What do Foot Locker, Macy’s, PetSmart, Neiman Marcus, Walmart, and Burger King have in common? They use pre-employment testing to identify applicants who will fit into the organization. Unlike classical aptitude tests that began in the military, today’s online multiple-choice tests assess integrity, collegiality, and interpersonal skills in general.

To give you a flavor of these talent assessments, here are three typical scenarios:

Your Task. 

Answer the questions; then compare your answers with those of your classmates. Discuss the scenarios. What specific skills or attributes might each question be designed to measure? Do you think such questions are effective? What might be the best way to respond to the scenarios? Your instructor may share the correct answers with you. If your instructor directs, search the Web for more talent assessment questions. Alternatively, your instructor might ask you to create your own workplace (or college) scenarios to help you assess an applicant’s interpersonal skills. As a class you could compare questions/scenarios and quiz each other.

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1. You have learned that eye contact is important in communication. How much eye contact should you have when conversing with someone in a professional environment? A At all times. You want to make sure the person knows you are paying attention. B About 60-70 percent of the time C Every now and then. You don't want to make the other person uncomfortable. D About half the time 2. You are attending an important meeting with colleagues who are more senior than you are. How much should you speak at the meeting? A You should look very interested but not speak at all unless they request it. B You should speak only when the topic is in your area of expertise. C You should try to talk as much as possible to show your knowledge. D You should speak in the beginning of the meeting and every now and then. 3. You just found out that people at work are spreading a bad rumor about you that is untrue. How would you respond? A Tell everybody that it is not true. You need to clear your name. B Don't react to it at all. It'll blow over eventually. C Find out who started it so you talk to them to make sure that they will never do it again. D Talk to others about another coworker's rumor so people will forget about yours.