Market Research

The Most Common Personality Tests: When to Use Them and When to Avoid Them

Personality tests seem to pop up everywhere, from social media to job interviews and from market research to blog posts. Beyond the just-for-fun variety, companies conduct personality tests to uncover clues to the way customers and employees will behave under defined circumstances. They’re looking for insights into people’s predispositions, self-images, tendencies, and composure. In addition, they want to expose the unique characteristics that drive the way individuals relate to their peers and family members. Why is all this necessary? First, to assess how well an employee fits into a corporate culture, project team, and organization. Secondly, to evaluate the power our emotions and thoughts have over how we interact with brands in the marketplace. Like anything else, when it comes to peeking into the minds of others, there’s considerable controversy. In short, some HR experts and market researchers ask the question, “If personality tests are so groundbreaking, why isn’t every company applying them?” So, how much attention should we pay to these nay-sayers? Read on as we explore these ideas. What is a personality test? Personality testing revolves around tools designed to measure the impact of respondents’ traits and characteristic behavior patterns in various situations. These tools focus on any arena where people are active — including, but not exclusively, the workplace. In addition, applications extend to psychologists and psychiatrists who may deploy these tests to diagnose mental health issues. Numerous versions of personality testing have come and gone, while a few are even accessible online. It sounds simple enough, […]