During the presidential debates, the one theme that was constantly brought up was jobs. one side says "there are jobs, unemployment is dropping" the other says "there are millions going on food stamps and needing government assistance, where are these jobs?" Well, there ARE jobs, not as many as needed but they're there, however, getting a job is far more complex today than it's ever been. Millions of Americans will apply, apply and apply again and never get a call, instead their name will be red flagged as "Unhireable". Why? The single biggest reason for the unemployment crisis in this country today is personality assessment tests, which DISCRIMINATE against many applicants and ask off the wall, non relevant questions. The EEOC states "only relevant  job related questions may be asked" yet allows the myriad of assessment testing companies to ask questions ranging from "You have no big worries" to "You proudly display trophies and prizes", many are starting to ask applicants how far/long they must travel to the place they apply, and are red flagging those with longer commutes as "unhirable" (retention) and admit they actively try to remove creative and individual thinkers from the applicant pool.

Today an application can take an hour to fill out: first make a username/password, "oops this application doesn't support your browser" errors, make question backdoor entry, etc. One must give his/her most coveted prize-the SSN-in order to proceed in the application process. Why do they want your SSN? To look up your age, race and sex of course! After you get through all the standard stuff you get the wonderful assessment, which asks 100 non job related questions, often subjective in nature.

The most used and most despised is the Unicru test, created by a psychologist names David Scarborough. Kronos says it only asks for the SSN if the company using their service wants it, I've NEVER run into a Kronos app that didn't ask for the SSN. I've also read Kronos checks your credit WITHOUT your consent and if they don't like what they see, they red flag you.

The statements in the Unicru/Kronos test all have the choice of Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree. No writing in your own answer, no explaining an answer, no middle "inapplicable" ground. For instance, one of the statements is "It's fun to go to concerts with friends" first, that's not job related, secondly not everyone has been to a concert, so they can't honestly answer that and finally, what if you went to a concert and it totally sucked? Your preference NOT to go to live concerts counts AGAINST you?
It should be noted the test is timed, take too long, have a connection problem and you're timed out-red flagged, "unhireable" and also that middle ground "agree" and "disagree" also count against you. So if you're not sure a concert would be fun because you've never been to one, you're penalized for not having been to a concert.

So what are the motives of these tests? Conformity by repetition, to make the younger generation so used to these applications and train of thought they actually act that way, robots, no creativity, no individual thought. To remove creative and free thinkers from the gene pool by way of economic strangulation, keep them unemployed in hopes they become homeless and die off.

There are so many assessment/personality tests today that it has become big business, and that's exactly all it is, I can find NO validation to any of these tests, what's more is state psychological boards will not validate the tests, more so the companies that own these tests are NOT LICENSED psychologists, though most of the tests were designed by a psychologist, are administered as psychological tests and give the employer a psychological breakdown of the applicant, which is illegal. Basically they use the test to say you're a liar, you're unreliable, you're a thief, you're an introvert, etc. not taking into account past work history/references, background checks or other LEGAL means. Many psychologists say these tests have no merit and aren't worth a grain of salt, but the creators of these biased tests proudly flaunt them and say they're "unbeatable".More importantly, the companies that use Kronos seem to NEVER hire people over a certain age, so it seems (and most likely is) that these companies put an order in, telling Kronos what age/race/sex they want and Kronos red flags those applicants who don't meet the requirements. Because there is no government oversight nor regulation to these tests nothing the test owners say can prove this is not the case, in fact Kronos REFUSED to give the EEOC information regarding how they choose passing applicants. Also there are no regulations/oversight to how your personal information is stored, they say it's "secure" but how do we know that?  Do you trust a company that tells people they're "unhireable" without even giving them an interview? Basing that assumption on 100 subjective statements that aren't even job related?

Here's my observation of companies that use assessment tests:
Michael's Crafts (uses PeopleAnswers): The employees look tortured, dismal, not friendly, nor helpful. Do minimum to get by.

K-Mart (Sears Holdings-possible in house test) Well, for Sears they're always stuck up snobs. Kmart is weird, sometimes they have more employees than they do customers. other times they have no one, I often wonder if they're actually hiring when they say they are. I've overheard an employee being a smart alec to another employee to the point of yelling, cashier couldn't make correct change to me, some congregate and talk, doing nothing. Once I saw a manager get belligerent to a cashier was telling her to "hurry up" in a nasty tone. The woman was doing the best she could considering some idiot was turning in lotto tickets, then changing his mind as to what he wanted, then scratching them there and wanting more.

Food City (Kronos): I've seen two baggers bagging/flirting with one cashier, two cashiers talking while their lines backed up, many employees standing around talking, once I saw a bagger avoid helping a cashier/customer with a large bag of dog food, then ran over to bag my 4 measly items while the cashier talked about the lady previous to me (she needed help getting the dog food back into her cart).  And of course, the standing around doing nothing the Kronos picks do.

