While remote working has become more widespread, it’s also not quite for everyone.
Some people can readily adjust to and perhaps even enjoy having a remote job, while others may struggle with it.
Thus, understanding the type of personality you have can help you get a better gauge if you can manage working from home.
Can Personality Tests Measure Success?
One of the most popular personality tests is the Myers-Briggs Personality Type (MBTI). (You know, the four-letter sequence that you see around the Internet.)
However, in many remote work environments, there is another kind of personality test that is rapidly gaining popularity. It grades candidates on their openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, or O.C.E.A.N.
This personality test is also known as the “Big Five Personality Traits.”
Why is O.C.E.A.N. being used to determine the suitability of people in distributed teams more than other personality tests?
Well, this personality test shows more predictive validity -and can actually predict job performance. People with a balanced mix of the five personality traits (for instance, those who are reliable, self-disciplined, and show initiative) will most likely perform well on their remote jobs.
So, if you are taking a huge step in your career, like switching to working remotely after reporting to an office, then you might want to take the test first.
Once you’ve got your results, here’s what each dimension tells you about how well you might acclimatize to working from home.
Openness
This often refers to how accepting or receptive an employee is towards new ideas, people, or places.
Why is this important in a remote work environment?
Well, how long it takes a remote worker to warm up to an unfamiliar situation will affect their performance, which is why they need the ability to adapt quickly to situations that may arise at work.
Conscientiousness
If you scored high on conscientiousness, this means that you are self-driven and self-motivated.
People with high conscientiousness are very organized and can manage their time very well. This ensures that they don’t miss their deadlines.
High conscientiousness is necessary for remote work because you will need to work independently and properly pace yourself, especially since your boss and colleagues aren’t in the same room (or even on the same continent).
Extroversion
Of course, when you work from home, there aren’t too many chances for face-to-face interaction, if at all.
Extroverts may find this setup draining since they draw energy from socializing.
Introverts, on the other hand, may find having a remote job more appealing because they don’t have to regularly interact with clients or coworkers. For them, working from home can also relieve some of the stress caused by socializing.
Agreeableness
When it comes to agreeableness, people who score high in this area are generally friendlier, supportive, and empathetic, which makes them pleasant to work with.
Remote workers with highly agreeable personalities are generally more trustworthy. This means they can be taken at face value, which is important when you work remotely and can’t rely on non-verbal signs like facial expressions and tone of voice.
Neuroticism
Neuroticism (or what some websites occasionally refer to as “emotional stability”) refers to one’s tendency towards anxiety, irritability, and sadness.
Generally, having a score low on this personality trait entails high emotional stability.
Emotionally stable people tend to handle negative emotions better, which can help combat burnout.
They also display resilience in the face of adversity and can easily take everything in stride.
Conclusion
While personality types are not necessarily “bad” or “good” when it comes to remote work, do take the time to reflect and evaluate your work preferences before you commit to anything.
Do you like having constant interactions with your colleagues or do you prefer to work alone?
Do you welcome fresh ideas or do you stick to tried-and-tested methods?
Are you well-organized or do you find structured schedules restrictive?
The answers to these questions will determine whether remote working is for you or not.
And on that note, if you think that your personality is especially suited for a remote work environment, then check out Remote Staff’s job listings. There are over hundreds of jobs available and it is regularly updated, so you’re sure to find a position that suits you.
Remote Staff is also a pioneer within the staffing industry and has been in business for over 15 years.
But what sets the company apart from all others is its continuous support towards its remote contractors even after the recruitment process. Thus, you are never alone in your remote working journey – even if you like to work solo.
If this sounds like something you would thrive in, then register with us today!
