HOW AN ORANGE DETERMINES THE OUTCOME OF YOUR ASSESSMENT
15 January 2021
During lunch today, I ate an orange. Every time I eat an orange (yes, really... every time...), it reminds me of something I read years ago about do's and don'ts during an assessment.
Back then, shortly after graduating, I read a lot about navigating an assessment. How to do it successfully? What should you do and what should you avoid? Among all those tips and tricks, one has always stuck with me. And not because it's "the golden tip" that helped me land that coveted job.
Challenge
This tip wasn't about the various tasks that assessments can include. No, it was about lunch. The author of the article (don't ask me where I read it anymore) believed that if you decide to have fruit for lunch during an assessment, you should choose an orange. Why? Because, according to the author's logic, eating an orange is more challenging than eating an apple, grape, pear... you name it. After all, you have to peel it (and for many of us, also spend hours removing the white pith), and that takes effort. In short, orange-eaters are the ones who like to take on a challenge.
Hold on a moment.
So, according to the writer, choosing to eat an orange demonstrates great perseverance? Eating an orange means you're proactive, willing to get your hands dirty, and not afraid to tackle something head-on?! Does the reverse hold true? If I eat an apple instead of an orange, does that make me lazy? As much as I wanted to uncover the secrets of a "successful assessment," I quickly disregarded this absurd advice.
There could be countless reasons why someone might decide not to choose an orange. Plus, can't a candidate take a break during an assessment and enjoy an uninterrupted lunch? Is every single thing you do during that day being observed and judged?
Great Examples
For (future) candidates of an assessment with us, let me reassure you. We gather information from various sources (CV, interview, online assessment, etc.) to create the most complete picture of you possible. And yes, your behavior during the day, in the moment, can play a role. These often serve as wonderful examples of what you value or prefer. But the lunch break is truly a break. What you do or eat during that time is up to you and has no bearing on the outcome of your assessment.
By the way, I warmly invite you to an assessment: whether it's for the valuable insights you'll gain or the delicious sandwiches during lunch! And alright, maybe even an orange if you want to show that you're up for a challenge.
- Carlijn Witvliet, Work and Organizational Psychologist