Free or paid online SOSIE 2 test: the key to understanding your candidates' personalities
There's more to recruitment than selecting CVs and conducting interviews! The SOSIE 2 test is a benchmark tool for assessing values and motivations, and can be used to identify a candidate's behaviour. A good first impression isn't always enough, and it's only by digging a little deeper that we discover the real personality.
How does it work? Is there a free version? Discover the main features of this renowned professional test.
What is the SOSIE 2 test?
SOSIE 2 test: definition
The SOSIE test is a psychometric tool designed to assess an individual's deep-seated professional personality traits. And the name is anything but coincidental! SOSIE (Système d'Observation des Styles Interpersonnels et des Émotions) aims to identify a candidate's professional 'double'. 👥
SOSIE 2 is the most widely used personality test in recruitment and talent development circles, going beyond the simple technical skills displayed on the CV.
What does the SOSIE 2 test explore?
Taking a SOSIE 2 test enables you to make informed decisions thanks to an overall personality inventory: you can determine whether a candidate is right for the job and the company based on their behaviour, values and motivations.
Personality traits
SOSIE 2 gives you a complete picture of an individual's personality in terms of several fundamental aspects, including :
- Extroversion or introversion: is the person naturally outgoing? Do they prefer group work or working alone?
- Emotional stability: how do they deal with stress and pressure?
- Adaptability: when faced with change, are they flexible? Or does she need stability?
- risk-taking: does she prefer security or does she like to get out of her comfort zone?
With this initial analysis, you can anticipate the behaviour of a candidate or employee in different professional situations.
Personal values
Experience and skills are essential when recruiting a candidate, but they're not everything! Understanding their personal values will enable you to answer a key question. Do the things that really matter to them match up with your expectations? SOSIE 2 will tell you, for example, about :
- personal ethics: respect for rules and standards,
- ambition: the desire to progress and succeed,
- cooperation: the importance of teamwork,
- independence: the ability to work independently.
A profile that matches what you're looking for will help you to fit in better and be more motivated.
Interpersonal values
What drives candidates to invest themselves professionally? You can find out with SOSIE 2, which explores these aspects in particular:
- the search for recognition: do they need regular feedback to stay motivated?
- Natural leadership: do they like taking responsibility? Do they want to manage a team?
- Conflict management: how well do they deal with disagreements and conflicts?
- decision-making: do they prefer to think long and hard? Do they act quickly?
An ultra-competent person whose motivations do not match those of the company could quickly become bored and lose interest. They may find it difficult to integrate into the methods and quickly decide on a new direction for their career.
What are the differences between SOSIE 1 and SOSIE 2?
The expectations of candidates and companies have changed. A profile tested with SOSIE 1 would not obtain the same results today with SOSIE 2. The latest version of the test assesses new dimensions of personality. The key? A more detailed analysis of the candidate's professional behaviour.
SOSIE 2 also includes an update of values and motivations, to reflect changes in the job market as closely as possible. Finally, the more modern, dynamic and interactive format makes for a smoother user experience.
Still hesitating about upgrading to SOSIE 2? Thanks to greater precision and enhanced reliability, the profile derived from the personality questionnaire includes more detail and nuance. SOSIE 2 is also in tune with the many changes in society since SOSIE 1. Hybrid working and the value of well-being at work were not as important in the previous version. Continuing to rely on SOSIE 1 means using an outdated tool instead of focusing on quality.
How does the SOSIE 2 test work?
Far from the school MCQs, the SOSIE 2 test helps you to obtain an in-depth assessment in a standardised way. There are no right or wrong answers, just an objective study of your personality.
A structured, precise questionnaire
The SOSIE 2 test takes the form of a questionnaire of 100 to 120 questions divided into 3 categories (and 20 sub-categories):
| Category | Sub-category |
| Personality traits | Perseverance |
| Dominance | |
| Dynamism | |
| Acceptance of others | |
| Curiosity | |
| Circumspection | |
| Sociability | |
| Resistance to stress | |
| Personal values | Materialism |
| Personal challenge | |
| Variety/novelty | |
| Belief | |
| Organisation/method | |
| Clarity of objectives | |
| Interpersonal values | Approval-seeking |
| Conformity | |
| Social consideration | |
| Freedom of action | |
| Interest in others | |
| Taste for power |
For each hypothesis in the test, the candidate must express his/her level of agreement or disagreement with the statement according to a given scale. This method provides a more accurate result and a more nuanced profile than simple "yes/no" answers.
🎯 The aim is to obtain a reliable and scientific assessment, and not a response as random as the magazine tests.
A controlled duration for maximum effectiveness
Although there is no time limit, the SOSIE 2 test generally takes between 30 and 40 minutes. This is ideal for an in-depth test without being too time-consuming. Unlike other much longer personality tests, SOSIE 2 is accessible and not daunting.