Kroger (Kronos): Employees taking constant smoke/talk breaks outside in front of the store, two employees running up and down aisles, laughing and slapping/grabbing each others' butts while management stood around, talking; employees walking around trying to look busy, doing nothing; employees talking on their cells. At another Kroger the night shift lets their friends gather in the parking lot where they yell at customers, rev their engines and do burnouts/donuts in the parking lot. I make it a point to avoid Kroger. Another great group of employees chosen by the wonderful Kronos, Inc.

Wal-Mart (possible in house test): Seen the share of do nothing people, saw an employee with buddies tossing balls and screaming/cutting up, but believe it or not Wally has far less employee screwing around then the other places. But this is due to the fact that Wally mostly hires older, more mature people.

Home Depot (Kronos): There was a post on their page about an elderly man in a wheelchair getting knocked over, an employee stood over the man, started dancing and singing "Ain't no party like a cripple party cause cripples party all night long". That wouldn't surprise me, they do use Kronos, after all. Also they have TONS of posts from people asking why they're not getting called after applying. Kronos, plain and simple. Once I went to apply directly at HD, one of the workers suggested I ask the manager what they were hiring for (since the application asked me what position I was applying for, I need to know what they were hiring for) the manager snapped "I can't tell you what we're hiring for! We take your application, if you pass they test I call you back in 48 hours and we place you where we think you'll fit in at!" That was the last time I ever stepped foot in a Home Depot. I have no use for them.

Lowe's (Kenexa): Lowe's employees just love to walk around talking on their walkie things, looking busy but never offering any real help.

The fast food joints: the employees always look dismal, tortured, seem them cutting up while one person does all the work, hanging out in the parking lots with buddies, seem some fast food joints (major chains) that I don't think a dog should eat at, totally nasty inside and out.

Sadly, in all of the cases the person busting their butts the most was the cashiers, I'd be pissed to be a cashier and work my butt of while other employees were taking constant breaks, standing around or chasing each other around playing with each others' butts. The managers always do nothing, or walk around and act busy.

So, do these tests work? Sure, if discrimination is their goal, then they work great. If they're trying to get people who want to work, who want to see the company succeed, then hell no! Any company that uses these tests is wasting it's money and a running joke to the assessment company they use.

I was once told "People think they can put an application in, and get right to work...they don't want to take 30 minutes to answer some questions..." So applying and wanting to work today is a BAD thing? And people wonder why food stamp use has gone up? Why people are more dependent on government programs for housing/food and money assistance? THESE TESTS ARE THE SINGLE BIGGEST REASON FOR THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM IN THE U.S.A. TODAY! They simply don't want to hire the first people who apply, they have to wait until they get "greens". Or for that matter, wait until their order is fulfilled. Companies won't allow their HR and management to do their jobs today. Hundreds of capable workers are passed up for the jokers who do nothing.

Do you want your child to be conformed by a company? Taught specific things by some unseen shrink who has a God complex and thinks he's better than everyone else? Because that's exactly what's happening out there.

Here's a link to the Unicru/Kronos statements and answer key, http://melbel.hubpages.com/hub/Unicru,  though you should note that I've read the company changes the correct answers at will and PeopleAnswers states that answers for their test differs from department to department.

Let's go over the statements in the Unicru test, the possible answers are strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly disagree with agree and disagree answers counting AGAINST you. Each statement is subjective and can be taken different ways by different people according to their individual life experiences and these tests DO NOT allow one to write in his/her own answer.

1. Any trouble you have is your own fault-SA-you're supposed to SA to this statement, so if your car broke down it's your fault, you got hit by a dump truck it's your fault and if you were raped, you guessed it, Unicru says it's your fault. "Trouble" can mean anything, from being wrongly accused of a crime to being the primary cause of trouble.

2. It is easy for you to feel what others are feeling-SA-in you're low paying retail job you're supposed to feel the pain of others, if they cry apparently you're supposed to also. No, you're not supposed to do your work and go home, you're supposed to (according to this test) be the shoulder to cry on, or jump for joy that someone's niece or nephew is getting married...in reality, you're not a mind reader nor is it your job to be a consolable to coworkers. Not to mention the fact that you have your own problems.

3. It is fun to go to events with big crowds-SA-this is a massively subjective statement. Maybe you went to an event and it turned into a riot, Unicru apparently thinks riots and crowd crushes are fun events. Besides, what's a big crowd? Shoulder to shoulder mayhem? Again, how does this fit it as an acceptable job related question like the others above???

4. It is maddening when the court lets guilty criminals go free-SA-but...this has NOTHING to do with your part time retail job unless you happen to be working with O.J. Simpson. Add to that the court made the judgement the person is NOT a criminal so it's out of your hands, however if you add these test into that category the court is allowing these discriminating criminals get away with it as is the government and the EEOC and yes, it is MADDENING!

5. When someone treats you badly, you ignore it-SA-what kind of treatment? Name calling? Racial slurs? Sexual harassment? Some picky customer? So you're supposed to let someone treat you like crap, call you racial slurs or make sexual advances and ignore it? This just shows what kind of sick freak David Scarborough really is.

6. When you are done with your work, you look for more to do -SA-Not Kronos picked employees, they run up and down aisles laughing while grabbing each others' butts, stand around and talk or generally do whatever it takes to do nothing.

