I still remember the first day of my previous office job like it’s yesterday. Not because my coworkers welcomed me with all-out dance numbers, food, heaps of reassurance, or running jokes they crack with every new hire, but because that day, in the midst of formalities, icebreakers, and orientations, one of my colleagues made me answer a personality assessment.
No dilly-dallying, no second thoughts, he just did it. He pulled out his phone, sent me the test site, and had me show him my results like a magician and his card tricks. Naturally, I thought, is he serious? Was this my first deliverable at my new job? No initial pitch decks, no work tips? I didn’t even know when our lunch break was! And he deemed me worthy enough to answer a personality test he knew from the back of his head?
In my head, I called shenanigans. Why would I believe a stranger who placed that much significance on an online assessment? Who was he to perceive me, to act as if he knew me more than myself? Was his test even factually accurate? Still, by his elaborate explanations and stance that had “trust me” written all over it, I processed his request to the best of my abilities. I was just as curious, anyway. First impressions always stick. If I had to confirm mine through my officemate’s favorite psychological test on the Internet, then who was I to decline?
After processing my answers, the results saw me in the “zeroth percentile of introversion” (or something along those lines). Zeroth. Number zero. Meaning a level of solitude that nobody could exceed. The Internet just told me that. It was the most bogus claim I’d ever heard until my coworker expounded on the outcome. Lo and behold, I believed him and the web for a while. It’s true, after all. I’m still an introvert who prefers working within my own comfortable spaces. Solo flights are the backbone of my work ethic, so I had no complaints about my results.
Back then, though, I just didn’t get why they mattered so much. My officemate didn’t want me to work on anything else until I handed him my answers. As if that test was an unwritten office mandate for company newbies, even if it didn’t define their performance, much less their worth as an employee. But now, I’m starting to see these assessments’ place in the average employed young adult’s work routine. No matter how much work culture varies per company, these tests can surprisingly guide employees to areas of responsibility that promise the best outcomes and most fruitful experiences. Through the years, the job market has also gradually incorporated personality tests in their hiring processes and orientations to optimally match newbies’ skills and adaptability with the most ideal departments.
According to JSTOR in 2022, employers have turned to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test as the most prominent helping hand for their hiring processes. Thoroughly processed information of current and potential employees’ work dynamics, when established early, have proven to be beneficial towards companies’ upkeep despite the tests’ complications with research and facts.
That said, while these tests attempt to understand you through graphs, percentiles, narratives, and cute avatars that supposedly represent your archetype, they shouldn’t dictate you—especially outside work. Who you and your officemates are in person should bear more meaning than their carefully curated online selves. These assessments are meant to guide you towards more fulfillment at work because you took them. They’re not for you to depend on 24/7, let alone use as excuses for shortcomings.
Let’s ditch the complex data for now. While online personality tests aren’t 100% accurate (and probably never will be), they’re still fun to take sometimes to maintain our sense of whimsy in an otherwise bleak and mundane atmosphere. These four unique, poetic, and heartfelt online tests prove that there’s still much to discover about ourselves beyond our MBTIs and key performance indicators (KPIs). The best part is, they’re all free!
Read Your Color
Photo: Read Your Color by Steeve Reese
Simple and straightforward, the Read Your Color test by writer and content creator Steve Reese is an extensive compass of your reading preferences according to your moods, beliefs, and the kinds of stories you seek. If you thrive in introspection and reflection, then you’re a Blue Reader—one with characters, story arcs, and compelling prose that shape your self-discovery journey. If you’re an empath who adores visceral experiences, then you might be a Yellow Reader whose favorite books have each been emotionally enriching in their own special ways. Answer the test’s 24 questions and uncover the impactful and profound narratives that can finally pull you out of your reading slump.
Your Personal Flower
Photo: Your Personal Flower by Seekrtech, Forest
This calming and serene mobile test by software company Seekrtech and focus app Forest reveals the thorough details of your most effective productivity and work habits. This is an activity you should savor and enjoy, so don’t rush or cram your answers. You’ll only receive the results you want if you intently focus on every section—from planting the seeds of your capabilities to watching them bloom. You’ll end up with a shrub, flower, or tree that best suits your productivity levels, as well as other compatible plants that double as your study or work buddies.
Cosmos Persona
Photo: Cosmos Persona by I-see Warissa Jaidee
What’s better than wielding cosmic superpowers? Transforming into the superpower itself! Your Cosmos Persona by I-see Warissa Jaidee is a uniquely molded character that combines the analytical elements of MBTI with the fantastical aspects of astronomy. 12 situational questions transport you to a humorous, action-packed adventure across the Solar System, leading you to a universe where you can be a galaxy, comet, satellite, or even the sun and its planets.
My Blooming Key
Photo: My Blooming Key by Pakon Keawdee (Atompakon)
No two Blooming Keys are the same, and yours holds the start to unveiling your fully realized self. This quiz by Thai digital artist Pakon Keawdee will hold your hand through your deepest realizations and epiphanies. Like flowers, humans can only bloom fully in the healthiest, most loving environments. Your Blooming Key soothes the trials and wounds you’ve endured through the delicate and intricate nature of flowers. Your results aren’t a symbol of clarity, but a lucky charm—a breath of affirmation that ceaselessly reminds you of your worth and lifelong dreams that deserve to be nurtured.
ALSO READ: Different Personalities and Their Perfect Food Match
Have you tried any of these personality tests? Share your experiences (or results) with us in the comments below!
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