Mensa

[Kryten]

A'ight folks.

Out of interest, I applied to join Mensa a couple of weeks ago, sent them a letter of confirmation of my IQ and also completed a home test and have since been invited to go further to a supervised mensa IQ test when I can make an appropriate appointment.

I'm gonna be out of work come Christmas, and wondering what peoples thoughts would be (if they were perhaps an employer looking for employees) if they were looking through a pile of CV's and one said MENSA member. Would that be considered egotistical, or a benefit?

I've prided myself on acting "normal" (those who know me on IRC would probably laugh at that) despite being autistic - I just wouldn't want to give the wrong impression. I don't want to considered to have a high ego, just want to give myself the edge in the workplace. I'd start a poll but I cant be arsed to figure out how

 

[leggy]

It depends on the job really. Most employers look for basic competencies now rather than overall intelligence. But I assume that if it comes down to a choice between 2 who are almost identical the Mensa member would win

Unless of course you are applying to solve encrypted data by developing your own complex mathematical algorithms.

I can only speak for graduate type roles though. My technical ability and intelligence was measured equally against my ability to solve real life problems and manage people. Coming to think of it I have no idea why I am employed.

 

[Jupitus]

I would consider it a plus on the CVs that I get through TBH.

 

[rynnor]

I would put it on applications of a highly technical nature but would drop it where the role was more team based.

Mensa will get you type cast as a brain - i.e. great on knowledge low on social skills so use it appropriately.

Personally I've always been sceptical of Mensa - its not difficult to train yourself in the type of logic tests that they do and then everyones a genius suddenly.

 

[leggy]

It would be a plus but how would you weigh it against other attributes?

Or were you inferring that the CVs you recieve are a little substandard?

 

[Jupitus]

It would be a plus but how would you weigh it against other attributes?

Or were you inferring that the CVs you recieve are a little substandard?

In what we do, the ability to learn quickly and apply that knowledge is essential, and I would think that a higher IQ, to some extent at least, would indicate that.

I wouldn't put it over experience, but I'd put it over a buy-off-the-shelf Microsoft certificate...

 

[leggy]

In what we do, the ability to learn quickly and apply that knowledge is essential, and I would think that a higher IQ, to some extent at least, would indicate that.

I wouldn't put it over experience, but I'd put it over a buy-off-the-shelf Microsoft certificate...

In that case it probably would be a plus. The logical reasoning tests do generally indicate if someone has the ability to learn quickly.

I have to disagree with the comment about 'training yourself'. This might be true with more generic tests but the good ones are designed in a way that you can tell if someone has the ability to make associations quickly or not.

 

[Jupitus]

I have to disagree with the comment about 'training yourself'. This might be true with more generic tests but the good ones are designed in a way that you can tell if someone has the ability to make associations quickly or not.

Training is provided, but people need to pick it up fast as and when we do...

 

[leggy]

Training is provided, but people need to pick it up fast as and when we do...

No I meant Rynnors comment about training yourself to get good at logic tests.

They are time based. Given enough time I'm sure most people could solve them. Speed is everything.

 

[Paradroid]

You could stick it on your CV under Activities/Interests, and just say you're a member (leave out the specific score, mensa don't let idiots join).

 

[bob269]

I'm gonna be out of work come Christmas, and wondering what peoples thoughts would be (if they were perhaps an employer looking for employees) if they were looking through a pile of CV's and one said MENSA member. Would that be considered egotistical, or a benefit?

If you were applying for a job at McDonalds then i doubt it would make a difference.

 

[atos]

McD wants the rocket scientists.

 

[TdC]

a scientificly perfect burger model will not automatically mean that it's a damn tasty burger tbh

 

[SAS]

Is there a danger of the guy/girl looking at a Mesna member as a potential threat to their own job?

 

[dysfunction]

I think it all depends on the job.

My thought is just because you have a high IQ doesnt mean you can do the job you are applying for....

I still believe IQ tests only test how well you do IQ tests.

