Why the Best Person Won't Land the Job [The Undeniable Rise of Personality Hires]

[@mikeg3810]

Facts. When you have beauty, brains and a vibrant personality you almost guaranteed a job anywhere. But companies still use culture fit to rationalize hiring decisions.

[@alimushtaq2589]

yup

[@stevedavenport1202]

Depends on the company and the role. Some companies will use competency as the first and most important filter, especially for more technical roles. For sales roles, brains, beauty and personality are important attributes, just behind the ability to sell.

[@GabbyTeAma]

I was the introverted personality hire. I wasn't the outgoing charming girl but I was the one everyone came to when they needed to vent or be encouraged. I was like the office counselor. My managers always felt that I was "essential" to the office even if they didn't know what my role entailed. I was just really good at keeping the peace and making people feel calm. I'm self-employed now but I'm the same way with my employees. :)

[@nekeb5421]

And it backfires a lot too. Had a friend recommend one candidate for the position. However, the other was more ‘ likeable’ . 6 months later she still couldn’t pick up the duties adequately. They had to fire her and start the arduous process of interviewing again.

[@MKrealife]

I interviewed at a company where you had to pass a generic "culture fit" interview first before you got passed on to the hiring managers of the dept you applied for. They ended up hiring people who lied on their applications and had zero experience while they passed on hard working, postive, people with years of experience. This is what happens when you put "culture fit" over skills.

[@wegotthis247]

Timely info. No on the airport question AND I hit the 👍 I’m a personality hire interviewer - didn’t realize that’s what I’ve been doing. Plot twist: they hired the other candidate who also was a personality interviewer. We chatted while waiting! Best L ever! I earnestly was very happy they selected her. Two months later, they expanded. Called and hired me!!! She and I have been colleagues for 10 years!! I’m currently in the management interview process. She’s looking forward to retiring soon (we’re 20 years apart) and we’re cheering one another on.

[@amberpalmer3708]

Wow inspiring story!

[@emcat7377]

Had a job interview today and I binged your interviews to prep, along with mirroring the recruiter's energy, and I feel like it helped me SMASH the initial phone interview!! She even told me on the spot that I'm moving to the second round (especially since I will be on vacation starting Monday, so she wanted to get it on my calendar first thing when I return). Thank you for the incredible resources you contribute to people -- for free, no less! I'll update you on how everything goes! 💜

[@Astrid-cc3mg]

Wow I had the same exact experience today!! Passed the phone interview and am moving on to the second round :-) Congrats and best of luck to you!!

[@SelfMadeMillennial]

That’s so great to hear!!!!

[@novadhd]

Some people are really good at interviewin and extroverted. If you are skilled and qualified but get nervous or whatever you will be passed over.

[@linda-veronicapecora191]

"Personality hire" sounds like it's just the reincarnation of "culture fit." I don't see much of a difference. I care a lot about my coworkers, but I'm quiet. Just like when my grades in school could suffer from not enough "participation." Discrimination against the shy!

[@mariaverina]

As someone who's been looking for a job for over a year now, Im so fcking tired of these games. There's no making an interviewer happy. Stuff like this happening is so frustrating.

[@1D4ever]

🎯

[@asadb1990]

How did you survive without job for a year?

[@wildmooncloud805]

I think the position I want is filled with others like me, potential making me a personality hire this time around.

[@plethoraria]

Such an interesting video! I feel like it used to be easier for me to connect with people pre-pandemic. During the pandemic, I became more detached since I was working remotely and basically only saw my husband and my toddler child every day. Over the past few months, I've made a conscious effort to put myself out there more and rebuild connections. It does seem to make a big difference in my day to day. Working remotely definitely has its perks, but for me it seemed to come at the expense of forming connections and maintaining some of my personality traits.

[@kimsmith6206]

I agree, and as I have gotten older, I don't put myself out there.

[@MelOBrien-12]

You’re so right, I totally agree with you! My personality has completely changed since Covid and working remotely. It’s been 4 years of solid remote work and I’m terrified of going back to an office even on a hybrid basis! Wild. Remote work is convenient and flexible but not worth it on a full time basis.

[@AlliesClericalChatsAndMore]

No, airport question is new to me. But yes, I have seen this personality hire. She was called the office's "sunshine" and honestly she was. She also was very qualified. She was both easy to like and very wise. Beautiful both inside & out. Glad I was able to meet and work with her❤.

