We were taught that if we go to the right law school, earn top grades, make law review, and land a judicial clerkship, the job we’ve always dreamed of is in the bag. What no one ever suggested is that the dream job might rest on how we answer questions on tests designed to assess our personality and behavioral traits. Whether we agree or disagree with statements such as “I have a good appetite,” “I am easily awakened by noise,” “I have never indulged in any unusual sexual practices,” or “I have strange and peculiar thoughts,” these may play a significant role in our careers.
Sound frightening? These are just a few of the statements on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), a standardized exam consisting of 567 statements with which the test-taker is asked to agree or disagree. The MMPI, along with other psychological tests, is increasingly being used by employers � including law firms, to screen potential employees.
