This career test actually predicts job fit (says a 20-year study)

the best way to do a career test

Have you ever really considered the science behind careers tests and how accurate they are when used as a screening tool? According to SHL’s Global Assessment Trends Report, over 76% of companies with more than 100 employees rely on some kind of assessment tool to make hiring decisions.

Global estimates suggest that tests are used for 59% of entry-level roles, 72% of middle-management positions and 80% of senior appointments. So the higher up the ranks, the more likely an employer is to reach for career assessments to identify the “right” traits.

Many job portals are also including career tests as a prescreening tool. Employers set specific criteria that gets loaded with their job ad. All applicants must complete the test and are then either eliminated or moved on in the application process. Potential candidates get declined before anyone has had an opportunity to view their CV or engage with them.

How many employers are losing top talent because of this growing trend?

Table of contents
Why is the career test system flawed?
The danger of hiring for aptitude only
The workplace is evolving rapidly
Career tests haven’t evolved
We need a change in mindset
What we should learn from this

Why is the career test system flawed?

Career tests measure aptitude or intelligence, and that’s their limitation. They can identify skills and experience, but they can't go further than that, and doing great work depends on more than just skill. A career test is a static opinion of someone on the day that they did the assessment.

It's a static snapshot of a complex human.

Someone can complete a test today and then again in a month, and the results could differ substantially. That’s because career tests don’t consider attitudes and motivations.

Time-urgency and stress can skew results.

Also, most tests are timed, so that puts pressure on the user. The intention of timing to discourage people from overthinking their answers, but few users realize that. Instead, they feel the pressure of time-urgency.

Users can feel they’re being judged as well, so they often want to give the “right” answer because there’s no leeway or second chance. Under these circumstances, both attitude and motivation can be affected, leading to the results being skewed by stress.

A better alternative:

Michelle Duval, founder and CEO of F4S, explains that, in reality, attitudes and motivations impact career success more than talents, aptitude and experience. This stark revelation comes from a 20-year study of high performance leaders and their teams. 

Apart from founding F4S, Michelle is a highly renowned transformational and developmental coach to international entrepreneurs and business owners. As she worked with her clients, she started noticing patterns emerging that distinguished those who succeeded from those who failed.

This led to a hypothesis that Michelle scientifically tested using 20 years of accumulated data to determine how people’s attitudes and motivations influence career and business outcomes. And so F4S was born.

The danger of hiring for aptitude only

Apart from the fact that career tests can be misrepresented, just because we’re inclined to something doesn’t mean that we want to do it every day. I’ve seen this regularly throughout my HR career.

Take this scenario:

A typical example is people who have a high aptitude for working with numbers.

When they see this result in a career test, they automatically think that they’re destined for a profession in accounting or finance. After all, they do enjoy working with numbers and are good at it too.

A huge problem arises, however, if they’re motivated by variety in their job. Accounting and finance jobs are often high in routine, consistency and stability. At F4S we call this “Sameness”.

If someone scores low on Sameness, they could easily find a routine job starts becoming monotonous very quickly. Generally, this will lead to one of two things.

  1. They’ll begin to job-hop for a challenge (i.e. they get excited by taking on a new venture, but it becomes boring once it’s been mastered, so they move on again). Job-hopping too frequently typically isn’t good for anyone’s CV or career.
  2. Alternately, they sit it out and suppress their motivation for variety. But their job becomes a drag; they don’t really enjoy going to work. And although they might perform well, they pay a high price in the amount of stress they absorb to stay motivated. 

Often people don’t realize this; they trudge on because they believe they’re in the right career. Someone who’s slogging through the day is unlikely to meet their career goals.

F4S calls this a blind spot. Something that we’re unaware of until we’re made aware of it. The great thing with any issue that we don’t realize is that once we know, we can take proactive action.

The danger of ignoring motivations and blind spots

Being able to uncover blind spots is also an excellent opportunity for organizations to develop talent rather than losing great employees. In the above scenario, the employee will probably resign within a year. Or, their demotivation can lead to conflict and even disciplinary action.

