Personality tests are helpful in understanding yourself and the people around you. It’s an important tool used in human resource departments tasked with hiring individuals to work in specific environments.

Increasing numbers of employers make use of personality development tests during the recruitment process. Employers who do not typically list the following factors as primary determinants affecting their decision not to test potential employees:

1- Cost. The employer has determined the cost of administering tests is beyond their budget, hence they restrict or avoid use

2- Lack of knowledge about the benefits. Some employers are not aware of the benefits of personality development tests and prefer to use more traditional interview formats

3- Internet usage. Most tests are administered online. Not all companies provide employees with internet access. This restricts the number who can access the tests unless  the firm  invests in a special space equipped with technology and software to administer the test.  This may not be feasible for small business owners and or new start-ups.

4- Work hiring practices. Some organizations have invested in best practices for hiring that do not include personality tests.

The importance of personality testing

Personality tests provide a reliable means to classify individual characteristics and offer vital clues concerning how that individual will interact in a given environment. They can be used to determine the best placement of a qualified candidate in the work environment. They can also be used to provide greater understanding concerning how the individual will react with others in a group setting.

Job placement

A variety of placement tests exists which can be used for various purposes. The personality test is useful for determining how well the potential employee will fit in when working in close-knit group settings. It allows the company to determine the best fit for a comfortable, productive work environment.

The job itself is also an important factor in personality evaluation. If, for example, a major part of the job involves routine, repetitive tasks it is important to hire individuals who can perform those tasks at a satisfactory level for the long haul. Making the correct hiring decision reduces expenses involved with too rapid employee turnover.

Group interaction

In addition to making the right hiring decision personality tests are also useful in understanding group energies and personalities.   For example, sports teams conduct personality tests to let team members understand how best to interact with teammates.

If the team is dysfunctional tests can usually identify the members who the group as a whole might have difficulty associating with. By testing the entire group and allowing the results to be shared among group members teams are more likely to bond and figure out ways to integrate even difficult personalities so long as these have a high degree of competence in the skill sets required for the team to succeed.

Self reflection

Personality tests allow individuals to become aware of their strengths and weaknesses. If you’re an introvert you are unlikely to be comfortable in a job that requires you to interact on a continual basis with strangers or large groups of people.

Personality fit is an important part of the hiring process

When considering a new hire personality and fit are important factors to take into consideration. It’s an important tool in pre-determining how well a potential employee will fit into the environment and perform certain tasks on a daily basis. Positive fits among the entire staff lead to success and increased productivity.

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