7. When you go someplace, you are never late-SA-of course you're not supposed to be late, but NEVER say NEVER there are things that can be out of your control from a flat time to an accident blocking the highway. Such a stupid statement.

8. When your friends need help, they call you first-SA-another non job related statement that's stupid. If your friends need help they SHOULD CALL FAMILY first. "Hey, it's Tony...I done got my 5th DUI, also got resisting arrest, damaging public property and assault of a police officer, can you bail me out?" Hell no, who wants a call like that? Apparently answering SD means you're not popular enough to work for retailer A.

9. You agree with people more often than you argue-SA-yup, you're supposed to agree with people, no arguing here, no way..."you say that 50 inch big screen is on sale for $9.99, no problem, lemme take off $990.00 for you..." People argue all the time, look at our lousy politicians...

10. You always try not to hurt people's feelings-SA-again, not job related (no wonder no one can count proper change today) and totally pointless, if you're a jerk they'll fire you, or promote you to management.

11. You are a friendly person-SA-what one person considers friendly another calls cold and heartless and yet another calls nosy. Let's see, uh....get rid of these tests, let your HR and management do interviews like you're supposed to and in they can

figure that out in a few minutes.

12. You are always cheerful-SA- yup, I'm also a sociopath and homicidal maniac. NO ONE is always cheerful. I feel sorry for the ladies who take these tests, they're not allowed to have postpartum depression or PMS.

13. You are careful not to offend people-SA-of course not, because the guy I offend might just know some Jackie Chan moves and kick the crap out of me! Say, what am I applying for, a retail job or some kind of shrink???

14. You are proud of the work you do at school or on a job-SA-Yup, I've always aspired to be treated so lowly. Jeez, what if you totally screw up or fail a test, you're supposed to be proud of that? "John, you put the product in the wrong aisle!" "Oh, I see...hmmm...looks good, though! I did a good job, didn't I?"

15. Your moods are steady from day to day-SA-ladies need not apply. No one has a steady mood, they fake it or show it, nothing wrong with that and having emotions shouldn't discount anyone from a job.

16. You avoid arguments as much as possible-SA-yes I do, no problem, the customer is always right..."sir, go pick out ANY car you want for our seriously messed up ad price of .99, it's cool, our publisher will cover the other 30 grand..." Come on, there are going to be arguments because some people are NEVER happy or don't understand a mistake, speaking of such Best Buy had an error once and ARGUED it with customers and WOULD NOT abide by their mistaken sale price on a product. Even the stores can't follow the stupid test they use. No wonder Kronos own CEO failed their test.

17. You can wait patiently for a long time-SA-not if I have to pee...what am I, here to work or sit and wait for something to do? No wonder so many places went belly up, they had their employees sitting around patiently waiting for something to do.

18. You chat with people you don't know-SA-that's a given, need not even ask, everyone chats with people they don't know-in public places, anyway, they can't jack you there as easily as they can in that dark alley.

19. You could describe yourself as 'tidy'-SA-no, I'm a slob, I haven't washed my clothes in 3 years and they still smell great! Uh...duh...what does this have to do with a retail job? This should be for the dry cleaners.

20. You do not fake being polite-SA-EVERYONE fakes being polite, like the Food City cashier who was polite to a woman then turned around and talked about her to the bagger after she left. Another Kronos using company, I might note.

21. You do things carefully so you don't make mistakes-SA-which must be the reason some employees get so little done these days. In my mind carefully means being slow and meticulous.

22. You finish your work no matter what-SA-that's right, that tornado didn't stop me from finishing, no siree. Half the store is gone, but dammit, I finished my work NO MATTER WHAT! Morons. Does Scarborough have the IQ of a gnat?

23. You give direct criticism when you need to-SA-but just before I'm not supposed to offend people and to be nice, now I'm supposed to criticize people? Let's face it, I don't even think Kronos has the answers to these, I think this whole thing is just a way to discriminate against people, tell certain age/race/sex people they "failed" the test.

24. You got mostly good grades in high school-SA-this is job related how? My GPA in school doesn't have any relation to whether I can stock a shelf or interact with customers. What if I flunked out, I'm not supposed to work? Then give me disability, since you're saying those of us who fail this test are mentally unfit to work and are "unhireable".

25. You hate to give up if you can't solve a hard problem-SA-Instead of asking someone for help you're supposed to keep at in until you die. What kind of problem are we talking anyway? "Jeez, tab a into slot b...man, I'm never gonna get this cardboard display set up..." Err...I'm thinking hard problem like the meaning of life or time travel...

26. You have always had good behavior in school or work-SA-of course, you're not going to tell em you were a bully who beat up the skinny kid and stole his lunch money. Sadly, what I've noticed passing this test have an epic fail on this part, if good
behavior is playing grab ass in the store is Kronos idea of good behavior...

27. You have confidence in yourself -SA-apparently that's not enough to get the job today.

28. You have no big regrets about your past-SA-another none related to the job statement. What if you were abused? You're supposed not to regret that? How about making mistakes, oh, wait, you're not supposed to have ever made a mistake or bad decision. This is literally a shrink question that should be discussed behind closed doors because everyone's past regrets range from not buying stock into Microsoft to losing a loved one or committing a crime.

