themselves. Answer “Strongly Agree.”
Questions about Honesty Honesty is the human quality of communicating and acting truthful and with fairness, as best one is able. It is related to truth as a value. This includes listening, reasoning and any action in the human repertoire — as well as speaking. Superficially, honesty means simply, stating facts and views as best one truly believes them to be. It includes both honesty to others, and to oneself (see: self deception)and about ones own motives and inner reality. A person who is considered honest is one who displays integrity, is genuine and not deceptive or fraudulent. Honesty is characterized by truth and sincerity. Honesty denotes the quality of being upright in principle and action. Honesty
implies truthfulness, fairness in dealing with others, and refusal to engage in fraud, deceit, or dissembling. “If the cashier gives you back too much change, you should report it.” This is obvious, even if its just a penny, report it to the cashier and return the money. Answer “Strongly Agree.” “If your paycheck was incorrect and paid you ten dollars more than you should get, you should report it.” Again obvious, “Stronlgy Agree.” “When people say they have never shoplifted anything, I believe them.” You should strongly agree, because if you shoplifted at some point in your life, you might tend to disagree with this question. “It’s not stealing if someone takes pencils or paperclips home from work.” Disagree here, because employers want to hear that you consider any type of property acquisition to be theft. “I trust people unless they give me a reason not to.” Strongly agree to show that you have a good disposition, and in general believe that most people are honest and well intentioned. “If I find someone’s wallet, I can take some of the money out, but return the wallet.” Strongly disagree, even though you may believe that you deserve a reward. “You buy an item online and it arrives broken in the mail. You call for a refund and when it's later credited to your account, it's double what you paid. You should let it go, and keep the money.” Strongly disagree even though it would take a lot of time to get it straightened out, and even though in the long run, the company might catch the error and debit your account. Conclusion If you’re taking a personality test, be sure to do your homework. Everyone has different opinions on what’s right and wrong, and you need to understand exactly how your answers will be interpreted.
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