Personality tests provide valuable insights into self-awareness, interpersonal dynamics, and the environments in which you thrive. However, how do these insights translate to the job screening process? A recent article from the @Wall Street Journal notes that more employers use personality assessments to predict a candidate’s success in a role. Yet Rali founder Larry Mohl, cautions against relying too heavily on these assessments.
The truth is, personality assessments are not pass/fail, making them an unreliable sole measure for hiring decisions. Many candidates worry these tests will reveal something undesirable about their personality, but that’s a misconception. These assessments are simply designed to highlight natural preferences, tendencies, patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving—not to determine a person’s worth or capability.
Additionally, it’s important to recognize that preference does not equal capability. Just because someone is naturally inclined toward a certain way of thinking doesn’t mean they are incapable of adapting or considering other perspectives. Personality tests may highlight tendencies, but they don’t define a person’s ability to approach tasks differently. In a job setting, motivation often drives people to adapt and flex their approach to meet their goals, even if it doesn’t come naturally.
To make smarter hiring decisions, personality tests can be used alongside behavioral interviews to gain a more complete understanding of a candidate. While these tests are a valuable tool in the hiring process, they should never be the sole deciding factor. Assessments can provide great insights into team dynamics and how individuals work best together; however, it’s important not to reduce an applicant to the results of a personality test alone.
In today’s job market, the hiring process has become increasingly complex, with a highly qualified pool of candidates. While it may be tempting to streamline the process, it is invaluable to not consider the candidate as a whole. Personality tests should be used as a resource for team building and improvement, helping to foster collaboration and set employees up for success.
At Rali, we understand the importance of helping individuals understand themselves in deeper ways. We go beyond personality tests, bringing interpersonal mastery to a new level. Learn more about our personality journeys today.
