Need some pre-employment testing pointers for a chemical company

[FishDewd]

Hey all,

 

Most of you don't realize because I'm not sure I ever mentioned it, but in January this year I officially obtained an AAS degree in a field called Process Technology. It's similar to engineering, but the engineers design it, and we run it, maintain it, log it, analyze it, and troubleshoot it. Anything manufacturing related has P-tech process operators. Been trying since then to get into a company, I've applied to maybe 50 at this point, and the company I really wanted to work for, which is very close to my my home, has contacted me earlier today and invited me to take pre-employment testing next Tuesday. I expect the following testing fields: basic math, science, technical, mechanical, cognitive, and behavioral. Specifically, if anyone has been involved with the company INEOS that'd be even better because that's who I'm testing for. It's a brand new linear alpha olefins unit. I'm really excited for the chance, but also really nervous. It's a competitive field and it's very hard to get in to. I don't want to blow this. I'm studying up as much as I can, but I know there are some very smart people on this forum and anything at all you can do to help me out I''d very much appreciate. This is a life-altering opportunity for me and I want to nail this. Of course... this is only the first stage, next comes interviewing which is where it really matters. Still. Lol. I have to get through this first.

[TOXIC]

It is what it is.  Relax, get your head straight and take the test.  If you don't know it by now, you are not going to get before then.  Have confidence in your abilities.  I'm not in your field but that's pretty universal advice.  I am in a position where I had to test out to get to the next pay raise and the pre-test jitters were always there.  Just control them and do your best.  Good luck!! 

[12poundbass]

This winter I applied for a position with the second largest natural gas supplier here in Michigan. To echo what @TOXIC said, it is what it is. If this is your field of study just relax and you'll do fine. 

 

The position I applied for was the same job I'm doing now, just with a different company. My testing started with an on line assessment test, then 2 weeks later at a testing facility I took three written tests, that dealt with like your math, science, problem solving, and a few other things. I had pre test jitters like most do but once I started I relaxed and found my groove and it was fairly easy. 

 

The interview is where things went south for me. I was informed ahead of time by the company that their interview process uses the STAR format of questioning. If you're not familiar with this format check it out. From my research a bunch of large companies are using this format. The questions had absolutely nothing to do with the job at all. Basically this format is supposed to help this company see what kind of person/employee you are. 

 

Long story short I totally bombed the interview and didn't get the job. I had the most experience and the most qualifications for this position and I'm a contractor and I already do the job as a contractor for the exact same company I applied for, but this STAR format said John Doe was more qualified and a better fit than me! Was a salty? Absolutely I was. It was a major blow to me, and knocked me down for a few days. A month and a half later I find out that after the new union contract was signed with this company the starting pay was less that what I'm making now. The benefits would have been better but I would have been bringing way less home because there's no overtime there, so it all worked out for the better. 

 

I know this was long winded and I apologize but sounds like you're a detailed person like me. My whole point of this is I wouldn't focus so much on the testing. See if you can find out what the interview is going to consist of and if they use a certain format like the STAR format, then practice practice practice. 

[FishDewd]

Yeah that''s pretty much what it looks like, thanks guys. I'm not too concerned about the mechanical side of things as much as doing calculations by hand that I haven't done by hand in quite some time under a timed format. The timed thing is what gets me. I've found some pretty good resources though for practice and it's coming back to me now lol. That's one bad thing about modern schools is that we tend to get too reliant on calculators to do easy stuff, then we forget how exactly to do easy stuff. Not to mention any curve balls they may throw since I really don't know what to expect lol. I'm just nervous.. it's really the only offer I've gotten so far so I hate to blow it there.

 

@12poundbass you are correct, it's the interview that's the actual hardest and most vital part. These guys are going to be stuck with you (me) for a long time, so it's best that the company knows what kind of person they're dealing with before committing to your (my) training. At least I am already aware of that going into it lol. The questions they'll probably ask will be along the lines "tell me about a time you had a dispute with a coworker and how you solved it". To me that's a hard one because I've never really had such a dispute with a coworker. I'm not sure if that's a reasonable answer or not, but maybe it would be if I then explained what I would do if such a dispute were to arise.

[Armtx77]

Interesting, I work in the technologies, with a Reliabilty Program at several "chemical" plants here in SE LA.

 

Outside of Marathon, and that is debateable, it all works on nepotism. Either a relative or a friend, will get somone hired. Every year, Marathon puts out an add, they are hiring a couple of operators. 400 people will show up to take a test, but one of the supervisors buddies or kid will get hired.

 

The SMART evaluation in a pysch test, that has been pimped like Sigma Six was pimped....how many Sigma Six guys around anymore? Complete scam.

[FishDewd]

Yeah and that's wrong. I've heard marathon is hard to get into anyway. I do have a relative at Lyondell but they aren't hiring right now. And a cousin who has almost worked his way up to operator through contractors. He has no degree but has the intelligence (basically is a genius) to get in. He's been applying too. We're basically having a contest as to who can get hired first but also are helping each other out at the same time lol. We've both recently applied for DOW for the same job :P INEOS is mine though, I don't think he's found that one and I'm not gonna mention it lol.

[Basseditor]

Good advice here. There are so many employment help aids online. Maybe you can find someone at the company through LinkedIn to read up on it. Have a “Me in 30 seconds” or one for about 90 seconds if the interviewer asks for a brief introduction from you. Practice it so it sounds natural even if it’s memorized. 

 

Find common interview questions online so you don’t get blindsided by some really weird questions. It happens. I’ve hired lots of people and trained lots of people how to interview. Have a friend practice with you.

 

I believe you can’t be too prepared.

[FishDewd]

Oh this isn't interview yet... nope. Stage one of... 4? 5? Who knows? Lol. After this will probably come another test, assuming I do this one well enough. Then the interview, possibly followed by a panel interview. It's a very competitive field. ><

[Keith79]

I also Have a P-Tec degree and have taken the PTEX with a score of 96. I’ve tested for Ineos 4 times over the last 3 years. Twice during COVID because they started demanding the vaccine and everyone was turning down the job. I’ve never received an invite to interview. They always send me an email saying I didn’t score high enough to move on to the next round of the selection process. I can tell you this, The test is not that difficult. I can guarantee I’m getting all answers correct on the English, Math and mechanical aptitude portions of the testing. However, they send your personality portions to a third party company, at least that’s what HR told me, and that score is what they are really looking at. Just a side note, I spoke to someone that is a tech 5 at Ineos and he told me it took him 7 years to get on at Ineos. Good luck. But I wouldn’t sweat the tests. 

[SageOf6Paths]

Howdy! 
This may be a long shot and I came upon your post, but I hope you all is well and you were able to get into INEOS. I was reaching out bc I too have an upcoming pre-employment with INEOS and I was hoping to see if you can help me out. Like you, I received my associates in process technology, but I was hoping maybe you have some info that’ll be helpful for the test itself. Is there any studying tools that you may know of that can help my possibilities of passing the test? Any specific info I should be reviewing? I hope to hear back from you. Thank you!