- Gooroo's Mindspace tool is a talent matching technology based on neuroscience, big data and machine learning.
- I took the survey to find out what it would tell me about myself and my career prospects.
- While I didn't agree with all the results, it can act as a guide in determining your next career steps.
Gooroo, a recruiting platform used by companies such as KPMG, has developed a talent matching technology to put the right person in the right job.
Using neuroscience, big data and machine learning, Gooroo's Mindspace tool helps the company understand the individual's personality traits and find where they're best suited to succeed.
"In a future dominated by new technologies and automation, organisations are experiencing human capital transformation," says Greg Muller, CEO and founder at Gooroo.
"In this era of workplace uncertainty and change, it's more important than ever for businesses to unlock the existing capability of individuals and teams — identifying potential within their current staff for re-skilling, as well as finding innovative ways to hire great new employees.
"Using Gooroo, businesses are able to ensure they have the right people to help them grow and increase the bottom line."
The tool identifies key elements such as decision-making preferences, responses to certain situations, workplace perceptions and life motivations, to produce a candidate profile which can then be used by individuals, employers, organisations, and groups to make better career decisions.
Thinking it sounded too good to be true, I gave Mindspace a go.
Here's what it's like.
After logging in you are directed to this page
As you can see, Mindspace is broken down into two sections. One that tests individuals on their "work style", the other on their "mindset".
It takes approximately 7 minutes to complete both sections.
Here we go. This is the first part of the 'work style' test
"There are no right or wrong answers — just your answers," a disclaimer at the start of the test says.
"We strongly recommend that you answer the surveys carefully and honestly. There is no value in trying to work out how the surveys work or what you think the perfect answer is. The best results will be achieved when you answer openly and honestly."
OK.
That was simple enough. Next, onto 'mindset'
This is different. This part first asked me for my 'preferred' colour, and then a colour I 'disliked'
Just so you know, I chose red then brown.
The test then took a dive in personal circumstances
Don't worry, while the information you share on Mindspace is stored and processed, it's not provided to the individual or company that has requested you to complete the survey — unless it is required by law to do so.
"Remember though, your actual responses to questions are not shared with anyone and our system will not discriminate against you based on the data you have provided," a disclaimer at the start of the survey says.
Talkin' 'bout your generation
Millennial = tick.
The next part of the 'mindset' test asks you to choose 10 statements that apply to you right now, followed by selecting any that do not
It then got to goals, asking me to choose just 1 that best aligns with my own goals, followed by 1 that least reflects them
And that was it!
Once I completed the surveys I was sent a personalise four-page report which analysed attributes like my thinking style, communication preferences and motivators.
Here's just some of what it told me.
- Sarah takes a creative, imaginative approach to problem solving which is grounded in a logical analysis of fundamental principles.
- More interested in understanding why things work, rather than simply perceiving how they work.
- They may feel more comfortable seeking creative solutions to challenging problems, rather than being responsible for putting their ideas into action.
- Inclined to focus on the broader picture, attending to the detailed requirements of a task may not come naturally to them.
- Using introverted intuition as their base function, and extroverted thinking as their creative, Sarah is capable of deep and vivid imagery as well as the ability to analyse the correctness of conclusions.
- People with this profile are excellent at critiquing everything from someone's statements and conclusions to the food they eat.
- Sarah is a social type and enjoys environments where social interaction is ubiquitous.
- They have both the ability to foresee future trends and events, whilst at the same time, refuse to make any assumptions that lack a thorough empirical backing.
- Sarah will act as a very useful advisor, pointing out weaknesses and flaws that they see, whilst also making suggestions for improvements.
- Sarah is adept at communicating ideas, and planning and organising activities.
- They can be friendly, outgoing, fun-loving, and are often drawn to people. They can also be enthusiastic, and are usually well liked by others.
- Sarah monitors and adapts global technological advancements, generating disruptive challenges.
While I don't agree with all of it — for instances I love being responsible for putting my ideas into action and attending to detailed tasks, and didn't consider myself a critical person — most of it I was able to relate to, and perhaps wouldn't have identified myself.
When I asked Carl Joseph, Gooroo VP Product, how accurate the report was, he said that as with any tool or analytical data "no-one can predict what someone will do or what will happen".
"Many tools aim to describe who you are based on your behaviour and responses. We know however that we respond differently in different situations. As the world we face is increasingly uncertain, the situations we face are ever changing and our ability to predict based on the past fails us.
"This uncertainty is what the tool actually helps you examine. The one constant we take to each situation is our mind. It is how you approach each situation that we look at here and not what you will do."
He also said it was common that results can surprise users with attributes they may not have associated with themselves.
"We get a range of responses from initially sceptical to excited," he said.
"As we work through the results with people there is often surprise about how we can know so much from so few questions. The report is computer generated and currently only looks at the dominant aspects.
"We are complex beings and in actual fact deal with all the different 'mindspaces' at different times in different ways in different environments. A personal debrief is more powerful than a printed report as we can better work with and communicate the whole picture rather than just the bigger aspects.
"It's also an 'experience' in building a relationship and conversation. We've found this really empowers people to take back control over their lives and where they want to take them."
In terms of what my next step should be, Joseph kept it pretty broad in his analysis of my data:
"You are engaged by opportunities for career progression, but will need to ensure that you have freedom and flexibility in any role you choose. You should be encouraged to remain curious and committed to social causes that are important to you. Be mindful of pointing out inconsistencies and errors to the detriment of the overall objective of the task at hand. You are quite future focused and can ensure care is taken to adhere to the vision and mission of a goal, but be aware of your preference to build silos and private channels to reinforce your approach or opinions."
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