There’s more to finding the ideal candidate for an open position than interviewing a graduate that has all the required skills. That’s where the personality psychometric test comes in. While this may seem daunting, after all how do you answer a personality test correctly, they’re just another tool employers have to ensure you’re the right fit for the company values and culture.
In this article we’ll touch on what a psychometric test is, what to expect from a personality aptitude test, and how you can prepare to show the employer the best version of yourself.
What is a psychometric test?
Psychometric tests are designed to use a scientifically reasoned method to test candidates on cognitive ability, problem solving, personality traits, and general knowledge at an early stage of the hiring process.
By using these tests to see if candidates are a good fit for the available position and company they help the hiring manager narrow down applicants.
Psychometric tests may not be something a recent graduate has had to do before, you may even have misconceptions about what they’ll be like, but there are five easy steps you can do to prepare for your personality assessment.
Step 1: Become familiar with the format
While personality aptitude tests can be broad they’re something you can practice in advance of your psychometric test. Unlike other kinds of psychometric tests you 're usually not timed so you can answer at your own pace. But what will you be answering?
To understand your values, motivations, skills, and preferences, personality aptitude tests may format their questions as multiple-choice, true/false, and rating scales. While it may be difficult to work out which one your employer might specifically use with a small time investment and an online search you can practice the different styles of questions. While the content will be different it’ll build your confidence and familiarity giving you more opportunity to show your best self.
Step 2: Answer in the context of your work personality, not your social life
Who you are at work and who you are at home are likely two different versions of yourself, if you’ve ever worked in retail or hospitality and heard of the ‘customer service voice’ you have a superficial understanding of the difference.
While your dichotomy of personality will be less cookie cutter than our example implies when answering questions for your personality aptitude test it’s important to do so from the perspective of work. After all, that’s what’s more relevant than what you’re like on the weekend.
Step 3: Be consistent and answer honestly
It’s almost an expected temptation to gear your answers toward what you think the company will want, maybe answer a bent version of the truth, but it’s an important temptation to resist. The experts behind the personality psychometric test know this too and put in multiple questions subtly assessing the same personality trait. That’s why consistency in your answers is key.
It may also be tempting to be a ‘fence sitter’ in your responses. An easy ‘Neither Agree/Disagree’ means you can’t answer wrong, right? In reality this can make you difficult to assess when instead it’s better to answer honestly to see if you’re actually a good fit for the company or role.
Step 4: Learn to be introspective
Introspection is a difficult skill but an important one for personality psychometric tests. As a part of your practice, reflect on what you’re like professionally. Consider what motivates you at work? How do you work in a team? What’s important to you in a company's values? These thought exercises can flex a muscle you might not be used to and get you in the right headspace for the test.
Step 5: Stay calm, be rested, and don’t worry
Many university students are familiar with the all-night cram for a test, but this is not that kind of test. By following our other four steps you’ll be prepared both for what to expect from a personality psychometric test and personally ready to show your best self through it. Because of this it’s better to be well rested for the test so you’re working at your best. Remember, there’s no need to worry more than is normal, you prepared for this!