Graphology – Handwriting Analysis is an Adrenaline Shot to the hiring process.

At my last company we didn’t hire anyone unless we put them through a Graphology Test. We were fairly confident in this psychometric testing method. Through Graphology we are looking for personality traits such as tenacity, influencing skills, organisational abilities, intelligence, emotional maturity and focus.

But what is Graphology? It is the recognised and credible science of providing psychological profiles by analysing a person’s handwriting. The police and the FBI use it to profile and hunt criminals. The chance that one persons handwriting will be the same as another is one in several billion. Even if we lose use of our hands we will still continue to write in the same manner with another part of our anatomy !! Neuroscientists have correlated certain neuro-muscular movements with observable personality traits. Each trait is recognisable by a distinctive brain pattern. When writing, these movements occur unconsciously. Handwriting analysts, or graphologists, then identify these strokes and reveal the corresponding personality trait through their assessment.

So what can someone’s handwriting reveal about them? The scope is wide and diverse and includes maturity, intelligence, creativity, stamina, illness, depression, humour, adaptability, stress sensitivity and many many more. The list is endless. When we ask our graphologist questions about a particular potential staff member there is nothing she cannot answer. Mind you we do use a very good one.

So does this mean that we rely solely on the graphology test. Absolutely not? It is used in conjunction with interviews, reference checks and behavioural questioning. Put them all together and you have an excellent process of reducing the risk of making an inappropriate hire – which, lets face it, is always costly. The results from a graphology test can be used to delve more deeply into potential weaknesses. For example, if someone’s handwriting revealed that they were lacking in stamina, this would trigger questions to referees about the candidates production rate, focus and desire to work overtime. It is basically like an adrenaline shot to the hiring process!

So why do we prefer this psychometric test to more conventional methods? The main reasons are:

1. Quicker – there are no lengthy reports that need to be read and deciphered. The results are clear, direct and unambiguous.

2. It cannot be manipulated – experienced applicants can learn how to answer psychometric tests to provide positive results. Graphology cannot be manipulated – even if you deliberately changed your handwriting for the test, wrote in capitals or wrote with the other hand.

3. Deeper – it covers issues such as illness, stress management, depression, integrity, honesty, illness etc which cannot be tested for in other tests.

4. Continued support – the graphologist is always available post hire to advise on how to maximise someone’s potential, keep them motivated and retain them.

5. Easily tailored to a specific job description targeting core competencies and personality traits of interest.

6. Establishes cultural fit within a team – so important for team cohesiveness.

7. Can establish main motivational drivers – if you know what motivates and drives someone they can be more easily managed.

We have some amazing stories that attest to the accuracy of this method. For example we sent some handwriting to our graphologist by fax for a potential new receptionist. Remember the graphologist does not meet the candidates. She came back with the results that included the concern that the person may have a particular disease like Lupus. It turns out the candidate had Lupus. This didn’t stop us hiring the person but it just demonstrates the power of the process. What psychometric test could do that? I could go on for hours about many many more stories like that. It provides a fingerprint to someone’s personality.

If you want to upgrade your hiring process then I strongly recommend you look more closely at this proven method. You will be amazed. If you want more details then please feel free to contact me.