29. You have no big worries-SA-nope, everything's great, out of work, bills piling up, have to deal with your hour long stupid questionnaire, never get called from anywhere that uses your dumb test. Not at all, no big worries here. Apparently you're supposed to act like a stoned monkey.

30. You ignore people's small mistakes-SA-well, I hope not to be that close to someone to notice every single little detail or mistake they make. Now if they run my foot over with a forklift, I dunno, lawsuit may be in order.

31. You keep calm when under stress-SA-Where am I applying, the 7-11 that gets robbed twice weekly???

32. You know when someone is in a bad mood, even if they don't show it-SA-not really, nor do I care if they're in a bad mood, I'm not their keeper. "Mind reader" wasn't in the job description.

33. You like to be in the middle of a big crowd-SA-a riot is a big crowd, I'd rather pass on that. What's considered "big"? The average everyday crowd isn't big, in some places you'd be hard pressed to even find another person. But riots, some stupid black Friday event, etc...no, I have a cold and am highly contagious.

34. You like to plan things before you do them-SA-"Sir, I'm planning this out before I start" try telling that to management. What's there to plan out in a standard retail or grocery job, you just get to it. I guess that's why I see so many Kronos picked employees standing around, talking, they're actually planning the days events out.

35. You like to talk a lot-SA-this is obviously strongly agree as I notice Kronos picked employees talking a LOT and NOT doing anything but talking. Business who use this test must like getting crappy workers. They're probably the same employers who cry "No one wants to work". Stop using Kronos and start hiring normal people.

36. You love to be with People-SA-wow. Just reading that makes me feel perverted. Well, I suppose this is why the Kronos picked employee is always flirting and playing grab ass with each other, it's a requirement to love people. Get a room. Apparently if you want to be left alone you don't deserve a job.

37. You love to listen to people talk about themselves-SA-no, I don't. I came here to work, not hear about someone bragging about themselves.

38. You make more sensible choices than careless ones-SA-yup, like that time when I was gonna launch myself to the moon...I can't believe I let my buddies talk me out of that...

39. You rarely act without thinking-SA-nope, that's me, thinking before I act...I'm not being lazy at all, I'm just thinking...is there really anything in regular retail you need to think about before you do it?

40. You were absent very few days from high school-SA-this has nothing to do with work attendence as you weren't getting paid to go to school.

41. You work best at a slow but steady speed-SA-when's the last time you saw anyone who was actually working doing so slow and steady? They make the job sound so easy, someone with disabilities could do it-IF they didn't DISCRIMINATE against people with disabilities!

42. You would rather work on a team than by yourself-SA-a team? Really? How is it a team if I'm stocking in section a, other people are doing their jobs all around the store? That's not a team, that's a group of people doing individual jobs individually for the same company. Sorta like the "team" that plays sports, usually 2 or so guys who always score, and when they're injured the "team" loses.

43. Your friends and family approve of the things you do-SA-certainly! Why, my family supported me so much after that incident! I mean, they all agreed those people deserved it. Come on, in realistic famalies there are tons of things they don't approve of, from spouse choices to career decisions. No one has a family that approved of everything they've done. Another shrink question that has no place on a job application.

44. You've done your share of trouble-making SD-nope, never got into any trouble...say, where it says "felonies" do you just want me to just list my felonies or do you want misdemeanors too??? I may need some extra space...

45. Your stuff is often kind of messy-SD-oh, no...it's not a mess, it's organized the way I want it and I know where everything is!

46. You'd rather not compete very much-SD-"Say what? Hiroshi wants to sumo wrestle ME? But I'm like 190 and he's 400...sure, I'll do it, it'd be an honor to take one for the TEAM!"

47. You would rather not get involved in other people's problems-SD-oh, heck lay it on me, as if i don't have my own problems, I want to hear everyone else s problems. This is totally stupid, YOU are supposed to care, yet management doesn't give a horse pucky about anyone but themselves. Sounds like this test is for a psychologist, not for retail.

48. You swear when you argue-SD-WHAT? I never %^&*%$# swear, you !@#$%^& *&&^%$#!!!!

49. You sometimes thought seriously about quitting high school SD-and how does one who actually quit high school answer this? This is an obviously discriminatory question. Many people who dropped out had personal reasons for doing so and that decision doesn't make them uneducated nor stupid, nor should it count against them when applying for a job.

50. You show it when you are in a bad mood-SD-jeez, i'm supposed to read others' minds or look at them and read their mood, but I'm supposed to hide my feelings? Where am I applying at again? A doctors office? Am I becoming a surgeon who needs to have a decent demeanor at all times? Am I a mental health specialist who has to keep it together? Uh...no, I'm applying for cart pusher so what does my mood matter?

51. You say whatever is on your mind-SD-yeah, F%$# you, Kronos!!!!

52. You look back and feel bad about things you've done-SD-well, if that felony was violent and someone got hurt, don't ever say you feel bad about it, I mean that might have gotten you paroled but it won't get you into a retail or grocery job. Again, you're not supposed to have made any mistakes, never said anything bad to anyone, never did anything-whether it be a youthful mistake to being a heartless gang banger-and either regretted it, or redeemed yourself and gone the right path. Because doing so and not being a heartless psychopath is a bad thing. This is why a Kronos picked Home Depot employee went home, killed his sleeping wife with a baseball bat and went back to work as if nothing happened, Kronos test passes the sickos.

