Why Personality Matters More Than Experience
It is easy to focus on qualifications and experience during the hiring process. After all, our whole recruitment industry is pretty much geared around sifting through CVs, which reflect educational and employment background but are lacking when it comes to specifying character traits.
There is logic in the idea that hiring someone who has done a similar job previously will mean they will be able to hit the ground running when they start.
After all, previous employment is often the only indicator of quality when predicting job performance for a candidate, especially if you're using traditional methods in your job search.
What this is forgetting, however, is personality - and personality matters. Not least because, while knowledge can be acquired, skills learnt and experience gained, personality remains unchangeable. Somebody could have all the right skills on paper but be a terrible fit for your company.
Personality Traits vs Learned Skills
The truth of the matter is that skills can be learned, but specific personality traits cannot.
Let's put it this way - would you rather a candidate be experienced but stubborn, shy and lazy? Or would you rather a less qualified candidate who was friendly, open and willing to learn?
Job candidates who are intelligent, motivated, and willing to grow will be enthusiastic and able to figure out how things work. You can do something with this person - they're invested in the company and bring a lot to the fabric of your organisation. They'll be invested in forming a career path with your company, rather than seeing the job as a simple way to pay the bills.
This is surely preferable to an experienced person who can do the job but has no genuine interest in contributing to your company.
How Important are Personality Traits?
The benefits to ensuring employee personalities and values match your workplace are substantial.
Firstly, negativity spreads. An unhappy employee who complains a lot could bring the mood and morale of your whole team down.
Secondly, it is good for business. In customer-focused roles, for example, friendly, outgoing employees will bring warmth to your business that will ensure customers leave having had a positive experience; it is easier to train a 'people-person' with no experience how to do a customer service based role than it is to teach an experienced introvert how to be more extroverted.
Likewise, if you know the work is challenging, high pressure, and will require commitment and over-time there is little point in hiring someone who has a work ethic that means they work only 9–5 – both you and your new employee will end up frustrated, irrespective of what previous experience they have.
Furthermore, hiring a candidate with relevant soft skills and personality traits but little experience in your industry can bring a fresh perspective.
People who have been doing a job for a long time may be stuck in their ways and unable to think outside the box, whereas fresh eyes can bring creativity, new ideas, and innovative problem-solving methods.
Personality Assessments to help you find the Perfect Match
Using eTalents employment personality tests will help you identify the perfect candidate for your vacancy. Our team is highly experienced and knowledgeable about getting the best out of your prospective candidates.
We provide more than simple aptitude tests - in our personality assessments, there are no "wrong answers" in our personality assessments, and your candidates aren't being subjected to an intimidating exam that judges their intellect. We use normative psychometric testing - which has been proven repeatedly as the most effective in an employment setting.
Plus, our personality assessment works both ways - one work environment does not fit all. Employees will be happier and more productive in a setting that actually suits them.
We'll create a bespoke personality test catered explicitly towards your vacancy, targeting all the desired traits and aiming to reflect the person behind the CV truly.
Someone who is shy and lacks confidence is, for example, less likely to be comfortable in a role that involves a lot of teamwork and contact with people than a confident, sociable person who is happiest when surrounded by others.
Using job personality tests in the hiring process will lead to longer and more fulfilling professional relationships.
Personality testing made easy by eTalent
Identifying personal characteristics and values can be challenging. The first meeting is likely to be an interview, but as personality doesn't appear in a CV, the ideal candidate may have already been turned away.
Research has shown that including psychometric testing in your recruitment process will increase your chance of employing candidates suited to your organisation who will not just survive but thrive and remain with you over the long term.
eTalent incorporates psychometrics and behavioural testing into their online candidate management system, with the aim of helping you to look beyond experience to personality and potential.
Our dedicated testing model will ensure that you hire the best person for the job - even if that's someone you might have overlooked in the first instance.
A system that works for you
Not only do we help you formulate personality test results for prospective or current employees, but we compile them for you in a way that's accessible and easy to understand.
You'll be able to track your applicants with clarity on your branded portal. Each candidate is listed with their individual personality test result, so you can see at a glance who is most suitable for your role.
Your system is fully integrated, meaning you can send offers and rejections at the touch of a button.
Get in touch today
For more information, please don't hesitate to contact us today.
Personality Tests For Jobs