Why is that this simple test of honesty makes people experience Alfred Hitchcock scenarios of interrogation and paranoia? We went to investigate if these "interrogators" were telling us the truth or if this was part of their devious ploy to lure us into taking these tests voluntarily. Here follows a few pointers on what to expect when you go for such a test and how to keep your sanity in the process.
Breath In. Breath Out.
You have to relax. When you go into the psychologist's office dripping with perspiration you'll look like you're hiding something. Try to breath normally and keep your cool throughout the proceedings. Remember that's it's only an evaluation of your honesty in general, and that the candy bar you shoplifted at age seven, has no relevance here.
Simple Is. Simple Does.
Keep your answers sweet, short and simple. Stick to the facts, don't ramble on when a question is asked. In doing so you might leak out certain information that 's not relevant to the question but will give the psychologist "leads" that might transpire into more probing questions. If your "torturer" does delve a bit deeper and hit a nerve, try to focus on the positive, whatever the event might have been. Stay clear from blaming family members for misfortunes and emotional scars. Focus on positive ties and experiences you have with them. When asked career related questions keep them business orientated and not filled with too many emotional descriptions. Answer them as you would in a normal job interview. Think clearly about your answers and keep consistent as you answer them.
My Mother's What?
You might be asked some very "different" questions during the course of the interview. Although rare, these questions are asked depending on the interviewer's qualifications and experience. "If you were an insect, what type of insect would it be?" Try to give very simple but satisfactory answers. You can use these for example: bee (hard worker), silk worms (can adapt) or ant (agile). Choosing butterfly might say that you lack leadership qualities. Then again choosing a Praying Mantis might indicate underlying aggressiveness.
And The Goal Being?
If done right, the psychometric test will determine if your honest and practice the same virtues in the workplace as you do outside the office. Do you work late at the office to catch up on some work or stay a bit late to help yourself to the stationary cupboard? Can you work as part of a team or do you like doing things solo? The psychologist needs to assess what your reaction would be to a company's certain corporate culture, what kind of management styles you work favourably with and basically try to figure out what gives you job satisfaction and what doesn't.
To find out more before you go for the dreaded test, read more on the subject:
- How To Master Psychometric Tests
By Mark Parkinson, PhD (Kogan Page)
This text aims to prepare the reader for taking psychometric tests and to provide an understanding of what to expect. - How To Succeed In Psychometric Tests
By David Cohen (Sheldon Press)
This text explains what psychometric tests are and how best to approach them. - Psychometric Testing
By Gareth Lewis, Gene Crozier (Hodder & Stoughton General)
An explanation of the nature of psychometric tests and how to use them.
Source: Sunday Times
