” The Write Stuff Background Before you read In The Write Stuff’ you'll read about graphology. If you'd like to know more about it read this background box: Graphology Graphology 's a way ot assessing someone’s character by studying his or her handwriting. in many West European countries, itis very often used by companies when they are recruiting new staff. In Switzerland, for ‘example, graphology is used in the selection of around 75% of management jobs, and by nearly all Swiss banks. However, business- people cannot agree on whether graphology is really effective and in some countries its use is far less common. In the USA, only 5% of Companies use yrapholugy, aiid in the UK the figure is even lower. You'll also read about recruitment. To think about different methods of recruitment, look at the ‘Way in’ section. Way in Using graphology is just one of many ways of choosing staff. Other methods include: + interview + personal recommendation + 1Q (intelligence quotient) tests + analysis of CV + medical tests Can you think of any others? Are some of these methods particularly suitable for certain jobs? Discuss which method(s) would be best when recruiting in the following cases: + auniversity lecturer + agardener * an army officer Semtiige nosy PratDecisionmaker The Write Stuff 75 The Write Stuff et aw AQ] !xgcid Wild, the personnel officer at Bayerische Bank's Frankfurt office, ‘was outraged when she learnt that the new bank policy was to use a B professional graphologist to screen all future job applicants. ‘It’s crazy!” she said. ‘I’m the personnel professional. Everyone says I'm good at my job. I know the banking business and I understand banking people. Thi Say Nobody has ever proved that graphology works ~ it’s unscientific, irrational nonsense.’ Problem suff, When the post of Deputy Branch Manager in Frankfurt became vacant, sulk une Wild knew immediately who was the best person for the job ~ her old te unite colleague, Siggy Altmann. They had worked together for several years at the bank’s Munich head office, where Altmann had proved himself to be a quiet, methodical and efficient worker. Wild knew that Altmann was looking for promotion and when she saw his application, her mind was Tia Whitey op coasie ups The Write Sturge But, as always, her bosses insisted that she follow the correct recruitment procedure ~ this time including the use of a graphologist. So, working from C.V.s, as normal, Wild selected the top five candidates and then phoned to a ais8®* ask each of them for a handwriting sample. was we Ww ‘Sorry about all the fuss’ she said to Altmann on the phone. ‘This graphology business is a waste of everyone's time — but it’s new bank policy? ‘So, why don’t you prove that it’s nonsense?” Altmann said. ‘It's easy to do.’ y don’t you p (dello egg Really? asked Wild. “How? elit Sogy ‘Just send in a copy of your own handwriting, along with all the other samples,’ said Allmann, ‘and then show your bosses the sort of rubbish gop BY Mae abot yon? ul aon “That's a great idea, Siggy,’ said Wild. ‘Thank you? qe ‘The next day, Wild sent six anonymous handwriting samples to the Frankfart Graphology Institute ~ five from the job applicants and one writen by herself. She labelled her own Sample A'and Siggy Alména's The White Seep “Sample F’. "Write Stipe Wild’s bosses were keen to see the results of the graphology tests and so organised a meeting with her on the day that the report was due. That morning, Wild looked through the following report with some confusion: aye St ie wt Po) beicaater Tew sat ecantioeDecisionmaker The Write Stuff 78 FRANKFURT GRAPHOLOGY rE: Le CONFIDENTIAL REPORT: : Bayerische Bank: Sample E : HORT GRABHOLOGY [Ans eampl achat the candidate’ ‘RANI \ clearly shows a recent trauma, The Pee candidateisquie and methodical be : Serfais irregularities in the script indica I arab when ped ae oe ‘Bayerische Banke Sample A Although the candidatchasanabieene Set en with other people, alow sense of self esteem make him/her unsuitable for aay Position demanding leadership quaniee ‘The handwritingis indicative of person swith considerable ambition and drive. This. | a eeietya ends and collet pos shale ia | anahinwdmgeace | theres almost certainly a powerful rendency inspire confidence in oxhers. Probably bese to eae change aallcoxs. Asa Sul after ol wit ined \ “decisionmaker, the candidate is impulsive easily sachs anon or customer father than considered in her/his judgement ft strong, : ie ideal fee tds Sooungorhura es ee qk tiling a rome wold make the ance veremicasa dea or ake nals What should Ingrid do with the reports? personnel officer the person responsible for matters relating to sal, such as recruitment @ outraged very angry eraphology aay of assessing someone's character by their handwriting =e to screen ‘to select irrational ‘without reason GN, (curriculum vitae) summary of a person's education, qualifications and past ‘BrE; AmE: résumé work experience impulsive thoughtless considered thoughtfol trouble shooting ‘dentying problems in business and potting them right human resources sgenoral term for all aspects of management which deal ‘management with people trauma bad experience script handwriting to inspire tocrente Matson oficer 4 person who organises the exchange of intormation aes ‘between different departments in an organisation ier customer service officer person who deal withthe everyday demands and ‘Problems ofthe general pubic im relation to their seantneoe = Univasity Press