I was talking to my sister in law today, and she mentioned that they were trying to hire a new accountant. They give all their applicants a Myers-Briggs personality test. She told me one girl tested as an ENFP, and she laughed saying "can you imagine an ENFP working as a tax accountant?"
Thing was, I couldn't. I'm an ENFP. And by the way, I do set some store in Myers-Briggs. I've found it to be very enlightening, and really helped me open my eyes about me and others around me.
I doubt an ENFP personality type would ever be happy as a tax accountant, but do you think it's okay to just automatically exclude people based on personality type?
I'm not really sure. Something tells me if we make this a common thing, we're going to get to a state where you are personality tested at entrance to college and then TOLD what you'll study, because you aren't suited for anything else.
That kind of squicks me.
Thoughts?
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Gah. Is the test administered by a qualified tester?
It's a personality test. Entirely based on theory. If an ENFP wants to be an accountant, let them.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I have no clue who gives it. I know that my mother gives them at her job, but she does so under the authority of a psychologist who IS a certified tester.
Man, I'd love to BE a tester. But, don't have the degree.
But an ENFP needs contact, needs people, doesn't thrive locked up in their office with no contact. So, chances are they'll be up, talking with others, and therefore less productive. That's the accounting firms position.
Sure, an ENFP can BE an accountant, but will they be as effective and productive as the ISTJ they just interviewed?
[ August 07, 2003, 08:40 PM: Message edited by: Belle ]
Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
I think it is a common thing. My husband didn't get a job because of one of those. He's a libra though, so they were probably right. Posted by littlemissattitude (Member # 4514) on :
I am completely against using these sorts of tests as part of any hiring process. I have lost more than one job, I am sure, because of them. For example, I applied for a job at Target one time, many years ago. About a week after I interviewed, I got a very curt letter telling me that I was not "the kind of person we are looking for."
Excuse me? Maybe they were looking for convicted felons. I don't know. I've never even had a parking ticket. I show up when I am scheduled to work, on time (usually early), do my work while I am there without whining and complaining, and I tend to get along with the people I work with, even those I don't personally like. I am polite to the customers (I didn't do anything untoward at another job, even when a customer started hitting me on the arm one time because she didn't like that I let her daughter pay for the purchase instead of taking her money) even when I don't feel good physically or emotionally.
That's not the kind of person they were looking for? They want rude people who can't make change, even when the register tells them what the change is? They like it when people show up late, or don't show up at all and don't even call in? They want employees who, when they can't answer a customer's question, just walk off and never even try to find out the answer or find another employee who does know the answer?
All I can figure is that they don't beleive that there really are people who were raised right, can behave themselves in public, and take job responsibilities seriously.
All right. That's enough of a rant. I'm probably just bitter because I've been looking for a job for over a year and can't find a blessed thing.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I am VEHEMENTLY opposed to personality testing for job applicants, in the same way that I'm opposed to asking applicants a series of logic puzzles, demanding that they dance for one's amusement, or pinching their bodies to test for firmness.
Posted by Alucard... (Member # 4924) on :
I has a wise mentor once tell me that [our company] made a mistake in the hiring process about 50% of the time. At that time, I thought that was a bold, inaccurate statement. It wasn't until later that I found out the hard way that he was correct. It is these bitter people that will try anything to make sure the right person is hired. Too bad these systems are not as helpful as they proceed to be. I remember taking this test and cannot remember how I came out, although an ISTJ sounds about right.
If it helps, I told my last employer I planned on being the first pharmacist in space, and he didn't even pinch me for firmness...
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
*snort*
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
(hey alucard, I have a medication interaction question. what could happen when lithium and tetracycline are taken together?)
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
TomD: while I generally agree, there are cases where logic puzzles have proven a very effective method of hiring, such as at Microsoft.
Posted by asQmh (Member # 4590) on :
I was tested in college (INFJ) and found it fascinating. But I wouldn't want it to be the determining factor in whether I get a certain job or am accepted for a certain program.
I thought it was an interesting test, but because I tested only marginally either way (I scored nearly down the middle and they had to call it INFJ because I think my highest score was a 10 either way) . . .but my classification stands. I could just as easily perform like any of the 16 variants. My scores were near-center enough that to classify me as one of the 16 subsets is a little ludicrous; I share traits with many of the other combinations.
