Psychometric tests in the job application process

A year ago I had read a research which used UK's statistics as an estimation for the western world. The researches found that out of top 100 firms , 80% percents used psychometric exams as a tool for selecting workers. 

I'm not aware of any published statistics, but I'm highly suspicious of that 80% figure in the other reply. Skills testing may be common for some technical positions to verify that you have the abilities you claim to have, but that is *not* psychometric testing. Since there is so little evidence that personality factors predict job success in any way, I'm guessing that the likelihood that you'd encounter psychometric testing in North America is fairly low. And, even if it were used, it's unlikely that it would be used routinely across all positions. I can't imagine a candidate for a CEO or VP position being subjected to psychometrics. As for your second question, an employer would never request that you get your own testing done and submit your scores as part of your CV. There are many personality and intelligence tests out there, so if the company did include psychometrics as part of the recruiting process, it would likely be done on their premises using a standard test of their choosing.

These Tests are being used more as companies and organizations compete to recruit the most appropriate new employees. Despite the fact that many candidates abhor filling in these career questionnaires, the prospective employers are using Personality Tests or Psychometric Questionnaires to produce the sort of meaningful personal profile that will help them to get the right person.

By this they are attempting to use personality psychology and job tests to understand the individual's personality and job aptitude.

This means that if you have not already experienced a career test, you are increasingly likely to do so.

One thing you must remember when looking for a new job - and keep this in mind when asked to do a test - the most important attribute in a new employee is the ability to fit into the organization. So what they want is someone who in many ways is like they are .

This will help you sort out what Personality Tests are, which ones you might expect to come up against and what to do so you pass the test first time.

You are probably familiar with some of the names of the most popular career tests, psychometric questionnaires and assessments so you will recognize these names:

• Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ)
• Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
• 16PF (Sixteen Personality Factors)
• Personal Style Indicator (PSI)
• Personal Profile Analysis (PPA)
• McQuaig Word Survey
• People Maps Questionnaire
• and many others

As a Career Coach and Consultant, I have used many of these Personality Tests with my clients.

Get more about personality types at http://www.your-career-change.com/personality-type.html