What type of data is categorized as qualitative in assessing staff candidates?

In assessing staff candidates, qualitative data refers to information that is descriptive and subjective rather than strictly numerical. This type of data provides insights into personal experiences, perceptions, and opinions, which are essential for understanding the candidates' abilities and fit within the organization.

Text, audio, and video responses fall squarely into the qualitative category because they capture the nuances of candidates' communication styles, behavioral traits, and interpersonal skills, which can be pivotal in evaluations. These forms of data allow hiring committees to gather rich, detailed information about candidates that goes beyond what numbers can convey. For example, a video interview can reveal a candidate's body language and enthusiasm, while audio responses can showcase their verbal communication skills.

In contrast, the other types of data listed, like numerical data from tests or structured survey results, tend to provide quantitative measures, which although important, do not capture the same depth of understanding in terms of a candidate's personal attributes and leadership potential.