Organizational Behavior, Third Edition

Chapter 5. Personality, Intelligence, Attitudes, and Emotions

Exploring Behavior in Action: I Know She's Smart and Accomplished ... But Does She Have "Personality"?

Answer "true" or "false" to the following questions:

• It's maddening when the court lets guilty criminals go free. Slow people irritate me.

• I can easily cheer up and forget my problems.

• I am tidy.

• I am not polite when I don't want to be.

• I would like the job of a race car driver.

• My teachers were unfair to me in school.

• I like to meet new people.

The way you answer these questions, or similar items, could determine whether you get the job or not. These questions are examples of the types found on personality tests commonly used to hire people for jobs. One survey found that over 30 percent of employers use some form of personality test when hiring employees. Another survey found that 29 percent of adults aged 18 to 24 took a personality test in the past two years in order to be considered for a job. One of the largest testing companies, Unicru (now a part of Kronos), tested over 11 million candidates in one year for companies such as Universal Studios. Personality testing has taken the employment field by storm. Employers are no longer relying only on stellar resumes and amazing experience, they also care about whether an applicant has the right temperament to carry out the job and fit in with the organization. "Although personality-based testing has been around for years, it's now in the spotlight," said Bill Byham, CEO of Development ...