Rant: the Target employment test

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

Note: this happened about 3 months ago. Then, I was thinking of adding a part-time gig at the local Target store (I decided against it later, since I'm already busy as is and it is not financially necessary). So I went in and I sat at the computer and began their very long screening test with the usual questions about what you'd do if a fellow employee stole, etc.

Some of the questions I was familiar with and I responded the way that retailers want you to respond (though I believe in real life some of the answers would not be as clear cut as they were on the test). And then the kicker, "Do you believe in and follow traditional family values?" (paraphrasing, but that was the gist). WTF of a question is that??? Who determines what's traditional and what isn't?

I answered 'No' to that question and, lo and behold, I got a "thanks but no thanks" card from Target. Now, the irony is that I have no problems whatsoever in finding employment in my field, which requires substantial knowledge of a very narrow field of law (along with writing skills and familiarity with many fields ranging from engineering to fashion) - so much so that many times prospective employers have contacted me rather than vice versa. But I guess I am not Target material and not qualified to be a Target 'Associate'...

[Squatch]

1. So, let me get this straight...

For every other question, you "responded the way that retailers want you to respond."

But, when it came to this one, you couldn't?

Hmmmm

[Shell Beau]

2. That is a little weird. If you are going to lie for

some of the questions, why not this one! Is this the one that he/she HAD to take a stand on? :shrug:

[Squatch]

3. Delayed cognitive dissonance.

:rofl:

[eyesroll]

4. Maybe you got dinged because your answers were inconsistent?

When you answer according to what you think they want to see, your answers tend to be less consistent than they would be if you were answering honestly. (They build in questions to test for that.)

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

5. This was the question that I despised the most

and the one I least expected. By the time this question came up (towards the end), the wording of it and the underlying assumption made me quite angry, which is why this question was not answered "the way Target would have wanted."


I did not answer all of the questions the way you're supposed to answer either. I am just illustrating that this question was, in my opinion, uncalled for and totally not relevant (unlike the other questions) to the position of Associate at one of their stores.

[nini]

6. Dont' we all believe in 'traditional' values?

We just believe values aren't limited to the Stepford family. We add more on top of the traditional family and include all kinds of decent folks.

Stupid question and to be honest.. I'm wondering if it's legal to discriminate if they intent that to be some kind of political/lifestyle type thing.

[Shell Beau]

8. And what exactly is traditional anyway?

Traditional for me is probably completely different from what is traditional for you. Plus, I am sure it differs depending on where you live. :shrug:

[nini]

10. that was my point.. traditional in the sense of loving relationships

is something we all need in life and can all agree on. However, we are secure enough with ourselves to not be afraid of anything other than a heterosexual couple with 1.75 kids that drive an SUV.

Where you live means nothing. There are bigots everywhere.

[Shell Beau]

11. There are bigots everywhere. But

"traditional" here in Mississippi is going to be very different than "traditional" in Los Angeles or New York.

[nini]

12. I'm arguing the semantics of what traditional means here.

I don't think anyone does not believe a traditional family is a good thing - does this mean anything other than that isn't? - NO.

What constitutes the family is what we disagree with the other side on.

I am arguing more on the semantics of this - I could have answered that question the way they wanted and not felt I was lying. My beliefs include thinking their version of the family is ok. They didn't ask if I felt a man/woman and two kids were the ONLY acceptable situation.

[chaska]

7. I had to endure an assinine anti-union presentation for a new job...

just the other day. Chock full of bullshit lies. And the new hires were all toadying right along. Bunch of boobleheads.

[ET Awful]

9. Tradition is in the eye of the traditionalist :P . . .

I mean, if your name is Neil Horsley, your traditions involve female donkeys :P

[Oeditpus Rex]

13. The definition of 'traditional values' aside

I'm wondering what the hell that question has to do with anything related to one's qualifications to be a Target "associate," or any other job outside, say, the priesthood.



Oh, wait... bad example.

[tjwash]

14. Last time I was in Target...

...the guy who checked me out had a green mohawk, black lipstick and nail polish, and his nametag said his name was "Star."

I wonder what his answer to that question was?

[MissB]

15. It would be "yes". His family traditions would be slightly different

than yours, though.