What is the number one predictor of success on a job?
Based on research, “General Mental Abilities” (a.k.a. “Thinking Style) is the number one predictor of success on a job. This doesn’t mean “smarter” is better; it simply means matching a person to the demands of the job (i.e., being fully engaged) is the best predictor of future success. Any selection or placement assessment which doesn’t include a comprehensive cognitive section is missing a significant piece of the selection (hiring) puzzle. (Reference: Psychological Bulletin, September 1998, Vol. 124, No. 2, 262-274, “The Validity and Utility of Selection Methods in Personnel Psychology – Practical and Theoretical Implications of 85 Years of Research Findings” by Frank L. Schmidt, Department of Management and Organization University of Iowa and John E.
