Personality & Profiling Tests: How to Politely Decline
Why some application assessments are not always beneficial and how to say “no” gracefully.
Views are my own.
The current job market is complicated and more and more companies are relying on additional tests for applicants.
On an October morning on the high-speed train to Berlin, two students were talking about friends’ job application experiences. Check out job board for expats if you’re interested in working in Germany.
The conversation shifted to application assessments and how friends quickly found out how to “hack” the system.
That’s because it’s very easy to see which answers are preferred and which don’t score so well. What’s the purpose then? Find out which fields you do NOT have to fill out in the application form.
What are personality tests?
Imbellus, ProfileTX… Assessment tests have many names and each format is different:
- Situational questions
- Object sorting
- Completing sentences
- Solving math problems
- Assessing general knowledge
- Utilize foreign languages
These are usually hard skills, decision-making patterns or logical thinking, such as McKinsey’s Imbellus games. At the same time, job titles and skills are constantly changing: How UX/UI designers became UX/AI designers.
While logic tests are somewhat more comparable, profiling tests primarily analyze the psychological characteristics of applicants in order to understand their behavior, motivation and personality.
There is strong criticism about this: they are often based on unclear, static benchmarks and can lead to biased ratings. The scientific nature of these methods is also open to debate. Applicants usually do NOT see their results, which further jeopardizes the transparency and fairness of these tests.
Recommendation: Always decline classic profiling tests such as ProfileXT! For other logic tests such as Imbellus, first weigh up whether the job is ultimately worth it.
Data protection is also quite a borderline area, as sensitive personal characteristics become visible. Are these even relevant for the job?
Why do companies use personality tests?
❌ Digital filters: Many companies only choose this method because they have to deal with a large number of applications. They hope that this will provide a filter, either with hard results or by the fact that some people don’t participate in the first place. This is particularly tricky if it is a ghost job that doesn’t actually exist.
❌ Quick decisions: They create benchmarks and with the idea to compare applicants objectively, putting you in a box next to others — often fully automized. Last but not least, many applicants today use AI, no matter if the companies want it or not. Yet if you reject it, your application process may be over. Make sure to also kindly decline extra work such as case studies and offer clever alternatives instead.
❌ Save costs & time: Everything takes place virtually without employees, pretty efficient for them. However, you invest a lot of precioius time and you may not get anywhere. Instead, courses like the one at UAL in London could help you get ahead professionally and are also open to students.
This time, often around an hour, is time that no one can ever get back.
You could use it more wisely by building your portfolio or by networking. Optimize your LinkedIn profile first to magically attract recruiters.
Application assessment: Say no in a friendly way
Remember that your time and your data belong to you.
If you don’t want to take such a test, you can decline it politely and professionally.
Template:
Hi [Recruiter],
Thank you for inviting me to the next round! While I truly appreciate the opportunity, I generally don’t participate in static assessments. As a [your role: professional/student], I don’t have the capacity to complete it.
However, I’d love to schedule another interview or portfolio review with you. Please find my availability below:
- [Date, Time Frame]
- [Date, Time Frame]
- [Date, Time Frame]
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
[Your Name]
Ultimately, honest feedback from applicants is very important, as this is the only way the company can improve. Applicants are often weeded out on the basis of their CV, so don’t fall for these 5 CV myths.
Application test: tips for your applications
💸 Beyond salary: You spend a lot of time at work. Of course, it’s important to be financially secure, but in the long term, much more counts. Your team, your managers and the corporate culture play a crucial role in your well-being, your success and your personal development.
🤖 You’re unique: Personality can’t be measured in rigid tests. There are so many qualities that become clear in a job interview or in everyday working life that cannot be captured purely by tests. Your soft skills, your creative thinking or how you work with others.
👀 Trust your instinct: Often you can already tell during the application process whether something really suits you. If you feel uncomfortable or have the feeling that the process is not really integrating you, think again.
🏆 Don’t be blinded: Big names and fancy titles aren’t everything. Even if a big company name sounds great and often represents a status symbol, a “big” company name is not necessarily the perfect place for you. Pay attention to how you can develop there and whether you feel part of the team.
🚫 You’re not a number: If a company is keen to get to know first through a personality test, this could be a sign that they are overlooking you as a person. If you therefore decide not to take a test, this may be the right step for you.
🌍 Embrace global opportunities: Sometimes, however, the effort is worth it: especially when it comes to your dream job or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, such as an international VIE Program in Singapore, Dubai or beyond.
If you already feel uncomfortable during the application process, this may be a sign that it’s not the right fit.
Finally, it’s a personal decision. Because sometimes it takes certain sacrifices to reach the next step in your career and have a top consulting firm on your resume, for example. Be sure to follow these consulting accounts from McKinsey, Bain and more on Instagram.
Not every team at every company is a good fit for you, and that’s okay.
Either way, there’s always a perfect match out there for you!
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💜 Feedback & Questions
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