Question

How is the Zappos Insider program providing interested applicants with a realistic job preview? What might Zappos team members learn about the applicant’s “Big Five” personality traits through the Zappos Insider system? Given that Zappos is a holacracy where decision making and authority is spread throughout the organization, what types of other personality traits – such as locus of control, etc., would be a good fit for a Zappos hiring candidate?

Answer 1

Zappos is an online shoe and clothing retailer situated in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. It was founded by Nick Swinmurn in 1999 and launched under the name Shoesite.com. In July 1999, the company name was changed to Zappos.com inspired by the Spanish name 'zapatos' which means 'shoes'. They have around 1500 plus employees working with Zappos, but recently they have abolished job postings because it was a distraction for the company as it provides only a specific job requirement for the candidate and once the job is filled, those candidates were not hired that is why they introduced the Zappos Insider program.

This program focused on long term relationship with candidates.The intent is to keep conversation exploratory so that both the parties get a chance to know each other as long as needed. This will help the company to capture more variety of skill sets that can be pipelined for future or current openings.

Zappos Insider program provides realistic job preview to interested applicants

The company has announced the program on May 22, 2014. This new recruiting approach has drawn praise from Zappos fan as well as some HR professionals. Below are the points for same:

• Submitting resumes: This Insider program allows the candidates to submit the resumes or join them by their LinkedIn or Facebook profiles or by an email address so that their profile can be taken into consideration by Zappos team.  
• Social Media Foundation: This program provides candidates an easy access to chat with their team ambassador - recruiter publicly or privately on social media so that there should be two way communication with the candidates and present an Insider Zappos brand across the social media channel.
• Creative steps for Personality: Zappos allow candidates to take creative steps to show their personality by uploading a video cover letter or commenting on Zappos social media. It also provides a limited interaction policy to the candidates who want only private conversation. They treat all the candidates equally there are no need to jump up on social media if someone is not comfortable with that.
• Blogging: The recruiters provide their stories on Zappos blog so that candidates get to know the recruiter before reaching out to them.
• Targeted ads: The program has targeted ads on Facebook, LinkedIn and twitter to reach the candidates with specific skill sets.
• Newsletter: The company newsletter provides candidates a better Insider view about current and future openings. It also showcases the candidates who are hired with the help of Zappos Insider Program so that it motivates other as well

“Big Five” personality traits

With the Big five personality traits Zappos team member has learned that:

• Openness to experience: Zappos Team member has learned that employee should always be have openness trait which will help them creative and self motivated. They must be independent, Imaginative and must be flexible to routine
• Conscientiousness: They have learned that employee must be careful about his/her timetables and follow it on daily basis to perform their job effectively and efficiently.
• Extraversion: They have learned every employee should posses leadership trait which will help them communicate with other employees easily. They must be talkative and must gain energy which will make the great work environment.
• Agreeableness: Every candidate must have great concern for other as this will help to avoid conflict in a work environment
• Emotional Stability: Zappos learned that every candidate must have emotional stability to perform their job efficiently as the work environment may be stressful sometimes due to workload so employee must not be short tempered, tensed or insured. He/she must calm and composed.

Other types of Personality traits which is best for Zappos

The candidate must possess following other personality traits:

• Decision maker: Candidate must have the capacity to think and feel the situation so that he/she can take the decision wisely as per the circumstances. He/she must go with the logic.
• Self confidence: Candidate must have self confidence as it helps to believe in you. It is attractive in nature and brings success to the organization.
• Problem solving style: Candidate must have problem solving technique so that if anything goes wrong he/she will be able to solve that problem effectively and efficiently.