Human Resources: The Courage to Relax

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Dec. 2, 2015 - PRLog -- By Tom Mulligan

Millions of people apply to jobs everyday.  Many, if not most, find themselves taking some type of personality profile test or questionnaire.  In an effort to pass this seemingly crucial test, many fail.

What’s going on?  Personality profiles cannot be passed, nor can they be failed.  However, they can have a definitive effect on getting the job.

Think of the time you applied for a job you really wanted.  You dressed in your best clothes, made sure your resume and references were in the best shape possible, put yourself on your best behavior and proceeded to psyche yourself up for the win.  You veritably sparkled.

That’s where it started to go wrong.

When we meet people who are interviewing us for a job, the first thing we recognize is that they have a job we want. Interviewers are the type of people who have “won”.  They have a job. Since we're doing our best, thinking on our feet and conquering the moment, we may use this as a model for how to get an edge.  However, in doing our best, we are actually hurting our chances.

First mistake.

Many HR people and hiring managers consider DISC one of the leading methodologies for profiling.  Like all others, the intent is not just to find out about you but also to make a judgment about how the job matches you.  Certified DISC profilers can detect attempts to “push” the results.  Some is expected; lots of “push” is a disqualifier.

Second mistake.

Unless you're applying for a job as a hiring manager, you may be mirroring the wrong behavior.  It may seem incredible, but you may be disqualifying yourself.

Last (and worst) mistake.

It might work. You’ll get the job and in short order find yourself miserable.  So, you look for another one, and then another. Each time your sparkle fades.  You have become the dreaded job hopper.

Ask yourself:  where is your posture in an interview?  Are you convinced that you are right for the job?  If so, have the courage to relax.  Let the profile help you by allowing it to work.

You just might sparkle enough as it is.

Tom Mulligan is a Managing Director of Coffman Group, a Sandler sales and management training firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. Tom has a record of uninterrupted success in sales and sales training, is an award-winning performer at the Fortune 500 level and has helped thousands of small businesses achieve their goals. He understands business owners, because he is one. Contact Tom: tom (at) coffmangroup.com or visit http://www.coffmangroup.sandler.com/