[Tabasco]

Dear all,

my question is: are there jobs for which I don't have to go to an assessment centre/ aptitude test? All these online and on-site tests really scare me. Actually, it's just the numerical part to be honest. I know I will suck at it... the other stuff (verbal, group exercise etc.) I wouldn't have a problem with.

So my question: which jobs don't require all these tests? Is it true that only graduate/entry level positions require such tests? How would you proceed if you under no circumstance wanted to take such tests but still wanted a good job in business and IT?

My quick info: MSc business management & IT graduate in september 2012. 3 years part time work experience. 1 year full time (operation manager). 2 business & IT internships. had own internet startup. current age 23.

Maybe with such a CV there is any way to skip all those tests?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Tabasco

[makaveli33]

(Original post by Tabasco)
Dear all,

my question is: are there jobs for which I don't have to go to an assessment centre/ aptitude test? All these online and on-site tests really scare me. Actually, it's just the numerical part to be honest. I know I will suck at it... the other stuff (verbal, group exercise etc.) I wouldn't have a problem with.

So my question: which jobs don't require all these tests? Is it true that only graduate/entry level positions require such tests? How would you proceed if you under no circumstance wanted to take such tests but still wanted a good job in business and IT?

My quick info: MSc business management & IT graduate in september 2012. 3 years part time work experience. 1 year full time (operation manager). 2 business & IT internships. had own internet startup. current age 23.

Maybe with such a CV there is any way to skip all those tests?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Tabasco

If numerical ability is your weak point, ask the online course providers what material on Math they will test you on, then ask for sample course books or material to revise from, if they only have material you can search for explanations from books on how to do the material from what is stated.

Hope that makes sense and helps =).

Edit: It is best to test your numerical ability and revise it, if you skip it you will not have decision making skills or problem solving abilities at a strength for ICT.

[Tabasco]

Thanks for your reply. That's a good way to practice.

But I'm wondering what kind of jobs don't require all these entrance tests such as psychometric/ numerical/ verbal etc. I can imagine that jobs with smaller companies don't require such tests?

I'm trying to avoid it...

[makaveli33]

(Original post by Tabasco)
Thanks for your reply. That's a good way to practice.

But I'm wondering what kind of jobs don't require all these entrance tests such as psychometric/ numerical/ verbal etc. I can imagine that jobs with smaller companies don't require such tests?

I'm trying to avoid it...

Please in future, quote me, as only by coincidence I came back to this thread and noticed you replied, I would not have noticed you replied because you did not quote me. Thanks, anyway;

It is true, some companies do avoid it.

For instance, I was employed at a small interpreting service, they did not request anything, when I moved up the scale they request an online application form and qualification verification, I imagine if I moved up farther then I would have testing.

It all depends on what you want to do....

IT Technicians Assistants in small to medium companies, often do not need assessment, apart from quite often they want you to show them your qualifications as evidence and often in Medium corporations a Covering Letter is required or Application online.

ICT Tutors/Trainers in small companies, do not require much aptitude tests, apart from verification of qualifications and a demonstration you can train people.

You could do a Volunteer position, sometimes a CRB check is required in some jobs otherwise nothing.

You could work alongside a ICT repair company either very small or relatively small, or you could even work in PC World with IT experience to others, however PC World you will have competition (but it does not have aptitude tests, just practical proof that you can do a job and qualifications).

There are sooooooo many, you can even become an intern and get some experience in a medium company, however in large companies you would have have aptitude tests.

There is so much you can do, but ICT has its limits too, because from personal experience I cannot find many jobs with ICT, programming is Hot but ICT is quite less in demand, in my experience. As I imagine more people can do ICT and less people can do Programming.

I always see Technician jobs, or Server jobs available if you have interest in those, there may be many in your area, if you live in London or the South which is the "silicon valley" of England, then you can find a high quantity of IT or Computing jobs. Some Northern cities have IT and Computing jobs it depends on where you look, e.g. Manchester, Sheffield.

GL, Hope this helps!

[makaveli33]

I found something which you can do some reading on....

WikiHow Explanation on finding a Computer Job

Take some points from here, but ignore the part on Microsoft, Cisco certification as those require testing, but I think this might be useful in finding you a job as general advice.

Quoted from:

" Data Entry - This is a job just about anyone can get. You take information from a piece of paper and use it to fill out a form on the computer. Many old hands who started out in this role are now heading up computer departments.

Secretarial/Administrative - This position involves some basic office skills. Not only must you understand the basics of using your computer and a few applications, but you'll probably also be expected to take dictation, answer phones, type letters, and keep things organized. In terms of computer skills, you should know how to use word processing, accounting, and spreadsheet programs at the very least. People in this role often move into other computing roles such as Managers, Meeting Organizers and Human Resources. Naturally you can move into mainstream computing areas, particularly QA and Testing.

Power User - Not so much a position as a status of being an extremely proficient user of (typically) Microsoft Office or similar tools. Advanced users of these tools become familiar with the basics of computer programming through starting with Excel macros or Access database programming. One can become very valuable to a small business by learning such skills and even start to consult with other small businesses at rates typically starting around $50 an hour.

Customer Service/Telesales - These positions usually place a higher emphasis on phone skills than computer skills, but you should know at least the basics of how to use your computer.

