What Does “Ability to Multitask” Mean?

Recently, we surveyed over 100 job descriptions and tallied up the most commonly used terms.  Among the top 20 was “multitask.” It appears in job descriptions across fields and industries, and so frequently in resumes that the term has become nearly obsolete.  Yet the requirement remains the same; everyone wants to hire someone with “the ability to multitask.”

Multitasking, by definition, is the time it takes for your brain to switch from one task to another.  Effective multitasking is the time it takes for your brain to switch from one task to another while still performing both tasks with accuracy.

Below is a quick, simple, interactive multitasking exercise that measures how well your brain switches from task A to B and back.  The interactive graphic will even provide you with a personalized infographic upon completion.