Social Profiling on Aps (or why I'm such a liar)

[madphilb]

I've been filling out aplications, and many of them are electronic now.

The latest thing (for several years now) is the whole social profiling thing, where they ask you a bunch of questions to weed out those who would not work best in the jobs (i.e. - anti-social people getting jobs as customer service people).

The problem is that I where to answer totally truthfully, I'd never get a job anywhere.

It's not that I'm a bad person or anything, but most of the jobs I'm qualified to get that are available are usually in retail, dealing with people, and frankly, I'm not a big people person (in fact I've gotten to almost feel a bit Phobic about crowds in the last year).

So, this is for all us liars who "bend the truth" when answering those questions, even though they tell you there are no "right" or "wrong" answers, there are those that are more right than others.

Or maybe I'm just alone on this one.

[cbwing0]

I agree with you. The "right" answer is usually pretty obvious on the various personality tests; so you could essentially come out as any type that you wished as long as you know how the test was scored. I don't know about the rest of you, but I find myself to be particularly adept at figuring out the preferred answers on these things.

The important thing to keep in mind is that in most interview/application situations, you can never let your guard down, because all of your actions are being scrutinized by the interviewer. For example, if they take you out to lunch after the formal interview, that is also probably part of the interview.

The problem is that I where to answer totally truthfully, I'd never get a job anywhere.

I know how you feel. Honest introversion can be a real disablility when it comes to jobs and social situations. I was recently offered an internship that required a great deal of interpersonal skills. I surprised myself with the level of interpersonal skills that I displayed during the interview, and I was accepted into the program. The weird thing is, about a month later, I realized that I didn't want the position. If I had to spend my day talking with people about subjects for which I care not at all, I would be completely miserable. As a result, I will probably take another job instead.

So, this is for all us liars who "bend the truth" when answering those questions, even though they tell you there are no "right" or "wrong" answers, there are those that are more right than others.

In my case it is not so much lying as choosing which aspects of my personality to emphasize at a given time. In other words, sometimes I don't feel like talking to anyone, while at other times I am very sociable. Granted, the "reserved" side of my personality is the one that I show most of the time when I am around people I don't know very well, but I can be talkative if I feel like it.

The biggest load of garbage I ever heard was from an interviewer who told me that taking their job would improve my interpersonal skills by a tremendous degree, and that that was a reason for me to forego a position as a bible study leader in order to take their position. If they knew me at all, they would realize that I am going to choose serving God over serving man, and that my knowledge of the bible makes it easy for me to lead a bible study.

However, I am easy-going and polite, so I can very easily work as a cashier, customer service rep., etc. Unfortunately, I have a hard time doing things when I know that they could be done better or more easily. I don't always share these ideas, so I end up being annoyed with my boss when he/she tells me to do things that are relatively inefficient.

Anyway... (off). Sorry about that.

[Straylight]

I've been filling out aplications, and many of them are electronic now.

The latest thing (for several years now) is the whole social profiling thing, where they ask you a bunch of questions to weed out those who would not work best in the jobs (i.e. - anti-social people getting jobs as customer service people).

I once applied for a supermarket job and saw one of these forms. It had about 30 questions on it, with "yes", "not sure", and "no".

I decided not to take the job after seeing the form. I can't stand working for those big supermarket firms that try to "buy your soul" despite the fact that you are a student and actually have far greater priorities.

[Saint Kevin]

I know exactly what you mean. I once took a test like that at Best Buy, and they had a question along the lines of, "If someone were to steal a dollar from the cash register, should they be given a second chance?" Because I am commanded to forgive, I said yes. Best Buy, however, is very anti-theft (for good reason), and because of this question I failed the test. I later got the job at Best Buy, (by knowing how to take the test) but got fired for casually using a swear word with another employee (I'm not proud of the fact that I am a little rough around the edges, but self-control is this area is a lesson I really needed to learn, so I am not bitter about getting fired, I'm almost glad, in retrospect).

I also did not get a job at Cub Foods because I did not answer their questions "correctly." I also took a test at Michael's Art Supplies which I later learned was passed by simply giving strong yes or no answers, not maybe.

The whole thing makes me sick. These tests can't judge character, and actually punish people who are painfully honest about their shortcomings.

[EireWolf]

Ha! Yeah, I know about these pointless tests... I had to take one when I applied to Aaron Brothers. The test recommended that I NOT be hired... pretty much because I'm not a pushy salesperson. The manager who interviewed me decided to hire me anyway. It's true that I'm a bad salesperson, but I was actually one of their best workers when it came to framing.... until I left because the district manager was...

Well, I'd better just stop there so I don't get

Let's just say that if I can help it, I will never work for a corporation again. *walks away muttering something about soulless vultures*