Do you have to submit to employment tests in order to earn an interview?

Q: Employers often ask you to take a technical test prior to a job interview. Sometimes the tests are easy, and sometimes they are tricky. You are concerned that in the artificial world of the test, you may not be able to show your true skills -- and you may be rejected before you ever get to meet with the manager. Is there a way to decline the tests and still have a chance at the job?

Nick's reply: Some companies administer technical tests that are both fair and reasonable. Just because companies use tests doesn't mean you should reject them. Tests can be an efficient way to learn about a job candidate's skills and knowledge. The smarter employers don't administer tests until a candidate has been interviewed and judged first by a human.

I'm not a big fan of employment tests in general. Too often, employers come to view the tests they administer as a substitute for careful interviewing and assessment by the hiring manager. As managers who rely on tests succumb to the belief that tests adequately assess candidates, they ignore their responsibility to use their own judgment. When human resources officials start singing about the "fairness" and "objectivity" of a test-based evaluation process, you can bet the refrain is, "Don't hold us accountable when new hires don't work out -- we administered a test."

How do you avoid the risk of being rejected by a test? Start by avoiding being poked and prodded by administrative staff before you actually meet with the manager you'd be working for. You can do this politely and respectfully, but firmly.

If an employer invites you in to meet with the human resources (HR) office, explain that your time is very limited, but that you'd be glad to invest the same amount of time the hiring manager is willing to invest so you can get to know one another. "I'd be glad to meet with someone from your HR organization after I've met first with the hiring manager." Decline to meet HR first. "Sorry, I've got to know there's a good potential match before I take any time off from my job for an administrative interview with HR."

Then ask about tests. "Do you administer any sort of test prior to the meeting with the hiring manager?" If they answer no, drop it. If they say yes, you need to be very clear: "If it's necessary for me to take a technical test (or any other kind), I'd be glad to as long as I've been interviewed first by the manager I would work for. If my meeting with the hiring manager results in mutual interest, we can schedule the test for a convenient time."

Some companies will say that if you don't take the test, there will be no interview. You must decide how strong a stance to take. In my opinion, if you relinquish control of the interview process at this stage, you will have no control later. I believe employers must show some deference to job applicants -- or they will not be able to hire the best people. However, I also believe that an applicant should explain in advance her position on taking tests. If you show up to take a test and then decline, I'd show you the door myself. Behave honorably about your intentions.

This is why it's best to deal with the hiring manager from the get-go, by developing opportunities through people who know the manager. Applying through job ads with resumes leads to the HR department and to overly strict interview policies. If the manager doesn't like your attitude (or you don't like his), you may as well know now. If it's HR that's creating the test obstacle, call the hiring manager and briefly explain the situation.

"I'm very pleased that you're interested in meeting, and I'm enthusiastic about the possibility of working together. However, I'm sure you'll appreciate how tight my work schedule is. I'd prefer to defer any testing until after you and I have met and decided there's good reason to pursue this further. Can we set a date for our meeting?"

If you're going to take time away from your work to discuss a new job, you have the right to dictate some of the terms of engagement. When a test is administered is negotiable. The experience and the outcome of a test might be more to your liking after you've "done the interview" and decided this is a manager you want to work for.

Copyright 2009. Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate

Nick Corcodilos is author of "Ask The Headhunter: Reinventing the Interview to Win the Job" and the host of www.asktheheadhunter.com. He can be reached by e-mail at seattle@asktheheadhunter.com or at North Bridge Group, P.O. Box 600, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Sorry, no personal replies.