Having said that, though, it did help me identify some behaviour patterns I have that are particular to that classification, patterns I otherwise might have been unaware of.
So I dunno. Interesting, but I don't think it should be the final word.
Q.
Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
Food may enhance absorption/ decrease GI irritation. Excessive sodium chloride (salt) intake may decrease lithium levels and low salt intake may increase lithium levels. Caffeine may potentiate lithium tremors.
Lithium can cause dehydration and salt loss Take with food Maintain consistent salt intake Restrict caffeine intake Limit caffeine intake to one 8 oz. cup per day Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily
O_o
quote:Drug Interactions Other drugs may increase blood levels of lithium; consult your doctor for specific advice if you are taking another medicine for mental illness, a diuretic, medicine for pain or inflammation (especially NSAIDs), tetracycline, metronidazole, or ACE inhibitors. Some drugs lower blood levels of lithium; consult your doctor for advice if you are taking theophylline, caffeine, or acetazolamide.
Oh, for the love of pete. Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
Sorry. Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
s'okay. It just seems that it wasn't JUST the lithium+tetracycline, but also my caffeine intake, and taking bextra (prescription NSAID).
*bangs head on desk*
NO WONDER I WAS SICK. And still am sick. Just not AS sick.
*tremory*
o_O
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
quote:...pinching their bodies to test for firmness.
So squeezing them for juicyness is probably right out then, too.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Sauciness, on the other hand...
*squeezes Ralphie*
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
I just took one of these tests, I tested ENTJ to the extreme, barely answered outside of those categories. what that means? i have no idea. i put no stock into personality tests like that.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
It means you're a whack-job. Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I am totally caught up in and fascinated by this. Mainly, because it made such a huge impact on our marriage. We had the testing done at a church marriage retreat, and both of us had our eyes really opened.
Through the discussion of the differences in personality, we were able to find out that a lot of the stuff that bothers us about each other, are due to us being almost total opposites in personality type, and not because we were purposely trying to irritate each other.
Now, I don't get offended when he leaves me a detailed list of everything he wants me to do that day. (for his business, he doesn't dictate what I do around the house, though I'm sure he'd like to ) I know it's just his nature to make lists and check them off. Whereas he's struggling to understand that it's my nature just to jump in the car and start driving and figure out what I need to do on the way.
Of course, he is trying to accomodate my ENFP need to view everything emotionally. In his latest list, the bottom read:
"P.S. Do these things only if you FEEL up to them. Call me frequently for words of affirmation."
He's so cool.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I had to take some sort of test when I was applying to work at Duane Reade. I reckon they must have thought I was ornery or something. I fail to see how tests like that can be perfectly accurate.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
HAHAHAHAHA
Belle, I'm still a big Wes-fan. Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
quote:Call me frequently for words of affirmation
LOL Belle, that's the best thing I read all day.
Posted by LadyDove (Member # 3000) on :
I'd never taken one before, but this says I'm an ENFJ and the description seems pretty accurate.
We don't use these tests in our company. I think they'd be interesting and may help with developing the questions for the applicant and his/her references, but really shouldn't be used as a stand-alone deciding factor.
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
Harding U. gave the Honors Scholars (including myself) this test...I came out as INTP, but both the N and P were equivocal. Subsequent testing suggests the N is correct but that I really am about even between P & J.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Am I the only INFP here? Posted by xnera (Member # 187) on :
Nope. I'm INFP, too.
I don't agree with giving prospective employees a personality test. While I do think they are helpful in learning how to communicate with one another, I don't think a person should be turned down for a job strictly on their MBTI type. People of all personality types do all sorts of jobs, but they do it for different reasons. In our example of accounting, a Sensing type would be drawn to it because they like the order and detail it requires. But an iNuitive type might choose to go into accounting because they can see the overall picture and now various numbers and data relate to one another.
Posted by suntranafs (Member # 3318) on :
I agree with Monsieur Davidson. Personality tests on paper are complete garbage. At least insofar as this goes. I do think it's perfectly alright not to hire someone if you just don't like them on a personal level
[ August 10, 2003, 02:11 AM: Message edited by: suntranafs ]
Posted by Tristan (Member # 1670) on :
What about cheating? I am generally rather on the introvert end of the scale, but it isn't exactly rocket science to figure out that people who are looking for e.g. a salesman want an extrovert and adjust your answers accordingly.
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