Taking a test for a job.

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Laser200, Aug 5, 2005.

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  1. Laser200

    Laser200 Guest

    I was recently asked to take a test for a job.

    I'm certified, licensed, and degreed with over 15 years of appropriate experience.

    Is it arrogant to tell them that I don't take tests for employment or is rude for them to ask?

    Does it defeat the purpose of having credentials if you need to prove yourself beyond ...

    1.) an accredited university degree?
    2.) a government license?
    3.) established certifications standards?
    4.) a proven track record?
    5.) all the above?
     
  2. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    What sort of job and what sort of test? I'm sure you have some right to be a bit miffed, considering all your education and experience, but I wouldn't go scream heck no at them either (unless yo've got several other job possibilities lined up) because then you'll blow your chances for that job for sure.
     
  3. qvatlanta

    qvatlanta New Member

    I routinely test all new hires at my office... the usefulness of tests really depends on what kind of qualifications are necessary and how the test is connected to them. For example, I heard at Google, when hiring computer scientists, they may ask you to start writing equations on a whiteboard. I wonder if that counts as a test or not.

    The tests at my office often have quite different results than what you would expect from reading the applicant's resume. Part of the rationale behind them is that they're very closely linked with what the applicant would do on the job every day. These are the kinds of tests that make a lot of sense and are a really useful part of the application process. There is even one test in which I ask people to test themselves, at home... and I explain that if they find it not just very difficult but completely impossible, they wouldn't like the job anyway. Plenty of people have called back and politely passed on the job after their self-test.

    On the other hand, if it's a test that's a total formality with no real connection to the job, I could see being insulted by it. I remember a long time ago I took one of those personality tests when I applied to work in a department store. It had true/false questions like "I like to steal things". What a stupid waste of time!
     
  4. PhD2B

    PhD2B Dazed and Confused

    I guess this depends on the type of test you are being required to take.

    If it's a urinalysis test - study hard.
     
  5. Mr. Engineer

    Mr. Engineer member

    Laser

    It is arrogant to assume that because you have all of the degrees and experience that you are qualified for any given position. I give a basic test in electronics and basic mechanics. I had a engineer from UCB with a MSEE fail to show me a simple NPN switch circuit. I had another simular person who couldn't show me the difference between a diode and capacitor.

    If you really know the information, then a test should be no sweat.

    Just my two.
     
  6. richtx

    richtx New Member

    Don't do it

    I work as a contract software engineer for Defense and found that in general the more that is required in the hiring process the lower the pay. I don't take tests, fill out lenghty skill surveys, reformat my resume, or anything else that wastes time. What I do is ask for and try to get the highest rate I can. If you want to take a test for the privilege of lower pay it's a free country! However do you really want to take a test from a ding-a-ling that thinks they can come up with a representative test that can accurately assess the skills of a well-rounded software engineering type?
    Move on!
     
  7. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    They get to do it if they want to do it.

    You get to refuse if you want to refuse.

    Can you pass the test? Do you want the job?

    Jack
     
  8. Laser200

    Laser200 Guest

    Good Topic for the forum

    Wow!

    I found a good topic. I believe it is as Richtx indicated.

    "It is probably a low paying job."

    My experience also supports that most low paying jobs ask for tests. After you take it, and pass it, you have so much time put in that you feel obligated to take the job. They should pay you to take it.

    Another big reason that I don't take tests is because there is no guarantee that it will be fair and appropriately laid out. I took a test from an employer several years ago and the pages were all blurred copies.

    The content was indiscernible.

    Another employer asked questions on the test that was subject to interpretation based on a particular point of view that may have more than one answer. The test was graded by an individual that had questionable abilities to interpret the answers.

    Another test asked question that were vague. I assume some employers purposely make their tests impossible to use against you as a tool of discounting your abilities.

    I'm not in a position that I need to subject my credentials to a test that maybe vague, blurred, and may have impossible questions.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 5, 2005
  9. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    OK. That seems clear enough. I don't mind saying that if someone were to ask me to take a test under those circumstances I'd just smile and leave.
    Jack
     
  10. Mr. Engineer

    Mr. Engineer member

    Wow - I wouldn't assume that richtx. the jobs in my range pay from 80-170K a year. We still test because what a person says or writes down doesn't necessarily equal what they can really do.

    We did hire a software guy in our group to work on automation issues. He had to write a simple program to turn on and off a couple of LED's (in assembly language - he had 10 years of experience - should easy to show). Most test are stupid because they are only meant to show the what basic skills you should have to get the job.

    I wouldn't work for the gov't myself - especially in the tech industry. Almost always low paying and they want to know to much personal information.

    If you prefer not to take the test, that is OK. I just write down "recommend not to hire - cannot follow simple instruction". So far no one has ever refused. My boss who is a PhD (chemE) put together an interesting test which asked the themodynamics of glass at a certain temperature. Something that only material scientists would know - even engineers with years of experience would probably not know. He did it to weed out the bullshitters. (the expectation was for the person to be honest and say "I don't know" -- KLA Tencor is famous for giving those types of tests)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 5, 2005

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