EBN- A new study by researchers at the University of Mississippi has found that the words and phrases used in job advertisements may be an indicator of narcissism in applicants.
In the study, 248 participants took the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-16, a common measure of narcissistic traits in individuals who do not have serious mental disorders or specific mental health problems (i.e., non-clinical individuals).
The researchers studied the words that people with higher narcissism scores were drawn to in job advertisements, and found that narcissistic applicants preferred phrases like “results-oriented” (focused primarily on achieving set goals), “ambitious” and “persuasive.” They also tended to look for advertisements that hired people who were “think outside the box” and “creative.
This is what a narcissist expects – to be willing to ignore the rules if necessary, at least for their own benefit,” said Dr. Jonathan Gay, lead author of the study.
Other studies have other opinion
Previous studies have shown that narcissists in some fields, such as accounting, can pose a significant threat. People who are high in narcissism are more likely to engage in financial fraud or “earnings management,” a process in which employees falsify numbers to make companies look better than they really are.
“Narcissism is closely linked to earnings management and financial fraud, and narcissists have been shown to engage in more serious accounting irregularities than people who do not have this trait,” said Professor Scott Jackson, one of the study’s authors.
However, researchers have suggested that narcissists may be well-suited for some jobs.
“If you need a creative salesperson, a narcissist might be the best choice,” Gay said. “Studies have shown that CEOs often have high levels of narcissism.”
Based on the study’s findings, the researchers urged employers to be careful about the words they use in job advertisements. “If you’re looking for someone who is ambitious and proactive, these words might be appropriate,” said Guy. “But if you’re looking for someone who will ensure financial accuracy and honesty, you should be careful about using these terms.
