And when I thought the job hunt couldn't get any worse....

ONCRN84 · Aug 22, 2009

I did. I found out at the interview that how I answered those questions generated my interview questions. She commented on how fast I took it. I just smiled and said "I've always been a fast test taker!"... yeah she probably thought I just don't think. lol

oramar · Aug 22, 2009

.... I was confronted with a questionnaire from he|| when I tried to submit an application to the same hospital where I have previously applied for positions. All of a sudden I had to fill out this personality test and agree to let them score it but not be told the results.
Although I think I answered most questions "correctly" (hard to say since they're so ambiguous, ranging from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree") I probably made a big mistake when I answered that I had looked for work while still employed "2 or 3 times". Well, I've been in the workforce for a long time and you should always look for a job while you still have one - but duh, I'm sure that's not what they wanted to hear :smackingf
Hindsight is 20/20, but when I filled this out it was late and I was tired... big mistake. Now I keep beating myself up, convinced my chances with this hospital are over (unfortunately, it's one of only two in this area and the one where I really want to work; my husband works there as a nurse. I myself worked there until about a year ago, but left on good terms due to lack of available shifts and some personal business at the end of year. I realize now that I shouldn't have - again, too late. BTW, I couldn't return to the same unit where I was because the low pt census has not changed).
Have any of you had to answer such a questionnaire while applying for jobs? If so, were you told the result? Was it a reason not to be considered for any positions? Or do you suddenly just never hear from them again? The HR recruiter had always seemed very nice and helpful (I know, don't trust them) but had never mentioned that such a test would be given. I should have just backed out and researched it first... but it's too late now.
I wish I could just sit out this horrible economy and wait for a real nursing shortage to appear; but I can't
Thanks for any replies,
DeLana

I think you will probably find out that you did fine. I bet they will call you. There are certain questions that are there to catch you lying. I would be very suspicious of someone who said they NEVER looked for work while working somewhere else. I rather think you answered that correctly.

zahryia, LPN · Aug 22, 2009

Yes. I have had to take that test a few times. I didn't realize it was timed. I thought it was just a screening tool. I didn't know it was actually analyzed. Now that I think of it, one of the hiring managers made a comment of how Im a 'people person'. I remember thinking I didn't give her any indication whether I was or not. She probably got that from the questionaire.

Divest · Aug 23, 2009

Is this the same test they give at all of the major retailers and grocery stores? I hate these things. I never get call backs after I answer these tests. They say you shouldn't lie on these tests, but how the hell are you not supposed to? One of my professors once told the class that those are a no win situation, and it's based on what HR perceives as both a good result and a legitimate result, which is weighted against your application and your experience.

Basically, it's a like a lie detector test. Completely baseless and irrelevent.

ThanksForAllTheFish! · Aug 23, 2009

I don't want to freak you out but:

I took one of these once when I was applying for my first nursing job last summer. It was at a unit I really wanted to work at. When I took the test, I wasn't really paying that close of attention to it while I doing it because I really didn't think it was such a big deal. Oops.

Anyway,

I interviewed for the new grad position and I actually thought it went fairly well, but I was not hired for the position. I emailed the nursing supervisor I interviewed with just so I could get some feedback to improve my interviewing skills. She said I did well during the interview, but the scores on the test I took didn't match with what was required. Of course she could have just been being polite, but then why would she need to mention the test scores? She could of just said there were more qualified candidates or something.

I don't this will cause you any problems, but I just wanted to let everyone know that (especially now with the job market shrinking) these online personality test might be the deciding factor between getting and not getting a job. So for goodness sakes, don't watch tv, eat dinner, fill out other applications, surf the web, pet the dog, clean out your purse (or wallet) and have a conversation with a family member when you are filling one of these out. :chuckle I did. Lesson learned:banghead:

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2009

I filled one of those out for a position I have never heard anything back from. I agree with the poster who said that they are the equivalent of a lie detector test. It was obvious to me that they were, in part, definitely trying to gauge how honest I was going to be with them.

At the same time, I kind of laughed at the thing. I mean, its the freakin' equivalent of a cosmo magazine quiz! Do they seriously think it predicts anything? They can't even verify who filled it out!

DeLana_RN, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2009

I think you will probably find out that you did fine. I bet they will call you. There are certain questions that are there to catch you lying. I would be very suspicious of someone who said they NEVER looked for work while working somewhere else. I rather think you answered that correctly.

Thanks for your perspective, this is very reassuring. Maybe I can stop obsessing now.

DeLana :)

DeLana_RN, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2009

I did. I found out at the interview that how I answered those questions generated my interview questions. She commented on how fast I took it. I just smiled and said "I've always been a fast test taker!"... yeah she probably thought I just don't think. lol

Well, if it generates interview questions, then at least it gives the applicant a chance to explain any answers they're concerned about (that's what I feel I need to do - I read too much into one or two of them).

Be that as it may, lesson learned for future applications!

Thanks to all who answered, this forum is a great support system.

DeLana :bow:

P.S. And if they're using this to deny me a chance at any openings, well maybe I don't really need to work for such an institution (again).

Divest · Aug 23, 2009

I would be very suspicious of someone who said they NEVER looked for work while working somewhere else. I rather think you answered that correctly.

If this is the sort of test I'm thinking of, then the hiring manager won't actually see any specific answers, but rather cumulated results based on the answers given. It's equivalent to a Facebook personality test, as someone else stated.

That is, of course, if we're talking about the same type of test that I'm thinking of, which would be the ones that Albertson's and Target give to prescreen their applicants.

jcbhappy · Aug 23, 2009

My thinking is this.. As a new graduate, you are held to a certain academic standard, plus previous experience, then, the market is tight despite the NEED for nurse's RIGHT? Presentation is a huge part of the interview....Showcase what you can do then build on that. We all have to start somewhere. Nights and weekends blow but as newbies that is where the jobs are.

oneLoneNurse · Aug 23, 2009

I like both nights and weekends. :)