jobseekers made to carry out bogus psychometric tests

[estellyn]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/apr/30/jobseekers-bogus-psychometric-tests-unemployed

[citizenB]

Unemployed people are told they risk losing benefits if they fail to carry out meaningless questionnaire

 

 

Jobseekers are being made to complete bogus psychometric tests by the Department for Work and Pensions – and told that in some cases they risk losing their benefits if they do not complete the meaningless online questionnaire.

 

The test called My Strengths, devised by Downing Street's behavioural insights or "nudge" unit, has been exposed by bloggers as a sham with results having no relation to the answers given.

 

Some of the 48 statements on the DWP test include: "I never go out of my way to visit museums," and: "I have not created anything of beauty in the last year." People are asked to grade their answers from "very much like me" to "very much unlike me".

 

 

 

 

When those being tested complete the official online questionnaire, they are assigned a set of five positive "strengths" including "love of learning" and "curiosity" and "originality".

 

However, those taking the supposed psychological survey have found that by clicking on the same answer repeatedly, users will get the same set of personality results as those entering a completely opposite set of answers.

 

[citizenB]

You couldn't make it up could you? Presumably this has been dreamt up by another Quango at Tax payer expense !

[Mr.P]

I suspect the questionnaire was set up by the same muppets that do the ones used by A4e...

 

Strength 1. Fairness

Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance.

 

Strength 2. Social Intelligence

You are aware of the motives and feelings of other people. You know what to do to fit in to different social situations, and you know what to do to put others at ease.

 

Strength 3. Curiosity

You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.

 

Strength 4. Originality

Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible.

 

Strength 5. Perspective

Although you may not think of yourself as wise, your friends hold this view of you. They value your advice on matters. You have a way of looking at the world that makes sense to others and to yourself.

Forty-eight questions, one per web page ffs... At least it isn't as tedious as the 107 questions by aforementioned A4numpties.

 

Oh, and as for the "results" above - Cobblers.

 

1. Fairness - You p*** me off, and I'll nail your testicles to the wall.
   
2. Social Intelligence - I can spot a well oiled weasel and know when best to avoid it.
   
3. Curiosity - Sure, I'll ask questions, but only to expose your ignorance.
   
4. Originality - Yup. Plenty of new ways to skin a cat.
   
5. Perspective - I have a wisdom grounded in years of dealing with numpties. Your point is ?
   

Next !

[id6052]

I am sorry, but was bored so thought I would have a go...

 

Strength 1. Originality

Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are.

You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible.

 

Strength 2. Perspective

Although you may not think of yourself as wise, your friends hold this view of you.

They value your advice on matters.

You have a way of looking at the world that makes sense to others and to yourself.

 

Strength 3. Bravery

You are a courageous person who does not shrink from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain.

You speak up for what is right even if there is opposition.

You act on your convictions.

 

Strength 4. Fairness

Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles.

You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people.

You give everyone a chance.

 

Strength 5. Teamwork

You excel as a member of a group.

You are a loyal and dedicated teammate, you always do your share, and you work hard for the success of your group.

It gives me such a lovely warm feeling inside, that I feel empowered now to go out and climb Mount Everest

[jasta11]

I had a job interview where all the candidates had to do a psychometric test; never done one before but took me about 5 seconds to realise that you don't give true answers, just the ones the employers want to hear. If a question mentioned 'team working' then I was the ultimate team worker and so on..and so on.

 

I got the results by post a week later, saying I was a a great team worker (I'm not - I distrust people) and was willing to go that extra mile (I'm not - and if I did I'd want paying) and that I was a good leader and motivator (I'm not - I see it all as just a job, nothing more or less).

 

They used a private company to do the testing, so God knows how much it cost them to read my - and others - pack of lies...and yes, I was offered the job too!

[Mr.P]

You couldn't make it up could you? Presumably this has been dreamt up by another Quango at Tax payer expense !

 

It looks like someone has been asking questions: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/efficacy_and_cost_of_my_strength

 

Based on the limited sample of respondents in this thread, the results of this test are of dubious quality (i.e. A complete waste of time/money).

[Nystagmite]

Erm, a lot of the questions sound like they come from the various questionnaires used to help diagnose people with Autism...

[pitcher]

I am sorry, but was bored so thought I would have a go...

 

It gives me such a lovely warm feeling inside, that I feel empowered now to go out and climb Mount Everest

You might want to try box hill first. lets not get too brave!

pitcher

Edited April 30, 2013 by pitcher

[jasta11]

No doubt the DWP will try other pseudo-scientific methods to gauge our suitability for work..such as reading our palms, Phrenology (studying the bumps on a person's head) and what about good old astrology too? They're all as reliable as psychometric testing.

 

Imagine the conversations at the jobcentre..

 

'I didn't get that job I applied for because I'm a Gemini and the boss was a Libran - everyone knows that's just not compatible. Also Saturn was in ascendancy on the 28th anyway so that pretty much wrecked the interview. I didn't get the other job either as when the interviewer read my palm he thought my Line of Life was a bit on the short side so it wasn't worth hiring me long term'.

