5 tips to prepare for a recruitment test

Job interview with a recruitment test coming up? Here are our tips to approach this phase with confidence.

You've landed a job interview, but it comes with a test? No worries, tests are now common in recruitment processes. They serve as a complementary tool to the information gathered during the interview, helping to reinforce the recruiter's decision-making process. Recruitment tests are by no means exams and are not designed to trick you. Their purpose is to present your skills, hard skills, and soft skills as accurately as possible to ensure your profile aligns perfectly with the job description and the company culture. Revealing "who you are", it might seem tricky to practice for recruitment tests... However, there are a few tips to approach them calmly. In this article, we give you 5 tips to prepare for recruitment tests.

Find out what type of recruitment test you will be taking

There are many types of recruitment tests depending on whether the recruiter wants to check your technical skills or focus on your soft skills. It is generally agreed that there are 5 main categories of tests:

• skills tests, which validate that the candidate possesses the technical skills required for the job;
• personality tests, which evaluate your soft skills;
• psychometric tests, which measure your logical, numerical, and verbal reasoning abilities;
• cognitive ability tests, which evaluate your memory and attention span;
• situational judgment tests, which confront you with a real-life scenario through role-playing.

The Labor Code requires recruiters to inform you of the nature, procedures, and objectives of the test prior to the job interview, even if they are not obliged to name the specific test used. If the job posting does not specify, you have every right to ask what type of test you will be taking. That way, you'll know what to expect.

Practice online for reasoning, psychometric, and cognitive tests

The aspects explored by these tests generally fall into the following categories:

• logical reasoning (number sequences, domino patterns, etc.);
• numerical reasoning (solving problems, calculations);
• spatial reasoning (mental manipulation of 2D and 3D shapes);
• verbal skills (spelling, grammar, comprehension);
• memory work and information processing;
• attention span.

It is not your intelligence being tested, but both your answers and the way you approached the test: your reasoning process, as well as your personality. Therefore, intensive practice with logic exercises won't automatically guarantee you get the desired job.

However, it is reassuring to have an idea of the types of questions you will be asked. Feel free to take a look at the many logic, math, and psychometric tests available online. At the very least, this will allow you to get familiar with the format, build confidence, and learn to manage your time and focus.

Do some introspection before personality tests

While practicing for reasoning tests is possible, personality tests are a different story. Here, there are no right or wrong answers. Just answers that reflect who you are and shed light on how you work, your strengths, your soft skills, and your motivators. Our advice: take time for introspection before your job interview! Review your strengths and weaknesses, list examples of professional situations that showcased your skills, etc.

Taking a step back, knowing yourself better, and taking an objective look at your experience allows you to gain clarity, identify your career desires, and remain consistent during the personality test and the debriefing. Working on your self-confidence before the interview will allow you to talk about your weaknesses in a positive way.

Stay honest and authentic at all times

When taking a personality test, don't try to decipher the logic or mechanics of the test to alter the results. These tests consist of many questions (often over a hundred) with no connection to one another. They are designed so that results cannot be easily manipulated. Above all, it is the interpretation of the answers by an assessment professional and the debriefing interview with the candidate that give meaning to the test. We recommend choosing the first answer that comes to mind without hesitating, as honestly and spontaneously as possible. Finally, note that attempting to alter personality test results by answering insincerely is risky: the recruiter is looking for a team member who can perform the role and fit in with the existing team… It would also be a shame for you to join a company that isn't a good fit.

During a situational judgment test, keep a smile on your face, act naturally without overthinking, and pay attention to your body language. Show your professional self just as you are in real life!

Additionally, feel free to inform your recruiter if you have reading or writing difficulties, or if you have a disability that prevents you from taking certain tests. Your honesty will prevent misunderstandings and, depending on the situation, won't stop you from proving your technical skills. Take the opportunity, if applicable, to explain your enrollment in a refresher course using your CPF (Personal Training Account) or through another training scheme.

Learn to let go

Although they may seem formal and intimidating if you aren't used to them, recruitment tests are not designed to grade you or categorize applicants as "good" or "bad" candidates. There are simply people whose technical skills, abilities, and personality match the job requirements to varying degrees. Remember that the recruiter's goal is to ensure that the selected candidate can fulfill the role while fitting into the company culture.

Our final piece of advice: do your best, stress-free! Focus on being yourself while taking care with your answers and staying focused. Feel free to check out our 7 tips for a successful job interview. You'll find plenty of advice to be ready for the big day.

Are you looking for a job or a temporary assignment and need additional advice to prepare for recruitment tests? Contact your Actual advisor!