Don't Fail Pre-Employment Physicals with These Tips

Starting a new job is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Between the countless applications, rounds of interviews, and juggling job offers, the hiring process alone can be exhausting. One hurdle that many candidates don’t expect? The pre-employment physical.

Companies are realizing the value in pre-employment physical testing to ensure potential hires are physically capable of handling the essential functions of a role. Especially in physically demanding fields like manufacturing, warehousing, construction, and transportation, these tests are a critical part of preventing injuries for new hires and for people returning to work after an absence.

Pre-employment physical tests are carefully designed to be non-discriminatory and to reflect the measured demands of actual job tasks. These tests are also commonly referred to as “post-offer employment tests” because they are only required after a candidate has received a formal job offer.

If you’ve been scheduled for a pre-employment physical and aren’t sure what to expect, don’t panic. With the right preparation and mindset, you can walk into your testing session with confidence. This blog will explain why these tests matter and offer simple, actionable tips to help you perform your best.

Why Companies Are Using Pre-Employment Testing

You might be wondering, Why is this test necessary if I already got through the interview? The answer is safety, and not just for the employer. New employees are statistically more likely to get injured on the job, especially within the first six months of employment. Even if they’ve worked in similar roles before, the unique physical demands of a specific job (like repetitive lifting, overhead work, frequent bending, or extended standing) can create unexpected strain.

Many job tasks aren’t difficult in isolation. Lifting a box once might be easy. But lifting that same box every five minutes for an eight-hour shift? That’s a different story. Pre-employment testing is designed to simulate those combined, repetitive, or awkward movements to ensure you can safely perform them over time.

Employers use these tests to reduce injury risk, support return-to-work programs, and build a safer work environment from day one. It’s not about weeding people out; it’s about setting employees up for success.

Tips for Acing Your Pre-Employment Physical

It’s important to remember that companies want their job candidates to succeed in the post-offer employment test. Nothing about the test is designed to trick you or to be any more difficult than the actual job you applied for.

These simple but important tips can help you prepare physically and mentally to give your best performance at your test:

1. Dress for the Job

It might sound basic, but wearing the right clothes can make a big difference on your test performance.

Check with the employer to see if there is a dress code for your test and follow that. If there is not, a good rule of thumb is to pretend you’re dressing for your first day on the job. If the position is in a warehouse or a factory, wear work boots or supportive sneakers and breathable, flexible attire.

Wear clothing that is comfortable, non-restrictive, and work-appropriate. Think athletic or workwear-style clothing you can bend, squat, and lift in. Avoid tight jeans, dress shoes, or anything that might restrict your movement. You want to be able to move freely and demonstrate your full capabilities without limitations from your clothing.

2. Avoid Caffeine or Other Stimulants that Could Affect Your Performance

Avoid trying to “hack” the test by downing energy drinks or taking stimulants right before. While it might be tempting to get an extra jolt of energy, doing so can elevate your heart rate, impact your coordination, and even lead to dizziness or fatigue during the test.

Additionally, heart rate and blood pressure are often measured as part of a physical abilities test. If either one is too high on the day of your test, you may not be able to complete the test that day. To reduce the chance that your heart rate or blood pressure is too high, don’t use tobacco products, caffeine, antihistamines, or decongestants for at least 12 hours before your appointment.

Instead, treat the day like a normal workday. Eat a balanced meal, stay hydrated, and give your body the tools it needs to perform. A steady, reliable effort is more valuable than an overstimulated sprint.

3. Listen to Instructions Carefully

Pre-employment testing typically involves clearly outlined tasks: lifting a weight from the floor to a shelf, pushing or pulling a sled, walking with a load, or demonstrating specific postures like crouching or reaching. Each task will come with instructions from a trained evaluator. Your job is to follow those instructions exactly as given.

If you don’t understand the task, ask for clarification or for a demonstration of the task. There may be an opportunity for you to practice before each test component to make sure you understand what to do.

Don’t try to show off by doing more than asked. Doing so may cause injury or result in the test being voided.

4. Give Your Best Effort

Your results are meant to reflect your true physical capabilities, not your performance on a good or bad day. Don’t be afraid to push yourself appropriately. If a task asks you to exert maximum force or lift a certain weight, give it a strong and safe effort. You won’t be disqualified for overachieving, within safe limits, or for needing to adjust your stance to find a better position.

These tests often include a functional capacity component, meaning the evaluators want to see how much force you can exert or how well you can move in a real-world simulation. Your effort helps them understand what roles you’re a good fit for and whether you may need accommodations. Do your best, and trust the process.

Bonus Tip: How to Generate Maximum Force

Many physical capability tests require you to generate force in a very specific way, pushing or pulling against a static object, for example. Just because the equipment doesn’t move, doesn’t mean your effort doesn’t count. In fact, these machines are highly sensitive and measure force through tension or resistance.

To succeed, don’t just use your hands or arms. Engage your core, legs, and back in a coordinated motion. Think of it like performing a proper lift or push: use your entire body to deliver controlled, safe power. Align your body with the equipment to push or pull in a straight line. This gives the most accurate reading of your strength and ensures you aren’t twisting or straining during the task.

Test for Success: Practice, Don’t Panic

If you've never taken a physical employment test before, the process may feel strange or even intimidating. Tasks might feel unnatural or awkward especially since you’re being evaluated in a formal setting. The good news? You’re not expected to be perfect, and you’re not doing it alone.

Evaluators are trained professionals who are there to guide you. Listen carefully, follow the instructions, and focus on each task as it comes. Don’t worry about what came before or what’s next. Each task is just one part of the full picture of your capabilities.

If you’re concerned, consider practicing similar movements ahead of time such as bodyweight squats, overhead reaches, carrying moderate weights, or timed walks. While you won’t know the exact tasks in advance, general strength and flexibility training can help you feel more confident.

Taking the Next Step

Pre-employment physicals aren’t meant to be roadblocks, they’re stepping stones to help both you and your future employer build a safe and successful working relationship. These tests help ensure that the job matches your capabilities, reduce the risk of injury, and demonstrate your preparedness for the role.

By dressing appropriately, maintaining a consistent routine, listening carefully, and giving your full effort, you can walk into your test prepared and walk out with confidence. And remember: it’s not about being the strongest or the fastest. Testing is about showing that you’re ready, willing, and able to do the job safely and successfully.

Your new job is waiting. Let your preparation do the talking.

Learn more about Functional Employment Testing from Briotix Health, including:

• Post-Offer Employment Testing
• Functional Capacity Evaluations
• Fit-for-Duty Testing