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Handwriting analysis analysed

Handwriting analysis as a method of assessing applicant personality traits.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. It would seem that a hand-written paragraph is worth even more. Graphology, more simply known as handwriting analysis, is becoming a popular and accepted means of assessing applicant personality prior to employment.

Handwriting is as unique to each individual as their fingerprints and a reliable indicator of personality and behaviour.

As an emerging science, graphology is gaining the attention of academics the world over as this science develops into a reliable and valid measuring instrument for a variety of applications, eg, personnel selection, career coaching, team building and more.

So, as our world of business begins to realise that human capital is our most valuable asset, we search for new and improved ways of identifying the most competent and suitable applicant for the job, someone who will adjust to the culture of the company. Recognising the integral role personality should play in the selection process and employee relationship management, human resource managers are turning increasingly to analysing the more subtle traits of prospective employees.

Handwriting analysis is a complex exercise that measures the involuntary impulses between the brain and the hand, foot or mouth, whichever is used to write. Graphology, like conventional personality tests is used to measure the personality constructs of the individual. So, what makes handwriting analysis so unique as a personality measurement tool?

1. The applicant can write in any language. The analysis can be done whether the graphologist understands the language of the writer or not. Handwriting analysis cannot determine: age, race, religion or gender and is not influenced by appearance, positive self-reporting or attempts to portray a positive image, which therefore reduces the subjectivity factor of the technique.

2. Faking is almost impossible with graphology as the applicant is unable to control the brain impulses which are projected on paper. Nor is the applicant aware of how to manipulate the writing. Any attempt to change the writer’s normal handwriting would be easily identified by a technically trained and experienced graphologist.

3. For job seekers, handwriting analysis provides an added bonus in that it requires no painful or embarrassing interviews which a sensitive candidate is likely to see as an invasion of privacy. Because of nervousness, an otherwise perfectly qualified applicant may not be able to do justice to an interview. As a result, the employer may end up with a completely incorrect assessment of the applicant’s suitability for the post.

4. Such analysis can identify, among other things, motivation, drive, strengths, weaknesses, emotional stability, flexibility, creativity, communication styles, work style, sales style and management style.

5. Professional graphologists adhere to a strict code of ethics and reports are balanced and impartial. The professional graphologist would also not attempt an analysis without the consent of the writer of a sample.

Handwriting analysis can be a powerful ally to the human resource manager. It can help to appoint the most suitable employees, reduce potential conflict situations and retain valuable staff. Handwriting analysis provides accurate insight into the way people think and behave.

Kirsten Halcrow, MD, EMPS Employers’ Mutual Protection Service

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