The McQuaig word survey is a psychological personality test given to potential employees before they are secured the job.

The word survey asks that you rate certain words based on how much they describe you. These words then rate your personality type into one of five categories. The employers will then use the test results to help determine who gets the job and who doesn't.

Understand how the McQuaig survey works. As the test will tell you at the beginning, there are no right or wrong answers. For example, you may apply at a restaurant and at a job in retail. Both jobs may require you to take the McQuaig word survey, but you may only hear back from one job. This is because different managers may be looking for different traits. The restaurant job may be looking for someone who is more sociable while the job in retail may prefer someone who has strong leadership skills. Both personality traits are important, but because the restaurant job may require the worker to socialise more, you'd get the job there. All personality traits that McQuaig tests for are hireable, it's just up to the manager of the establishment to decide which traits are more favourable.

Avoid over-thinking the questions. Instead, answer quickly and go with your gut instinct. The McQuaig word survey is usually timed and those who don't finish within the allowed time rarely get hired.

Answer questions honestly and always avoid lying on the survey. The McQuaig test has methods of detecting cheaters and will give them a much lower score than those who were honest. The test will also ask trick questions later to catch potential employees in lies.

Avoid using the answers "Strongly Agree" or "Strongly Disagree." For example, the survey may ask you to rate a word based on how much it describes you. The word will then appear in a sentence such as "I am competent at accomplishing any task." You will then be asked to rate the word "competent." Many people would select "Strongly Agree," however this is not the correct answer. The correct answer would be "Agree" or even "Neutral." This is because employers want an employee who is honest about their job potential. An employee may be good at accomplishing tasks, but not "any" task. Employers know you're not perfect, they just want to see if you know that as well.