Personality tests can be very effective tools to use in the hiring process.
They help you understand the individual traits of a candidate, which enables you to determine if they will be a good fit for your organization and your team, as well as whether they can successfully complete the tasks at hand. In general, personality tests measure job-related strengths and weaknesses. Personality tests can also be used to
build teams within your organization.
Wonderlic offers two different personality assessments: the
Personal Characteristics Inventory (PCI) and the
Comprehensive Personality Profile® (CPP®). While both are personality tests, they measure different traits and characteristics that are relevant to different job types.
What to Look For
The Comprehensive Personality Profile® (CPP®) measures 7 primary and 10 secondary personality traits. These traits help determine if the candidate is one of four personality types: Driver, Supporter, Thinker or Motivator
. This test is especially useful for positions that require a significant amount of client interaction.
The positions we typically recommend the Comprehensive Personality Profile® (CPP®) for are:
- Sales
- Customer Service
- Telemarketing
- Nursing, Healthcare
- Any other client-facing position
The Personal Characteristics Inventory® (PCI) is based on the widely-used Five-Factor Model of personality (also known as a “
Big 5 test”). This assessment helps employers know how a candidate’s personality will affect their job satisfaction and performance.
The positions we typically recommend using the Personal Characteristics Inventory® (PCI) for are:
- Production/Manufacturing/Logistics
- Management
- Clerical/Administrative
- Drivers
- Computers/IT/Technical
No matter which of the two tests you use, understanding and knowing candidate’s personality can be beneficial to your business in a variety of ways. It not only ensures they have the personality to do their job, but also that they will be satisfied and happy, leading to reduced turnover.
