Hiring managers and recruiters know that there is much more to interviewing a candidate than just asking them several questions. Today, the secret to modern hiring isn’t just finding potential employees with the desired experience. When interviewing a candidate it is important to use science and psychology to have better results. Let’s dive into this interesting and growing tendency together!
In this Article:
What is the psychology to hire?
Recruitment psychology, or using psychology to hire, refers to the process of understanding a candidate’s mind and behavior. The idea is to collect as much information as possible to hire the best person. In other words, it means to look at the applicant’s qualifications, personality and potential for growth.
How do employers use psychology to hire?
Usually, hiring managers use psychology to assess the suitability of a potential employee. Whereas some employers prefer to know a candidate’s skills and abilities through interviews, testing, or other traditional methods, others use psychology to gain a better understanding of how a candidate thinks, behaves, and reacts in different situations. This information is very useful to avoid hiring the wrong person as it can be very costly in terms of money and time. There are two main ways in which hiring managers collect information:
Using interviews
During the interview process, hiring managers ask questions to evaluate the candidate’s skills, experience, and fit for the role. The employer may also look for certain personality traits that are relevant to the job. For example, if a particular job role requires teamwork and cooperation, hiring managers may look for candidates who are friendly and outgoing. Hiring managers need to have structured interviews to help better guide the interview process.
Using psychological tests as part of the recruitment process
These tests can help to identify a candidate’s strengths and weaknesses. They can also provide information about a candidate’s personality and how they might react in certain situations. Some employers use online tests while others administer paper-and-pencil tests.
There are several ways in which employers use psychology to hire the best candidates. By using psychological assessment tools, recruiters gain a better understanding of what candidates are like and how they might behave in the workplace. This information is very helpful when it comes to making the right decision about the perfect person to hire.
Some of the techniques used during the hiring process
Psychological Assessments
- Psychology can be used to determine a candidate’s suitability for a role, as well as to assess their personality and motivation. Many different psychological tests can be used, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which can help to identify a person’s personality type. Another test that can be used is the DiSC assessment, which can help to understand how someone behaves and reacts in different situations.
Behavioral Interviewing
- Another technique that can be used during the hiring process is behavioral interviewing. This involves asking candidates to describe how they have handled specific situations in the past. It can help to assess their skills such as analytical skills and behaviors to find out how they would solve behavioral problems they could potentially face in the future.
Reference Checking
- Lastly, another technique that can be used is reference checking. Reference checking can help to verify a candidate’s skills and experience, as well as their past behavior. References can also provide insights into a candidate’s character and whether they would be a good fit for the organization.
How can job seekers prepare for it?
Meeting potential employers can be an intimidating phrase for job seekers. However, there are a few things that can be done in preparation to make the process as smooth as possible.
Research the organization
Take a look at the company website and LinkedIn profiles of employees. It is also helpful to look at reviews on websites such as Glassdoor. This will give you an idea of what the company culture is like and what the employees are like. You will be able to find out about things like employee job satisfaction, the work environment and if joining the company has potential for your career development.
Tailor your resume and cover letter specifically to the organization
- Make sure to highlight your skills and experiences that are relevant to the position you are applying for. It’s important to review the job description of the role advertised so that you can tailor your resume and cover letter to it.
Practice your interview skills
- Interviewing can be nerve-wracking, but practicing ahead of time will help calm your nerves. Be prepared to answer common interview questions, and think about examples from your past that illustrate how you have excelled in previous roles. Knowing how to apply business psychology in situations will give you mileage while meeting a hiring manager.
Some of the common mistakes hiring managers make during the hiring process
Hiring the wrong person for a job can be costly for a company. Not only does the company have to spend time and money training the new employee, but also the wrong employee can damage relationships with customers or coworkers, or even harm the company’s reputation.
Relying too much on resumes and not conducting enough interviews
Resumes can be misleading, and it is important to speak with potential employees to get a sense of their personalities and how they would fit in with the company culture. Psychological assessments help managers to identify those characteristics that may not be captured on the resume.
Judging candidates too quickly
It is important to take the time to review all of the candidates’ qualifications and to interview all of the finalists. This will help ensure that the best candidate is chosen for the job.
Not every candidate is a perfect fit for every job
Sometimes it is necessary to make a compromise and choose the best candidate available, even if they are not 100% qualified for the position.
How can both parties benefit from a successful hire?
To make a successful hire, a company needs to consider the psychology of the job seeker. It is also important for job seekers to be aware of their motivations and goals to find the right fit.
When a company takes the time to learn what makes the right candidate tick, it can better assess if that person would be a good fit for their open position. Likewise, when people looking for a job understand their motivations and goals, they can find positions that are a better match for their skills and interests.
Conclusion
Psychology is an important factor to consider when hiring for any position. It helps to understand the motivations and behaviors of employees, as well as potential customers. Psychological assessments can also help to create a more effective workplace by understanding how different people work and by implementing programs that can improve employee productivity. For job seekers, knowledge of business psychology can be beneficial when interviewing for a position. It can help to better understand what the interviewer is looking for and how to present oneself in the most favorable light.
Do you think psychology is useful when hiring an employee? Tell us your opinion!
