Can DISC and Enneagram tests be used for hiring?

What is a DISC personality test?

A DISC personality test is a popular tool used in the hiring process to assess a candidate's behavioral tendencies and work style. It categorizes personalities into four primary traits:

• Dominance (D): Assertive, decisive, prefers leadership roles

• Influence (I): Outgoing, persuasive, excels in social interactions

• Steadiness (S): Cooperative, reliable, values consistency

• Conscientiousness (C): Detail-oriented, analytical, focuses on accuracy

People often exhibit a mix of these traits, leading to diverse personality profiles that influence work styles and interactions. To gain the most insight, it’s essential to learn how to interpret DISC assessment results. 

What is an Enneagram personality test? 

The Enneagram personality test is a tool used to explore human psychology and behavioral patterns. It identifies nine primary personality types, each with unique motivations, fears, and internal dynamics. These Enneagram types are:

1. The Improver: Rational, idealistic, self-controlled, and perfectionistic

2. The Giver: Caring, interpersonal, generous, and people-pleasing

3. The Go-getter: Success-oriented, pragmatic, adaptive, and image-conscious

4. The Contemplator: Sensitive, introspective, expressive, and temperamental

5. The Pioneer: Intense, cerebral, perceptive, and innovative

6. The Devoted: Committed, security-oriented, responsible, and anxious

7. The Cheerleader: Busy, fun-loving, spontaneous, and scattered

8. The Master: Powerful, dominating, self-confident, and confrontational

9. The Agreeable: Easygoing, self-effacing, receptive, and reassuring

Individuals can show traits of adjacent types, known as “wings,” adding further layers to their personality profile. In various settings, like professional spheres or personal development, the Enneagram test offers insights into how people interact, cope with stress, and work effectively with others.

Why you should use personality tests for hiring

Integrating personality tests into your hiring process can pay off. Here are seven key reasons why you should use Enneagram and DISC tests in your hiring strategy. 

1. Enhancing role fit

Personality tests help to determine if a candidate's natural traits align with the job's requirements. For example, someone with a high dominance (D) score or an Enneagram Type 8 (the Master) could be ideal for leadership roles due to their assertiveness and decision-making skills.

2. Improving team dynamics

Understanding candidates’ personality types allows you to predict how they’ll interact with existing team members. A person with a high influence (I) score or an Enneagram Type 2 (the Giver), known for their interpersonal skills, can enhance team cohesion and communication.

3. Refining management strategies 

Knowing an employee's personality type can guide managers in how best to motivate and communicate with them. For instance, a conscientious (C) type or Enneagram Type 5 (the Pioneer) employee might prefer clear guidelines and the opportunity for analytical thinking.

4. Strengthening culture 

Another benefit of the DISC and Enneagram tests is finding candidates who fit well with your company's culture. For example, in a team-oriented company, someone scoring high in steadiness (S) or an Enneagram Type 9 (the Agreeable), who is naturally cooperative, would be a great match. 

They'd blend in easily and help maintain a close-knit team atmosphere, which is key for their happiness and success at work.

5. Predicting work style adaptability

These tests help assess how well a candidate can adapt to different work environments or situations. For instance, a candidate with a high DISC score in influence (I) or an Enneagram Type 7 (the Cheerleader) might excel in dynamic, innovative settings but could find structured, routine environments less stimulating.

6. Boosting objectivity

DISC and Enneagram tests add a layer of objectivity to your hiring process. They reduce biases that can arise from relying solely on resumes and interviews and provide standardized data that can be used to compare candidates fairly.

7. Finding potential development areas

Personality assessments uncover areas for professional growth. For example, a candidate with a high conscientiousness (C) score or an Enneagram Type 5 (the Pioneer) might excel in analytical skills but could benefit from developing their interpersonal skills. 

Recognizing this, employers can offer targeted training in communication or team collaboration, helping these employees develop a well-rounded skill set.