[@Lidar957]

After seeing this video, I realize that it was actually good for the hiring teams to pass me over for "the other candidate", Personally I wouldn't want to work for a place who does mediocre personality hires that can't solve real world problems...

[@CloudslnMyCoffee]

This is unfortunate for people with autism. I know people who are the most capable in their field but cant always get past the interview.

[@Eltipoquevisteayer]

Good ridance

[@josephpanozzo4815]

I worked at jobs where coworkers would get numerous smoke breaks and time away from work while the non smokers were stuck doing extra work during the smokers breaks.

[@verycherryberry3752]

non smokers can take extra coffee/ tea breaks lol . Or water breaks.. or just take extra time pooping.. I don't smoke and I would never let that stop me from avoiding work. IF YOURE GONNA BE LAZY COMMIT TO IT GODDAMNIT . IF SMOKERS EVADE RESPONSIBILITIES I WILL MAKE SURE I DO IT WITH THEM. I DONT NEED A CIGARETTE TO BE LAZY. See that's true commitment to your values.

[@RichardLeo-mf3zb]

It used to be like that in the Air Force basic training according a friend of mine.

[@mynameisbetty1767]

I’m older. We just call them boot lickers lol

[@bagery]

No, I have not heard of the airport test. This was a fascinating video! I'm on the cusp of being hired after three rounds and I felt completely awkward but more than qualified. Thank goodness they thought I fit the culture and personality to make it this far!

[@rmogha]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpiXp4yYZ9Seh9ksi=M7MXHI6Re5ANXN-Z

[@theytwatcher950]

A secret weapon I have for personality hires, is to simply ask the interviewer this one question "How has your day been?" and try to engage in a friendly conversation. I enjoy talking to people - if i was an Uber driver, I would be the one with the highest "Great conversation"

[@Angy708]

This is great for people who have little/no experience and are willing to do the job. However, I have seen many people who pass these personality hires turn out to be someone to be the complete opposite and you don't want to be around.

[@MightyBaja]

True...in private sector it's about if they Like you or not...you can absolutely kill the interview and be of merit but they will pick someone they like from a personality stand point...when they say they are looking for a culture fit, what they really mean is "someone we like"

[@Glitter.Is.Meta87]

Thanks to binge watching your videos and being a new subbie.. I got the job at Ulta Beauty! When the interviewer asked me “do you have any questions”when I tell you I asked endless questions about her, how long she’s been with the company, clientele, her plans with the company, her work background, etc. the interview lasted ONE HOUR! it was amazing 🤩 I was literally interviewing the interviewer and she was mind blown by the questions and loved it. I was hired same day and sent a offer .. more then what I asked! Thank you Madeline for all your content! ❤ I start on Halloween 🎃 🎉🤗

[@SelfMadeMillennial]

Huge congratulations! Way to rock it!

[@marcias8385]

So interesting. I liked your mention of ai. I do think there are a lot of pros and cons with it though, and as you put it, definitely a double edged sword. I like to use ai to help me write my resume and cover letters (and one of your last videos on it, was super helpful) but I can't help but think at what point will we lose human authenticity. So it will be interesting to see how the hiring/job searching process evolves with the evolution of ai.

[@VaporGawd]

I wanted to say thank you Madeline for all the tips which helped me land what I think is the perfect next step in my career. I’m starting Dec 4th : a Star is born!

[@SelfMadeMillennial]

You are so welcome!!!!!

[@GregBedard]

No I have not heard of the airport test. I have never been a personality hire that is for sure. I can be odd/awkward. I have learned to be engaging during interviews. Telling stories when asked a question asking question that engage the interviewer(s), I am currently looking for work for the first t ime on 5.5 years and its been tough. This was an inciteful video. Though it doesn't give me much hope at least I know why I may be passed over.

[@irisroyal2764]

I learn a valuable word in this video" culture fit". subscribed.

[@tvoe3223]

Man thanks to you and one other person on YT I got invited to the second interview. Everyone seemed to love me; I brought high energy and even though i was nervous I believe it played into my favor. They told me I don't need to be nervous that all my answers were great! We shared a few laughs the Sr. Manager who came all the way down from ID. Had gave me slight praise. I even toured the building and the Technician who came with him said he is rooting for me. From what he knows I am the only one who made it to phase two which I believe is good in my book. I haven't heard anything yet but it was yesterday so I'll wait till Tuesday to see. I forgot to mention the 2nd interview was a panel interview with like 7 people 😂😂 I was interviewing for a Help Desk Technician.

[@SelfMadeMillennial]

Yay!! Love to hear it!!!

