What Is a Personality Hire?

Workplace hiring trends are continually changing. Gen Z is becoming known for their desire for being personality hires. While hiring for personality alone may seem unwise, a candidate's character can be the deciding factor in the hiring process. The job market is becoming more competitive. In fact, the federal government's job postings have decreased by 20.6% from its March 2022 high. Let's dive into what a personality hire is and how this type of hire can bring value to a company.

WHAT IS A PERSONALITY HIRE?
The primary function of a personality hire is to set positive vibes in the workplace through jokes, banter, and playfulness. Critics assert that hiring for personality may undercut the hire that is objectively the best fit for a specific role. While it is unlikely you hire job applicants solely for the "good vibes" they give off, these hires have a range of soft skills that can strengthen the workplace environment.

Supporters of vibe-based hiring believe that likability and personality are challenging to foster and technical skills can be more easily taught. When a new hire's personality aligns with a company's branding mission, they add value to the workplace. In the case where potential candidates have similar ranges of technical skills, personality can be the winning edge for getting the job.

WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF A PERSONALITY HIRE?
You shouldn't overlook the value of a personality hire. According to Zippia, 85% to 97% of hiring managers rely on intuition over objective analysis. They may go for the candidate with a great personality and less experience over the candidate who lacks charm but has tons of experience. While charisma can win over hiring managers, certain qualities encompass what a personality hire is.

• Customer Service Expert
  A personality hire is typically competent in managing customer relations and can assuage unhappy clientele. This is especially important in industries where face-to-face client interactions are necessary.
  
  
• Creative Team Player
  These hires are usually sensitive to the emotions and needs of coworkers and understand how to navigate different personalities. This ability allows personality hires to work in teams and group projects. They may even offer new or unusual ideas for innovative product designs.
  
  
• Effective Communicator
  Personality hires are great liaisons between their peers and leadership. They can be great for being the voice of their coworkers. These hires are strong communicators essential for collaboration, planning, project management, and message delivery to important stakeholders.

WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE FOR PERSONALITY
The most important part of the personality hire meaning is building crucial relationships. The success of a business relies heavily on cultivating and maintaining strong inter- and intrapersonal relationships. Personality hires can successfully connect with fellow employees and clients by being cognizant of their needs and finding common ground.

Positive outcomes for a company include:

• Improved employee engagement
• Reduced turnover
• Increased worker retention
• Strong referral network
• More successful negotiations

For more insight into what is a personality hire and how vibe-based hiring can improve your workplace, contact our team today.