By Larry Goldsmith, CWDP, P.E.T.
Those of us that watch Law and Order (or CSI) know that it is the felon’s DNA that quite often leads to their being caught. It is this DNA that has lead to the downfall of more than one careless felon. Do you know that each of us has a makeup of personality preferences which make up our own learning styles just as each of have our own DNA genetic identification? Even if your personality DNA is not as exacting as your hereditary DNA, it this personality preference or behavior that is guiding your job search.
Knowing the manner in which you take in information allows you to move through your job search by applying the most effective search strategies. Grasping the underlying significance of preferred learning style and adding this information to your job search preparation gives you an additional edge for achieving a healthy exchange of knowledge with potential employers. Haven’t you ever walked out of an interview and said, “That is the worst interview experience I ever had.” Could you have really meant this? “That Human Resource Manager’s interview style sure didn’t match with my learning style”
Oftentimes your failure in an interview might be just that you are not communicating correctly. You may be the perfect candidate. Your skills are an absolutely match. What you haven’t brought into the equation is that they did not understand you because your delivery, and how they receive your message, was a mismatch. The key to your job search might be no more than paying attention to the interviewer’s learning style and to adjust your method of delivery in such a way a connection is made between both of you. Just as one resume does not fit every job it is also true that the same method of communication with each employer does not fit precisely either.
Probably the most recognized personality assessment tool for addressing personality preferences and learning styles is the Myers Briggs assessment instrument. This assessment tool follows the psychological type theory of Psychoanalyst Carl Jung (1875 – 1961). It categorizes people in one of sixteen fixed personality types. Job seekers taking this personality assessment are assigned a specific label. The great challenge with this assessment is people become affixed with this label and don’t focus further on the interpretation of the label.
Another personality assessment tool is called Personal Empowerment through Type. (I am a certified P.E.T. Facilitator) This assessment tool too is based on the psychological type theory of Psychoanalyst Carl Jung. This instrument does not assign a specific label but instead becomes part of an ongoing process of personal empowerment. Personal empowerment is about becoming self-empowered through increased awareness of self and others. The P.E.T. instrument becomes a self-guiding progression leading toward heightens understanding of learning style. P.E.T. allows you to become aware of how your personality preferences influences your decision-making.
It is only by understanding ourselves and others can we empower our success. When you play into the learning styles of the employers’ DNA by adjusting your style, you will reap the rewards of a successful search.
You must log in to post a comment.