[@erikaruv22]

As an introvert, this sucks 😩

[@LeadershipEvolutionAcademy]

Very interesting. I have worked with a few leaders that are very prone to hire based on personality. As a leader myself I do the technical questions first. If they pass them then I ask the attitude questions. But technical skills weight the most. However, if someone has an attitude that I know it will be hard to work together. I meditate the decision so much. The chemistry between manager and team is very important. We want diversity of thought and background. But is key we all have the right attitude to be able to build Amazing things together. And I have never ended a professional relation with the people that have the most amazing attitude. Despite their work is not that good…. Their good attitude saves them

[@VideoGameRoom32]

There are some employees I don't know how they don't get fired. To me they are such good at manipulating people and weasel out of every time they get in trouble.

[@tthoma12]

They are family members or friends. Or they have dirt on management

[@mikeg3810]

Awesome content! Package this in a book and it will be a best seller!!

[@MikeHL78]

I work in local TV. The OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of the people I've worked with in the last 25 years are personality hires. As someone not in that category, it's tough!

[@podcastulcarierei]

Melanie, such a deep, insights-rich video, loved it! the point you've made at the end that in spite of it being prone to excessively biased judgements, personality-based hiring decisions could well be that ultimate see-through tool we should rather keep for human-handling as opposed to AI-based algorythmic decision-making, unless of course there aren't plans for AI to become sentient:), in which case it might well claim it became 'qualified' to make judgements based on personality matches.

[@ericaweiszmann1018]

People certainly enjoy working with likeable people. This makes a lot of sense! We are all social creatures so it's not hard to imagine that people would want to hire those who are similar to them. I will try to match the energy of my interviewers in the future.

[@MelOBrien-12]

Great video! I’m bingeing your content, it’s so useful. One thought I had was about AI-assisted interviewing - instead of humans interviewing people for 4-rounds, AI could step in and do 2 rounds so it’s totally skills-based, then humans for the final 2, one virtual, final one in person. The starting interview pool could be bigger as it’s not relying on humans. I feel like we’re a long way off now though as AI is so heavily keyword-reliant people would rightly so include whatever keywords we need to include, or AI wouldn’t recognise the skills properly in our nuanced description. Maybe it’ll be different AI technology. Just a thought :) interesting to see how it will evolve as the years go on. Hopefully it gets easier for the job seekers and not more stressful, with more hoops to jump through!

[@SelfMadeMillennial]

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[@FlashySenap]

Yeah this sucks for people who are introverts.

[@Renee_11]

I always find great content on this channel, thank you.

[@Ljfxmuartist]

I have not heard of the airport test. This is all so dizzying...my god, after listening to all this just wants me to get out of working in Tech or any large corps. As a matter of fact....this really seems more or less like a high school popularity contest....which is actually rediculous. So if you have a more reserved personality... or you have a personality that doesn't mesh well, you are more likely not to get the job. I am already exhaused at 45.... this was not the enviornment back when I first started working, now I these orgs want more and more out of us. I prob need to work in a factory on a line somewhere to be left alone! Great video thanks for the insight!

[@ericaweiszmann1018]

No, I have not heard of the airport test. Love this!

[@rachelomalley2923]

Really interesting thanks for sharing and no I haven't heard of the airport test. A few of my friends always ask themselves do I even want to work them anyways after an interview so thats very similar.

[@gr8645]

This explains why I usually suffer when I'm between jobs since it takes me so long to land one. I'm currently working a job I ABSOLUTELY HATE because of my ineptitude at acquiring employment. If I could just fix this problem, i'll never have to put up with a job I hate ever again.

[@MegaSword]

I wanna be a personality hire! Working on it.

[@vminhope3040]

Lucky for them I have plenty and it depends on my caffeine levels and mood

[@verycherryberry3752]

ok but doesnt this whole personality hire thing discriminate against autistic people who are literally the most qualified but get overlooked because of their * energy * which naturally doesnt match with neurotypicals and literally having it 1000 times harder for them to put on a fake personality?? idk. Trying to justify it by saying "cultural fit is important" seems pretty ableist to me.

[@RunyaEithelNar]

During my meetings with job adviser she asked what I would think about person who wouldn't look at me when talking. She was trully surprised at my answer that I would think that person can be neurodiverged and can have autism. Let's say, people at job centers aren't prepared with this subject and they put neurodivergent in "disabled" group for another organisation.