53. You like to take frequent breaks when working on something difficult-SD-only if I have to pee. Apparently you're supposed to think it out BEFORE and not take a break and think while in the middle of it. "Darn it, Will...you done put tab 6 into slot k again...the blasted display looks like a boat!!!" "But, sir...I did good, right? I'm proud of what I done."

54. You are somewhat a of a thrill-seeker-SD-there's some confusion as to what the correect answer is. If you're a thrill seeker they think you're gonna swing from the rafters like Tarzan, if you're not they think you won't want to take on a new department/assignment. I'm guessing if you really are a thrill seeker they won't want you because of insurance and attendance issues. "Don't hire him, what if his parachute doesn't open? I bet he won't be able to come into work the next day and our insurance will have to pay part of his medical bills!"

55. It bothers you a long time when someone is unfair to you-SD-this test is unfair, nope doesn't bother me at all...I mean, if I was near a Kronos building I wouldn't kick the crap out of the first Kronos discriminating shrink I saw, never crossed my mind...

56. You like to be alone-SD-apparently being alone is a bad thing. Does this mean in personal or work life? What if you like being alone in your personal life? How is that a bad thing? How can that be the sole basis for denying someone a job?

57. It bothers you when you have to obey a lot of rules-SD-Truth be told, a friend was asked in her business class if an employer asked an employee to do something potentially illegal, should they do it and the answer was YES, you're supposed to do something illegal if the boss/manager asks you to...sounds like companies like to follow a lot of rules and LAWS, doesn't it? Why should they hold you to a standard they refuse to abide by themselves?

58. It is hard to really care about work when the job is boring-SD-or low paying, but people have to do it everyday to pay bills and have food for their family. Don't ask stupid questions on job applications.

59. Right now, you care more about having fun than being serious at school or work-SD-LMAO...what a joke this is, all I see Kronos picked employees doing is having fun, playing with each others butts (Kroger), flirting, etc. Do they hire the reds and toss the greens? I'm beginning to wonder...

60. You ignore people you don't like-SD-If I worked with someone I ddn't like I'd avoid them, who would want to deal with some

prick all the time? That would avoud arguements that would lead to cussing which would lead to rule breaking and we all know we couldn't break the sacred Kronos rules!

61. You have to give up on some things that you start-SD-well, all I can say is you'd better NEVER mention that failed Everest trek, in Kronos eyes you were supposed to die, not just lose a few fingers to frostbite.

62. You have friends, but don't like them to be too close-SD-what the hell does this have to do with work? "Huh? Oh, she's my friend, we're close. She's coming to work with me, that OK?" Get out of here, whether you have close friends or not that's not reason to deny someone a job, plus all this crap is PERSONAL preference, and NONE of the employers business! This crap is as bad as Facebook snooping and companies asking for peoples FB accounts and passwords.

63. You get mad at yourself when you make mistakes-SD-nope, I NEVER make mistake.

64. You get angry more often then nervous-SD-what kind of question is this?

65. You don't worry about making a good impression-SD-depends who I'm impressing.

66. You don't work hard because it doesn't pay off anyway-SD- now this is an SA if I've ever seen one, tons of employees talking, flirting, walking around like stoned monkeys and ALL Kronos passed and hires. The only people working hard are the cashiers while everyone else dicks around.

67. You don't care what people think of you-SD-why should I? Seriously, why should I care what anyone else thinks of me? Shouldn't I be secure enough to be me, not some fake person? I'm guessing companies want fakers and not real people? Just fire everyone and get robots then. Let's see how long that lasts.

68. You don't care if you offend people-SD-didn't we already address this with different wording? This is getting repetitive. People don't pass because they get tired of the bull and pick whatever to get done so they can do something else. It shouldn't take an hour to fill out an app anyway.

69. You don't believe a lot of what people say-SD-yes I do, "I'm telling you officer, this poor dude was just going to try the gadget out for a few days, then bring it back after he made a decision on it, that's what he told me while he was shoving it in his pants...I swear security had no right to tackle him." Yeah, trust everyone. No wonder they say shoplifting is up.

70. You don't act polite when you don't want to-SD-stupid again, you should always act polite until you're given reason not to, like if Kronos calls you and asks what you think of their test.

71. You do what you want, no matter what others think-SD-if that was the case, i wouldn't be trying to get a job, I would have robbed, conned and stolen myself rich or to the slammer.

72. You do some things that upset people-SD- everyone does something that upsets someone whether that be a fart to not using turn signals.

73. You do not like to take orders-SD-"Hello, I'll have a large pepperoni with extra cheese..." "Hey, man, I don't take no orders from no one..." Another dumb question devised by a wanna be god like moron. The guys IQ must be in the minuses.

74. You do not like to meet new people-SD-well, not in a dark place alone, I don't. Uh...what place could you work at where you DIDN'T meet new people? Please tell me!

