Can job applicants fake personality tests? Not really, although it depends on what is meant by the word “faking.”

Personality tests don’t have a pass or fail result. They simply describe personality characteristics. What this means is that candidates can’t manipulate their test results with the “correct” responses. Actually—and this might surprise you—it doesn’t matter if people try to fake personality tests.

We’ll give you four reasons why trying to fake a personality test doesn’t matter. But first, let’s clarify what is often meant by “faking.”

At the end of last year, Hart Consulting conducted a comprehensive survey among its clients to identify the most critical priorities on HR’s strategic agenda for 2025 compared to 2024.

Since 2020, about 25% of all US workers are hybrid workers, with about 15% working fully from home. What could explain this ongoing trend in remote work? Aside from evidence for increased productivity and well-being, personality characteristics can help explain work-from-home preferences.

The science of personality matters to high-potential employees and to the organizations seeking to fill succession benches. The predictive power of personality data can help accelerate effectiveness in high-potential development. But how, exactly?

A discussion between Ryne Sherman, PhD, and Blake Loepp with Allan Church, PhD, cofounder and managing partner at Maestro Consulting and former SVP of global talent management at PepsiCo. He explained why the impact of personality on high-potential employees and leadership development is critical.

We’ve all allowed others to influence our decisions, whether consciously or subconsciously. But what underlying psychological factors are at play? How do social forces change the way we think, feel, and behave?

Let’s talk about how social interaction can cause people to change their behaviors.

“The influence that our environment and other people have on us has an important impact on our lives,” Ryne Sherman said. “How do people influence us? And how do we impact others?”

What unique transition challenges do new CEOs face? How can they optimize high performance in the crucial first few months?

Recently on The Science of Personality, cohosts Ryne Sherman, PhD, and Blake Loepp spoke with Ty Wiggins, PhD, who is the lead for the CEO and executive transition practice at Russell Reynolds Associates. He is the author of The New CEO: Lessons from CEOs on How to Start Well and Perform Quickly (Minus the Common Mistakes).

As we try to go about the workday facing new challenges in an abruptly virtual world, the way that we manage our stress might not be at the forefront of our minds. Nevertheless, strategic self-awareness is a critical concept when facing daily uncertainty.

In recent years, interns have taken on increasingly strategic roles within companies. Internships not only support HR succession planning but also offer a mutually beneficial exchange. While companies gain new talent and technologies, interns gain practical experience, build professional networks, and develop their portfolios. Internships can also help secure a full-time job.

Do personality characteristics relate to nightmares? If so, which?

Recently on The Science of Personality, cohosts Ryne Sherman, PhD, and Blake Loepp spoke with returning podcast guest Zlatan Krizan, PhD, professor of psychology at Iowa State University, about the psychology of nightmares.

As a child, Zlatan had a recurring nightmare of a gorilla coming down a hallway toward his bedroom. Within one of these nightmares, he eventually realized he was dreaming and decided to flee the gorilla by jumping out of his bedroom window. He woke up before he landed and never had the dream again.

This article covers what causes nightmares, what happens in the brain during dreams, the difference between nightmares and night terrors, and the impact of personality.

A personality test isn’t quite like other job-related tests. There’s no such thing as passing or failing, for one. And it’s not even truly a test—it’s an assessment, which is more like a measurement. Because of that, we have a few important tips for how to take a personality test.

This article, signed by  Ryne Sherman, PhD, and Blake Loepp, covers what a personality assessment measures, how to take a personality assessment, and how not to.