September 13, 2005
FEATURESEmployers use handwriting analysis to screen employees
Who would have ever thought getting a job would depend on the penmanship learned in the third grade?
Some employers, however, are turning to a new and obscure method for analyzing potential applicants — handwriting analysis.
Employers have a variety of options in choosing whom to hire. For most employers, resumes, applications and interviews are used to evaluate potential employees.
Handwriting analysis is conducted by a graphologist. The graphologist examines a handwritten specimen, looking specifically at letter formations, slants and other handwriting patterns.
According to Carol Schiller, a graphologist, handwriting analysis is an invaluable tool used to gain insight into a person’s character and behavioral traits.
“How a person writes reveals a wide range of behavior traits since it allows the analyst to go beyond the outward appearance and see a person’s true inner self,” said Schiller.
She said handwriting analysis can be of great benefit to both business and individual relationships.
According to Schiller, the analysis can reveal many personality traits, such as honesty, insincerity and determination.
Handwriting analysis is commonly used in other countries.
According to Schiller, handwriting analysis is more prevalent in Europe because universities offer formal degrees in graphology.
European companies use this screening method before hiring people to high-level positions.
Training in graphology is not common in the United States, according to Schiller.
So the question: are the secrets to finding the perfect-fit employee hidden in messages in the strokes of personal handwriting?
Handwriting analysis is valuable to employers because it gives the employers an opportunity to evaluate applicants to see if they possess the skills and abilities necessary to perform the job.
For a bank teller position, for example, Schiller said the analysis would reveal if the applicant has the right personality traits to excel in that position, such as honesty and courteousness.
Handwriting analysis assesses not only workers compatibility for the position but also their ability to work well with others.
Schiller commented that this new method could prove to be a more reliable way to fish for prospective employees because it gives employers a view into the inner self within the applicant.
Urine analysis, background checks and applications/resumes do not always give employers the full picture of who they are hiring.
These tests cannot determine job-to-employee compatibility, and do not guarantee employers a “perfect fit” employee.
According to Schiller, handwriting analysis is not only used by employers.
The U.S. judicial system recognizes the validity of handwriting analysis and can use the testimony given by a graphologist to help convict criminals being tried in identity theft, rape and murder cases.
“Banks, private investigators, law firms, as well as many other businesses, use handwriting analysis to solve crimes such as theft and forgery,” said Schiller.
Schiller also added that people are using handwriting analysis for personal reasons.
She has analyzed the handwriting of prospective baby-sitters, business partners, dates and prospective husbands and wives.
Schiller will be teaching “Are You Fulfilling Your Life Purpose,” Oct. 27, from 7:10-9:50 p.m.
In the class, Schiller will teach students to recognize traits that may be hindering their ability to reach goals and thus fulfill their life purpose.
The non-credit class will involve handwriting analysis as well as several other topics.
Tuition for the class is $27.
For more information regarding this class, contact Mesa Community College Community Education at (480) 461-7493, or visit Community Education in the center of campus, building 37.