Final answer:
Person-job fit is the alignment of an individual's knowledge, skills, abilities, and personality traits with the requirements of a job, crucial in I-O psychology for effective personnel selection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Person-job fit refers to the match between an employee's knowledge, skills, and abilities and the requirements of a job, which includes assessing how well a candidate’s personality traits align with the job. In the field of industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology, evaluating the person-job fit is crucial, as it involves a thorough job analysis to identify the core tasks and requirements of a role, and a comparison of these requirements with a candidate's attributes during the personnel selection process. Candidates may undergo various forms of candidate analysis and testing, such as integrity tests, IQ tests, or physical assessments, alongside personality tests to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of their suitability for a position.
Interviews and work samples may be used by employers to discern candidates' compatibility with the job's requirements and the company culture. It’s recognized that while technical skills can often be taught, engrained personality traits are more difficult to change. Therefore, hiring someone with a fitting personality, even if their skill level requires further development through training, is a common practice.