Have you ever had to take one of those personality profiles during a job interview? If so, how was it for you?

My former boss has a buddy who developed one of those things, and we were all subjected to it. Don’t get me wrong; I’m a firm believer in workplace harmony, but if you’re going to use one of these tests to decide whom to hire, at least choose one that’s both relevant and reliable! This test was a joke, and everybody knew it except, apparently, the boss.  I guess that’s why most of the people who fit his desired profile were jerks.

Fortunately, there are other programs offering 360 degree feedback that actually means something. Some people simply don’t realize how they’re acting and what effect those actions can have on others, and that’s when little annoyances can develop into giant headaches that can lead to ruin.

Employers need to realize that skills of all sorts are important. Sure, you want qualified folks filling your positions, and you want them to work well together. But you also want to make sure the tools you use to find these people are actually worth using.