75. You do not like small talk-SD-I don't like being yelled at either, these places can take their screamed "HELLO" and shove it, it's rude and inconsiderate to the person they're speaking to at the time you walk in and they yell over them at you. In many places "Can I help you find anything" is speak for "I'm watching you, I see you, you're a shoplifter" Target, CVS,  shove you're small talk.

76. You criticize people when they deserve it-SD-first I'm supposed to offer critizism, then I'm not supposed to criticize. I can't keep to myself because I'm supposed to be a mind reader, play grab ass with everyone and talk a lot...I don't know what to do, wish I could go swing on the rafters like Tarzan or simply be left alone, but those things are bad too. No wonder so many of these employees look so confused.

77. You could not deal with difficult people all day-SD-no one could, that's a stupid question and what's worse is you're supposed to like to deal with difficult people all day. I can't put up with stupid questions either, which is why most people QUIT APPLYING FOR EMPLOYMENT, after tons of these things and no results, you just give up. Kronos alone is the reason this country is in such an employment mess.

78. You change from felling happy to sad without any reason-SD-another head shrinker question. Am I applying for a job or for disability?

79. You are unsure of yourself with new people-SD-nope, can't be shy, either. That's a Kronos crime.

80. You are unsure of what to say when you meet someone-SD-heck no, being shy AND quiet is really bad, you're supposed to sell, sell, sell, push that crap on people, sell it, sell it. I actually read Home Depot was firing people for not pushing their credit card. Half these places have some sort of charity they want you to give to, force their cashiers to ask you if you want to give here or donate there. How do I know that place is actually getting 100% of my donation or any of it? Not to mention they do this to make you look cheap if you don't donate.

81. You are not interested in your friends' problems-SD-jeez, have my own problems and I'm supposed to take my friends problems on also? Again, another question that violates EEOC rules.

82. You are not afraid to tell someone off-SD-nope, you're supposed to take it and like it, not talk back. I really don't see how not being afraid to tell someone to "take this job and shove it" is a bad thing. Apparently they want drones who won't challenge them whether it's cussing employees, sexually harassing them, calling them racial slurs, etc.

83. You are more relaxed than strict about finishing things on time-SD-you're supposed to work best slow and steady but not work relaxed...instead you're on a time schedule...ok...then you should be working like a frenzied maniac.

84. You are a fairly private person-SD-Heck no, air it all, bub...your past, present, plans for tonight, your mistress and mistress's mistress, tell everyone your favorite position, etc. No privacy in the work place, why if a customer asks to see your junk don't taunt it, flaunt it!

85. When you need to, you take it easy at work-SD-Of course not, you're working at a slow but steady pace strictly adhering to not being relaxed...

86. When you are annoyed with something, you say so-SD-no, NEVER speak your mind, but you're supposed to not be private, but keep your thoughts to yourself, but air your dirty laundry so everyone can gossip about you...

87. When people make mistakes, you correct them-SD-No, NEVER correct them, when the shelf falls on them, they'll learn, when the gas explodes, they'll learn, when the tow motor crushes someone's fool they'll get it...never correct them, for no reason, not even safety...

88. There's no use having close friends; they always let you down -SD-Wait...close friends, you mean the people I'm not supposed to correct, am supposed to be open to, whose minds I read daily and who I never say anything when I get annoyed with them, those close friends  Heck, working 4 jobs to make it I don't have time for ANY friends, let alone close friends.

89. There are some people you really can't stand -SD-Of course not, Hitler was simply misunderstood. And apparently the inspiration for this test...

90. Slow people make you impatient-SD-not at all, I love creeping along at 15 MPH when it's over 100 degrees out while I'm low on gas, my air is broken and I have frozen stuff in the car while the engine temp goes up...ah, slow to 5 MPH, you're going too fast! Is it me or do the people who HAVE to stand at the register and put their change in their wallet, purse, etc the most ANNOYING, SLOW people?

91. Many people cannot be trusted-SD-Sure they can, hey, the man is just trying toat big screen out for a few days, he'll bring it back when he's done with it.

92. Other people's feelings are their own business-SD-oh, no...if someone is down, angry or having a hard time you should just pry and pry until they tell you how they feel, usually with a four letter word and "off".

93. People are often mean to you-SD-these test companies are mean to me because I have no idea how any of this crap relates to a job. I just wanna work, not babysit everyone!!!

94. People do a lot of annoying things-SD-and ask a lot of meaningless questions...

95. People do a lot of things that make you angry -SD-when they ask a lot of meaningless questions and are therefore mean to me.

96. People who talk all the time are annoying-SD-work, don't work, be slow but hurry, be laid back but strict, read minds, criticize, don't critize, don't correct, maybe be a thrill seeker, listen to everyone, be patient, know everyone's feelings...listen to everyone talk about themselves, don't have any privacy...say when does anyone in this place work, seems all their time is taken up worrying about each other and talking...is this REALLY what companies want???

