Part 4— The Job HuntPart 4— The Job Hunt

Chapter 17Chapter 17

Taking Taking Preemployment Preemployment

TestsTests

Chapter ObjectivesChapter Objectives

ExplainExplain why employers give why employers give preemployment tests.preemployment tests.

DescribeDescribe the types of preemployment the types of preemployment tests commonly given to prospective tests commonly given to prospective employees.employees.

PreparePrepare for preemployment tests. for preemployment tests.

Key ConceptsKey Concepts

Many employers will require applicants to Many employers will require applicants to take preemployment tests. Most of these take preemployment tests. Most of these tests do not have right or wrong answers.tests do not have right or wrong answers.

Being prepared for preemployment tests Being prepared for preemployment tests includes being well rested, having supplies includes being well rested, having supplies needed, and arriving at the test site early. needed, and arriving at the test site early.

Taking Preemployment Taking Preemployment TestsTests

Types of Types of preemployment preemployment tests include:tests include: Skill tests.Skill tests. Psychological tests.Psychological tests. Situational tests.Situational tests. Government tests.Government tests. Polygraph tests.Polygraph tests. Written honesty Written honesty

tests.tests. Medical exams.Medical exams.

Skill TestsSkill Tests

Skill tests: Skill tests: Analyze mental and physical Analyze mental and physical abilities.abilities.

Types of skill tests include:Types of skill tests include: Performance tests – check ability to operate tools Performance tests – check ability to operate tools

and machines.and machines. Written and oral tests – examine understanding of Written and oral tests – examine understanding of

practices or facts needed in the workplace.practices or facts needed in the workplace.

Psychological TestsPsychological Tests

Psychological test: Psychological test: A test that examines A test that examines your personality, character, and interests.your personality, character, and interests.

These tests are used to measure These tests are used to measure cooperation, assertiveness, adaptability, cooperation, assertiveness, adaptability, loyalty, honesty, and personal likes and loyalty, honesty, and personal likes and dislikes. dislikes.

Sometimes these tests are given to find Sometimes these tests are given to find out how well a person will adjust to the job out how well a person will adjust to the job and get along with others.and get along with others.

Situational TestsSituational Tests

Situational test: Situational test: A test A test thatthat examines the examines the ability of job ability of job applicants in a work applicants in a work setting similar to that setting similar to that of the job.of the job.

Skills, knowledge, and Skills, knowledge, and attitudes are observed attitudes are observed through these tests.through these tests.

Sometimes the Sometimes the applicant decides not applicant decides not to take the job after to take the job after experiencing the work.experiencing the work.

Government TestsGovernment Tests

The U.S. Government, the nation’s largest The U.S. Government, the nation’s largest employer, hires many people for civilian employer, hires many people for civilian and military jobs.and military jobs.

Two common government tests:Two common government tests: Civil service test.Civil service test. Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

(ASVAB).(ASVAB).

Civil Service TestCivil Service Test

Civil Service test: Civil Service test: An examination a person An examination a person may be required to take in applying for a may be required to take in applying for a government job.government job.

The testing process is designed to assure The testing process is designed to assure all U.S. citizens a fair chance at all U.S. citizens a fair chance at government jobs regardless of sex, race, government jobs regardless of sex, race, religion, and political influence.religion, and political influence.

Armed Services Vocational Armed Services Vocational Aptitude BatteryAptitude Battery

Armed Services Vocational Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery: Aptitude Battery: A test A test designed to measure designed to measure strengths, weaknesses, and strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future success.potential for future success.

Two versions are used by Two versions are used by military recruiters.military recruiters.

The ASVAB is a good The ASVAB is a good predictor of how a person predictor of how a person will perform in education, will perform in education, training, and work situations. training, and work situations.

Polygraph TestsPolygraph Tests

Polygraph test:Polygraph test: A test given with a A test given with a machine that measures and records machine that measures and records changes in a person’s blood pressure and changes in a person’s blood pressure and perspiration during questioning. Also perspiration during questioning. Also called a called a lie-detector testlie-detector test..

Most private employers are prohibited Most private employers are prohibited from using lie-detector tests.from using lie-detector tests.

Polygraph tests are strictly controlled Polygraph tests are strictly controlled under the Employee Polygraph Protection under the Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) of 1988.Act (EPPA) of 1988.

Written Honesty TestsWritten Honesty Tests

Honesty in the Honesty in the workplace may be workplace may be measured with a measured with a written honesty test. written honesty test. Overt honesty tests Overt honesty tests

ask questions about ask questions about specific situations.specific situations.

Others use subtle Others use subtle questions to identify questions to identify people who may act people who may act dishonestly. dishonestly.

These tests can be These tests can be given in every state.given in every state.

Medical ExaminationsMedical Examinations

Medical exams identify health problems that Medical exams identify health problems that could keep people from doing their jobs properly.could keep people from doing their jobs properly.

They also identify applicants who have health They also identify applicants who have health problems that could become liabilities.problems that could become liabilities.

Some employers have begun to use genetic Some employers have begun to use genetic testing to predict future problems.testing to predict future problems.

Physical Disabilities Physical Disabilities and the Screening and the Screening

ProcessProcess The Americans with The Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA):Disabilities Act (ADA): Prohibits discrimination of Prohibits discrimination of

people with disabilities who people with disabilities who are qualified for a job.are qualified for a job.

Requires employers to Requires employers to reasonably accommodate a reasonably accommodate a person with disabilities who person with disabilities who can perform on the job.can perform on the job.

Eliminates employers’ Eliminates employers’ attempts to screen out attempts to screen out individuals with disabilities individuals with disabilities during the interview during the interview process.process.

Drug TestingDrug Testing

Many employers require Many employers require drug testing as part of drug testing as part of the application process.the application process.

Drug use has led to Drug use has led to workplace accidents, workplace accidents, high absenteeism, high absenteeism, reduced productivity, reduced productivity, and high health costs.and high health costs.

Applicants with positive Applicants with positive results are usually not results are usually not hired because of the hired because of the effect of drugs on job effect of drugs on job performance.performance. continue

d

Drug TestingDrug Testing

To provide workers with a safe To provide workers with a safe environment, many employers have environment, many employers have started drug prevention programs.started drug prevention programs.

Some form of drug testing is usually Some form of drug testing is usually included, taking place periodically without included, taking place periodically without prior notice.prior notice.

Policies vary, but employees who test Policies vary, but employees who test positively could be suspended or positively could be suspended or dismissed.dismissed.

How to Take How to Take Preemployment TestsPreemployment Tests

To stay calm and composed at test time:To stay calm and composed at test time: Find out in advance what kind of test is being Find out in advance what kind of test is being

given.given. Get plenty of rest the night before.Get plenty of rest the night before. Take an extra pencil.Take an extra pencil. Arrive early.Arrive early. Ask questions.Ask questions. Do not spend too much time on one question.Do not spend too much time on one question. Have confidence in your ability.Have confidence in your ability.

Thinking BackThinking Back

Why do employers Why do employers give preemployment give preemployment tests?tests?

Describe the types of Describe the types of preemployment tests preemployment tests commonly given to commonly given to prospective prospective employees.employees.

How can you prepare How can you prepare for preemployment for preemployment tests?tests?