Agent asking the candidate to appear for Online Test

[NewWorld123]

Has anyone come across this situation?

An agent asking the candidate to appear for online skills test. It appears that, once the test is completed, the result will directly go the Agent.

[BolshieBastard]

Have you got ISEB \ ISTQB?

If so tell 'em to feck off as you have industry recognised qualifications.

Oh, and name and shame the agent!

[TykeMerc]

I was asked to take an online skills assessment for a gig, I called the agent when I found it also contained personality assessment questions and politely declined the gig.

As I said in another thread I don't mind taking a simple tech test (although that's not relevant for me these days) but I won't do personality tests for a contract gig.

[tim123]

Have you got ISEB \ ISTQB?

If so tell 'em to flip off as you have industry recognised qualifications.

Oh, and name and shame the agent!

WTF are ISEB and ISTQB?

And why is this the agent's fault?

tim

[TykeMerc]

WTF are ISEB and ISTQB?

And why is this the agent's fault?

tim

It's very, very unlikely to be the agent asking for tests, in my experience it's always been the clients HR team and their standard approach to hiring staff.

[NewWorld123]

The Agent called and told that "Before the interview, you are required to take an online test. Will send you the link".

I thought client would send the Email, but I received the Email from the OnlineTesting company, it said that "xxx of xxx (Agency's name) registered you for this test. Here is your ID and Login for this online test."

The Agent has not so far sent any Email to me directly. He has only so far been speaking on phone (of course from an undisclosed number).

I have degree in computer science and also have professional certifications. I don't know if it is the standard practice for this client to ask the candidate to appear for online test.

[pmeswani]

Has anyone come across this situation?

An agent asking the candidate to appear for online skills test. It appears that, once the test is completed, the result will directly go the Agent.

Yes. And it was for a permie role. Despite being in ITSec for a few years (at the point of doing the test), the agency said at the end of the interviewing process.... "You not good at ITSec or IT in general... so what are you good at then?". Am still in ITSEC for a few years later... so it just goes to show that tests do not prove much.

[Ashwin2007]

it just goes to show that tests do not prove much.

I agree pmeswani.

I recently took an online test, and repeated the same within the day.
Some areas the first test has shown (in the result) has "stengths" got reversed in the second test. When I repeated again, the results came again differently. Each time the assessment in individual areas is different. Overall score remained more or less the same, though.

[cojak]

I was asked to take an online skills assessment for a gig, I called the agent when I found it also contained personality assessment questions and politely declined the gig.

As I said in another thread I don't mind taking a simple tech test (although that's not relevant for me these days) but I won't do personality tests for a contract gig.

What Tyke said with bells on...

This is an HR initiative for permies - I'd dump the contract rather that do one of those tossy things for a contract - they can dump me after a week if they don't think I'm a good 'fit'.

(ISEB = Information Systems Examination Board; ISTQB = International Software Testing Qualifications Board)

Actually this a fundamental reason why I'll not go back to Permiedom again. I fundamentally disagree witht he effectiveness of finding the best person for the job with these tests. - and that's from an HR perspective...

It's lazy and takes the responsibility of effective recruitment away from sub-standard HR staff.

[pmeswani]

I agree pmeswani.

I recently took an online test, and repeated the same within the day.
Some areas the first test has shown (in the result) has "stengths" got reversed in the second test. When I repeated again, the results came again differently. Each time the assessment in individual areas is different. Overall score remained more or less the same, though.

Ironic as it may sound, I would still do the test, just to go through the motions. I have little to prove in terms of what I can offer in terms of technical knowledge. If I don't know it...then I don't know it. If I show the ability to learn and gain knowledge then I will express that. If the company is looking for total geeks with no personality, then I am not their chosen candidate. I often get the jobs based on how I come across as opposed to tests alone.