Published Mar 11, 2014
yadi87
98 Posts
This is a bit of a rant more than anything so here i go....
been applying to every job in miami dade county and surrounding ( broward, palm beach, collier....) every hospital now i have noticed is using a software called peopleanswers to screen applicants.... this takes at least a half hour to do and EVERY hospital is using it now ( minus jackson and one other i believe)
Honestly what is the point , people will never answer these things completely honestly they will answer what they believe the employer is looking to hear. " why yes all my coworkers think im warm and nice" and " no i get along with everyone" . Like us new grads already dont have enough hoops to jump through , NCLEX was a breeze compare to this i feel like im in the hunger games or something each time im applying for a job competing with hundreds if not thousands others that also took out a BSN or are in the process and have all the nice certifications that cost an arm and a leg (ACLS,PALS, ect).
This screening assessment is simply another tool for the hospitals to basically give us the finger and tell us we aren't worthy of working in their hospital.....
rant over , now going to apply to the next 50+ med surg jobs no new grad is qualified for and save the auto reject letters to the pile of 100+ auto rejections i already have.
Birry
122 Posts
I hear you. I've answered those any way possible, from brutally honest answers to lying like a sociopath and it doesn't seem to make a difference. You never get anything but the most vague feedback on those. I wish there were a law saying that testees (heh) are entitled to receive their results and the resulting evaluation.
As it is now, it really just sucks.
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN
20,908 Posts
((HUGS)) It's jungle out there right now.
HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD
9,051 Posts
OMG - I agree that these 'character assessments' are usually a complete waste of time. There is a ton of I/O psych research evidence that everyone lies.... especially on "honesty" or "truth" questions. According to FLSA (Federal Law) requirements, an employer is only allowed to request information that is a bonafide occupational qualification (BOQ). They get by with nonsense because they say that the information is a BOQ for that vague ("must support mission, integrity, God & country") language that is part of the job description.
I do support the idea of using a reliable and valid competency assessment tool as a pre-hiring screen. For instance, some employers test math, reading, computer literacy or typing skill up front if it is relevant to job duties .... but a reliable and valid clinical assessment would be much more expensive.
OMG - I agree that these 'character assessments' are usually a complete waste of time. There is a ton of I/O psych research evidence that everyone lies.... especially on "honesty" or "truth" questions. According to FLSA (Federal Law) requirements, an employer is only allowed to request information that is a bonafide occupational qualification (BOQ). They get by with nonsense because they say that the information is a BOQ for that vague ("must support mission, integrity, God & country") language that is part of the job description. I do support the idea of using a reliable and valid competency assessment tool as a pre-hiring screen. For instance, some employers test math, reading, computer literacy or typing skill up front if it is relevant to job duties .... but a reliable and valid clinical assessment would be much more expensive.
i completely agree to the use of an assessment that actually assess ones competency for the job that is being offered. Not one of these asked a math, reading, or comp literacy question. These were are strictly character assessments..and i even noticed that they asked the exact same question the exact same way on a different page .... You will never know the true character of someone behind a computer, that can only be guessed at in a face to face situation. Human resources has taken the HUMAN out of their job, they might as well automate the rest process and let the employee speak to a real human on day 1 of the job. I mean its gone from paper apps that you turn in in person and got the opportunity to use your personality to sell yourself to faxing apps, then email your apps, now apply online only ... pretty soon SKYNET will take over the entire process ( j/k some terminator humor). but really though i miss the days i could walk in to a place and charm them with my personality and brains not just sit back and be one of a million names in a pot the machine will choose from.
MrChicagoRN, RN
2,605 Posts
Are these screenings scientifically valid? Who really knows? But they are often looking for "fit" within the organization.
Sometimes people answer how they think they should answer, and answer to present themselves as perfect. Sometimes what seems to be the same question you answered 4 screens ago, may be intentionally totally different. Some questions are just there to throw you off.
We are all flawed.
The best way to pass these types of test may be to read the question carefully and not try to guess what answer they want.
I usually try to do that. When I've gotten any feedback on why I was passed up, they tell me that answering how they want to hear it will disqualify you.
One instance was especially grating. My reward for being honest and considering each question on its own and answering based on my experiences? Denied an interview and barred from applying for any positions in that organization for two years. And this is after an informal interview with a department director who personally put me on the interview short list.
The obsurdity of today's Human Resources is just uncanny. In the days of being overqualified or too good of a fit for an organization, you just have to wonder who really is stearing the ship.
bear14
206 Posts
I just applied to a position where I had to take a logic test such as if Javier lives in City B and works in City A and Ian lives in city D and works for city Q and then where does Joe live? It's ridiculous. I know with those personality tests they will ask the same questions a few times to see how consistent you are. They will also ask the same question in different ways. They do this on police exams. I was told by someone that an exam for the police asked if you feel your limbs being pulled away. Strange.
CticuRN95
70 Posts
I hear you! I've been applying for jobs since July and Im exausted! Nursing school was a breeze compared to the job hunt. Its so sad that it is now the norm to wait a year or more to find that first job. Where's my dream job already??????? Screw my dream job- at this point Im willing to work for free on any unit just to gain some experience.
Misskala
160 Posts
Hey everyone, I'm bumping this thread! I'm about to re-take a test that I failed 6 months ago, so I have been sitting out applying to them for these past 6 months. I hope I pass this time :) Any more advice? I think I failed it last time because I used the back button and changed some answers?
pnkgirl25
354 Posts
Yup I feel the same way. The ones I hate the MOST are the jobs that make you do a new one for EACH AND EVERY JOB YOU APPLY FOR. Want to apply for a full time position in medsurg...complete the survey...want to apply for a per diem position in medsurg...got to do it again!! It's INSANE! I wanted to throw my computer out the window. I have seriously considered putting a ad on craigslist for someone to come to my house and apply for jobs for me 3 days a week.