Use DISC tests for hiring

DISC personality tests are ideal when the need to understand a candidate's behavioral style is crucial, such as hiring for roles requiring specific interpersonal skills or leadership qualities. Here's how to use them in five specific campaigns: 

• Leadership roles: Candidates with high dominance (D) scores are naturally assertive and goal-driven – qualities essential for effective leadership. They can make quick decisions, handle pressure well, and drive teams toward achieving set objectives.

• Sales campaigns: Those scoring high on influence (I) are charismatic and persuasive – key traits for sales roles. These personalities excel in engaging clients, understanding customer needs, and convincingly presenting products or solutions.

• Customer service positions: Individuals with high steadiness (S) scores are patient and empathetic, ideal for customer service. They excel in providing consistent support, understanding customer issues, and maintaining positive interactions.

• Analytical roles: High conscientiousness (C) individuals are detail-oriented and organized, making them well-suited for analytical roles. They approach tasks methodically, ensuring attention and accuracy in data analysis or financial management.

• Creative teams: For creative positions like graphic design or advertising, those with a balance of influence (I) and steadiness (S) bring a mix of innovative thinking and team collaboration skills. They can generate creativity while ensuring ideas are effectively integrated into team projects.

Use Enneagram tests for hiring 

Enneagram personality tests are invaluable for hiring campaigns where understanding deeper motivational and emotional aspects of candidates is key. 

This test works well for roles requiring a high degree of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, or specific personal strengths. Here's how to apply them in five distinct campaigns: 

• Project management roles: Enneagram Type 3s (the Go-getter), are goal-oriented and efficient, making them well-suited for project management. Their drive for success and ability to stay focused under pressure ensures projects stay on track and goals are met effectively.

• Human resources: Enneagram Type 2s (the Giver), excel in HR due to their innate empathy and interpersonal skills. They're adept at understanding employee concerns, facilitating better communication, and creating a supportive work environment, which is essential for HR effectiveness.

• IT and technical support: Type 5s (the Pioneer), with their analytical and curious nature, are ideal for technical roles. They’re skilled at problem-solving and can delve deeply into technical issues, providing innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency of IT support systems.

• Healthcare professionals: Type 9s (the Agreeable), bring a sense of calm and stability to healthcare settings. Their ability to remain composed in stressful situations and their reassuring presence can significantly improve patient care and team collaboration in high-pressure medical environments.

• Educational staff: The principled and meticulous nature of Type 1s (the Improver) aligns well with educational roles. Their commitment to high standards and ethical conduct contributes to creating a structured and enriching learning environment, which is vital in education.

Combine personality and skills testing for the best results

Personality tests offer deep insights into a candidate's behavioral patterns and emotional intelligence, which are crucial for understanding their fit within a team and their likely response to workplace challenges. However, administering either of these tests on their own won’t provide a complete picture.

Incorporating skills testing adds another dimension, providing a comprehensive and accurate assessment of a candidate's potential. It enables hiring teams to evaluate candidates’ cognitive abilities, situational judgment, and technical skills. 

• Cognitive ability tests measure problem-solving and critical thinking, essential for roles that require quick decision-making or complex analysis. 

• Situational judgment tests assess how a candidate might react in job-specific scenarios, providing a glimpse into their practical decision-making skills. 

• Technical skills tests ensure the candidate has the necessary expertise for the role, be it in coding, marketing, or any other field.

TestGorilla recognizes the need for this multifaceted approach and offers more than 400 tests. Our extensive library enables employers to tailor their assessment process to each specific role, ensuring they measure not only a candidate's personality and emotions but also their practical skills and cognitive abilities.

Find the right personalities for your team with TestGorilla

DISC and Enneagram tests are key for effective hiring, offering deep insights into candidates' personalities and working styles. They're especially useful for specific hiring campaigns, ensuring you find the right personality fit for each role. 

For a comprehensive view of each candidate, pair personality tests with data-backed technical skills tests. This powerful combination provides a smarter way to hire, resulting in cohesive team matches and a stronger organization.

Sign up for a free account, request a live demo, or take our product tour to hire faster and smarter today.