Just wanted to know whether there's any value in using handwriting checks as part of an employment screening process and what if any experience other SFusers may have had with this method. Thanks

There is no body language involved in writing and many would find it difficult to assess someones true character through text. If i was an employer i'd prefer to assess a candidate only by having a face to face chat.

I'm not sure about the technicality of it, but I enjoy playing with people's writing.....having stabs at what kind of personality they have. I personally think you can read alot into handwriting.

In terms of selection and recruitment, I guess it depends largely on the job. If it's a job that requires a good standard of handwriting then yes, I think it could be a useful tool to view a sample snippet.

If I was interviewing for a post, and both applicants were very similar, if, in my opinion, one handwriting sample proved to be a tad more conscientious than the other, then that could possibly sway my decision.

That said, to contradict my argument, most GP's scrawl is virtually unreadable :hihi:

Apparently, I have beautiful handwriting, so I don't ever need to worry....;)

N.B. Ole, I think Wendy was suggesting that this would be part of the overall recruitment procedure, not a sole basis for employment. I agree with you however, there's no substitute for face to face contact. :)

I would look at the standard of note paper used whether they have made a great effort to impress, don't bother with the applicant if they send cheap lined paper they are not showing the effort.

If a person writes in an upward way it means they are positive about what they are writing but sometimes when a person does this it could be about something negative too.

obviously if they write downward they are negative, try the test or look at your handwriting to see if you fit into the right criteria.

Good grammar is always important it shows the education of the individual and punctuation will in the future be one of the most important criteria for passing english language o'level.

I've been asked for a handwriting sample with a job application.

Faced with my prospective employer using quackery to select candidates, I typed a brusque letter indicating my opinion of this, and didn't bother applying.

I think reading the bumps on an applicants head would be more revealing.

Ugh, something else they can discriminate with... :rant:

A person only has to have slightly dodgy handwriting and they'll be discounted straight away for jobs.

why does discrimination make you angry rich? when an application for employment is accepted all other canididates have been discriminated against for any number of reasons otherwise evryone would get the job.

It's not about discrimination it's about the best person for the job and which employee has the best credentials.
You should see the looks i get from joe public i would be on the street living in rags if any of them were to be my interviewer for a prospective position.

Well actually I was wondering how effective the art of graphology is in determining a person's character and psychological make-up and didnt intend to start another major debate on discrimination thanks.

So perhaps we could stick to the topic and for those who have concerns about discrimination please take them elsewhere because I really need this information which is not an idle request to pass the time away. Mega thanks

Good point well made wendy, my current wife said to me that the only reason she went out with me before we met was because of my style of hand writing and expensive note paper.

This gave her a good impression of who i was and thought if someone can make that much effort it was worth taking it further.

We've been together nearly 7 years, i think she just liked all my loops and curls gee wizz.

Well actually I was wondering how effective the art of graphology is in determining a person's character and psychological make-up and didnt intend to start another major debate on discrimination thanks. So perhaps we could stick to the topic and for those who have concerns about discrimination please take them elsewhere because I really need this information which is not an idle request to pass the time away. Mega thanks

I'm glad you called it an art not a science.

There's not much you can glean from 'graphology' - apart from things like how much pressure the writer used with their pen/pencil, and how quickly they wrote it.

You can sometimes tell the origin and level of someone's education, such as whether they use an italic pen, or copperplate script but it's often easier to ask them to write this down on the application form than try and deduce it from their handwriting. Likewise you can determine someone's gender with a reasonable degree of accuracy from a sample of their handwriting, but there's a simpler, cheaper method of doing this.

The British Psychological Society ranks graphology alongside astrology - giving them both "zero validity" in determining someone's character. Dr Rowan Bayne, a psychologist who tested top graphologists against their claims, says the practice is useless... absolutely hopeless

Even if we did betray our hidden qualities through handwriting in a consistent and universal way (which we don't), a forward thinking candidate might well take a quick course in 'graphology' in order to tweak their own handwriting to suit their own purposes.

But if 'graphology' was more than mere quackery, then one would imagine that changing one's handwriting would entail a change of personality too.

I'm glad you called it an art not a science.

There's not much you can glean from 'graphology' - apart from things like how much pressure the writer used with their pen/pencil, and how quickly they wrote it.

You can sometimes tell the origin and level of someone's education, such as whether they use an italic pen, or copperplate script but it's often easier to ask them to write this down on the application form than try and deduce it from their handwriting. Likewise you can determine someone's gender with a reasonable degree of accuracy too, but once again, there's a simpler, cheaper method of doing this.


