Transcript Your Career: How to Make It Happen

CHAPTER 15
Ace Employment Tests and
Negotiations
By
Julie Griffin Levitt
1
COPYRIGHT © Thomson South-Western
Sixth Edition
Chapter 15
Chapter 15 provides
strategies for
performing
successfully in preemployment tests
and drug screening,
negotiating for fair
compensation and
evaluating/accepting
job offers.
2
Chapter 15
Bad hiring decisions
are costly for
employers.
Employers use
preemployment and
drug tests to
eliminate potential
problems up front.
3
Chapter 15
Research Employer Testing
Procedures To Find Out:
4

What type of preemployment testing
is required

What will be tested

How it will be tested
Chapter 15
Personality Tests
5

Designed to see if your
personal style matches job

Advance study doesn’t
apply; answer questions
honestly

If personality/job don’t
match, you won’t be happy
Chapter 15
Skills Tests
6

Review concepts
and practice to
improve skill.

Quit preparing one
or two days before
test.
Chapter 15
Technical Tests
Try to get sample questions from:
7

Human Resources Department

People in company

People who have taken the test or a
similar one

Libraries and bookstores
Chapter 15
Computerized
Preemployment Tests
8

Usually a general, skills, or personality
test

Typically given at employer’s site

Usually scored electronically and
analyzed by staff

Don’t try to outwit the test

Avoid using absolutes (such as “never” or
“always”)
Chapter 15
How to Ace
Preemployment Tests
9

Learn what type(s) are given.

Practice skills to improve performance.

Study concepts for technical tests;
give complete answers.

Answer personality tests honestly for
good job match.
Chapter 15
Tips for Maximizing Test
Performance
10

Eat properly; be rested.

Do physical exercise
beforehand.

Arrive early to avoid being
rushed/tense.

Ask how much time is
allowed; don’t rush.
(continued)
Chapter 15
Tips For Maximizing Test
Performance
11
(continued)

Find out how points are assigned.

Clarify directions/questions you
don’t understand.

Watch extreme statements; they
are often false.

Check to be sure you haven’t
missed any questions.
Chapter 15
Prepare for Drug
Screening
12

Find out what the procedures are.

Report any over-the-counter drugs you are
taking.

Take drug screening seriously.
Chapter 15
Prepare for Background
Checks
13

Be truthful on all employment forms.

Maintain good credit and make sure your
credit report is accurate.

Obtain copies of personnel files from past
employers.

Know what your references are going to
say about you.
Chapter 15
Research the Compensation
(Salary and Benefits)
14

Learn what the
employer and industry
offers.

Base salary
requirements on your
worth—value you offer.

Consider the benefits
most important to you.
Chapter 15
Salary/Benefit
Negotiation Tips
15

Let the interviewer bring up
compensation topic.

The higher you start, the higher
offer is likely to be.

Always state salary requirements
in a range.
(continued)
Chapter 15
Salary/Benefit
Negotiation Tips
(continued)

Say, "What figure/range are you
planning to pay?"

This gives a starting point for
negotiation.

If interviewer brings salary up too
early, refocus on the job.
(continued)
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Chapter 15
Salary/Benefit
Negotiation Tips
17
(continued)

Always discuss benefits along
with salary.

Ask how compensation increases
are determined.

If a low offer is made by letter,
meet to discuss it.
Chapter 15
Evaluate the Total Job Offer
Scope
of
Job
How Job
Meets Your
Goals
Expenses
(relocation,
travel, etc.)
Job Market
Plentiful or
Short
Supply?
Management
Values &
Philosophies
18
Organization
&
Personnel
Salary
&
Benefits
Career
Development
Opportunity
Chapter 15
Accept an Offer Professionally
19

Accept the job verbally and follow up in
writing. Summarize your understanding of
the conditions of the offer.

Notify other employers with whom you
are interviewing.

Notify references and thank them for their
assistance.
Chapter 15
Reject an Offer Professionally
20

Politely decline the offer by telephone,
first.

Follow up with a letter.

Thank the employer for the offer and with
the employer continued success.
Chapter 15
Checklist:
Acing Tests and Negotiations
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
Learn what type(s) of test(s) are
given.

Practice for skills tests; study for
technical tests.

Be aware of drug screening and
background check procedures
used; report over-the-counter
drugs.
(continued)
Chapter 15
Checklist: Acing Tests and
(continued)
Negotiations
22

Postpone discussion of salary
until job is offered.

Consider all aspects of the job
offer.
Chapter 15