Making DISC Personality Tests Work for Your Workforce

Have you tried giving your staff members Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness (DISC) personality tests? If you did, you could use the results to find people who exhibit leadership qualities. Perhaps one of your sales experts or another professional possesses the untapped potential to run one of your divisions.

The DISC personality profile test, which millions of people have taken since its debut in 1972, is adept at identifying traits that are key for managers. One is the ability to focus on and achieve results. Now, this characteristic is more complex than it sounds. It requires a person to have a clear vision and to set goals that are specific, challenging, and realistic. What's more, it demands toughness. Leaders must hold others accountable for their actions and ensure that people are doing what they're supposed to be doing.

At the same time, to be a great leader, it's not enough to be smart and tough. That's why a DISC personality profile exam also delves into one's interpersonal skills and powers of persuasion. That is, it explores how effectively a person can communicate objectives to others and how inspiring he or she can be. Someone who's confident yet humble, enthusiastic, calm at all times, optimistic, and open to feedback is likely to make others feel motivated and ready to do their best. 

The Right Employee Will Boost Your Sales

Just as it's less expensive to retain customers than it is to gain new ones, hiring new employees is a costlier endeavor than rewarding qualified candidates with competitive pay and benefits. So, how do you weed out unqualified prospects from the pool of candidates? The right pre-employment aptitude test can help you decide who is right for the job -- and who isn't.

Going Beyond the Resume

From keyword-searching software to employing recruitment firms, companies go to a lot of effort to find qualified employment-seekers. Their efforts are justified; the hiring process can be a lengthy and expensive one. Many managers and business owners do the hiring themselves due to lack of resources or a desire for more control over who is hired.

They Sell Themselves -- But What About Your Products?

Trusting that you'll find the perfect candidate based on CV or resume and interview alone is risky, since many people look great on paper and are skilled at selling themselves in person. While these abilities are fantastic assets in themselves, they offer no guarantee that the interviewee is suited for the position for which he or she has applied.

That's why a pre-employment aptitude test is a boon to decision-makers in charge of hiring. While a job-seeker may excel at persuading you he or she is the perfect candidate, other key skills may be missing. Don't risk losing sales when testing is available to find someone who can actually boost them.