[@rolon-ew5kl]

I struggle with this. I struggle with job interviews with CPTSD. Even qualified still get turned down for job offers frustrating.

[@SaharNawaz]

My old workplace would have full on staff meetings during their smoke breaks. Thank god I got out of there.

[@FJHFAH-ui4ml]

I was temping at my alma mater right after I got my masters degree, and they opened up the position to hire someone permanently. Naturally, I applied because I had already been doing the job and got along great with 99% of my colleagues. My boss loved me. I had a phone interview and they didn’t push me to the next step, come to find out the search chair committee didn’t like my personality because I wasn’t “bubbly” enough. Plot twist, He ended up getting fired for bringing a gun to work 😵‍💫 after throwing a wrench in my career for such a stupid reason

[@GretchenLodaSoprano]

I am also at HR professional. It sounds like discrimination just to hire someone or not hire them based on their personality.

[@Saixjacket]

That Friends clip got me out of nowhere 😂. That is exactly how my mom would approach it.

[@carmenmirandaaa]

I understand this is really just another way to "game the system" in your favor. But I wish only the people who are actually qualified and just need a better interview strategy did this. Because for those of us who are NOT personality hires and have to work with them, it usually sucks. I haven't met a personality hire yet that wasn't either a gossip, a busy body, or incompetent. They spend so much time yapping that their work gets dumped on everyone else. Or worse, they get promoted to manager, but you're stuck doing their job while they take all the credit (ask me how I know). Then they just hire more incompetent, "likeable" people like them (meanwhile no one except management likes them), and the cycle continues.

[@LucianLacroix]

I try to watch the Bluest standup comedy right before an interview. It changes my entire energy level and I have gotten good results. I’d say 5 minutes of Gilbert Gottfried does more for me than box breathing.

[@brendacurrie358]

Interesting and relevant !!!

[@SelfMadeMillennial]

😄

[@brendacurrie358]

I was recently told by an employer we don’t hire for experience , we hire for personality !!! They said that in the first interview . Fascinating … I felt it was not a compliment but more a way of saying I was over qualified and ageism was an obvious factor . It was uncomfortable , I wish I had watched this earlier . Thank you for your good work 🙏💪😊

[@dylanarmstrong9328]

I have some really bad luck with jobs sometimes. I've made it pretty much all the way to the end of the process a few times over and still end up not getting the job.

[@evilzzzability]

Of course personality and cultural fit is important.

[@angucolos]

No I've never heard of the airport test.

[@dmell5894]

I never heard if the airport test nice

[@maahnii6555]

It also depends on how technical the job is, and also how much technical understanding the hiring manager is capable of.

[@abkeener81]

I have not heard of the airport test. But I see it both ways.

[@mrs.lunatic7136]

Well, wish I had realized this AGES ago. I would say I am not the upnfront personality hire however, I am the person that becomes the gatekeeper for all information in the teams I'm part of. I have had high level execs speak to me about issues simply because I listen to listen and allow them to work the problem out loud. If I'm asked for a prompt, I'll give it but otherwise I'm just a warm body giving mmmhmm, I see...mmmm...during the story. I'm trustworthy and have proven that at every workplace. I do have an amazing idea for a program to remove the bias from hiring. The hiring staff wouldn't get to flex bias until the very last interview but at that point they would have highly qualified candidates.

[@serniebanders2858]

There’s also a good looking hire too

[@JohnSmith-se4ep]

Companies who do this end up failing in the long run..also didn't tech companies just layoff THOUSANDS of Project Managers??

[@kdoddieTR]

Happened to me. Didn’t win the personality contest. Lol

[@nooname9176]

Anyone would understand what's like living in a country where age discrimination & over requirement on education is heavily dominating the job market. No matter how superb you're at providing proven track record of success or how good you've written the best cover letter and resume, there's still no chance to be interviewed by the recruiters. I've only 5 more Monday left in my life if there's still no job offering from any company. Good luck to me !

[@smilekapoor]

Very well explained and engaging. Thank you 💐

[@LatriciaJohnson]

AI set up an interview for me. A company had my position totally incorrect. I'm in the medical field and it called for sales lol

[@Buzzing_around]

I found that “not a culture fit” generally meant “not privileged and homogenous enough” - for example, seeming like they wouldn’t drink “enough” alcohol, or not being in the desired demographics. It’s pretty well established to generally be code for discrimination.

