Help with Tesco job application form please

[Piff]

Number 2 son (17 year old) is trying to get an evening/weekend job at the local Tesco’s – shelf stacking, etc. to earn money for driving lessons.
However, for any job at Tesco, he has to fill in a full application form including a questionnaire titled “More about you”
This is a page of 16 multiple choice questions. I’ll list the first 4 to give you an idea:

1 I am the sort of person who........
a gives support to other people
b negotiates with others
c is able to problem solve
d speaks clearly

2 I am the sort of person who.......
a Talks open and honestly with other people
b asks relevant questions
c talks clearly to others
d is interested in the company being successful

3 I am the sort of person who......
a is a good team builder
b is able to encourage others
c gets good results
d can be relied on by others

4 I am the sort of person who.......
a works hard to meet others needs
b maintains very high standards of work
c keeps my commitments to others
d learns new things quickly

Now, here is the difficult bit. For each question he is required to give 2 answers – “least often” and “most often”

It wouldn’t be too difficult to pick a “most often” answer to each question but the “least often” answer has got us stumped.

Does anyone have experience of these type of application forms and what sort of “least often” answers are they looking for?

 

[renault12ts]

Best not too think about it. Read the question and give the answers promptly and honestly. There is no right nor wrong.

 

[Ajenks]

The question are written so you have to decide which is the one you least objection to, for instance most people going for a job would not say DO NOT learn thing quickly

But given the options in the last question it looks like a good choice for a "least" response

 

[christopherwk]

Not sure if this will help but when I applied for M&S years ago, they took you around the store and you had to explain to the interviewer everything you noticed. I mentioned things like the decor, the way the products are stacked on the shelves.

I didn't get the job becuase I didn't mention anything about the customers! Obviously customer service is important, so it's probably worthwhile to bear that in mind in answering your questionnaire. Looking at the answers in your post I think they just want to see the sort of person your son is (i.e.able to solve problems independently/organised/methodical etc), I don't think he'll not get the job by giving the "wrong" answers?

Needless to say, I got a job at Halfords instead and was there for almost 4 years!

 

[Mudster]

This is basic phsycometric testing, the art with these is not to second guess how you think they would like it answered, just simply answer it.

 

[Dryce]

This is basic phsycometric testing,

LOL.

I'll sell my Tesco shares if they're up to this nonsense.

I wonder how much they're shelling out for the tests.

 

[Piff]

Only thing is, many of the questions don't deserve a "least often" answer as he is likely to be positive about all options.

 

[timskemp]

In the 16 questions are the opportunities to contradict other answers? If so then the tet is more one of honesty than quality, so just answer them as honestly as possible. Inconsistency in the results could end up being bad.

 

[tim.100]

LOL.

I'll sell my Tesco shares if they're up to this nonsense.

I wonder how much they're shelling out for the tests.

Tragically every company in the FTSE 350 plus will be using such tests, to introduce 'science' into the selection process and dress it up as fair. Dare I say an HR failure?

My preference as an employer is at least two good honest interviews with a probationary period. Support in law for a balance of rights between candidates and employers would be good!

 

[tim.100]

This is basic phsycometric testing, the art with these is not to second guess how you think they would like it answered, just simply answer it.

Seconded.

 

[AntJC]

After my Son picked up his application a couple of years ago he was told that the tests were there to bring out those individuals that can naturally demonstrate a strong team work ethic, and that is what Tesco are looking for, even for part time employees.
He had a quick scan of the questions and then just answered them as honesty as he could.

 

[IBN]

I had to take a phsycometric test for a job a few years ago.

One of the questions was "My best friend is ..............."

I responded "my cat"

Didn't get the job (....didn't want it anyway) but had to endure (waste) an hour of "grilling" by an amateur shrink who tried to get to the bottom of my deep-seated affection for pussycats.

 

[Dryce]

Tesco are looking for, even for part time employees.
He had a quick scan of the questions and then just answered them as honesty as he could.

Which is all you can really do.

I remember these sorts of tests being used in a company I worked for 15 years ago. The headcase MD wanted all the staff tested.

My view at the end of the day is that they are actually a useful discussion point to get people to think about themselves if used for fun in group sessions.

But beyond that it's not much better than graphology, palmistry, or tea leaves.

One of the interesting things we found was that people do start to figure the tests if they get feedback on how they measured and this skews their approach to future tests.

 

[jaymanek]

I have done tons of these tests when i was applying for jobs.. i normally did quite well at them... If im honest I would disagree with the above.. if you want to get through you DO have to think about what the employer will be looking for.. and you have to do it quickly!

1 I am the sort of person who........
a gives support to other people - MO
d speaks clearly - LO

2 I am the sort of person who.......
a Talks open and honestly with other people - MO
c talks clearly to others - LO

3 I am the sort of person who......
a is a good team builder - LO
d can be relied on by others - MO

4 I am the sort of person who.......
a works hard to meet others needs - LO
b maintains very high standards of work - MO


My answers are based on a shelf stacking job at tescos...
if it were a role in an investment bank the answers would have to be entirely different.

The answers will give them a silly colourful chart that will supposedly sum up the persons soft skills and then match them to the job in question with a percentage score.

 

[st4]

In the 16 questions are the opportunities to contradict other answers? If so then the tet is more one of honesty than quality, so just answer them as honestly as possible. Inconsistency in the results could end up being bad.

There is, I applied for a job with RBS, 50 questions, fairly crummy job to tide me over and half of them were the same but different wording. Its to assess integrity and consistency.

 

[st4]

My preference as an employer is at least two good honest interviews with a probationary period. Support in law for a balance of rights between candidates and employers would be good!

I never had an interview to join my place (wont disclose publically who they are but a major UK bank) as was hired as a temp thru an agency, got kept on and on, the bad ones fired, the good ones kept and was given help by team leader to apply for a permanent job (which I got with one interview) and here I am.

Probationary period works well, can see what the person can do, interviews, specifically compentency based ones allow for manipulation of events by the candidate to potray them in the way they like to be seen, not the way they are. Got my 1st job with one interview, but they knew me as did summer work in there from school age onwards. Best way IMHO is to get to see the person work, before they are hired. Temps/agency staff, interns etc all facilitate this.

 

[wemorgan]

My type of engineering is quite specialised, so most of the jobs I have been offered were via a personal recommendation and then an informal interview. I think that's a good system for small companies, but accept that these psychometric tests do help in larger organisations.

 

[st4]

My type of engineering is quite specialised, so most of the jobs I have been offered were via a personal recommendation and then an informal interview. I think that's a good system for small companies, but accept that these psychometric tests do help in larger organisations.

Nicely OT now anyway so can I ask, how is the contract going?

 

[Howard]

My wife works for the UK's leading psychometric testing company ..... it is BIG business ....

 

[Dryce]

..... it is BIG business ....

So are anti-aging products, homeopathy, and the fashion industry.

And I wonder which banks used these tests as part of staff selection process over the last 10 years .....