How to Use the MBTI to Attract the Right Candidates

How to Use the MBTI to Attract the Right CandidatesHow to Use the MBTI to Attract the Right CandidatesThe Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is one of the most common personality assessment tools used by employers. Behavior preferences are tested across four scales, resulting in a total of 16 types. While the benefits of understanding variations among personality traits are obvious for hiring and team-building, Otto Kroeger, author of Type Talk at Work, says that personality type should not be used as the sole criteria for hiring.Any of the sixteen types has the potential to be successful at any job, Kroeger writes. Some types in certain positions may have to work harder, but they can be just as effective.Whether your company uses personality assessments or not, your recruiting practices can benefit from a better understanding of how the different personality types operate. MBTI research shows significant variation in how the different types communicate.One scale measured by the MBTI is Sensing vs. Intuition. While everyone takes in information from their five senses, we have different ways of filtering this information.According to Kroeger, Sensors prefer to focus on the facts and the details of something and have less need to gesangssolist what they mean. They tend to be pragmatic, literal and communicate with concrete language. Because 70 percent of the U.S. population prefers to gather information in this way, according to Kroeger, much of the worlds business communication is oriented toward concreteness.Intuitives gather information and immediately translate it through their intuition, looking for possibilities, meanings, and relationships among various things, according to Kroeger. They like to see the big picture. Intuitives see the forest first and then look at the trees. Sensors work the other way around. The wide-open orientation of Intuitives means they prefer to use abstract language. They tend to speak in generalities and summaries, and they look f or symbols and analogies rather than interpreting information in a literal fashion.Language usage is one important factor in your employer website and job descriptions. If 70 percent of the population communicates with mostly concrete language, and 30 percent prefers abstract language, recruiters could be missing out on a large portion of the population if their communication appeals to only one of end of the scale.If it were an all-Sensing world, recruiters would provide a list of skills and job seekers would try to match up their qualifications one by one. This would entail a black-and-white scenario that left no room for personal preferences and passion. If it were an all-Intuitives world, recruiters could write job descriptions in vague terms. For example, a Facilities Coordinator job description would read simply, keep our offices running smoothly without any indication of the tasks that role entails. Then candidates would sell recruiters on the possibility of how they could pe rform in the future, rather than provide specific evidence regarding past performance.Job DescriptionsThe key to attracting the appropriate type for the position is to create a balance in communication somewhere between abstract and concrete. Every job has concrete tasks that must be achieved, whether theyre spelled out in abstract or concrete language. The higher up the organizational structure, the more abstract that tasks become.For example, a job description for an entry-level Facilities Coordinator position lists the following responsibility Assist with basement storage and retrieving of files for employees. This concrete task is described in concrete language.At the same company, an opening for Senior Director, Brand Analytics and Research lists this responsibility Lead global knowledge sharing to help client service, strategy and design teams understand the role of research and analytics.Any number of concrete tasks, such as sending emails, holding meetings, or drawing up a p lan and delegating responsibilities will be undertaken to achieve that goal. Lead, as used here, is an abstract verb that can be interpreted in multiple ways, while retrieve in the Facilities Coordinator example is a concrete verb that evokes an leumund of frequent trips to the basement. Whether a candidate is a Sensing or Intuitive type, years of accumulated experience will enable him or her to know how to execute this abstract task.Finding a balance between concrete and abstract is key to appealing to candidates higher-level goals and accumulated experience, while focusing them on exactly what is needed in the position.Employer BrandingA companys mission and vision are often communicated with abstract terms. However, when paired with images, they can evoke a concrete picture of what the company does, what its like to work there, and appeal to a candidates higher sense of purpose. For example, Airbnbs mission, when paired with the images (including a video) on its employer page, co mmunicates a clear idea of what the company does and gives an indication of its culture.What we build in here (video on how the AirBnB site was built)Brings people together in the real world (image of people smiling together)Grants access to the unknown (image of teepee)Inspires and creates a world of potential (image of people behind a half-open door)Its only beginning (image of document containing the word Introduction)Branding, as rule, is abstract. If articulating the difference between Coke and Pepsi were left to the concrete communicators, we would see nothing but taste-test commercials. Because abstract communicators have come up with wildly differing visions of what it means to drink Coke vs. Pepsi, we are able to express an opinion about one brand of carbonated brown sugary drink over another (and be entertained during commercial breaks).Finding BalanceThe MBTI is scored on a continuum, with few people exhibiting 100 percent of all the identified traits on any of the four s cales. Thankfully, the world doesnt work in polarities. The beauty of the MBTI and other personality assessments is that they view many perspectives as necessary and valid and acknowledge the value in understanding the differences.When the new Senior Director in the above example asks the Facilities Coordinator to retrieve research reports from the basement in order develop a plan for global knowledge sharing, we see the necessity of each position and the importance of communicating appropriately to appeal (1) To a candidates ability to do a specific task, (2) To their accumulated knowledge and experience, and (3) To their sense of mission and vision.The world- and your job descriptions and employer branding pages- should appeal to both the abstract and concrete, general and specific, theoretical and empirical.Read Related ArticlesThree simple ways to attract the right candidateand deter all othersWhy Some Recruiters Almost Always Hire the Right Candidate

