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Personally, I love to take tests, but I'd be wary about working for anyone
who uses them in the way you describe. I'd want to know things like:
1. Why doesn't the recruiter want to first check your resume? Most employers
would prefer checking resumes to eliminate some inappropriate candidates
before using tests that cost the employer time and money.
2. Will the recruiter specify the software to be used for the tests?
3. Who will score your results -- a technical writer or the recruiter?
4. Will the recruiter tell you anything about the reader for whom the
directions are supposed to "make sense"?
5. Are the time limits relevant to the contract you're applying for, and if
so, how?
6. Assuming you do well on the tests, will you have an opportunity to ask
someone questions about the company?
If I were in this situation and the recruiter were unwilling to answer
questions of this nature (not necessarily these questions), I'd be even more
wary.
YMMV (for those searching for employment: Your *Mortgage* May Vary)
Dan Goldstein
-----Original Message-----
From: Michele Davis [mailto:michele -at- krautgrrl -dot- com]
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2003 1:30 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Tests for a Contract TWing Opp.
Hi. Has anyone run into timed tests from recruiters before the client
company will even look at your resume? I've never taken a test like this
and it makes me nervous, especially because it's timed, which means to
me that the company has some bizarro requirement that they won't tell
you about.
The tests are:
1) You get the description of a product, with directions. You have to edit
and write directions that make sense to the reader. 1/2 hour timed.
2) Instructions and creation of a simple flow chart. 1 hour timed.
Essentially they are to access you thinking/processing or the information
and ability to write it into an understandable format.
I hesitate to take these tests just for principle sake, but I'm not
sure. Any opinions oh whirlers?
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