Researchers have created a tool designed to evaluate narcissistic traits in candidates during job interviews.
Narcissism appears to be prevalent in many aspects of modern life, including politics, entertainment, sports, and social media. It’s noticeable in workplaces as well, where it can cause significant issues. Is there a way to maintain a work environment devoid of toxic and self-centered individuals?
Many companies have sought the expertise of researchers at San Francisco State University specializing in organizational psychology to address this problem. To assist in this, university researchers have developed an interview tool aimed at measuring narcissistic grandiosity in job candidates. This project was spearheaded by SFSU Psychology Professors Kevin Eschleman and Chris Wright alongside four student researchers, and the findings were published in the Journal of Personality Assessment.
“We chose to examine narcissism because it’s often discussed in relation to people’s traits. It can bring about various negative outcomes in team settings,” said Eschleman. “Narcissism can be appealing initially, as these individuals are often driven and tend to achieve success. This makes them attractive to organizations.”
The tool, named the Narcissism Interview Scale for Employment (NISE), comprises a series of behavioral and situational questions suitable for job interviews. For instance, one question invites candidates to explain how they would lead a team, while another inquires how they would handle a disagreement with a team plan that requires unanimous approval. Interviewers are trained to evaluate responses systematically, enabling a more scientific approach to identifying candidates with narcissistic tendencies.
This project began four years ago when Eschleman observed an increase in inquiries from organizations about effective team dynamics, candidate selection, and how to deal with unproductive individuals. Organizations often get swayed by a candidate’s qualifications on their resume, but neglecting to assess their personality can lead to difficulties in collaborative environments, according to Eschleman. People with narcissistic traits typically possess an inflated self-image and make decisions focused on their own interests in the short term, disregarding the long-term needs of the organization, he added.
Eschleman emphasized, “This isn’t a strict diagnosis.” He pointed out that everyone likely exhibits some narcissistic traits. “We are examining how consistent people are in their behavior over time. We look at their self-perception or how others view them regularly. Are these behaviors consistent?”
The researchers recognize that this assessment system is not flawless. Many elements contribute to achieving a successful team and a positive work environment. However, they are hopeful that their tool will improve the chances of positive outcomes.
Although the researchers have delved into these topics for years, they aimed to create a user-friendly tool that could be adapted to various work settings. This is why they chose to focus on job interviews, which are widely accepted by both employers and candidates during hiring.
Sharon Pidakala (M.S., ’22), a co-author of the study, now serves as a People & Development Manager at Lawyers On Demand in Singapore. Her role encompasses talent acquisition, workplace culture, development, organizational policy, and employee engagement.
“I’m thankful to apply my research in my daily work. It’s crucial that these questions are not too direct to avoid making candidates uncomfortable, as you don’t want to simply ask, ‘Are you a narcissist?’” explained Pidakala, whose thesis at SFSU focused on creating the NISE tool. “The questions are designed to present candidates positively.”
Pidakala chose to attend SF State to receive this specialized training. With a background in psychology, she sought to gain advanced skills in organizational psychology to enhance her expertise in the area.
“Studying organizational psychology at SF State has been immensely beneficial, providing me with adaptable skills that are applicable worldwide,” she remarked.