That means an unhappy team environment and an unhappy employee. Not good for business!

By embracing an employee’s high aptitude (in this case for numbers) and also recognizing their motivational need for variety, employers can utilize both positives. Job responsibilities can be adapted, or the person can be transferred to another department. 

A move from finance to marketing, for example, means that you’ve got someone who understands the importance of numbers but still gets that variety they need to stay motivated.

Suddenly what looked like a lousy hire became an excellent hire.

The workplace is evolving rapidly

Previously, career tests were reasonably helpful because the workplace was relatively stable, and jobs didn’t change much. Job responsibilities were different only if someone was promoted or transferred. But that’s changed radically over the past 25-odd years. 

Technology has revolutionized business and jobs have had to adapt. The career lattice has replaced the career ladder. Previously an employee started in an entry-level position and worked their way up a predictable path towards their career goal.

Now, people move between careers and departments as the company evolves. Innovation and motivation are the reasons for upskilling employees rather than a degree or skill they chose after school. 

Employers have started realizing the value of diverse skillsets and experience across departments and business sectors. Employees are selecting to stick with companies that offer ongoing training, upskill their staff and appreciate creativity and involvement. They want to be part of the business; not a number on the payroll.

Career tests haven’t evolved

Most career tests are based on models developed decades ago. They weren’t created for today’s workplace. Not only has the way we work changed, but psychology and the understanding of human behaviors have too.

The IQ Test

Look at the intelligence quotient measure or IQ test. Developed in 1912, the IQ test was gospel for decades and children and adults were sorted and rated like commodities by how well they scored. 

Those who didn’t score well were allocated to the slow-learners class and pushed into mundane careers. Those who excelled were given genius status and groomed for career success. 

Over time, though, psychologists realized that many people with high IQ’s didn’t fare well in life, while others with an average to mediocre scores excelled. They realized that there must be more to human ability. Enter the emotional quotient or EQ.

The EQ test

EQ first appeared in mainstream psychology in 1964 and by the mid1990s tests to measure EQ came onto the market. Still, the combined results of IQ and EQ tests were missing something because the realities of human behavior in the workplace didn’t measure up to the predictions. Enter spiritual intelligence.

The Spiritual Intelligence test

Spiritual intelligence first appeared in 1997 is a book written by Danah Zohar titled “ReWiring the Corporate Brain”. Measuring spiritual intelligence in the workplace is mostly incorporated with motivational training and awareness training in the workplace. Measures have become available in the past decade, but they’re still subject to research and refinement.

So what’s the significance of these measures when considering career tests? It took almost five decades for the IQ test to be dethroned as the ultimo when measuring peoples’ ability. And another three decades for business to wake up to the fact that academic intelligence wasn’t the only predictor of future success.

Twenty-five years on, and businesses are still debating the role of spiritual intelligence in successful employees and leaders. 

Career testing methods are horribly outdated.

We need a change in mindset

Because the standard careers tests have been doing the rounds for so long, few people question their validity. Despite the fact that they keep hiring the “perfect” candidate who doesn’t last more than a few months, time and again.

And how many professionals have been a text-book fit for a vacancy only to find themselves eyeing a way out after a few weeks.

Often after a few failed attempts at career success, people start doubting themselves. They start searching “test to see what career is best for me” and complete one (or a few) of the free career tests available online.

The result?

They’re left no wiser than before. They still can’t figure out why they can’t get their career off the ground. They lack the understanding that can be provided through career coaching. The key obstacle here is that not everyone can afford a career coach.

Technology has changed that, though. Coaching no longer has to be a face-to-face session. F4S not only measures your attitude and motivations, but it also offers recommendations and personalized coaching to help you achieve your career goals. The same benefits are available to employers.

By using the F4S app, they can:

  • optimize teams by understanding individual motivations and work together,
  • bring out the best attributes in each team member,
  • measure and map out organizational culture,
  • spot and address potential friction points that could create team conflict,
  • identify critical blind spots in the team that should be addressed through coaching or an additional hire, and more.

