Beyond words: introducing the new Sova image-based personality questionnaire

Introduction

Maintaining application processes that are short, engaging, and scientifically accurate is a balancing act that recruiters know well.

‍

Attracting candidates with captivating videos, unconventional job descriptions, and intuitive application portals is half the battle: if a strong candidate feels overwhelmed by a long personality questionnaire and clunky assessment processes, the company might miss out on talent and damage its reputation. On the other hand, if the recruitment process is too superficial, organisations risk hiring the wrong people, who don’t fit with their values, culture, and working style.

‍

To address the need for a quick, engaging assessment tool that meets the needs of both candidates and recruitment teams, Sova has developed a new image-based personality questionnaire (PQ) - launching in December 2024.

Intuitive responses and enhanced candidate experience

Personality influences how individuals behave, interact with others, and approach their work, and research consistently shows that personality traits play a crucial role in predicting job performance and workplace outcomes.

‍

While traditional text-based personality assessments have long been a staple in recruitment and development, the Sova Image PQ introduces a fresh perspective. By combining visual stimuli with brief explanatory text, this next-gen assessment offers an engaging, efficient, and accurate way to evaluate personality traits, adding depth and immediacy to the process. With its game-like, intuitive interface, candidates find the assessment not only approachable but enjoyable, resulting in better completion rates. 

‍

With its mobile-first design, the Sova Image PQ expands the pool of potential candidates to those who might not have access to a computer or have a preference for touch screen devices.

Half the completion time, the same scientific validity

The Sova Image PQ combines innovation with scientific rigour. Developed through extensive psychometric research, the tool evaluates 18 key personality traits across 87 items, ensuring a comprehensive profile of each candidate's work-related behaviours.

‍

Studies show that image-based assessments have strong alignment with traditional measures like the Big Five Inventory, while the combined use of visual and textual prompts boosts construct validity. This rigorous framework ensures the Sova Image PQ delivers reliable, validated insights, making it a robust tool for today’s recruitment and development needs.

‍

Furthermore, the PQ is customisable, aligning with specific organisational competencies and allowing a tailored assessment experience that fits seamlessly into any recruitment strategy.

Promoting fairness and DE&I

DE&I targets aren’t just a box ticking exercise – they are a strategic imperative for organisations looking to remain competitive. By using carefully selected images that reflect a variety of cultures and life experiences, image-based PQs reduce cultural bias and promote inclusivity.

‍

The dual format of the Sova image-based PQ —images paired with short text— minimises dependence on language skills, making the assessment accessible to a diverse range of participants. This approach supports a more inclusive assessment process, providing an accurate, unbiased view of candidates from different backgrounds.

‍

Text vs Images

Image-based PQs offer an alternative to traditional text-based assessments. At a glance, here’s how the two assessment types compare:

‍

Transforming assessments for modern recruitment

By introducing the visual element to traditional personality assessment, the new Sova image-based PQ pairs engagement with scientific rigour. It offersa candidate-friendly, fair assessment tool that meets the demands of applicants and recruiters, while supporting inclusive hiring practices.