So I applied for a job at Target last night and was asked these questions...

[armyowalgreens]

1. How many politicians do you believe are honest?

A.100%
B. About 75 %
C. 75%-50%
D. Less than 50%


I was also asked if any of my family members were on welfare or had ever received government assistance. Which I'm pretty sure is an illegal question because it in no way reflects my personal abilities. They asked a bunch of other race based questions that I can't remember off the top of my head.


This all seems like a bunch of bullshit. Why do they need to know my stance on politicians? How does that reflect my ability to work?

I'm pissed.

[virgogal]

1. That is really weird.. I'd contact the regional office and raise hell.

[ThomWV]

2. You'd think that what with Target being a national chain that the Dept f Labor would care too.

[FirstLight]

3. Those are not legal questions at all

...I don't even think it depends on the state your are in, I believe that this falls under race, creed, religion, etc...and can't be used to determine employment.
I thought it was illegal for people to ask your freaking AGE, much less your FAMILY'S Welfare status...?? :wtf:

Questions regarding welfare and political views are NOT okay. I would be calling the Employment Development Dept or the Labor Board...regardless of whether you get hired or not - those questions smack of discrimination in the making.

Please let us know what comes of it!

[Cincinnati Kid]

4. Other Companies do similar

I worked for Radio Shack a number of years ago and prior to my final hiring they gave me an exam which asked what I thought were strange/personal questions similar to what you had. Questions about my attitude towards gambling, public assistance and others. I asked the test administrator what this was about and was told that based on certain answers they would get an idea about whether or not I could be tempted to steal from the company, or look the other way when theft/shrinkage was going on.

To a degree I understand but I dont really think its right.

Good luck with your job search.

[JuniperLea]

7. Bingo... and welcome to DU!

I've seen these tests all over the place, including a management training class.

[bigwillq]

56. Hello.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Echo In Light]

63. Some companies also use them as psyche guidelines to determine potential supervisory skills

But yeah, stealing, prone to recreational drug use, attitudes re sick time/calling in sick, etc. Most places - there's often little difference between The Business, and the person whose hiring on its behalf - simply want good, 'normal' Americans; obedient, passive, uncritical of authority, "team player," etc

I've never heard of the overt political questioning that the OP cited though - usually one has to read between the lines per what's being asked to find that line of political questioning/baiting.

[donco6]

66. Yes, that's right. n/t

[JuniperLea]

5. It's a basic honesty quiz... and quite legal...

It's not your stance on politicians they are interested in, per se, it's your views on how honest people are in general. Did it ask you if you have ever stolen from an employer? Anything like that? Is your glass half empty or half full kind of stuff.

[LisaL]

8. So what exactly would be the correct answer?

Personally I fail to see what his opinion of politicians has to do with working at Target. But what do they want someone to answer to this question?

[JuniperLea]

11. It's like jokes about used car salesmen...

Politicians are notoriously corrupt... at least that's a general and widely held opinion. They don't give a flying rat's ass about your feelings about politicians, they care how you feel about those who fall under the widely held opinion. Could have used "used car salesmen" instead.

[armyowalgreens]

12. I didn't know what they wanted me to say though.

I answered less than 50% because I honestly believe that.

But what did they really want me to say?

[JuniperLea]

14. You did right... see other post... eom

[joeybee12]

21. 75% or 100%...basically they want to see if you trust people, and, more

importantly, trust authority...ie., you'll take orders.

[armyowalgreens]

Well I'm fucked.

I answered less than 50%.

[joeybee12]

27. I fyou don't get hired, just remmeber the next company you apply at

will probably ask the same questions...LIE!!!!

[pscot]

30. Always lie to authority

n/t

[rcrush]

49. +1

Seriously its the only way they wont fuck you in the ass.

[konnichi wa]

37. The one with the big tits. Oh, wait...that's a different question

:rofl:

[armyowalgreens]

9. Yes and I didn't know how to answer.

I tried to answer so it seemed like I was honest and that I generally trusted people. I didn't want to come off a paranoid freak.

[JuniperLea]

13. Good call...

Paranoia is one of the traits you don't want in an employee:) Honest and trusting is very good indeed.

[Enrique]

40. that's exactly what they want

I think the only people who pass those honesty tests have to lie their asses off about their attitudes.

[lumberjack_jeff]

43. I generally trust people to the point of naievity

But, speaking as a former politician, politicians usually lie. Sometimes they do it because they think it is in the public interest.

It's still lying.

[donco6]

68. Middle of the road is the only way to go with these things.

As long as you're not extreme on anthing, you'll be fine.

[progressivebydesign]

46. I'd be more inclined to believe that was about cynicism and personality.

Not honestly, per se. People who walk around with that crackpot "all politicians are liars" attitude, make terrible employees.

The welfare question... that's just really freakin weird!!!!

