Use of Personality Testing for New Hires
Many people chafe at the request of a prospective employer which asks if they will complete diagnostics - including personality assessments - as part of the hiring process. Some people fear the test will be used as a "screener" designed to block their chances of getting hired.
In fact, most managers in companies who use these tests intend to accomplish ust the opposite. Companies which spend the time and money to conduct assessments aim to find the best fit for the individual in the organization. The results guide a prospective manager about how best to motivate, manage and develop a person coming into a new role. It takes time for both the employee and the employer to get to know each other. An assessment tool is an efficient way to learn how best to ensure the employee will be successful. An HR professional will typically meet with a hiring manager to coach him or her about how best to manage the person and to recommend developmental goals for the person. Results also guide a manager about how to provide effective feedback and how to motivate the new employee. In some instances, the assessment can also guide a manager in revising the role to better suit the individual. Customizing a role to make the highest and best of an individual can make a new job fantastic rather than a stressful struggle.
If you are interviewed and asked to complete a personality test, it is completely within your right to ask about the purpose of the assessment. Ask about which tools they use and why. Read about the tool on the Internet so you understand the validity of the tool and what it's meant to discover. Inquire about how the results are used and request a meeting with the HR professional to review the results when they are complete. In this way, you learn more for your professional development. This will help you, regardless of whether you accept the position or not. It is also a good idea to discuss the results with your prospective manager. Ask how the profile fits with the team with which you would work and with the manager's personal style. The more you learn before you start, the easier it will be to forge the working relationships needed for teamwork.
If asked to participate in an assessment, be positive and open. Make the most of the chance to learn about how to be successful. You'll be a better employee wherever you work!