 

'I saw a job on UJ yesterday but when I consulted the tarot I turned up the Hanged Man card, then the Death card - so that's the reason I've put for not applying'

[stikky62]

I was bored so I had a go too.

I didn't bother reading the questions, I just ticked 'very much unlike me' for everything.

 

Strength 1. Fairness

Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance.

 

Strength 2. Curiosity

You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.

 

Strength 3. Critical Thinking

Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who you are. You do not jump to conclusions, and you rely only on solid evidence to make your decisions. You are able to change your mind.

 

Strength 4. Originality

Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible.

 

Strength 5. Social Intelligence

You are aware of the motives and feelings of other people. You know what to do to fit in to different social situations, and you know what to do to put others at ease.

 

Not bad eh?...lol

[pitcher]

.. Phrenology (studying the bumps on a person's head)

Karl Marx w as a big fan of Phrenology and look what it did for him. The Tarot? don't get me started.

I like your joke but a lot of people will have to go through this s**t and what of them? It's not fair, it's not right and some will fall (fail). what about them? Ans.... on a post card.

my best

pitcher

[jasta11]

Well, the psychometric test I did didn't really have any 'wrong' answers - which made me wonder what the point of it all was in the first place! It's really more to find out what type of person you are. For instance, if you said you weren't a team player then it just said 'you are an independant person who can work on their own', which is also no bad thing.

 

The stupid thing was, I still had to have a normal interview after all this rubbish was over. I assume the company picked out the recruits who gave the answers they wanted to hear. but I'd hate to base my recruiting process on rubbish like this which can easily be manipulated and falsified.

 

I believe this sort of thing started in the USA - over there they probably want a report from your psychologist too, plus handwriting analysis to make sure you aren't going to go berserk in the office one day.

[Mr.P]

Well, the psychometric test I did didn't really have any 'wrong' answers - which made me wonder what the point of it all was in the first place! It's really more to find out what type of person you are.

 

A while back, I took advantage of a course run by the local university where I did one of these psychometric tests (a real one). When done well, they can help to identify traits or characteristics that a potential employer is looking for. As part of the recruitment process for (some) jobs, it can be worthwhile - Indeed, the results from my test were pretty accurate.

 

As for this "My Strengths" test, it is nothing more than another dose of snake oil or worthless publicity stunt. If I had been compelled to do this one, derision and scorn would have been heaped on the "adviser".

[pitcher]

Hi,

anyone reading this thread now (May1, 22.20), might like to tune in to LBC radio it's also online The show is about the psychometric rubbish and so far it's been ripped to bits. You might even like to phone in and give your point of view!

pitcher

Edited May 1, 2013 by pitcher

[pitcher]

Show is over but LBC have a podcast download. It was a good broadcast, I ask any one who is interested, find it online. It showed the WPD for what is.

Worth a ear full.

my best,

pitcher

[san_d]

If there is a test the DWP should force on their victims, it should be this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22000973

[citizenB]

Oh lordy.. in which case I am doomed if the Liberals get in on their own !!

 

Result: the class group you most closely match is:

 

 

Established middle class

 

This is the most gregarious and the second wealthiest of all the class groups. According to the Great British Class Survey results, lots of people in this group:

• Enjoy a diverse range of cultural activities
  
• Went to university
  
• Are comfortably off, secure and established
  

[antone]

Oh lordy.. in which case I am doomed if the Liberals get in on their own !!

 

Result: the class group you most closely match is:

 

 

 

Established middle class

 

This is the most gregarious and the second wealthiest of all the class groups. According to the Great British Class Survey results, lots of people in this group:

 

• Enjoy a diverse range of cultural activities
  
• Went to university
  
• Are comfortably off, secure and established
  

 

Yeah. On that test I'm an Emergent Service Worker, which basically means I'm clever, cultured and broke. It's uncanny.

[impecunious]

Signed on again today! Asked adviser about psychometric testing -- she didn't know anything about it.

 

Imp

[Mr.P]

Oh dear Pooh Bear, it gets even worse.... http://skwalker1964.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/breaking-dwp-unit-used-seligmans-test-without-permission/

 

(Gleaned from one of the comments underneath the Guardian article).

[jasta11]

I'd like to see how the DWP will cover up this one! Theft, breach of copyright, breaking of EU rules, using personal data unlawfully, etc

 

..there must be huge bulge in that carpet with everything being swept under it.

Edited May 3, 2013 by jasta11

[pitcher]

Yeah. On that test I'm an Emergent Service Worker, which basically means I'm clever, cultured and broke. It's uncanny.

I came out with the same result. Not even close, in my case. A bit of fun? yeah. Nothing to do with truth at all! I'm broke but I make no claims to being clever or cultured at all!

[RaeUK]

I have plenty of culture. Unfortunately it's growing on my walls ...

[pitcher]

I have plenty of culture. Unfortunately it's growing on my walls ...

You think you got problems? I got culture under my finger nails.

Sorry to gross you out but some of us are just doomed.

my best

pitcher

Edit: Please don't even think about the toe nails!

Edited May 4, 2013 by pitcher