Graphology is a maligned art in the UK but is seen as a sophisticated tool on the continent. Are recruiters missing a trick in the selection process?
Bill Clinton’s signature is the same size as his handwriting. In a copy of a hand-written letter you see that the signature is scribbled very close to the text itself. According to graphology experts this shows he is modest and has a tremendous sense of belonging to society. He does not separate himself from people.
He is able to take upon himself a great deal of responsibility and there’s no mention of philandering. He’s also looking for a job right now.
Graphology is the science of interpreting a person’s character from analysing their handwriting and it can be used for many varied purposes including recruitment. Career guidance and the motivation of workers.
It originated with a priest in France in 1871. Now eighty per cent of French businesses use graphology as a tool for evaluating applicants. It is also widespread in Switzerland and Israel.
In these countries, says Lorraine Herbert, who runs the Graphology Bureau, “there is not a job you can get without graphology being used.”
According to a dissertation from Leeds Metropolitan University, however, just 7.9 per cent of companies in England are using graphology in personnel screening.
“In England,” says Herbert, “it has had a lot of bad publicity from psychologists. It’s not accepted as being truly academic.” This has often meant that companies, even if they do use it, won’t admit to using handwriting analysis.
Black magic
Lawrence Warner is principal of the International Graphology Association and senior consultant with Personality Assessment Centre, which specialises in selection, team building and management development.
He says: “Graphology is part of the national psyche in France, but in Britain it’s seen as having a sort of black magic about it.”
Paul Ballard, head of assessment at TMP Worldwide, is not convinced. He says: “As far as I’m aware there’s no scientific proof”.
Until that proof is provided Ballard is content with using psychometric testing in the assessment of candidates.
Neither does Michael Page International use graphology in its selection of candidates, either for itself or its clients. It sees it as a “European thing” which has never really caught on here as European children, specifically in France, are taught a more prescriptive way of writing.
Stuart Neill, from high street recruiter Adecco, says: “We just feel it doesn’t lend anything to the recruitment process”. Adecco again prefers using psychometric testing. For them this is the best way of discovering best how candidates can fit in the culture of the company and its team.
Science
Graphologists maintain, however, that it is a science that can offer a great deal to the recruitment process. It is there to be used in conjunction with the interview and other methods such as psychometric testing.
“It’s only part of the recruitment process,” says Lorraine Herbert. “Employers could be deceived by interviews because some people are better at them than others. Graphology could give away an extroverted person’s flaws. In the same way it could highlight an introverted person’s qualities.”
Graphology, then, it is claimed, can help back up or dismiss what they already know from the interview.
Part of Herbert’s work running the Graphology Bureau involves helping employers use graphology.
She says: “It gives a general overview of a person’s personality and is useful when looking at a person’s adaptability, socialability, leadership qualities and type of thinking.”
Lawrence Warner from the International Graphology Association is keen to point out the reliability, validity and utility of graphology. “Qualified graphologists get the same accurate and consistent results from a person and it offers utility because it is cost effective,” he says.
This utility is important in the employers struggle to get, and retain, the most suitable staff.
In a report called ‘The Importance of Choosing the Right Person for the Job’, Warned says that graphology can help the kind of problem of a person “whose technical ability is undoubted, but whose personality is so disruptive that a trail of problems is left behind for others to sort out”.
“The benefit of using handwriting analysis lies in its ability to help you select the best person for the job, to help people relate to one another more effectively and further the organisation’s strategy and development. This will reduce staff turnover and improve efficiency and contribute to a happier workplace and increased profitability.”
Scepticism
He really wants British companies to see how much graphology can complement what they already use. He says he is still encountering a lot of scepticism, but it is beginning to break down. He says: “They are beginning to recognise the increased cost of hiring the wrong person, and that with graphology you are not paying much.”
Michael Marx, managing director of UK-based Development Securities, is one willing to embrace and admit to embracing handwriting analysis: “I cannot imagine I would become involved in any recruitment process for any member of staff, at whatever level without the added perception, insight and analysis that graphology provides,” he says.
This message could be spreading across he Atlantic too. It is not known exactly how many American companies use graphology when recruiting, but it has certainly aroused a strong general interest. It could be handwriting, not the eyes, that are the windows t the soul.
“Before I discover Graphoanalysis, it was like looking through a clouded glass,” says one women on the International Graphoanalysis Society’s web-site. “An individual’s personality was often nothing more than a subtle, fuzzy outline, never completely understood.”
Another American employer echoes the thoughts of Warner. “We do not hire anyone without analysing their handwriting. It is a useful tool long with standard interviewing, testing and references, to ensure the right person is hired. I credit graphoanalysis with our very low turnover and high level of staff loyalty.”
If this doesn’t convince you, imaging if you were thinking about hiring Margaret Thatcher for a post. The first letter in her signature is larger than her other letters.
According to graphology a large first letter in the signature shows a strong desire to appear in public and assertiveness. It also indicates a strong urge to rule or dominate.