One of the popular areas of research in the course of psychometric testing of applicants is the study of their goal achievement. In this regard, the regulatory focus theory, which studies how people achieve their goals, deserves special attention. This theory assumes that the strategies for achieving the goal themselves may also be different depending on the success story. Therefore, the approach distinguishes two focuses, such as promotional focus and prevention focus.
To achieve the set goal, it is necessary to find resources in yourself that will cause an irresistible desire to succeed in a particular business. This wish must be solid so that in the event of any mistake, a strategy of avoiding failures begins to operate when a positive intention to achieve a result is much stronger than failure. Since before fulfilling a desire, people suffer many losses, try, and make mistakes.
It requires a comprehensive assessment of whether the employee will give up on the first obstacle. Thus, regulatory focus testing aims to assess the behavior of a person, and how intensely psychological and physiological factors of behavior are expressed in it to satisfy their needs. It contains questions that address such aspects as fear of failure, the strength of the desire to get what you want, and flexibility in achieving goals.
For example, the highest priority of a person in a managerial position is to achieve results. Carnall (1999) asserts that good managers do not seek excuses and procrastinate; they strive for results. Such employees are able to put aside secondary matters at any time and understand what exactly is necessary to achieve their goals and objectives. It is crucial because, according to Amabile and Kramer (2007), the progress and success of the company depend on the motivation of each employee.
Thus, it may be helpful for a recruiter looking for a good management employee to use regulatory focus testing to help identify the applicant’s ability to achieve goals. After testing the applicant, the recruiter will be able to conclude whether this employee cannot despair before the failures that happen even for the most qualified professionals and to reach the company’s strategic goals.