GMAT Essays (AWA)

“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.”

What do you consider essential in an employee or colleague? Explain, using reasons and/or examples from your work or work-like experiences, or from your observations of others.
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I agree that in matching candidates or employees with jobs, a manager such as myself, should consider personality traits and work habits in addition to work experience and educational background.

Any veteran manager will have interviewed multiple candidates over time and those managers will have built up a picture of what hires have been successful and which have not been successful. Hiring a candidate which you get on with is essential for a successful long term work relationship. A candidate's personality forms part of what you see during an interview. Admittedly, within the average interview timespan of under 1 hour, it can be difficult to assess the suitability of advanced competence for the job at hand. However, by helping the candidate to relax and be themselves, it is easy to know in your gut whether or not a candidate is worth pursuing.

Strong interpersonal skills help people to become successful. Dr Rasmussen performed a survey showing that 75% of what she defined as success, is dependant upon who you know and not what you do. Whilst interpersonal skills are mandatory for success and everyday life, it is important not to forget the necessity of specialist skills. My most successful teams have been diverse containing a healthy mix of members with strong interpersonal skills, such as business analysts and other members who are specialists, such as programmers. Specialists are often needed and often do not come with the desired interpersonal skills. It is inevitable that these resources are required but a well led team balanced with diversity will thrive.

In conclusion, summarising an employee as work, education and personality is too narrow. Whilst I believe that it is essential to hire candidates and employees who I get on with, it is more important to consider the team you are building and the strategic direction you want to follow. Just as a house, if a strong foundation exists, the other requirements can be build on top easily, firmly and confidently through training.