Technical Support (Production Support) - Most companies consider technical support to be an entry-level computer job. You are expected to know the operating systems on which the product you'll support will run, and you'll also need to know the basics of any programs that product might interact with. The good news is that the company will teach you what you need to know about their products - you just need to learn everything else. Success in technical support requires good problem-solving skills and a great deal of attention to detail. Technical Support and Problem Management is a rapidly growing area. Users now rely heavily on Help Lines, International Support Centers and the like.


"

The above do not often require testing.

[Tabasco]

(Original post by makaveli33)
Please in future, quote me, as only by coincidence I came back to this thread and noticed you replied, I would not have noticed you replied because you did not quote me. Thanks, anyway;

It is true, some companies do avoid it.

For instance, I was employed at a small interpreting service, they did not request anything, when I moved up the scale they request an online application form and qualification verification, I imagine if I moved up farther then I would have testing.

It all depends on what you want to do....

IT Technicians Assistants in small to medium companies, often do not need assessment, apart from quite often they want you to show them your qualifications as evidence and often in Medium corporations a Covering Letter is required or Application online.

ICT Tutors/Trainers in small companies, do not require much aptitude tests, apart from verification of qualifications and a demonstration you can train people.

You could do a Volunteer position, sometimes a CRB check is required in some jobs otherwise nothing.

You could work alongside a ICT repair company either very small or relatively small, or you could even work in PC World with IT experience to others, however PC World you will have competition (but it does not have aptitude tests, just practical proof that you can do a job and qualifications).

There are sooooooo many, you can even become an intern and get some experience in a medium company, however in large companies you would have have aptitude tests.

There is so much you can do, but ICT has its limits too, because from personal experience I cannot find many jobs with ICT, programming is Hot but ICT is quite less in demand, in my experience. As I imagine more people can do ICT and less people can do Programming.

I always see Technician jobs, or Server jobs available if you have interest in those, there may be many in your area, if you live in London or the South which is the "silicon valley" of England, then you can find a high quantity of IT or Computing jobs. Some Northern cities have IT and Computing jobs it depends on where you look, e.g. Manchester, Sheffield.

GL, Hope this helps!

many thanks for your reply.
so basically i can conclude that most large corporations require aptitude tests/ have assessment centers. smaller companies usual don't have this but may require a test later down the line.
so what i'm probably gonna do is: apply a some bigger companies like microsoft, pwc,deloitte etc and at the same time a few samller companies. if i really mess up the applications to the big companies i will go to the smaller ones.

would you choose a large corporation over a smaller company and why? large companies can have very good training programmes. but smaller companies are often more personal and u are closer to senior management which means u might learn more and faster. on the other hand large companies are associated with prestige. can it harm my career progression to start working with smaller companies?
and also: in a few years, when i decide to join let's say microsoft in a senior position, would i still have to take such tests? or are the tests only for entry positions?

[makaveli33]

(Original post by Tabasco)
many thanks for your reply.
so basically i can conclude that most large corporations require aptitude tests/ have assessment centers. smaller companies usual don't have this but may require a test later down the line.
so what i'm probably gonna do is: apply a some bigger companies like microsoft, pwc,deloitte etc and at the same time a few samller companies. if i really mess up the applications to the big companies i will go to the smaller ones.

would you choose a large corporation over a smaller company and why? large companies can have very good training programmes. but smaller companies are often more personal and u are closer to senior management which means u might learn more and faster. on the other hand large companies are associated with prestige. can it harm my career progression to start working with smaller companies?
and also: in a few years, when i decide to join let's say microsoft in a senior position, would i still have to take such tests? or are the tests only for entry positions?

What you explained about Management organizational behavior, I could not put it better myself. The case with small organizations, is true, you may not be employed at any different level in the large corporation after leaving the small - despite your experience.

I think what you have chosen is wise (to apply to both), you never know you might pass one of the tests of the many.

In addition remember that once you get experience in these applications, your knowledge and ability will increase.

Hope this helps.

[Matty919]

(Original post by Tabasco)
Dear all,

my question is: are there jobs for which I don't have to go to an assessment centre/ aptitude test? All these online and on-site tests really scare me. Actually, it's just the numerical part to be honest. I know I will suck at it... the other stuff (verbal, group exercise etc.) I wouldn't have a problem with.

So my question: which jobs don't require all these tests? Is it true that only graduate/entry level positions require such tests? How would you proceed if you under no circumstance wanted to take such tests but still wanted a good job in business and IT?

My quick info: MSc business management & IT graduate in september 2012. 3 years part time work experience. 1 year full time (operation manager). 2 business & IT internships. had own internet startup. current age 23.

Maybe with such a CV there is any way to skip all those tests?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Tabasco

I've made quite a few applications - in the medium sized/small companies I found that they generally didn't make you do them. I'm not great at them either.

[snufkin_]

Just wanted to put in my input regarding maths tests. Honestly the only thing you can do is practice, practice, practice.

I sat a few having not practiced much and looking back I am quite embarassed at the low mark I would have recieved. I got a couple of graduate guides to passing maths tests books and practiced on shl online. Most large companies use shl so it's a good basis to go on. Also you'll probably find once you've sat a couple of them the same questions get asked again and again on different tests.

I found trying to sit them a good 5 years since I've done any maths a challenge, and I worked through a few year 9 SATS books and realised the maths psych tests aren't even as difficult as year 9 standard, so once you get to grips with them you should be fine.

I know it's effort to relearn a few things about fractions/percentages but once you've spent a few hours on it you'll be flying and it'll be a skill you can use on various job applications.