97. People's feelings are sometimes hurt by what you say-SD-Sorry, I'm not applying for a management position.

There are a few more not listed, but isn't this enough? Enough dumb questions for a simple minimum wage entry level job a trained monkey could do? He couldn't answer this crap right, either. Some ask how hard it would be to get another job like *enter company here* this one. If you say easy, you're insulting them, if you say hard you sound desperate, so it's lose/lose with these.

Target questions:

Compared to others, I know I have a rebellious attitude:
1. Strongly agree     2. Slightly agree     3. Not sure/in-between     4. Slightly disagree     5. Strongly disagree

I am:
1. Much more tactful than most     2. Slightly more tactful than most     3. About the same as most when it comes to tact     4. Slightly more direct than most     5. Much more direct than most

Traditional values of my upbringing play an important role in my life:
1. Strongly agree     2. Slightly agree     3. Not sure/in-between     4. Slightly disagree     5. Strongly disagree

The percentage of politicians that I think are honest is:
1. 95% to 100%     2. 90% to 94%     3. 75% to 89%     4. 50% to 74%     5. Less than 50%

I have or will probably change jobs:
1. Quite often     2. Often     3. Sometimes     4. Rarely     5. Never

My close friends tell me I am:
1. Careful and serious-minded     2. Not sure/in-between     3. Carefree and happy-go-lucky

Promotions at work are usually based on:
1. Effort or who tries the hardest     2. Ability or who has the most skill     3. Who has the most experience     4. Other factors like who the boss likes best     5. Luck or being in the right place at the right time

During high school, the number of clubs or organizations I belonged/belong to is:
1. 0     2. 1     3. 2 to 3     4. 4 to 5     5. More than 5

The number of times I have been elected or named the leader of a group (e.g. team captain, spokesperson, chairperson, etc.) is:
1. 0     2. 1     3. 2 to 3     4. 4 to 5     5. More than 5

I find it easy to trust other people:
1. Yes     2. Not sure/in-between     3. No

Using your own idea of what success means, have you been successful to this point in your life?
1. Yes     2. Partly/not sure     3. No

Compared to most of my friends, I am:
1. Much less satisfied with my life     2. Slightly less satisfied with my life     3. About as satisfied with my life     4. Slightly more satisfied with my life     5. Much more satisfied with my life

I am more of a:
1. Logical thinker     2. Not sure/in-between     3. Day dreamer

There are leaders and there are followers. Viewing myself as objectively as possible, I am:
1. Much more of a leader than a follower     2. Slightly more of a leader than a follower     3. About as much a leader as a follower     4. Slightly less a leader than a follower     5. Much less a leader than a follower

My experience with people has been that:
1. There is lot of good in all people     2. There is some good in most people     3. People are about as good as they have to be     4. A surprising number of people are mean and dishonest     5. Most people are just no good

I believe that the percentage of the U.S. population that cheats when they fill out their federal tax returns is:
1. 10% or less     2. Less than 25%, but more than 10%     3. 25% to 50%     4. 51% to 75%     5. 76% or more

Regarding my savings habits, I:
1. Regularly save a set amount     2. Save when I get extra money     3. Do not save due to limited means

Are there any real answers to these and do the answers matter? All this green/red crap is nothing more than discrimination, someone being ALLOWED to work, rewarded for answering a specific way. That's not how the human mind works, nor should it. You should do your job and go home, none of these useless questions or interactions. You'll make friends or you'll do your job and go home. There's no right or wrong way about it. What's really scary is the number of people who have been conformed by these tests and actually think they're good for humanity. Apparently those people want their children to grow up controlled without free thought or the ability to work unless someone allows them to. And those same people don't care that millions of Americans per year are missing out on employment opportunities because of silly questions that are vague in nature. I'm guessing the folks who made these tests and those who use them and support the use of them consider anyone who doesn't pass them to be inferior and wants those of us who oppose this garbage to die out. And to prove it, they try to do so by economic strangulation, keep you out of work in hopes you'll become homeless and die off.I wonder how many people are on public assistance and food stamps because of these tests? Simply because they didn't answer a few stupid questions properly and aren't in the top tier (top tier people are always the laziest most worthless) and are passed up for employment so a few teenagers or twenty somethings can flirt of chase each other around the store, grabbing each other as they go.

These companies should be paying into welfare, food stamps and public housing as they're responsible for people not having jobs today.

Some tests ask if you're afraid of the unknown, this is actually for Lowe's. I wasn't aware Lowe's carried inter-dimensional portals or time machines. A lot of the Lowe's test is about management and work ethic, stress, etc. It's mostly the same question asked 100 different ways. Constantly asking the same thing in a different manner. there's only so much someone can take before they throw their hands up and belt out an expletive. This same test also has a disclaimer telling applicants their not responsible for loss of vocational opportunity because of their test. They know what they're doing is immoral and illegal so they made some excuse to cover their butts.

Here's Target's take on the disabled and how they feel about the ADA "Target will provide reasonable accommodations (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with the application process upon your request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please visit your nearest Target store or Distribution Center." So if you have a disability and can't answer their weird questions someone who (knows") will take the test for you, if they fail you're out of luck I suppose. Many places do that, if someone has a learning disability the place has a family member take the test, either in store or on the phone. So that person's app rides on how their family member answers. That should be illegal. And if these places kick the test to the curb I suddenly realized I have a disability, that's what these tests say about us, anyway.