[csziggy]

52. Where my husband works a standard question asked on the forms

Is if the applicant ever lied to their parents. If they answer "No" they are eliminated from being considered. They expect that everyone at some point in their life lied to their parents about something!

This company until recently hired a lot of young people, college students and recent high school grads, so the question is more relevant than you might think.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Target is blue. Wal-Mart is red. nt

[kath]

57. IIRC, Target is not actually "blue" - it's just that they're not as "red" as WalMart.

[Codeine]

10. The assistance question is normal.

Many states require that a business report that people receiving assistance are employed; this allows the state to reassess their assistance status.

[lunatica]

15. That's illegal

They are not allowed to ask any personal questions of prospective employees. None. Not about your religion, your family or your personal background. They aren't even allowed to ask you why you quit your last job. They can't even ask you if you're married or have children or what your age is.

Interviews are only supposed to be about the job and your knowledge of it or ability to do it. Period.

If they have these questionnaires on file you should see about reporting them. Ask any employment agency. Ask the Better Business Bureau. Find out so they'll be stopped.

[armyowalgreens]

17. They asked me why I left my previous job.

I left because I had to focus on my first year of college. So I said that. I hope that doesn't come back to bite me in the ass.

[lunatica]

26. Actually that was a good answer

What they're trying to find out is if you left with bad blood between you and your former boss so they can figure out if you'll be trouble.

[DireStrike]

33. Well you have to answer that one.... it's unfair as fuck

If you don't answer with a good reason, they don't hire you. If you raise concerns about any question, they don't hire you.

They can get away with anything and they know it.

[Maru Kitteh]

60. No.

1. Almost every job application in the country asks why you left your last job.

2. They can, and often do, ask you a really diverse and extensive set of personal questions as long as they do not discriminate in their hiring practices on the basis of sex, age, race, national origin, disability, or religion.

[Warren Stupidity]

64. which law is that?

There are laws against job discrimination but as far as I know a potential employer can ask you any question they want with the exception of "are you disabled". Asking questions about race religion ethnicity sex and age are begging for a law suit for discriminatory hiring practices, but are not in and of themselves forbidden. There most certainly is no law against asking random questions such as the 'how trustworthy are politicians" question.

That said, a company that asks about family member's welfare history is begging for a massive EEOC lawsuit.

http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/qanda.html

[TwixVoy]

16. Wow talk about ignorant

The questions asking if you have received gov assistance get reported to the government. They are NOT provided to anyone who interviews you.

The race based questions are also in order to make sure they are an EEOC employer. They also do NOT get provided to anyone who interviews you.

The question about politicians being honest is part of a personality quiz most employers are using these days. If you had been asked "Most people steal" the correct answer would be DISAGREE because AGREE means you steal, and therefore feel most people do. It could be BS, but some statistic somewhere says it is true so employers believe it.

None of that is illegal btw.

[Codeine]

18. The voice of reason.

You'll be drowned out in the chorus of insanity soon enough, of course. ;)

[enlightenment]

29. You might be considered a voice of reason if you didn't

open your post with an insult.

I have a sneaking suspicion you score pretty low on the 'gets along well with others' questions.

It's fantastic that you are so completely trusting in what companies do and do not do with the data they collect - I'm sure it helps you sleep well at night, along with the knowledge that you are so clearly superior to others. Good for you.

Are you certain that you meant to use an 'x' in your username? A 't' might be more appropriate.

[pepperbear]

58. wow, talk about conceited...

hey man, you don't need to come in here and flippantly decide that a person's "ignorant" based on 1 post. this person might be very young or might simply have never been asked such questions before.

I bet you know everything in the known universe don't you?

[enlightenment]

19. That question is supposed to tell them how much you respect

authority AND your ability to think independently. They want you compliant, but also able to make relatively independent decisions, should the need arise (should I refold ALL the shirts or just the ones on the top?)

The second question was way out of line.

I hate preemployment psych tests. A lazy and cookie cutter approach to hiring.

[joeybee12]

20. These are actually fairly standard from most companies these days...the politicians question

is designed to guage your feelings about authority...whether you agree or not, say 75% or 100%...companies want to see that you bow down to authority.

[armyowalgreens]

22. I thought the complete opposite way.

I thought that they didn't want me to present myself as a mindless drone that cannot function without constant instruction.

[joeybee12]

25. Nah, I honestly would answer 0%, but you gotta understand the want a

corporate way of thinking, not as an individual who can think for his/herself!

[mcranor]

23. In Oregon, that's a violation..

..of labor law. No questions allowed that do not relate to 'Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications' (BFOQ).

[Quantess]

67. When was that law passed?

I got the same barrage of at least 100 written test questions when I applied to Target in 1989, in Oregon.

[conflictgirl]

24. The assistance question is because they get a tax credit if they hire people on assistance

I don't know about the politician question, but that type of question is common. I think it's more to gauge your view of whether or not authority figures are honest.

