Ask the expert: A self-defeating way to handle job interview

Is it all right to refuse to complete part of a job application routine because you don't consider it relevant? DR MARIE WILSON, head of management and employment relations at the University of Auckland Business School and a veteran of 20 years in corporate management and small business, offers some helpful ideas.

Q: Can I refuse to do psychometric tests as part of the job interview process? I think they're a load of crap, frankly.

A: Companies expect to collect relevant information from a variety of sources to try to predict whether you'll be able to do the job.

This includes your CV, samples of your work, referees' reports and psychological testing.

Assuming that all these methods are actually targeted at the types of skills and behaviours required on the job, tests are among the most valid ways of collecting information to make a selection decision.

A carefully designed selection system usually makes use of several types of information.

If you refuse, you probably will not be considered further. Essentially, your application will be incomplete. Rightly or wrongly, your refusal may also be interpreted as as lack of flexibility or cooperation.

Q: You usually hear of bullying at work as being boss against worker, but in my case it's the reverse.

I'm managing a small team in a company and have been for a few months, so we're over the honeymoon period. The four other guys are older than me - I'm 34 - and have worked there for years.

They are all difficult, but two can be really aggressive and rude. I have not said anything because I don't want to look as if I can't manage.

A: You haven't said whether this is affecting their performance, so I'll assume that their performance is adequate and that yours is as well.

If the team are performing well, you need to spend some time identifying exactly what it is about their behaviour that you find offensive and why it is important to you.

If it is at the level of harassment, there are a series of remedies, but you've described them as rude.

There are several thoughts for your consideration. You may want to discuss with their former manager or other managers if this is normal in this team or elsewhere in the company.

Feedback to them about their communication patterns, as part of a performance review, might be appropriate but would have been much more effective if it had occurred from the very beginning.

If this is your first supervisory post you may also want to seek out additional training and mentoring to bolster your confidence in dealing with this type of situation.

Q: I'm working as an exec PA for two bosses who don't talk to each other. It's been going on for about three months but I don't know what started it. They communicate through me, and it's just messy. As a result I am not enjoying work at all.

A: Gee, it's great working with adults, isn't it?

You're not in a position to mediate in their dispute, so don't try.

You can talk to both of them, separately by necessity, about how it is affecting your work.

If there is enough work, perhaps they could hire a second PA and split the job so that you're not stuck in the middle. You might suggest they get assistance to resolve their differences, especially if it is affecting the business.

In the interim, do your best to maintain a completely professional relationship with both of them.

* Send your questions to: julie_middleton@nzherald.co.nz.