3 Types Of Psychological Evaluations Used For Hiring

While you're out hunting for the perfect job, potential employers are searching for the perfect candidate for the job. In addition to reviewing applications and conducting interviews, one method that they may choose to use to narrow the field is a psychological evaluation. Take a look at some of the psychological tests typically used in hiring so that you know what to expect when you're asked to take one.

16 Personality Factor Questionnaire

The 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire, or 16PF, is meant to evaluate 16 different primary personality traits. However, unlike some tests that ask test-takers to evaluate their own personality traits, this test gives the subject statements about concrete situations and asks them to indicate how they would handle the situation by marking the statement true or false.

Because the test focuses on specific situations and actions rather than abstract personality traits or feelings, it's a particularly useful test for employers. It can give them a real sense of how a potential employee might handle situations that you might expect to arise in the workplace.

Gallup StrengthsFinder

The Gallup StrengthsFinder gives the subject a series of statements in sets of two and asks them to rate how closely those statements describe them. You can choose from a range of answers. For example, if the statements are, "I am a sensitive person; I am a logical person", you might choose that one or the other strongly describes you or somewhat describes you, or you might choose "neutral", which falls squarely in between the two statements.

The purpose of this test is to suss out the subject's positive attributes. It was developed in response to a theory that previous personality tests focused too heavily on weaknesses, and not enough on finding the subject's strengths. For an employer, it's helpful to know what you'll excel at. The Gallup StrengthsFinder identifies strengths like communication, discipline, positivity, and achievement, among others. Not only can it help an employer make a hiring decision, it can also help them determine which position the employee is best suited for.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is presented as a list of statements that the test-taker must rate as true or false. It's different from most employment personality tests in several ways. For one thing, it has to be administered and interpreted by a psychologist – it's not a test that can be done by a business's human resources department. That fact alone makes it a less common test.

The MMPI is also not meant to provide information that would be useful in a business context, in most cases. It's mostly meant to assist in diagnosis and therapeutic planning. So why do you need to know about it? While the MMPI is not necessarily useful to a business that's looking to hire an accountant or a software developer, it is useful in identifying fitness for certain jobs that come with high levels of psychological stress, such as police work. If you're applying for a dangerous and very stressful job, you may be asked to take the MMPI.

If you're asked to take a psychological evaluation for employment, try not to stress about it. There is no way to pass or fail these tests; you just have to answer the questions honestly. The test can help ensure that you and your future employer are a good match. For more information, contact companies like Carewright Clinical Services.

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