[@JC-sh6im]

That's it, I quit the job search, I'll make it work some other way, I'm smart, I'm capable and it's all wasted on these applications. I'm supposed to be a personality as well as know absolutely everything technical ? No thank you. Puppeted around in 5+ rounds of interview, tests etc., entire days spent on each application, and nada to show for it.

[@VideoGameRoom32]

I've gotten hired at jobs even though I was less qualified because they liked my personality better. They thought I was also a better fit in their company culture.

[@siobahnhurley85]

I have a bad tendency to yammer in interviews. However in the right setting, yammer becomes chatty and personable.

[@bagery]

I'll add that this is probably why I'm now being asked to name a song that comes to mind or my favorite ice cream. Barf

[@13jorino]

Part of being likable is having a likable name. My name is not difficult. It just doesn't roll off the tongue. And it even starts with a negative. No..... and i tend to be a more serious person. I cannot spew sunshine.

[@Eltipoquevisteayer]

Beauty has, is, and will be the only merit or value someone will offer most of the time and in most contexts.

[@mysurfing3550]

Just remember, Stocton Rush, Ted Bundy, and Andew Tate were "well liked" (and many others. Only hiring people because they are outgoing doesn't mean it's a good idea....

[@DEPUISEMENT2DISCOVER]

The last personality hire I knew lost the company $200,000.

[@john_dee1431]

Great analysis. Popcorn worthy.

[@ryanstucke7811]

The interviews are asking themselves so I want to work with this person?

[@LigneDesign]

HR are supposed to avoid cognitive biases. Yet, the first thing they do is completely fall in the cognitive bias trap and hire based on this!! Plus, HR values a linear career path. The thing is that HR purpose is to make the most of non linear career paths, as unicorns. Hiring is the futur performance of your organization (but this is too rational, it appears!).

[@alive.-xn4fx]

I'm morbidly obese and I speak slowly because I think slowly from brain fog thanks to medication side effects. No wonder I can't get a better job. No one cares about my skills or even my personality because they doubt my capabilities because of how fat I am. I'm working on my health, but that's not good enough because if it were, society wouldn't be so cruel to people who don't meet their beauty standards. Let alone the personable candidate.

[@FJB2020LGB]

Debbie downer

[@alive.-xn4fx]

@FJB2020LGB I wrote this after a bad interview and was venting. Of course I was being a debbie downer. Things change.

[@Mattgdice]

I am a competent worker, but my personality is deff what gives me the edge against other candidates! There's deff a happy medium. Also I'm a god damn DELIGHT in airports.

[@asadb1990]

I was a diversity hire but slowly became a technical mercenary. I do my work and leave on time. Im not picking up any more work than what i already have. I do only what is expected

[@salesforcedean3590]

Great long way to say if you’re neurodivergent, you’re screwed in the corporate world. This is why I work for the government now

[@ReceptiveKing93]

This like the NFL. How many times have you seen NFL owner hiring the wrong person for their head coaching vacancy. There’s a reason why the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, & many other NFL teams have been consistently bad for years.

[@deathschmelda]

I get that personality isn't everything, but you act as if interviewers hiring based on likability are conspiring against those with personalities they don't vibe with. If I'm interviewing a potential teammate, I want them to be technically sound AND someone I want to work with daily.

[@rainbow7548]

The most basic fact about human beings: we are not animals with logic, but we are animals with feelings!

[@SelfMadeMillennial]

Decide with emotion, back it up with logic. Very true.

[@hollygold4120]

I'm definitely a mix of huge personality and skills and culture. I just have to find the job that all pay me the salary I'm asking lol

[@kimsmith6206]

The person may be the right candidate but is not a good interviewer. Why is someone with a personality not right for the job?

[@cuivre2004]

"Old boys' network" has turned into the "young bros network", or in some places, the "young sistas network".

[@Chowan30]

These are all unfortunate facts of corporate America. Corporate America is not fair. Unconscious bias practices. It’s whoever is playing this game the best, wins.

[@jackcarraway4707]

Let's say your interviewer is a guy and he recently interviewed a smoking hot fresh out of college sorority sister that has, ahem, "assets" that you do not have before getting to you. Take a wild guess who is getting the job.

[@scarlol1800]

Did this happen to you 😂

[@vminhope3040]

😂 Im for sure a personality hire. It’s a great weapon. I’m naturally an introvert. But as I started looking for jobs I had to change personality to get hired as all jobs want that 😂

[@alimushtaq2589]

And this is why the American empire is going down.....

[@shafa7668]

No

[@nooname9176]

Mr Personality 😅

[@kimflisakowski2041]

No