What do you think of the job testing process?

I've been taking tests because I'm looking for a new job, and man, these tests take a lot out of you. For lots of companies, you have to take a screening test, an objective test, and a transcription test. If you take a lot of these for several different companies, it can be so tiring.

I wish that companies would shorten their tests. Half the time you don't even hear back from these companies anyway.

• What do you think of the job testing process? - me
  • I just took a test like that sm - nononaughty
  • I just went through a very strenuous testing process - SM
  • tests - Charlene
  • I understand but look at it this way... - sm
    • Good point - I'd rather spend my - shopaholic
  • I totally agree....sm - blondie
    • maybe they were trying to get free work - shopaholic
      • don't leave us hanging - Lisa
      • shopaholic, what company did you - MM
      • What company is it? - MM
      • That was a good deal....nm - blondie

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu

I had to take an objective test and then transcribe 4 reports and QA 3 reports.  For the transcription and QA part, they were supposed to give me instructions on downloading the files from their FTP site except I never received an email.  So when I emailed back, they said "oh sorry, I thought I sent this to you already."  So I took the transcription/QA portion, and then within five minutes of me returning the completed reports they said the position had been filled!

They didn't even grade my test!  It's that kind of crap that puts me off.  I took the time to take their test and to follow up with them when they had fallen down on the job and then they don't even bother to grade my test?  Not to mention before I started transcribing the reports, they probably knew they were hiring someone else anyway!

All I have to say to these MTSOs is get a clue!  You want us to behave professionally, how about returning the favor?  Our time is just as valuable as yours.

Does anyone know how to use your foot pedal while testing for companies?  I am having to use my mouse to start and stop the dictation and it is taking me FOREVER......help.....

Thanks.

no matter what a company wants, be it ESL specialist, etc., the best test to give ANY applicant is one that is not planned, one given right on the spot, verbal, one that has not been scheduled so the person has had no time to get nervous, but throw about 15-20 questions at them, general knowledge for their level of skill, and it can tell you wonders about their knowledge that is retained!! I actually find that the retention rate of folks hired this way is actually higher than intense testing given by some of these larger national companies.  We all know that it takes sometimes a couple of weeks for even the best MTs to understand (I am speaking of the ESLs or bad dictators).  There are some companies that give these as tests and what does that tell?  Tells nothing and means nothing!  Some of these that do well on these actually cannot do the work.  How do we know that these folks have not actually had someone else do the test for them?

I find the best way is to pull a pop test on the spot in the middle of the interview and it works!  Don't ever give the same questions to two separate applicants.  Have a database of questions to pull from.  Score from the ones you ask and move on from there.  If the person cannot do the work, you know it in a day. 

I believe it was the old EDiX that used to give over the phone questions, but they still scheduled this and people had time to get nervous.  This way there is no time and well, you would be surprised at what folks actually do know...and in some cases...what folks actually do not know when given multiple choice, but to me this is an excellent way of testing, takes very little time, which I personally consider to be too valuable to waste 3-4 hours on a test, which someone who is experienced and has worked for 10 to 15 years in the field should not be required to do anyhow, should not be asked to do.  When you have worked 12 hours during that day for a company (and some have), why should they have to take 4 hours to do a test?!

Think about it!!

I have recently spoken to other recruiters from other companies and they have agreed with me on this and I hope it catches on because it certainly is less time consuming and tells you all you need to know without giving them the actual work to do.

>>>you end up fixing things like changing "were" to "are", "a" to "an", that kind of thing. 

Like I said, it's all in the training process, which includes ar-ti-cu-lating correctly. You have to feel the words form in your mouth. If you don't, you're going to have errors like these. Also, did you use add phrases to the vocabulary? You sometimes have to do that. What about the microphone? If you used one of those right out of the box, that could be the problem. And your sound card? Did the program analyze thousands of documents? --- You can't just install the program and off you go. Like many an expansion program, you have to put time and effort into it ... but the gains are worth it (at least, they were for me).

>>>Easier in my opinion to type from scratch,

It depends upon the individual. If you're a relatively fast typist (100+) who can remember ten of thousands of abbreviations, or you're a whiz bang with ST or IT (which still ultimately requires memorization) you're certainly not going to benefit from the program aside from alleviating any pains and discomfort you might have as the result of RSI. But to those of us who who aren't whiz kids or are experiencing physical discomfort from years of clicking the keyboard, VR is blessing.

>>>not to mention that you are usually making half what a normal line rate is to do VR.

I can dictate and proof an average of 350 lph. Multiply that by 7 hours in a day.

My apologies if posting on wrong forum, but I am beginning to get paranoid and am wondering if I'm not doing something correctly.  When I respond to an ad on MT Stars, I click on the "Apply now" button, fill out the boxes appropriately with MY email address, etc., and then click "Submit."  It tells me it has sent the message to the "Desired recipient" (employer).  Am I doing this correctly?  I have applied for so many positions, am an experienced radiology MT with 30 years' experience, and am having a hard time accepting the fact that absolutely no one is responding to my applications. I've tried Keystrokes (needed 15 MTs for rad) and others.  I check every hour to see what new ads are posted and respond within that time frame.  I know it can take a couple of weeks or longer to hear anything, but when I hear that others hear back the next day I have to wonder if I'm just not performing the application process correctly.  Any feedback would be appreciated.  I'm getting worried and cannot find work.  Thanks.

I am testing on Friday for a new job. I need this job very badly, because of the benefits. If anyone has any suggestions on where I can find some practice tests(written exams), please let me know! Thanks.

   Can anyone out there explain to me why when taking a test for a national company they would tell you, Note: The audio is bad and that is part of the test.  Why in the world would a company want to give you a bad audio tape to test on?  Is this a Joke?  I feel this is very humiliating to a transcriptionist.  Just give a decent test.  How is anyone supposed to pass it if the audio is bad?  I do not care who you are and how many years experience, if the audio is bad, then no one is going to pass.  This is totally ridiculous.  I am glad I am starting to look into coding for a new profession because these National companies are making a mockery of this field, which was once respected.