“Today we’re hiring for newly developed roles that have no defined skillsets,” says Michelle of F4S. “There’s no tried and tested job description to guarantee success. Employers have to hire based on motivations only.”

For HR professionals and recruiters who’ve been using career and skills tests to guide their recruitment, this change in approach could be a hard sell to hiring managers. The interactive approach of the F4S app won’t seem out-of-place for long, though.

Once hiring managers see how effectively they can rapidly develop high performing teams in the fast-paced world of business, they’ll be sold.

What we should learn from this

The world has just been thrown a tragic curved ball that will result in the world as we knew it never being the same. People will change, attitudes will change, and business will have to adapt to a new normal. The ‘future of work’ was literally forced upon us faster than any of us expected.

COVID-19 will leave an imprint on the world that’s probably comparable only to the after-effects of major wars. In every instance stability and prosperity returned, but things were done very differently afterwards. 

The most important factors that will impact businesses that survive this global pandemic is that technology is going to play an even more significant role than ever before. The fourth industrial revolution will speed up. More employees will work from home, and remote teams will become the norm.

Add this to the rapidly developing AI that makes so many jobs redundant and we can be sure that the fabric of work as we know it will continue to deconstruct and be rebuilt repeatedly throughout our lifetimes. 

Here are just a few of the changes we can expect in the future of work:

Never before has hiring for attitude and motivation been more crucial. Behind the technological advances, though, you still need talent with the soft skills to adapt and keep growing your business. Entrepreneurs and C-suite executives should already be planning their talent acquisition needs for the post-Novel Coronavirus business environment of the future.

F4S is scientifically tested and backed with 20-years of research data to identify personal motivators that will ensure that you make the right hiring decisions.

In trying times of change, businesses need the assurance that they’re not making costly mistakes. A snapshot of a person’s abilities isn’t enough anymore. 

Get started with F4S for free today so that you can start building highly effective teams for tomorrow.

Discover and build your dream career with fast AI coaching.

Our programs were designed by world-renowned coaches. Sessions only take 5-15 minutes. Get started for free with your personalized program now.

My coaching Plan:

Our expert coaches have designed hyper-effective programs that will help 

you find a career you love.

Coach Marlee (your amazing AI-powered personal coach) will analyse your unique traits and goals to let you know which program to start with (and if there are any you should skip)!

Your recommended programs include:

Show more programs
Hide

My Coaching Plan:

Our expert coaches have designed hyper-effective programs that will help you improve your mental health, wellbeing, productivity, leadership and more.

Coach Marlee (your amazing AI-powered personal coach) will analyse your unique traits and goals to let you know which program to start with (and if there are any you should skip)!

Your recommended programs include:

Show more programs
Hide
A group of people representing team building

Team Building

Take your teaming to the next level in this high impact 9-week team coaching program with Coach Marlee. Discover and optimize complementary strengths and unique talents with your team, reach decisions together quickly, enjoy team cohesion, high energy and motivation as a bonded team.

icon of time
5 - 15 minutes
 per session
icon of a calendar
2 sessions per week
a person with a magnifying glass and sirkel representing attention to detail

Attention to Detail

Impress yourself and others with your attention to detail! Develop a genuine appreciation, energy and stamina for detailed thinking to execute your vision, measure performance in yourself and others while also accelerating your ability to learn and change.

icon of time
5 - 15 minutes
 per session
icon of a calendar
2 sessions per week
illustration of a person wearing a crown representing personal power

Personal Power

In this high impact eight week program Coach Marlee will help you increase your comfort and confidence to be in positions of influence and leadership, navigate organizational politics and also help you develop greater confidence to compete and influence at the top of your industry or field.

icon of time
5 - 15 minutes
 per session
icon of a calendar
2 sessions per week
illustration of a person with floating icons around representing multiplying your impact

Multiply Your Impact

Multiply your impact by embracing the experience and genius within others. During this eight week program Coach Marlee will help you to develop a genuine appreciation for experimentation and data and a willingness to empower the opinions, feedback and insights within your team and others in your life.