Home Depot (a Kronos user) has this position "The Facility Support Associate - Sales (FSAS) is a position for individuals who have been granted a waiver from Home Depot's standardized employment testing due to a verifiable developmental disability that prevents them from understanding and passing the testing requirement. The FSAS's primary responsibility is store maintenance tasks and limited customer service with the assistance/direction of other associates. FSASs assist with the maintenance of the in-stock condition of assigned areas, and ensure that it is clean, shoppable, and safe. The position interacts with The Home Depot associates and customers and should only be expected to approach customers to offer assistance when other associates are present and available to provide direction." Too bad they don't mention their standardized test is hogwash. In my opinion this position is a joke. People with devolopemental disabilities don't need to be watched and should be allowed to speak to a customer WITHOUT someone watching them, standing beside them etc. Basically if someone with Down Syndrome got a job they couldn't be independent or treated like a regular employee, but would be treated as if they're different and made to realize they're different by the way they're treated, not allowed to interact with customers without supervision and put in some crappy joke of a position, nothing more than a janitor. Is that what Home Depot thinks of those
with developmental disabilities? Shame on them!

I just love the management questions. Truth be told you don't know if you'll direct a customer to a manager until you work there. Some places have management that's totally worthless and won't help customers. Why would you direct someone to "Sally know-it-all" or "Mike the big nothing"? You'd tell them to come back when someone helpful is working or try to resolve the problem yourself. The companies don't get half their management is crap. Take Dollar General for instance, the managers there accuse people of stealing, follow them around the store and sometimes try to stop them and search them while inside the store. I've heard a manager complain when someone paid with a $100.00 bill, saying "I wish these people would quit bringing in these big bills." in a huff. You're a business, money is money, period. Or stop selling stuff and close. If they don't like money perhaps I should take my business elsewhere.

Sometimes they ask "if a customer is getting belligerent or extremely angry with you what would you do"? Well, that also depends. I'm not gonna let someone attack me because there's a .70 difference on a price. They ask things like would you cuss back, etc. Depends what's said and how heated something gets. There's no right answer. You won't know the answer until you're in that position. I'm guessing you're supposed to allow the angry customer to stop a mudhole in you.


Here's a post off Home depot's Careers Facebook wall (Posters name withheld) "Im pretty disallusioned by the Home Depot application process...I apparently, after speaking in person with the local manager after applying, and after him informing me on numerous occassions that it was "looking good for me", was then by chance informed by the "hiring manager" that I had "failed" the on-line test. This apparently was the reason that the manager never received my app from the hiring manager...so even though he was impressed with me, had told me"it was looking good for me", met with me in person on 4 or 5 occassions at the store when I would go in to check on my status, I apparently have no chance at being hired. I cannot get back into the "system" to retake the "test" ( which I am AMAZED could actually be "flunked" in the first place...) neither do the two managers at my local store have any knowledge of how to get this done. The "test" seemed to be designed to predict an employees actions to a variety of situations..ie "do you agree, disagree etc..." I put forth my personal feelings on this test, NOT WHAT I FIGURED THEY WANTED TO HEAR..." My mistake, I guess...I would, in fact, "handle" these situations however the company wished...I just dont get it....I am seeking employment at the Home Depot, and did not anticipate a "psychological profile" being done. In the "old days", a man went in, talked to the hiring person, filled out the normal application, and presented himself based on these impressions. Like whether or not the propspective employee ever came back to check on his status ie. "showed motivation", things of this nature....
I turned down 2 other jobs in thinking I was a good prospect for Home Depot, which is where I want to work, while all along it apparently was not going to happen. Had I not accidently met the hiring manager that day, who was nice enough to enter me by my social, and then tell me I "failed", I would still be wondering why the general manager wasnt returning my calls, which would prompt me to make another visit to see him, at which time he would probably tell me AGAIN it "looked good" for me, etc etc....I dont suppose anyone up the line has any real ideas??? I mean really...what do I have to do to get hired at my local HD, where I have lived for 30 years...I have to assume there is something "I dont get"....how bout filling me in?"

Millions of Americans are victims of this practice and don't even know it, they've worked for years, have great references and yet some sorry computer program says they're "unhireable" because of odd, subjective questions. So they think the economy is dead, they think there are no jobs, and they give up trying. Until something is done about these tests unemployment will continue to go up and more and more people will need government assistance. If you're as mad as I am about these tests, contact your congressman, senator and the EEOC, these tests violate their rules, after all.


Facebook snooping is another big thing, not just the companies looking your name up on FB (how do they know they got you and not someone with the same name?) but actually asking applicants for FB, Twitter and other account usernames AND PASSWORDS. Again, that's illegal, if some company asks you for your personal info ask for theirs or add up your hourly pay times 24 hours because obviously they want to rule your life 24/7 and tell you what you can say, what religion you can be and who to vote for. Are we becoming a communist country? Sure seems that way.

If you've found this blog and still think Kronos is a good thing you're part of what is wrong with America today.