 

[Kryten]

Cheers for the opinions and thoughts.
It's basically to "bulk out" my CV more than anything else. Due to the odd way my mind works, it was difficult for me to do well at school and naturally ended up with little or no qualification, and can't quite afford to go through with full MCSE/CCNA qualification just yet. I do indeed have stunted social abilities, however that is down to my disability and would be against the law to discriminate against that. I'm a good team player anyway.

Either way, I think I'll go ahead, test the water as it were.
Personally I agree with Dysfunction - I also believe that in most places, a good level of common sense is better than high intelligence - and an IQ test is often just a test of how well someone can do an IQ test

Cheers folks

 

[rynnor]

Cheers for the opinions and thoughts.
It's basically to "bulk out" my CV more than anything else. Due to the odd way my mind works, it was difficult for me to do well at school and naturally ended up with little or no qualification, and can't quite afford to go through with full MCSE/CCNA qualification just yet. I do indeed have stunted social abilities, however that is down to my disability and would be against the law to discriminate against that. I'm a good team player anyway.

I would just expand on your work history and frame it in the terms of their job spec - I always make bullet points of the things mentioned as required and provide examples of them in my prior jobs.

The Mensa thing is good filler just like the hobbies bit but dont make your CV longer than 2 sides in any event.

Good luck!

 

[rynnor]

No I meant Rynnors comment about training yourself to get good at logic tests.

They are time based. Given enough time I'm sure most people could solve them. Speed is everything.

Intelligence tests tend to fall into the same categories - I have done a fair number for different jobs over the years and they do become familiar.

Also a mate worked in human rescources for his placement at a blue chip company and got access to the standard tests they use and their answers - now he does amazingly well at these intelligence tests but hes no genius

 

[tris-]

a scientificly perfect burger model will not automatically mean that it's a damn tasty burger tbh

i make the best burgers at the mc d i work at. hell i even throw in an extra nugget if the lady ordering it is uber hot.

 

[Ch3tan]

And extra mayo in her chicken sandwhich?

 

[DaGaffer]

I've recruited a lot of people for various roles, (techie and non-techie) and I've got to say MENSA membership wouldn't cut much ice with me personally, but it probably depends on the person who screens the CVs. I don't think it would hurt, but I wouldn't give it particular prominence; just include it in the "other information" section.

 

[bob269]

I also believe that in most places, a good level of common sense is better than high intelligence
Cheers folks

You would not believe the amount of people at our place that lack basic common sense

 

[dysfunction]

You would not believe the amount of people at our place that lack basic common sense

Indeed!

Or how to think for themselves without being spoon fed...

 

[Kryten]

That's exactly the thing. If only there was some form of "test" to show someone's level of common sense and intuition.

 

[leggy]

There is a common way of doing that. It generally involves competence/scenario based questioning during an interview.

 

[old.user4556]

Indeed, competency based can really throw people. They're not easy even when you've really prepared for them. Typically negative questions.

"give an example of a time when you've had a conflict with a member of staff" etc.

 

[Kryten]

True enough - that's assuming you have interviewers who are prepared themselves

Always found that a funny question - it normally gets changed as appropriate to the job - conflicts with staff, your manager, a customer, a supplier etc. I like to throw them one back - pointing out that a life without conflict (or any general disagreement) wouldn't move forward if people always agreed and got on

 

[TdC]

"give an example of a time when you've had a conflict with a member of staff" etc.

I once went into that one with no idea at all heh. very interview virgin heh.

also, at the time I'd never experienced a workplace conflict, so I answered truthfully that I couldn't because at that time I'd not yet had the pleasure. then they asked me to imagine a situation where I'd be in a workplace conflict and describe my course of action, so I imagined that I'd attempt dialogue to resolve the situation.

then they asked me to imagine that the dialogue had failed and to describe what I'd do, so I told them that if dialogue had failed I would regretfully have to inform my superior that I'd become involved in a conflict situation and that my attempt to salvage it had failed.

they kept coming back to it over and over. I didn't get the question (at the time) and I didn't get the job

 

[old.user4556]

give an example of a time when put it in the brown instead of the pink

 

[JBP|]

give an example of a time when put it in the brown instead of the pink

What's snooker got to do with it?*

















*This is a bloody good joke ok