Passed psychometric tests but 'no' to next stage

[splash gti]

As part of a job application, at the third stage, I've been told that I passed the psychometric tests but it's a 'no' to the next stage - with no reason given. Would you reply or draw a line under it and move on?

[crofty1984]

I don't think there's any harm in asking for feedback to help you with future applications.

[InitialDave]

Yes, ask for feedback, no reason not to.

[Countdown]

splash gti said:

As part of a job application, at the third stage, I've been told that I passed the psychometric tests but it's a 'no' to the next stage - with no reason given. Would you reply or draw a line under it and move on?

I'm not sure if you can pass or fail the psych tests - IME they just show which areas you are stronger in and which you are relatively weaker in. So it might just be that your personality isn't what they're looking for, or others have a personality that better fitted the role that they are recruiting for.

Was the psych tests a separate/discrete part of the Interview process? Normally it's used in conjunction with other "tests". For example at our place we have assessment days where we have

1. Panel Interview
2. Psych test
3. Meet and greet with fellow managers/direct reports.

There isn't a single psych stage, IYSWIM

[splash gti]

Thanks for all your replies. I'll follow it up.

I was told in an email that I had 'passed' the psychometric tests - their words. First it was a personality assessment and then online psychometric tests. I think interviews were next.

[Drumroll]

no harm in asking, but don't be offended if you either don't get a reply or the reply is along the lines of "no comment"

The company I worked for didn't like us going into details as to why some-one had been unsuccessful in applying for a job.

Despite psychometric tests, written tests, etc etc for a lot of people when interviewing it is still a "gut instinct" that says "this person is best for this job"

I have employed people that my boss would not have done.

[tbourner]

I was told I'd "aced" a psychometric test before, I did get a 2nd interview but didn't get the job because I tend to favour the affiliative management style, and they wanted somebody much more directive and authoritative. I told them my styles in the interview and they said that's exactly what the psychometric tests had shown them. As above; it's not so much a pass/fail even if they say you did well in them.

[The Selfish Gene]

I shudder to think if I ever had to do Psych tests - I'm fairly sure it wouldn't go well.

I'm not really an employee (luckily I work for myself)

I was recently asked (informally) by a client if I wanted to do a unconscious bias test.

I declined, stating all my bias were entirely conscious.

Not sure how well that went down really

[4x4Tyke]

splash gti said:

As part of a job application, at the third stage, I've been told that I passed the psychometric tests but it's a 'no' to the next stage - with no reason given. Would you reply or draw a line under it and move on?

You don't pass or fail a psychometric test, so I'd suggest you've misunderstood their response. I'd suspect that what they mean is you've passed, moved beyond the stage in the application process were the test is taken.

When used correctly (as intended) their aim is to help them understand if you will be a natural fit with their culture and role. A good interviewer can do exactly the same thing. They have a questionable scientific basis. They were very popular about 10-15 years ago and I did find mine interesting reading, but never really deviated from what I already knew about myself. At the end of the end of the day you are answering a bunch of questions about yourself and it produces a report that tells you the same things back.

Did they provide the results, if not you can ask for it.

[Moonhawk]

The aim of a psychometric test is to let the recruiter know what type of personality you might have. There is no pass fail per-se.

It's possible whatever your result came out as didn't match the personality type that was specified for the job profile.

One of the common types of test many companies use is the Myers Briggs

https://www.personalityperfect.com/16-personality-...

[Christmassss]

No pass or fail with those tests.

We used to use them to see if that person would be the right 'fit' for the team, or if they responded to different management styles etc etc

[The Selfish Gene]

Christmassss said:

No pass or fail with those tests.

We used to use them to see if that person would be the right 'fit' for the team, or if they responded to different management styles etc etc

everyone is saying no pass/fail..........but surely you have failed if you are the 'wrong' personality type for what they are looking for?

I'm very very sceptical of this sort of thing.

As I can generally be whatever personality type is required to get whatever done that needs to be done?

[Christmassss]

The Selfish Gene said:

everyone is saying no pass/fail..........but surely you have failed if you are the 'wrong' personality type for what they are looking for?

I'm very very sceptical of this sort of thing.

As I can generally be whatever personality type is required to get whatever done that needs to be done?

True. I mean that the actual test doesn't give you a mark out of 100 as a pass or fail.

[The Selfish Gene]

Christmassss said:

The Selfish Gene said:

everyone is saying no pass/fail..........but surely you have failed if you are the 'wrong' personality type for what they are looking for?

I'm very very sceptical of this sort of thing.

As I can generally be whatever personality type is required to get whatever done that needs to be done?

True. I mean that the actual test doesn't give you a mark out of 100 as a pass or fail.

understand - and neither do any of the interviews I perform - but plenty of people fail

I think judging people on a test, that I don't trust the results of is entirely flawed.

I've hired people that were unbelievably amazing and turned out st.

I've hired people that were st, but not st enough not to hire and have been mega stars with the correct coaching and approach.

To have some HR monkey looking at a test and saying - NOPE - wrong personality type, well, I don't like it.

[tbourner]

The Selfish Gene said:

To have some HR monkey looking at a test and saying - NOPE - wrong personality type, well, I don't like it.

That's the sign of a bad HR department though, not the fault of the test. It's a good indicator, ie: it should point you towards certain candidates, but certainly shouldn't rule anyone out on those results alone

[The Selfish Gene]

tbourner said:

The Selfish Gene said:

To have some HR monkey looking at a test and saying - NOPE - wrong personality type, well, I don't like it.

That's the sign of a bad HR department though, not the fault of the test. It's a good indicator, ie: it should point you towards certain candidates, but certainly shouldn't rule anyone out on those results alone

have you ever seen a good HR department? Not being too flippant, but well, I haven't.

[4x4Tyke]

The Selfish Gene said:

everyone is saying no pass/fail..........but surely you have failed if you are the 'wrong' personality type for what they are looking for?

I'm very very sceptical of this sort of thing.

As I can generally be whatever personality type is required to get whatever done that needs to be done?

Yes and No. It's not the test saying pass or fail, it is the person reading the contents of report saying yes or no.

It's effectively the same as a CV, that alone is not pass or fail, it's the person reviewing its content and evaluating the content and choosing yes or no.

I agree with the need to be sceptical about them, some see them as standardising the recruitment and removing subjectivity which they don't do, at the end of the day they are a psychological safety net for HR masquerading as a scientific approach.

[Countdown]

tbourner said:

The Selfish Gene said:

To have some HR monkey looking at a test and saying - NOPE - wrong personality type, well, I don't like it.

That's the sign of a bad HR department though, not the fault of the test. It's a good indicator, ie: it should point you towards certain candidates, but certainly shouldn't rule anyone out on those results alone

Indeed. Plus it's not usually HR that look at the test results, it's the hiring manager. And it's not (usually) the "make or break" test, it just provides some more information about the candidate

Certain personalities lend themselves to certain jobs. Sales Director is going to be different to Auditor who is going to be different to Farmer. I think people who say they can switch between personalities to get the job done are kidding themselves. That might be possible for a short time, over the long term it's going to be a living hell if you're a round peg in a square hole.

[paulrockliffe]

This happens all the time with us, the test says you're suitable to work at the company, but they don't take everyone suitable forward because they end up with far too many. It'll be no more complicated than that. Depending on what else they have from you you'll be too far down the list to get an interview.

[Moonhawk]

The Selfish Gene said:

everyone is saying no pass/fail..........but surely you have failed if you are the 'wrong' personality type for what they are looking for?

Whilst your personality type may not rule you out for a certain role, it could be the deciding factor between two closely matched candidates.