Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types
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Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types
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Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types
#2> And that’s it—there’s simply very little data on how well the Myers-Briggs (and other type-based personality tests) measures personality and even less on how it might predict job performance.
I was surprised there wasn't any mention of a very interesting issue here, i.e. MBTI and other typological instruments come with user manuals, training, etc., and those materials specifically say "do not use this for hiring".
This is true even in marketing materials...Here's an example directly from the Myers-Briggs Company website:
https://www.themyersbriggs.com/en-us/company/press/press/202...
Even as a personal growth tool the instrument itself is kinda meh, but the soft science behind it is pretty fascinating...
And if you are concerned your employer is going to misuse your MBTI type somehow, 1) know your type first, ideally before they do 2) learn the associated relational blind spots and decide how you'll work around them 3) call yourself a "reformed XXXX" because basically the deeper theory is that any given personality type is similar to an illness in a lot of ways. Oh and 4) this may not be a very good workplace, good luck out there.
Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types
#3I appreciate it when a company asks about or tests my Myers-Briggs type early in the hiring process, because then I know that I don't want to work for them, and they wouldn't be happy with me either.
Win/win.
Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types
#4The author says each of the big 5 is on a "sliding scale". I admit this is a bit pedantic, but isn't each just on a plain old scale? Wouldn't a sliding scale imply that one score could affect how another was graded?
Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types
#5I appreciate it when a company asks about or tests my Myers-Briggs type early in the hiring process, because then I know that I don't want to work for them, and they wouldn't be happy with me either. Win/win.
Love this answer, I was thinking the same thing.
I remember in college I applied to over 100 internships and my friend said “I don’t understand how you wrote over 100 cover letters.” My response was “I didn’t. If they ask for a cover letter I don’t want to work for them.”
Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types
#6> And that’s it—there’s simply very little data on how well the Myers-Briggs (and other type-based personality tests) measures personality and even less on how it might predict job performance. I was surprised there wasn't any mention of a very interesting issue here, i.e. MBTI and other typological instruments come with user manuals, training, etc., and those materials specifically say "do not use this for hiring".…
Is that really what you would do when a prospective employer asks such a question?
I'd never ask about this, the number of bumps on someone's head, or if the candidate still beats their spouse. However, the best response would be a candidate who would laugh and say, "I think you know enough of my capabilities and personality from this interview process, already"
Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types
#7I appreciate it when a company asks about or tests my Myers-Briggs type early in the hiring process, because then I know that I don't want to work for them, and they wouldn't be happy with me either. Win/win.
Love this answer, I was thinking the same thing. I remember in college I applied to over 100 internships and my friend said “I don’t understand how you wrote over 100 cover letters.” My response was “I didn’t. If they ask for a cover letter I don’t want to work for them.”
And if you believe you're best represented as a bullet list of educational and professional accomplishments, I assure you that the feeling is mutual.
Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types
#8Earlier quoted context omitted.
Love this answer, I was thinking the same thing. I remember in college I applied to over 100 internships and my friend said “I don’t understand how you wrote over 100 cover letters.” My response was “I didn’t. If they ask for a cover letter I don’t want to work for them.”
And if you believe you're best represented as a bullet list of educational and professional accomplishments, I assure you that the feeling is mutual.
Cover letters are one of those things that are only really useful for the first few jobs. Once you've started working you will get most of your future jobs via your network and cover letters are pointless from then on.
Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types
#9Earlier quoted context omitted.
And if you believe you're best represented as a bullet list of educational and professional accomplishments, I assure you that the feeling is mutual.
Cover letters are one of those things that are only really useful for the first few jobs. Once you've started working you will get most of your future jobs via your network and cover letters are pointless from then on.
If you're content to work within your network or and only care about the craft rather than the overall purpose of your company and tasks, then sure. Jobs your friends and colleagues get you don't require a cover letter.
Re: Why companies are interested in Myers-Briggs types
#10The article makes the mistake assuming that companies are using these tests to maximize for performance, when in fact they are trying to maximize internal culture fit.