Tackling Psychometric Tests at Interviews
A look at how to approach this type of examination when applying for new jobs or a promotion with your current employer.
Interviewing for a new position can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when it is for a job that you have wanted for some time. For this reason, many people put a lot of effort into preparing for interviews and will spend a considerable amount of time researching the company that is advertising the vacancy for which they have applied, so that they can impress them with their knowledge of the organisation and enthusiasm for the work that they do. However, many employers are utilising aptitude tests to filter candidates these days, so you need to prepare for these as well.
It might seem that there is no point in preparing for such a test, as if you cannot pass then presumably, you are unsuitable for the position for which you are interviewing. The problem with this way of thinking is that many of your competitors in the job market have no such qualms and will have spent hours honing their skills to ensure that they obtain a high score. If you are facing psychometric tests in the near future, it might be a good idea to follow their example and get in touch with a company that can help you to perform to the best of your abilities.
There are a number of organisations that focus on helping people to do well on these examinations and they use a variety of tools to help each person improve. Practice tests are a popular and relatively inexpensive method to work on your technique and ensure that you do not fall flat on your face at the first hurdle, so these are well worth investigating. Online training webinars are another option and one that may be more suitable for those who like to be able to ask questions and receive instant answers when learning a new skill.
Whether the job that you are interviewing for requires strong numerical, verbal or abstract reasoning skills, it should be possible for you to learn how to demonstrate your proficiency in these areas by practising in advance. Whilst there is little point in trying to land a position for which you are totally unsuitable, there is no harm in sharpening your skills before attending an interview for a job you know that you can do well.