Find answers to some of the most common questions we are asked at Job Match Hawaii.

Why do companies use questionnaires during the selection process?

What do employers want?

What makes employees successful and satisfied at work?

Why do companies use questionnaires during the selection process?

TRead on to find out how questionnaires are not only good for the company, but how they are good for the applicant, too!

Reason 1: Questionnaires are effective tools that help identify which candidates are a good match for the job and the company culture.

When applicants know their strengths and they find a job for which they are a good match , they are likely to learn the job faster, be more successful, and feel more satisfied with the work. Being successful and satisfied is what most people are looking for at work.

Reason 2: Using a questionnaire means that each job applicant receives the same questions and instructions.

When making a hiring decision, it is important that each candidate is treated the same. Using a questionnaire helps employers ensure that happens. Each applicant’s questionnaire is scored in the same way and results are reported in the same format. Because everyone is treated the same, managers can see how applicants differ from each other rather than depending on a gut reaction to a resume.

With a questionnaire, the manager gets to know the real you without being influenced by things like your appearance (you might look like the interviewer’s ex-sister-in-law) or that typo on your resume. As long as you respond to the questionnaire honestly, candidly and don’t try to “psych out” your responses, a questionnaire gives you the best chance for a manager to see the real you.

Reason 3: Questionnaires are designed by experts who know how to accurately identify your strengths and determine how they match with the requirements for a particular job.

Job questionnaires are different from most questionnaires you complete. While a Facebook-type survey may be fun, it can’t really describe your strengths. (Really, they don’t). To build an accurate picture of your strengths, questionnaires must be designed based on well-researched principles. Questionnaires used during the hiring process provide verified information that relates to the job requirements.

Reason 4: Questionnaires are designed to be consistent over time - if you complete a questionnaire today (candidly and honestly) and complete it again in six months or even six years, you will see similar results.

A number of other approaches to hiring are not as accurate or reliable. Take interviews - different interviewers can and do draw different conclusions about a particular applicant, candidates may relate better to one interviewer than another, or on some days, conversations just flow better. Questionnaires are carefully tested so they are likely to be fairer than other selection tools plus they help reduce the implicit bias that all humans bring to every interaction. This means they help employers comply with federal guidelines on hiring.

What do employers want?

Employers want to hire the right people – the ones who will learn the job quickly, be successful, and fit into the company culture. Having the right skills or knowledge to do a job is important, but it is not enough. Employers want employees who not only perform at a high level, but who will be a good match for both the job and the company culture.

Think about it this way - people are more satisfied and successful when they are in a job that matches their personal strengths. Now, think about your friends and how they experience work in different ways.

You probably know some people who enjoy working in highly structured jobs that require precision and accuracy. You know others who enjoy working in less structured jobs that may require some attention to detail, but where mistakes are more easily fixed. You may know people who like a lot of variety at work and others who prefer doing predictable work with low variability, so they get really good at the tasks required.

When you find a job that matches your strengths, you will be more successful and enjoy your work more.

What makes employees successful and satisfied at work?

When your personality aligns with the needs of a job, you are a “good match” for the job. When you are a good match, you use your strengths to make valued contributions to the success of your team and the company. Here is how that works.

Think about the people you know who are very outgoing. They love talking to people, meeting new people, and are happiest when they are interacting with others. The scientific name for this personality factor is “extrovert”. Most successful sales reps are extroverted - they enjoy meeting and talking with potential customers, existing customers, and their colleagues. Customer representatives, trainers, and many managers tend to lean extrovert and often described as lively and engaging. Of course, extroverts can work alone, but their preference is to work talk through ideas with others. It is important to know that when extroverts spend extended time alone, they begin to feel a bit fatigued and even frustrated - interacting with others literally recharges an extrovert’s energy.

Now think about the people you know who are quiet or reserved. While they enjoy a good conversation, they usually are not the center of attention and tend to think things over before sharing their ideas. The scientific name for this personality factor is “introvert”. An introvert can learn the skills that help them be engaging and outgoing, but they will perform best in jobs that require at least some time working alone – jobs like social media manager, analyst, or researcher. When introverts have to interact a lot with others, they use energy. At the end of a day of continuous communication with others, introverts feel a bit fatigued and maybe even frustrated. Spending some time alone or with a few close friends literally recharges an introvert’s energy.

In a job that matches your natural strengths, you feel more satisfied and will likely be more successful. Companies that understand this often use a questionnaire when they are hiring.