Conducted online, the SOSIE 2 test can be taken face-to-face or remotely, depending on your needs. As part of a recruitment process, the test is often supervised. You retain control over the organisation and conditions of the assessment!
Receipt of results
When the test is over, you receive a detailed report with all the results. This provides you with a complete assessment of the candidate's profile, enabling you to refine your choice before hiring.
This report contains :
- a highly detailed personal profile, with scores for the various personality traits ;
- an analysis of professional values, to assess the extent to which they are aligned with your company's environment;
- a summary of motivations, for a better understanding of what drives this person to invest themselves, to take decisions, etc. ;
- guidance on how to best integrate them into their future position.
Often presented in graphic form for easier visual interpretation, this report provides the recruiter with all the indicators and information they need. This data is also very useful after recruitment, for managing an employee's career and providing advice on areas for improvement.
How do I interpret the results of the SOSIE 2 test?
You receive the test results in an ultra-detailed report, but how do you use all this information in a relevant way?
Three ways of interpreting the profile
The SOSIE 2 personality test is based on 3 main pillars that enable us to draw up a portrait of the candidate:
- a personality snapshot: the scores obtained reflect behavioural tendencies. They enable us to place candidates on precise scales rather than classifying them into rigid categories.
What's in it for you: you can better anticipate reactions and operating methods within your company. - Personal values that influence decisions: it's not just a little something extra on a CV. These values indicate how the candidate perceives his or her role in a company.
What's in it for you? You can assess the candidate's adherence to the company's principles and culture, and detect any situations that may be causing problems. - Motivational levers to exploit: everyone's motivations are different. Not everyone needs the same things to get ahead.
What's in it for you: you can understand what holds the candidate back or what stimulates them. And why not adapt the job or management accordingly?
How can these results be used in recruitment?
Using these results can help you on several levels:
- Adapting your approach: the results can help you focus the interview according to the candidate's answers. Does he have a low level of autonomy? Does this mean they need a lot of supervision, or do they simply prefer to work in a team?
- Prepare for integration and career management: this assessment enables you to anticipate interactions with the team and support needs (training, coaching, mentoring). For example, you should avoid placing a highly autonomous candidate under an ultra-directive hierarchy.
- Make an informed decision: be careful, the SOSIE 2 test is an aid only. Its verdict is not irrevocable! Cross-check the results with other elements (the interview, references and, of course, your experience). A low score may simply indicate an area that needs further work. And conversely, an excellent score does not guarantee that you will recruit a gem if other factors are negative.
Online SOSIE 2 test: free or paying?
The SOSIE 2 test is a personality assessment tool widely used by recruiters. Is it possible to take the test free online? What are the alternatives?
Is there a free online version of the SOSIE 2 test?
Unlike other personality tests that can be found on the internet, the official version of SOSIE 2 is not available free of charge. Licensed and administered under strict supervision, this test is based on validated scientific models designed by experts in occupational psychology. It therefore guarantees a rigorous methodology and proven criteria, but requires the results to be interpreted by a trained professional. ✅
Because its effectiveness depends on strict compliance with the protocol, it cannot be freely available and free of charge.
Please note: only recruitment agencies, certified HR consultants and accredited psychometric testing platforms can offer the SOSIE 2 test.
What are the alternatives to SOSIE 2?
There are a number of free online tools that provide an initial insight into a candidate's personality. They can offer interesting leads, but cannot replace the accuracy and reliability of professional tests.
For other serious (but paying) personality tests, there are a few recognised alternatives:
- MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)
- PAPI (Personnality and Preference Inventory)
- Armen
SOSIE 2 test: what to remember?
Although it should not be used as the sole recruitment tool, the SOSIE 2 test provides valuable information about a candidate's personality, values and motivations. For a reliable assessment, it's best to avoid online tests that are pale copies of the original! A serious SOSIE 2 test must be carried out by certified and trained professionals.
Avoid costly casting errors for strategic positions and invest in internal talent development with SOSIE 2, but use it intelligently. Can a personality test guide an entire recruitment process, or should it remain just one compass among many?
Article translated from French
Maëlys De Santis, Growth Managing Editor, started at Appvizer in 2017 as Copywriter & Content Manager. Her career at Appvizer is distinguished by her in-depth expertise in content strategy and marketing, as well as SEO optimization. With a Master's degree in Intercultural Communication and Translation from ISIT, Maëlys also studied languages and English at the University of Surrey. She has shared her expertise in publications such as Le Point and Digital CMO. She contributes to the organization of the global SaaS event, B2B Rocks, where she took part in the opening keynote in 2023 and 2024.
An anecdote about Maëlys? She has a (not so) secret passion for fancy socks, Christmas, baking and her cat Gary. 🐈⬛