12 Ways to Become More Likable at Work - The Muse

12 Ways to Become More Likable at Work - The Muse12 Ways to Become More Likable at WorkTheres always that person in your life you admire from afar- the funny but intelligent co-worker, the admirable boss with a kick-ass routine, or even that friend of yours who can get just about anyone in your office to smile (even on a bad day).Well, heres the big secret youve probably never thought to tell yourself That could be you, too. Seriously, being well-liked by others doesnt involve casting a spell or engineering a great illusion. Gaining respect at work, or making lots of friends, or acting as a great leader isnt only for some special people. Its a skill that just about anyone can plektrum up- and pretty quickly, in fact.So how do you become one of them? These 12 behaviors of likable individuals will change your whole perspectiveLikable people arent afraid to ask questions, such as How can I help or What do you think?Likable people are inclusive no matter where they are or what theyre doi ng, they find a way to include others who seem a bit out of place or could use a friend.Likable people know when, and when not, to talk during meetings- especially when they are talking solely for the sake of hearing their own voice.Likable people help out newbies, even new bosses who are still adjusting to being the head honcho.Likable people apply their seemingly unrelated life skills to work.Likable people know just what to say at the right time (the most important phrase being Thank you).Likable people do little acts of kindness every day- all of which are super easy to work into your routine.Likable people are emotionally intelligent- which means theyre not only aware of their own emotions, but sensitive to other peoples as well.Likable people have better things to say than Dont worry when another person is upset.Likable people know how to politely shut down negative people.Likable people also know how to give criticism without sounding condescending.Finally, likable people kno w when its appropriate to be the cool guy, and when to be a strong leader.What else do likable people do? Tell me on TwitterPhoto of happy co-workers courtesy of Shutterstock.

9 Small Ways to Become a Better Person - The Muse

9 Small Ways to Become a Better Person - The Muse9 Small Ways to Become a Better PersonSummer may be the season for rest and relaxation, but its time to add another r word into the mix reflection. As you take it easier (than usual, at least), think about what you want to do once you get back into the swing of things. What can you do differently in the office? How can you change the way you interact with people? Are you being as productive as you could be? These are all things to consider.Looking for small self-improvements that can make a huge difference? Youve come to the right place.One of the easiest and oldest ways to improve yourself plektrum up a book. Seriously, stop making excuses for why you cant read more. (Lifehack)Have you evaluated your goals recently? If not, summer is a great time to figure out what you want to achieve and tackle what you want to do. (Zen Habits)Drink more water. Everyones told you the benefits, so isnt it time you hopped on the bandwagon? (BuzzFeed)Fi nd your own work-life balance. Everything wont be perfect all the time, but by giving thought to what works for you, youll make life a whole lot easier. (99U)Have you ever actually thought about how you speak? If not, its something to practice. For example, do you use uptalk when chatting with others? (Magnetic Speaking)Just because its summer doesnt mean you shouldnt do some spring cleaning. Leave the mop in the closet though, and focus on cleaning your digital presence. (The Huffington Post)Have you downloaded a new app recently? Good news You can consult this list to find ones that are worth the hype. (The Undercover Recruiter)There are many benefits to smiling more, so why not try it out? (SheKnows)Aim for a 10 out of 10 life. (The Daily Muse)Photo of plant growing courtesy of Shutterstock.