Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

With Fewer Retail Jobs, More Cheating on Hiring Test

Unicru exam, used by Best Buy and others, unpopular with many job-seekers

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Jan 7, 2009 9:41 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – Cheat on the personality test many retailers make job applicants take as part of the hiring process and you’ve got one foot in the door—and a lot of company, reports the Wall Street Journal. The computer-administered tests are feeding a growing culture of savvy applicants who share answers, take tests for each other, and even post answer keys online.

A tightening job market and slow economy has retailers inundated with job seekers and, as one way to save managers’ time and reduce human-resource expenses, many turn to a multiple-choice online test, Unicru, from the firm Kronos, to pre-screen applicants. But with answers and test-taking strategy posted on websites like Facebook, some critics say the tests have become worthless.

Best Buy is among the retailers that use Unicru's personality test in hiring.
Best Buy is among the retailers that use Unicru's personality test in hiring.   (AP Photo)
Retailers increasingly are depending on computer personality testing in the hiring process.
Retailers increasingly are depending on computer personality testing in the hiring process.   (AP Photo)
Retailers are using computer-based personality tests to help hire employees.
Retailers are using computer-based personality tests to help hire employees.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Guest
Feb 12, 2010 1:15 AM CST
"some critics say the tests have become worthless." They already were "Or have no personality! =) " That's how you fail. Fight robots with robots: http://pbot.20x.cc/
Guest
Jan 6, 2009 11:19 PM CST
Or have no personality! =)
Guest
Jan 6, 2009 9:44 PM CST
You'd have to be a complete moron to fail a personality test.

Facebook's group against Unicru
Facebook

Other industries test, too
Tulsa World

Money • Technology • US

 
Best Buy • retail technology • Circuit City • retail businesses • financial crisis • employment testing • Unicru • Kronos

More Newser Stories

Best Buy Noses Into Online Movie Market

Circuit City Powers Down

Circuit City Liquidation Sales Will Begin Tomorrow

Best Buy Offers Used iPhones for $50 Less

Consumers Not Buying... Um, Anything
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne