"In matching job candidates with job openings, managers must consider not only such variables as previous work experience and educational background but also personality traits and work habits, which are more difficult to judge. "
The issue of what employers should consider when making hiring decisions is controversial. On the one hand certain people may argue that only knowledge and background experience is key towards determining whether a person can do the job. However on the other hand, some feel that although education and experience are important, weight must also be given to personality and work habits as these can influence the person's ability to fit into the workplace well. I tend to agree with the latter.
One reason for my belief is that in most jobs people skills are becoming increasingly necessary. It is uncommon for someone to work in a job where they come into no contact with others. In this light, personality traits are key in determining whether the person is amiable and will manage interacting with others in a professional and effective manner. For example, if a school was looking to hire a new teacher and they received an application from a candidate who had previous work experience at another school and a teaching degree from a university he may seem like an ideal candidate. However, it is entirely possible that his personality is incredibly judgemental and may not be well suited to the school. The employer would not know this without meeting him face to face or by trying to obtain more information related to her personality from references. This example illustrates the popular adage - don't judge a book by its cover. A resume is unlikely to be sufficient in determining if someone's personality is well suited to a certain job.
Those who support the other side of this argument may say that education and experience are the only necessary factors to consider when making hiring decisions because these show whether the person is capable of doing the job. Although these factors may indicate whether the person has the necessary skills and knowledge, these factors alone do not guarantee that the potential hire has the will, competency or drive to be a good employee. For example, imagine a situation where a doctor is being hired at a hospital, the doctor graduated top of his class in all his courses. However, this doctor is incredibly lazy and was able to arrange his class schedule to only have classes in the afternoons so he could sleep in. This fact may not come across in his resume. Therefore, if the hospital were to hire him, they would find he would be late coming into work every day and possible people could die because of this poor work habit. Had the hospital inquired further and asked for references they may have avoided hiring this lazy doctor.
Although I am arguing that personality traits and work habits are necessary in evaluating a potential hire, I do not disagree that they can be difficult to judge. Generally, employers tend to evaluate these traits by having a face to face interview and getting a feel for the person and how the interact and carry themselves. It is also not uncommon for employers to require references from previous employers or colleagues. These references are typically asked questions directly related to the potential hire's work ethic, personality, ability to get along well with other, as well as skill-based question. Although a reference is not a perfect judge of the potential's hire's traits, it can serve as an important indicator. If someone had difficulty getting along with people at one workplace it is likely that this same problem will occur at other workplaces.
In conclusion, I do not dispute that previous work experience and educational background are important, these factors can give a good indication of the person's abilities and skills, however they are not the only factors which should be considered when making a hiring decision. It is important for the employer to also consider the person's personality traits and work habits as this can also be important indicators of the person's ability to fit in well with the workplace and to be a good employee. Although these softer skills can be difficult to judge, tools are available to the employer, such as face to face interviews and reference checks which can help him judge these traits.
The issue of what employers should consider when making hiring decisions is controversial. On the one hand certain people may argue that only knowledge and background experience is key towards determining whether a person can do the job. However on the other hand, some feel that although education and experience are important, weight must also be given to personality and work habits as these can influence the person's ability to fit into the workplace well. I tend to agree with the latter.
One reason for my belief is that in most jobs people skills are becoming increasingly necessary. It is uncommon for someone to work in a job where they come into no contact with others. In this light, personality traits are key in determining whether the person is amiable and will manage interacting with others in a professional and effective manner. For example, if a school was looking to hire a new teacher and they received an application from a candidate who had previous work experience at another school and a teaching degree from a university he may seem like an ideal candidate. However, it is entirely possible that his personality is incredibly judgemental and may not be well suited to the school. The employer would not know this without meeting him face to face or by trying to obtain more information related to her personality from references. This example illustrates the popular adage - don't judge a book by its cover. A resume is unlikely to be sufficient in determining if someone's personality is well suited to a certain job.
Those who support the other side of this argument may say that education and experience are the only necessary factors to consider when making hiring decisions because these show whether the person is capable of doing the job. Although these factors may indicate whether the person has the necessary skills and knowledge, these factors alone do not guarantee that the potential hire has the will, competency or drive to be a good employee. For example, imagine a situation where a doctor is being hired at a hospital, the doctor graduated top of his class in all his courses. However, this doctor is incredibly lazy and was able to arrange his class schedule to only have classes in the afternoons so he could sleep in. This fact may not come across in his resume. Therefore, if the hospital were to hire him, they would find he would be late coming into work every day and possible people could die because of this poor work habit. Had the hospital inquired further and asked for references they may have avoided hiring this lazy doctor.
Although I am arguing that personality traits and work habits are necessary in evaluating a potential hire, I do not disagree that they can be difficult to judge. Generally, employers tend to evaluate these traits by having a face to face interview and getting a feel for the person and how the interact and carry themselves. It is also not uncommon for employers to require references from previous employers or colleagues. These references are typically asked questions directly related to the potential hire's work ethic, personality, ability to get along well with other, as well as skill-based question. Although a reference is not a perfect judge of the potential's hire's traits, it can serve as an important indicator. If someone had difficulty getting along with people at one workplace it is likely that this same problem will occur at other workplaces.
In conclusion, I do not dispute that previous work experience and educational background are important, these factors can give a good indication of the person's abilities and skills, however they are not the only factors which should be considered when making a hiring decision. It is important for the employer to also consider the person's personality traits and work habits as this can also be important indicators of the person's ability to fit in well with the workplace and to be a good employee. Although these softer skills can be difficult to judge, tools are available to the employer, such as face to face interviews and reference checks which can help him judge these traits.
