Cognitive Development Tests as part of interview - feel violated

I've had some really strange interviews where I end up talking to them on a meta-level and hypothesising and getting completely off the subject.

And there were some in which I just went 'I doubt whether this is going to work out, don't you think? I think you are really looking for someone more like xxxxx and not what you put in the job descrtion, because of [reason].' Followed by some kind of discussion with the interviewer(s). Then I'd leave on a cordial note and they'd end up thinking about what they were really looking for. 

But you have to remember not to be too perfect - just in case they spot you're taking the p***

Analysis is bliss ️

I used to do that. Quickly figure out who they wanted me to be, and very few saw through that.

Also those tests are so obvious. Like the same question comes up four times, twice negative, twice positively phrased.

I've done lots - the longest took almost a day - psychometric tests (multi-guess), interviews with HR, interviews with technical heads and then more technical exams - all for a fairly menial job developing clever hospital beds - some companies can't help themselves.

The problems is that the Aspie-me can see straight through the task so I will come across as the best thing since sliced bread - that mask allows me to then decide if I'm in over my head or not - it puts the decision ball into my court.

I didn't take that job.

No, I get what you mean.

It provides a framework to hold on to. And an easy way to say someone is not suited for the job.

Seriously??? I have never had to do those! Although I guess that role play acting part sounds somewhat similar

I think these things can be a useful guide - potentially in terms of self-awareness for the person themselves if nothing else.  But you should know what you're looking for and how to determine whether you're likely to have found it or not!

I think a lot of it is about abdicating responsibility to a 'scientific method' so if the new-hire turns out to be useless, they can blame something other than their own interviewing incompetence.

I'm a computer programmer so I interview for a lot of startups. They're very young and inexperienced and they tend to follow fads in recruitment and emulate American tech companies. Psychometric Testing is big in both tech and US banking - there's a lot of popscience literature about it by big names. Myers Briggs is also big in tech and finance so startups like it even tho I don't believe there's sufficient science behind it - the way people see it seems slightly religious to me? It's kind of a dogma that's pretty much universally accepted and the justification for many hiring practices is pinned to a framework around Myers-Briggs and 70s behavioural psychology coz they need some sort of framework to pin it on I guess? Does that make sense? Not sure if I'm expressing my opinion right here?

In psychometric tests I've done. There were number sequences,  pattern recognition problems,  etc.  These were selection exercises as part of the job interview. 

When I was examined by a psychiatrist as part of my autism diagnosis,  I was shown photographs and asked to tell them what I thought people in theses situations were doing or experiencing.  But these tests had nothing to-do with job interviews! 

Less like an IQ test - more like the actual tests I had when I was a kid to see if I was autistic! Imagining social situations and relationships and asking me to explain how I thought people were feeling

Yes me too. That psychometric test is like an intelligence test? With the diagrams and word sequences and calculations?

Oh, this is standard procedure for anyone wanting a recruitment position for the big interim agencies. At least in the Netherlands.

That psychological evaluation is always in there somewhere. Often disguised as 'role play', and if the psychologist doesn't really like you he makes your life quite difficult. Which he did.

After his oral evaluation It hinknI only asked how the hell people passed and if I could please leave now.

It was years ago and afterwards I actually got a report (like a 50 page booklet) with a detailed analysis. For free. Great. Thanks.

I'm confused.  

What is the difference between a cognitive development test.  And a psychometric test?

As part of job selection procedures, I have done several psychometric tests.  But I have never been questioned by a live psychologist. 

Yes, that is much worse than being given a test to do,  I agree - it may help your case that there is already a precedent set for psychometric tests being judged as discriminatory. I wonder if anyone knows of this  happening anywhere else? I have never heard of it except for national security jobs. 

They did not offer any evidence they were?

Yeah I feel my CV is the thing that shows if I'm qualified, but I think they've gone further than they're allowed - I haven't consented to any kind of medical examination and they're not allowed to assess my mental health right?

Were they qualified to perform the test?

The thing is it wasn't a psychometric test it was a full on psychological exam. I really feel violated!

It may not be anything you need to worry about - how well matched do you think you are to the job you're applying for?

These sorts of interview tests were fashionable last time I was doing the rounds 20 years ago - trying to make the employment process look 'scientific' and normally to justify the recruitment agency's outrageous fees.

If you were prepared, you can normally pass these primitive tests because they all biased looking for idiots who are prepared to work 24/7 for no money and eat, breathe and sh** company mantra and never want pay rises.

You can spot the question patterns when you've done a few. Your CV should really show if you're capable of the job.