Adjusting personality to fit in at work is a key skill, hiring managers say
Source: HR Dive โ
A recent survey of 1,000 U.S. job seekers and just over 1,000 hiring decisionโmakers found that the ability to adjust oneโs personality for the workplace is viewed as a critical trait by both sides, with 94% of hiring managers and 91% of applicants saying it influences overall perceptions of job performance. GenerationโฏZ emerged as the most adaptable cohort, as 80% of respondents in that age group reported changing themselves to fit work expectations. The study also highlighted that a calm, organized approach can reduce stress during tight deadlines and improve team collaboration, while defensive teammates can hinder feedback and slow decisionโmaking. Additionally, 99% of hiring managers and 90% of job seekers agreed that a positive or approachable personality can positively affect career advancement.
Despite the emphasis on adaptability, more than half of all respondents (56%) believe personality has no impact on job performance, a view held by 71% of GenโฏZers, 54% of millennials, 51% of GenโฏXers, and 36% of baby boomers and seniors. The survey revealed a gap in employer support: only half of job seekers said their companies provide developmental guidance for personality adaptation, with slightly higher support reported by millennials (59%) and GenโฏZ workers (58%) compared with GenโฏXers (39%) and older workers (30%). A Hogan Assessment analysis of over 86,000 adults corroborated these findings, showing that virtually every employee possesses at least one personality trait that could impede performance, relationships, or reputation under pressure.
Industry leaders emphasized the need for flexible workplace cultures. BobโฏFunkโฏJr., CEO of Express Employment International, argued that culture should set expectations for mutual treatment rather than dictate who employees must be, stressing that shared values allow diverse personalities to thrive when both employers and employees approach interactions with respect and adaptability. The findings suggest that while many workers, especially younger generations, are willing to modify their behavior to succeed, organizations must provide clearer guidance and supportive environments to harness these adaptations effectively.
โก Effects Interpreter
๐World Economymedium impact
What this means for you
- โถThe wider trading system tends to absorb shocks like this slowly.
- โถWorld markets have a habit of reading between the lines of stories like this.
๐๏ธLocal Economylow impact
What this means for you
- โถContractors and freelancers in the field may feel this before staff do.
- โถPay packets and rotas nearby could bend with the news.
๐ฆRates & Bankslow impact
What this means for you
- โถBorrowing plans are usually safe from sudden shocks over something like this.
- โถThe cost of borrowing tends to shift gradually rather than in one leap.
โค๏ธHealthhigh impact
What this means for you
- โถSupport networks, formal or informal, tend to matter most in moments like this.
- โถLocal surgeries and clinics might see a short-lived rise in enquiries.
๐ทWealthlow impact
What this means for you
- โถIt might be wise to review outgoings if jobs are on the line.
- โถRedundancy or a pay cut can eat into savings and delay retirement plans.
๐ Housinglow impact
What this means for you
- โถEstate agents often say the market takes weeks to catch up with news.
- โถRenters could see costs drift a little as landlords weigh their own bills.
๐ Effects for your country
The U.S.'s central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The U.S.'s economy is growing at 2.3% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the U.S.'s own central bank rate closely. With the U.S.'s unemployment at 4.4%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone โ the real impact in the U.S. depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UK's central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UK's economy is growing at 0.8% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UK's own central bank rate closely. With the UK's unemployment at 5.6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone โ the real impact in the UK depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
France's central bank rate currently stands at 2%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. France's economy is growing at 0.9% with inflation at 1.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track France's own central bank rate closely. With France's unemployment at 7.9%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is already under strain. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone โ the real impact in France depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
Romania's central bank rate currently stands at 6.5%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. Romania's economy is growing at 0.7% with inflation at 7.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track Romania's own central bank rate closely. With Romania's unemployment at 6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone โ the real impact in Romania depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UAE's central bank rate currently stands at 3.65%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UAE's economy is growing at 3.1% with inflation at 2.5%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UAE's own central bank rate closely. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone โ the real impact in the UAE depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.