Written by: Anne Swenson, HR Coordinator, MidwestHR
We’ve all had great hires and candidates that didn’t work out.
The challenge is every new hire is crucial to building a cohesive, efficient workforce but identifying the right candidate is no easy task. From expertise to soft skills, there are so many things to consider. They need to be able to perform their job duties, be a good team member and be a positive addition to your company culture. So how do you know if the job candidate is a good fit for the role? Consider using a personality test to assist in your application process.
Benefits of personality assessments
Adult’s personalities are set. They don’t change over time and usually end up shining through at some point or another, no matter how hidden they may seem at first. You need employees that are the right fit for both the role and for your company. Personality tests provide actionable insights to help:
- Support hiring decisions
- Develop employees
- Promote top performers
The personality test shouldn’t be the only thing taken into consideration while hiring, but should be added to the rest of the information gathered during the process; resumes, interviews, skills set, education, references, etc. Many companies who use personality tests see lower turnover and higher employee satisfaction.
Are you the right candidate for us?
Personality tests offer Human Resource management a new way to assess whether someone will thrive in a particular role. The benefit of having applicants take a simple 10-minute test ensures the right person is well matched to the company as well as the position they are applying for. Many candidates have a great interview style but might not do well with the primary job duties. Other candidates may not interview well but could be a perfect match for the team. You’ll gather insights about how the candidate’s personality traits align with your business culture and work environment.
Tap into employees’ full potential with personality testing
Perhaps you have an employee with great potential. You want to help them become more engaged or produce at a higher level. A personality test can help you understand what motivates that particular personality type. By fully understanding their unique range of talents and strengths, managers can leverage those insights to more effectively coach and develop them. When employee contributions are well-received and recognized, you can enhance employee retention. Building a confident and productive workforce starts with placing employees in the right roles and projects from the beginning. Set them, and your company, up for success.
Importance of personality tests to promote from within
Inspire employees to perform their best by actively promoting current employees. Since they have established relationships and understand company processes, internal promotions offer a great way to reinforce your corporate values. Personality tests can help identify individuals who may excel at certain jobs. For example, employees who score high in empathy may do well in customer service or sales roles. Whereas those who thrive on numbers and analysis could be directed towards analytical roles.
Legal considerations with personality testing
No company wants to inadvertently violate any laws protecting job seekers against discrimination, such as EEOC, ADA or Title XII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Do your research. Enlist the help of a consultant or a professional employer organization (PEO) who understands the options and potential liabilities. Vendors aren’t the ones ultimately responsible; employers are. While important, don’t let these concerns hold you back. These tests have the ability to enhance your hiring process. Choose a test that focuses on specific personality traits directly linked to a specific job.
What are the best personality tests?
There are many different kinds of personality tests out there but look for one that focuses on individuals in the workplace. We recommend using Omnia or DISC and use them in our own employment decisions. These tests are developed and analyzed by psychological professionals and boast an accuracy rate of 93%. They also offer some peace of mind while navigating the employment “jungle”.
MidwestHR is a leading Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) headquartered in the Chicago land area. Our clients rely on us to manage their HR functions including payroll and tax administration, benefits management, recruiting & retention strategy, workers’ compensation, risk management and more. Keep in mind the benefits of personality tests when considering your next hiring decision or navigating ways to maximize your current employees. Knowing how individuals will react to tasks, stressors and the office environment can set you up for continued success. Give us a call at 630-468-9286 to learn more.