Trait Accuracy in the Workplace

The importance of accurate trait judgments about employees within organizational contexts is highlighted. More specifically, how the employees’ traits affect both positive and negative work outcomes is illustrated. Next, a description of how personality judgments are used to predict these outcomes both during the hiring process and throughout an employee’s tenure (e.g., performance evaluation, decisions about advancement, and formation of workgroups) is given. The remainder of the chapter focuses on the accurate assessment of the job candidate’s personality during the employment interview, with several points of discussion revolving around methods to improve trait judgments about prospective hires.