Assessing Personality Traits of Job Candidates
Sample Personal Characteristics Questions Asked by Job Interviewers
Every interviewer wants to gain a good sense of who the candidates are before committing to a new hire. A job candidate's responses to questions and statements set to test their personality characteristics could make all the difference when the appointing panel discuss their thoughts on each person.
Depending on their preferences in conducting the job interview process, interviewers may approach their assessment of candidates' character and personality traits in one of three ways.
- A set of personal characteristics questions and/or statements will be asked at the start of the interview.
- A set of personal characteristics questions and/or statements will be asked at the end of the interview.
- Individual questions relating to a candidate's character and personal traits or instead a statement requiring the candidate's response will be asked throughout the interview process.
As all interviewers will have concerns about new hires, particularly candidates with no informal or formal associations to the company, candidates should expect the possibility that individual questions and statements may be the interviewer approach to test the consistency of answers from each candidate.
Sample Job Question & Statements about Character and Traits
Most interviewers or interview panels will desire, as good practice, to ask the same questions to all candidates. The following questions and statements may be asked through an interview to test the prospective jobholders while they are in the flow of discussion about other areas relevant to the post:
- Where does this post fit in with your work-life balance?
- What expertise do you feel that you bring to this post?
- Please state five adjectives that best describe as a worker.
- How do you think your co-workers would describe you?
- What weaknesses do you feel that you have?
- What strengths do you feel that you have?
- Why apply for this post when you could command a promoted post where you work currently?
- What difficulties would you face in moving from [current company] to [company]?
- Describe how you would work with other colleagues in the [unit/division of the company].
- On a scale with team player at one end and individual at the other, where would you place yourself?
Tough Interview Questions about Characteristics
The interviewer’s concerns will focus on personal growth and achievements of the candidates to date. Daniel Porot with Frances Bolles Haynes in the parachute library The 101 Toughest Interview Questions…and ANSWERS That Win the Job!, [Ten Speed Press Berkeley, California, 1999] write that the primary strategy for dealing with questions about characteristics requires succinct honest replies with examples. Daniel Porot with Frances Bolles Haynes’ book, The 101 Toughest Interview Questions…and ANSWERS That Win the Job!, includes how to respond to the statement “Talk about yourself” and a range of responses to the following tough questions:
- "What makes you unique?
- What makes you angry?
- How do you operate under stress?
- What do you like to read?
- Do you have regrets?
- Are you creative?
- Who are you?
- Do you have a nickname?
- Are you honest?
- Who are you?"
All candidates need to prepare for tough questions from interviewers about their character, attitudes and beliefs during the interview and at the start and end of a job interview.
