The Big Five: Conscientiousness

Big Five personality test: Conscientiousness

The Bridge Personality has been the most used Big Five personality test by many organizations worldwide for 15 years. Based on the Big Five theory, this test is widely regarded as the ultimate personality test for recruitment and selection purposes. The theory emphasizes that personality is made up of five primary traits, the so-called Big Five, which together form the five personality factors.

You have the option to order this Big Five personality test for individual candidates or choose an assessment subscription, allowing you to administer the tests in-house at a reduced rate.

The Big Five personality test, scientifically developed, measures the five fundamental dimensions of personality: Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Emotional Stability, often referred to as the Big Five. The five-factor model, also known as the OCEAN model, thanks to its scientific validity, is a widely used method in selecting the right candidates.

What is the Big Five personality trait: Conscientiousness?

Conscientiousness is a key personality trait of the Big Five personality test that indicates a tendency to be responsible, organized, diligent, goal-oriented, and rule-abiding. It includes qualities like self-control, industriousness, responsibility, and reliability. Conscientious individuals excel in self-regulation and impulse control, impacting their ability to set and achieve long-term goals, make thoughtful decisions, and take their commitments seriously. This trait is crucial for success in both personal and professional realms and is a strong predictor of health, well-being, and longevity.

People high in conscientiousness are proactive decision-makers, not only setting goals but also creating timelines to achieve them. They thrive in detail-oriented roles, such as surgeons or pilots, and are less likely to engage in criminal behavior. These individuals are organized, punctual, and reliable, consistently paying bills on time, keeping promises, and maintaining schedules. They also prioritize self-care, including regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a healthy diet, and tend to avoid risky behaviors like smoking and excessive drinking.

The science of Conscientiousness

The Conscientiousness trait, falling on a spectrum from efficient/organized to easygoing/careless, indicates a propensity for being orderly and reliable, demonstrating self-discipline, striving for achievement, and preferring planned over spontaneous actions. It's measurable through statements like “I pay attention to details,” “I am always prepared,” and “I follow a schedule” (Costa & McCrae, 1992).

Conscientiousness is a crucial construct, as it correlates with vital life aspects such as physical health (Moffitt et al., 2011) and longevity (Kern & Friedman, 2008), as well as with academic performance (Noftle & Robins, 2007), workplace effectiveness (Dudley, Orvis, Lebiecki, & Cortina, 2006), and leadership capabilities (Judge, Bono, Ilies, & Gerhardt, 2002). As pointed out by Roberts, Lejuez, Krueger, Richards, and Hill (2012), focusing on Conscientiousness could be key to a long, healthy, happy, and successful life.

Defined as a range of constructs, Conscientiousness describes individual variances in being self-controlled, responsible to others, hardworking, orderly, and rule-following (Roberts et al., 2009). It is often viewed as a personality trait, reflecting persistent and automatic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish individuals from one another (Roberts & Jackson, 2008).

Which Big Five personality test facets measure Conscientiousness?

The Big Five personality test measures 34 personality facets that are linked to the Big Five personality traits. The facets that measure Conscientiousness are:

• 1. Results focused - Is goal-oriented and achieves results
• 2. Detail focused - Works carefully with a focus on details and facts 
• 3. Methodical - Likes to plan and structure work-related tasks
• 4. Aware of rules - Prefers to work in an organization in which rules are important
• 5. Critical -  Is critical and identifies weak points in proposals and plans 
• 6. Analytical - Actively seeks information and solutions to problems