A post over at the
Sqwawkbox Blog highlights the absurdity of an online behavioural survey site called "
Signature Strengths" that jobseekers are "encouraged" to use. It makes the claim that no matter what you enter, it always comes up with some positive reason why you should be working. OK.. perhaps that isn't a bad thing, but it is clearly pretty absurd.
Try it for yourself by
taking the test. I answered all the questions with the mindset of an feckless, depressive sociopath and this is what I was told:
Your results!
Think about how you can use these strengths in your job search and in your life in general
Try to find a new way to use them then everyday
Strength 1. Curiosity
You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.
Strength 2. Love of learning
You love learning new things, whether in a class or on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and museums-anywhere and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn.
Strength 3. Critical Thinking
Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who you are. You do not jump to conclusions, and you rely only on solid evidence to make your decisions. You are able to change your mind.
Strength 4. Originality
Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible.
Strength 5. Social Intelligence
You are aware of the motives and feelings of other people. You know what to do to fit in to different social situations, and you know what to do to put others at ease.
Fill in your email address address below to have your strengths emailed to you. You may want to discuss these with your advisor at your next meeting.
Sounds positive? But the answers that I gave to the questions completely contradict this:
1. I am always curious about the world
Very much unlike me [contradicts Strength 1]
2. I am easily bored
Very much like me
3. I am thrilled when I learn something new
Very much unlike me [contradicts Strength 2]
4. I never go out of my way to visit museums
Very much like me [contradicts Strength 2]
5. When the topic called for it, I can be a highly rational thinker
Very much unlike me [contradicts Strength 3]
6. I tend to make snap judgements
Very much like me [contradicts Strength 3]
7. I like to think of new ways to do things
Very much unlike me [contradicts Strength 4]
8. Most of my friends are more imaginative than I am
Very much like me
9. No matter what the social situation, I am able to fit in
Very much unlike me [contradicts Strength 5]
10. I am not very good at sensing what other people are feeling
Very much like me [contradicts Strength 5]
11. I am always able to look at things and see the big picture
Very much unlike me [contradicts Strength 3]
12. Others rarely come to me for advice
Very much like me
13. I have taken frequent stands in the face of strong opposition
Very much unlike me
14. Pain and disappointment often get the better of me
Very much like me
15. I always finish what I start
Very much unlike me
16. I get sidetracked when I work
Very much like me
17. I always keep my promises
Very much unlike me [partly contradicts Strength 5]
18. My friends never tell me I’m down to earth
Very much like me
19. I voluntarily helped a neighbour last month
Very much unlike me
20. I am rarely as excited about the good fortune of others as I am about my own
Very much like me [contradicts Strength 5]
21. There are people in my life who care as much about my feelings and well-being as they do about their own
Very much unlike me
22. I have trouble accepting love from others
Very much like me
23. I work best when I am part of a group
Very much unlike me [partly contradicts Strength 5]
24. I hesitate to sacrifice my self-interest for the benefit of groups I am in
Very much like me [partly contradicts Strength 5]
25. I treat all people equally, regardless of who they might be
Very much unlike me [partly contradicts Strength 5]
26. If I do not like someone, it is difficult for me to treat him or her fairly
Very much like me [partly contradicts Strength 5]
27. I can always get people to do things together without nagging them
Very much unlike me [partly contradicts Strength 5]
28. I am not very good at planning group activities
Very much like me
29. I can control my emotions
Very much unlike me
30. I can rarely stay on a diet
Very much like me
31. I avoid activities that are physically dangerous
Very much unlike me
32. I sometimes make poor choices in friendships and relationships
Very much like me [partly contradicts Strength 5]
33. I change the subject when people pay me compliments
Very much unlike me
34. I often brag about my accomplishments
Very much like me [partly contradicts Strength 5]
35. In the last month, I have been thrilled by excellence in music, art, drama, film, sport, science or mathematics
Very much unlike me [partly contradicts Strength 2]
36. I have not created anything of beauty in the last year
Very much like me [partly contradicts Strength 2]
37. I always say thank you, even for little things
Very much unlike me [partly contradicts Strength 5]
38. I rarely stop and count my blessings
Very much like me
39. I always look on bright side
Very much unlike me
40. I rarely have a well thought out plan for what I want to do
Very much like me [contradicts Strength 3]
41. My life has a strong purpose
Very much unlike me
42. I do not have a calling in life
Very much like me
43. I always let bygones be bygones
Very much unlike me [partly contradicts Strength 5]
44. I always try to get even
Very much like me [partly contradicts Strength 5]
45. I always mix work and play as much as possible
Very much unlike me
46. I rarely say funny things
Very much like me
47. I throw myself into everything I do
Very much unlike me
48. I mope a lot
Very much like me
So who owns this site? A look at the WHOIS records come up blank:
Administrative Contact:
Private, Registration behaviourlibrary.com@domainsbyproxy.com
Domains By Proxy, LLC
DomainsByProxy.com
14747 N Northsight Blvd Suite 111, PMB 309
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States
(480) 624-2599 Fax -- (480) 624-2598
Not to worry, because a historical WHOIS gives us the real records:
Administrative Contact:
Nguyen, Samuel samuel.nguyen@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk
1123 Aquarius House
19 St George Wharf
London, England SW82FG
United Kingdom
0-782-183-6785
That's
this chappie.
As
The Register points out, this is a completely bogus test that appears to be designed to make people feel more positive about work (and to perhaps collect email addresses) rather than offering any constructive advice. Positive thinking is not a bad thing, but this is a wasted opportunity to achieve something constructive in terms of critical analysis. Surely it wouldn't be too difficult to create (or buy in) a test to do this properly?