[Mythsaje]

28. Heck, I don't remember what I answered on their tests...

But this IS me we're talking about. It was a throw-away application--I didn't expect them to hire me because I had no retail experience. Now I've been there two and a half years. Whatever I answered must have been good enough.

[customerserviceguy]

31. I went through that test four years ago

it's designed to measure how "honest" you are. You can lie your way through it, I did. I had acceptances from them and from Sears at the same time. I picked Sears because the hours were better.

If corporations want to use bullshit tests to weed out people, then they will only get professional bullshitters.

[DireStrike]

34. Exactly.

Are there employers that are not completely stupid?

[customerserviceguy]

35. There might be

but they are not among the biggies.

[armyowalgreens]

36. Barnes and Noble seems to be good.

Their application is long as hell. They want to know all about my academic achievements. They want a bunch of professional references on top of my previous job references.

They didn't ask me bullshit questions. I respect them for that.

I really hope they hire me because I've always wanted to work at a book store.

[customerserviceguy]

38. Best of luck to you on that!

I had a friend who went to work for them after spending years as a DJ for a small town radio station, and he absolutely loved it.

[tavalon]

62. Once they get big enough, stupid comes with the package

Guaranteed.

[Silver Swan]

45. I agree

My spouse took a similar "test" from Home Depot. He answered truthfully, even though I told him that his responses were not the ones they wanted. He never heard from them, but the people who lied and gave the "right" answer were probably hired.

[DireStrike]

32. Yep, I noticed that on their application and that of other stores

It's probably already been said - it's supposed to reflect whether you think people are trustworthy, and by some sort of projection-reflection psych malarky, how trustworthy you yourself are.

As you say, bullshit. I guess the "right" answer is the second highest one after 100%.

The questions about welfare and race are usually in a section that is marked "the employer will not see this, it is for (tax/law compliance/something else.)"

[lonestarnot]

39. Woohoo! Job security! Law Suits!

:applause:

[Gman2]

41. They likely think that if you are distrustful of others. YOU are also dishonest.

Like a jealous person being a cheater. The system is becoming more and more like not being able to buy or sell. They use your credit score, your driving record. Your etc. Get some bad info on you and you will starve to death. Even if it is spurious. The corporate culture straightjacket is gonna have to go down, if we are to remain capable of a middleclass.

[progressivebydesign]

47. That was my take. It's a personality type that they're trying to exclude.

The cynics, the blamers, the cheaters.
The public assistance thing may have been for statistical purposes only, though.

[kenny blankenship]

42. It measures how gullible you are.

"Why do they need to know my stance on politicians?" They aren't asking for your politics, but how readily you believe whatever those with higher rank tell you.

[TheMightyFavog]

44. IMHO, these "personality quizzes" should be illegal.

Just my two cents.

[KoKo]

55. Agree....another 2cents worth.

[gbate]

48. Just remember that you should always lie on these stupid questionnaires.

"Would it be acceptable for a person to steal a loaf of bread of their family was starving?"

Of course, the only answer is "no."

[chaska]

50. There is really only one issue: we have got to break the link between gov't and corporations.

Well, that and overpopulation. Because after all, there's not a problem on Earth that couldn't be greatly helped by making fewer of us.

Mankind is an infestation on the planet.

[barbtries]

51. bogus questions

did you ever get a chance to ask them where they think they get off asking such questions?

[old mark]

53. Years ago I worked for a small engineering co, and I remember a discussion

on a job applicant. There was a question about illegal drug use, and the guy wrote down that he used to smoke pot but had not for years.

They didn't hire him because they felt if he was too dumb to lie about it, they didn't want him.

The company sucked and was run by morons, so who won?

mark

[varelse]

54. Odd

I have a list of questions we aren't allowed (by law) to ask prospective or current employees. There's also a list of "permissible" questions. I wouldn't be legally permitted to ask any of those questions in an interview or to add them to a job application. I am in California though, maybe that is why?

[udbcrzy2]

59. Tax Credit for Welfare Question

I thought they got a tax credit if you were on welfare, received food stamps or were a veteran.
I guess something like welfare to work??? That's what they always told me about it anyway. The
politician question is weird. I know sometimes they run a credit check on employees.

[riderinthestorm]

61. One of my daughter's friends applied at the local grocer as a bagger and was asked 7 questions

They were entirely black or white - no grey area, questions like...

1. Do people steal if they feel they can get away with it? T or F.
2. Have you ever lied? Y or N.
3. Are people honest? T or F.

It was the wierdest thing. She never got a call back from the store and didn't know what the "right" answers were. Frankly, I don't either. I mean, have you ever lied? I suppose the correct answer is "no", but that would surely mean you were a liar, right?!

[TK421]

65. Piss on them...I worked for Target for about three weeks

and that was about all I could stand! Absolutely HORRID management and the employees were treated like shit...

Piss on Target