In that case why do they use graphologists to give evidence in court cases?

I find graphology an interesting subject though as with anything, it has to be put into context and used as an 'indicator' rather than an exact science.

A few years ago when I was an active member of a Women's network group each person in the group did a handwriting sample for me to analyse. To do it properly they had to use a plain A4 sheet of paper. I then produced an analysis of each sample. *Need to add here that this was a fun activity among friends* we then spent one of our meetings reading through each analysis and guessing who it was. Each analysis took a fair bit of time and I worked closely referring to a guide book. Everyone was surprised at how accurate each analysis was. There are a lot of variables though - and a lot of it is down to 'interpretation' and I personally wouldn't make a judgement about anyone on handwriting alone.

At the risk of people thinking i'm a total wierdo (yeah I know some people probably do already :hihi: ) I did an analysis of the handwriting of a guy who I knew at work, was friendly with (and interested in) the analysis confirmed a lot of what I already thought/knew anyway (plus a few interesting indicators) the result = Mr Hels :thumbsup:

It's years since I last did a proper detailed analysis but I find it an interesting subject. For me, I think it can give an indicator of personality - nothing more. I certainly wouldn't make any decisions based on a handwriting analysis alone.

Hi Phan, just seen your last post. I think that it's a really interesting point - if Graphology indicates particular traits in our personality, then by changing our handwriting can we subsequently make changes to our personality?

If one tries to change a specific area of handwriting in order to change a personality trait, then obviously one is aware of that trait and have a desire to change - so is that what actually creates a change, which may then be reflected in the handwriting - because one is making an objective effort to do so rather than using the handwriting as the lever?

In that case why do they use graphologists to give evidence in court cases?
They are used as expert witnesses to establish whether two handwriting samples had the same author, not to provide insight into their personality (I hope)

Hi Phan, just seen your last post. I think that it's a really interesting point - if Graphology indicates particular traits in our personality, then by changing our handwriting can we subsequently make changes to our personality?

If one tries to change a specific area of handwriting in order to change a personality trait, then obviously one is aware of that trait and have a desire to change - so is that what actually creates a change, which may then be reflected in the handwriting - because one is making an objective effort to do so rather than using the handwriting as the lever?

If there is a 'method' which can be repeated, then a subject can learn and understand the method, and change their writing to suit. I am doubtful if they will suddenly become a team player or not.

I think any company asking for a handwriting sample for analysis, in order to inform the selection process, is misguided and may well end up screening out as many suitable candidates as it helps select.

With you on the job thing. If someone wanted to make a decision to employ me based on my handwriting alone I would withdraw my application! or not apply at all.

These days with so many people using computers and laptops handwriting is becoming less used anyway.

A lot of people comment on my 'beautiful' handwriting but since getting M.E. I can't write for very long, my handwriting starts off great but gradually becomes worse and worse ending up looking like a rat has jumped in some ink and run across the page! No-one would ever give me a job based on that!

Thanks everyone for your comments which has been interesting if not exactly the information I was enquiring about. I have since found British Institute of Graphologists (http://www.britishgraphology.org/) which by all accounts has done some interesting work including an analysis of the handwriting of: Tony Blair, Princess Dianna, Myra Hindley and many others.

Hiya Wendy, what sort of thing, specifically, are you looking for?

Hi Hels, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Just got back from Uni.

When I originally posted I had thought that given the Forum's wealth of expertise, someone might have had a little practical first-hand experience of this in practice.

I didnt want to say anything in my original post because it seemed a little too far-fetched but on reading your post and the way you selected your husband it seems that there might be more to it than meets the eye.

Essentially my interest or more likely my curiosity was aroused after a friend said one of her friends had been advised not to marry someone on the basis of their handwriting - the obverse of your situation.

At this point I'm not quite sure how the story goes, but I think the lady, who knew this graphologist, who is highly respected in their normal vocation, decided to speak with the intended re their long-term intentions. I gather this then led to the man's demonstration of an extremely violent streak in its fullest and most unrefined glory.

Needless to say, and not surprisingly, my friend reassured me the relationship was terminated forthwith.

Thanks everyone for your comments which has been interesting if not exactly the information I was enquiring about. I have since found British Institute of Graphologists (http://www.britishgraphology.org/) which by all accounts has done some interesting work including an analysis of the handwriting of: Tony Blair, Princess Dianna, Myra Hindley and many others.

Indeed, Elaine Quigley of the British Institute of Graphologists analysed Tony Blair's handwriting for the daily Mirror : Here are the results
http://tinyurl.com/62rfj


Although it turned out to be Bill Gates' handwriting