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lead to success in the job, often comparing your answers to those from people who have succeeded at that work. Assessment administrators say you shouldn't try to outfox the text, to imagine what answer the employer wants. The more sophisticat- ed instruments have built-in checks – "validity scales" – that can help detect inconsis- tencies in your answers. For example, if you're applying for a sales position, you might assume it's good to say you stay in close con- tact with old friends. It shows you keep relationships going. But you also might think it's better to say no. You don't want to look like it's hard for you to make new friends. That's why it isn't worth overthinking the questions. Relax. Be yourself. And hope that the employer – according to the best industry advice – uses the personality test to influence only about one- third of the hiring decision. Other factors, including face- to-face interviews, your expe- rience, reference checks and skills testing, should be con- sidered in tandem. If the test is a good one that is professionally interpreted, your results ideally will pre- dict whether you're a good fit for the specific job. People sometimes aren't very good at assessing their own strengths and weaknesses. Job hunting can be a quest to find the position where they're most likely to do well. Job hunters understandably bristle at the time it takes to complete lengthy assess- ments, usually on a computer. Administrators say it's wise to sit down with a positive attitude and set aside quiet time. It won't help your chances if you're irritated or speed through just to get it done. Once again, don't even try to guess what the question means. Go with your first answer that comes to mind. Human resource officers say valid tests can detect people who basically end up faking themselves out of considera- tion. Equally unfortunate, if you do manage to fool the test, you may end up in a job that is completely unsuitable for your personality or character. Experts also say you can refuse to take a pre-employ- ment personality assessment. But don't. The employer wants that information, and you put yourself out of con- tention by refusing. 2 GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS • July 16, 2015 job hunters. . . from page 1 Liz Reyer is a credentialed coach with more than 20 years of business experience. Her company, Reyer Coaching & Consulting, offers services for organiza- tions of all sizes. Submit questions or comments about this column at www.deliverchange.com/coachscorner or email her at lizdeliverchange.com. Overcoming impostor syndrome at work By Liz Reyer Tribune News Service (TNS) & A Q A. Don't sound so surprised at your promotions! Your objective self knows you're a high achiev- er; now focus on deepening that belief. When have you really known you're good? Think of any times, no matter how trivial they may seem, when you know you've tri- umphed. Soak that feeling in, remembering it with your mind, your heart and your body. What's going on when the doubts kick in? There may be certain settings in which you feel less assured – notice what's going on, who you're with and what the dynamic is. You may have certain hot buttons that trigger insecurity, for example, if you have to deal with someone with a domineering or intimidat- ing style, or even a subtle under- miner. You may even have it occur when you're with some- one you admire, or who is very accomplished in some way. Per- haps in these circumstances you start putting yourself down in some quiet, internal ways. If so, catch the dynamic as it happens and shut down any negative internal messages that you might be hearing. Easy to say, but how do you shut these thoughts down? A noisy mind can be like dealing with a toddler – so try distrac- tion. If you're dealing with some- one you admire and you're feel- ing small, focus on the substance of what you appreciate about them. Set aside comparison. On the other hand, if you're dealing with a dominator, notice that this is not an effective way to influence people and, again, focus on the business matter at hand. In other words, shift your attention away from yourself until you can be positive. Prevention is even more important.You're not an impos- tor, so you really don't have any- thing to worry about.Take time to focus on your strengths, even making a list that you can use. Get in the habit of reinforcing positive messages about yourself so that your brain gets in good habits. Spend as much time as possible with positive people who reinforce a positive view. And then root out any dimin- ishing habits you may have.While it's good to give credit to a team for accomplishments, don't do it at the expense of your own appropriate credit for a job well done.When you receive a com- pliment, don't deflect it – that may feel quite uncomfortable at first, by the way. It may also be useful to try to understand the origins of these feelings; it can be a good way to have it click that they are not relevant or useful, and that they may eventually serve to hold you back. Finally, if you notice that you're not stepping forward for oppor- tunities due to self-imposed limits, take a deep breath and move forward through the fear. You've demonstrated your ability and strength, so let your past accomplishments set the tone for the future! A publication of Conley Media Distributed by: Conley Distribution 262-513-2646 ©2004 by Conley Media, LLC Waukesha County Independent and Locally Owned GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS is published weekly by Conley Media – Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS assumes no liability for any error in copy or content. It is the advertiser's responsibility to be aware of the laws pertaining to employment advertising. Subscriptions are available for $34 (non-refundable) for a 6-month subscription. Call 262-306-5008 for information. Call Center Director: Cindy Shaske 262-306-5016 cshaske@conleynet.com Account Executive: Julie Sears 262-306-5008 jsears@conleynet.com Story Coordinator: Dan Muckelbauer 262-513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262-513-2690 GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS Volume 17 • Number 44 July 16, 2015 To place an ad: Call us at 262-306-5008 or fax us at 262-542-6082 deadline: Noon on Wednesdays A growing way to cut pay: Companies treating workers as contractors CHICAGO – Truck driver Lucio Barrera said he didn't think twice about signing a con- tract in 2013 with DNJ Inter- modal Services, even though it barred him from using his truck to do business with other compa- nies and he had to use and pay for DNJ's communication and tracking systems. Barrera said he started having doubts about the arrangement last year, when he got paychecks that showed zero earnings. Bar- rera said DNJ was deducting costs for repairing, towing and storing his 1996 Freightliner semitractor-trailer truck. In Janu- ary, the company seized the truck for back payment and told Bar- rera his services were no longer needed, Barrera said. In June, Barrera, 41, of Chica- go, filed suit against DNJ in fed- eral court in Chicago claiming the company imposed so much control over him that he should have been classified as an employee, not an independent contractor. Barrera said in his suit that he believes 50 to 100 other drivers "suffered the same type of economic damages as a result of DNJ's practices and policies." DNJ, a unit of Memphis, Tenn.,-based IMC Cos., declined to comment. It's difficult to know the exact number of misclassified workers nationwide, but state-level studies see CONTRACTORS . . . page 6 By Alejandra Cancino Chicago Tribune (TNS) Q. While I objectively know I am doing a good job at work, I still have nagging doubts about my competence. I get good feedback and have actually been promoted a few times, but keep wondering what happens when I stop being able to deliver. How can I handle this?

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