icon of time
5 - 15 minutes
 per session
icon of a calendar
2 sessions per week
illustration of a person thinking of a problem having a gut feeling about the answer

Trust Your Gut Feel

Explore, strengthen and stand by what you believe in at work and in life. Trust in your ‘gut feel’ and point of view is especially helpful for influencing, starting your own business, having your personal needs met and for living an authentic and meaningful life.

icon of time
5 - 15 minutes
 per session
icon of a calendar
2 sessions per week
illustration of a person looking on things with a wider persepective representing big picture thinking

Big Picture Thinker

Inspire yourself and others to see the bigger picture! Increase your comfort and use of abstract and strategic thinking to gain a broader perspective in work and life. Big picture thinking is key in communication, leadership, businesses, selling, marketing, and situations where you need to get the gist of things quickly.

icon of time
5 - 15 minutes
 per session
icon of a calendar
2 sessions per week
illustration of a woman sitting down and reflecting representing reflection and patience

Reflection & Patience

Develop ‘step back’ mastery for increased self-awareness and developing mindsets and tools for constant improvement. Reflection and patience is core to consolidating learning, development, strategic thinking, recharging and living an authentic and meaningful life.

icon of time
5 - 15 minutes
 per session
icon of a calendar
2 sessions per week
illustration of a person empowered for a fast start

Start Fast

Close the gap between your great ideas and starting them. Energy and drive for starting is key for inventing new things, starting businesses, selling, marketing, socializing or in situations where you need to think on your feet.

icon of time
5 - 15 minutes
 per session
icon of a calendar
2 sessions per week
illustration of a person cheering with hands in the air representing EQ increase

Increase EQ

Explore, develop or strengthen your emotional intelligence (EQ). Awareness of your and others’ emotions is at the heart of influencing, ‘reading people’, impactful communication, deep relating and authentic connection at work and in life.

icon of time
5 - 15 minutes
 per session
icon of a calendar
2 sessions per week
Person with a dart aiming at a target representing Goal Catching

Goal Catcher

Inspire yourself and others to see and achieve grand visions and goals. A focus on goals is especially helpful for inspirational leaders, starting your own business, impactful communication, or for achieving awesome outcomes at work and in life.

icon of time
5 - 15 minutes
 per session
icon of a calendar
2 sessions per week

Testimonials

Kenisha
This is some text inside of a div block.

“This program helped me kickstart my journey to wellbeing. Never could I have imagined an AI coach being this good - as if you're talking to a real human and how Marlee made me accountable to my goals. Super awesome experience that you definitely got to try!”

John
This is some text inside of a div block.

“I think Marlee is impressive!”

Show more testimonials
Hide
Conrad
This is some text inside of a div block.

"This program has helped me to be less impulsive and really think before acting"

Jose
This is some text inside of a div block.

“Personal power program was great for me to gain confidence and knowledge on approaching my new leadership role”

Carol
This is some text inside of a div block.

“I’ve always found it daunting to be a leader, I have never sought out to be the one in charge. The positions have always found me. I now have new confidence. I especially like the concept of leadership through context. Very empowering”.

Trevor
This is some text inside of a div block.

“I learned to make real progress, take action, review”

Prette
This is some text inside of a div block.

“This was a good reflection and trigger to make the decision that I was pondering!”

Tommy
This is some text inside of a div block.

“I love how practical this coaching is!”

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare."

Name Surname

Position, Company name

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare."

Name Surname

Position, Company name

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare."

Name Surname

Position, Company name

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare."

Name Surname

Position, Company name

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare."

Name Surname

Position, Company name

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare."

Name Surname

Position, Company name

Head that contains a heart with line beating line.

Hack your wellbeing, productivity and goals

. . . with personal (or team) coaching!

Programs are created by expert coaches & delivered by our incredible A.I. Coach Marlee. Sessions only take 5-15 minutes and are 100% personalized to fit your unique traits and goals.
Take free career test
^ Click to chat with your AI coach!
v  CLOSE