Use Career Assessment Tests To
Find Clues To Your Ideal Career

Career assessment tests are great tools for gaining insight into yourself. You may see patterns emerging or find some clues to follow. You may also discover career possibilities you had never even imagined. But remember, these tests are just part of the total self assessment process. It's unlikely that you'll suddenly discover your ideal career from taking an assessment.

Today most career assessment tests are available on the internet, and you can obtain the results almost immediately, either online or by email. Here are 8 of the more well-known tests that you can find online. Most are free or cost very little to take.

Career Personality Test

Career personality tests generally look at the way you take in information and how you make decisions. Some also look at whether you're more energized by the outside world or your inner world, and if you prefer keeping your options open or would rather have closure.

• The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) can be taken online now for a fee. It requires interpretation from a certified practitioner, so be sure a phone consultation is included. The MBTI is based on Carl Jung's personality theory and measures how you prefer to interact with the world. You'll find out which of 16 personality types you are and which careers might be a good match for you.

• When you take the free Keirsey Temperament Sorter, you only get a brief description of your main temperament. But you have the option of paying for a Career Temperament Report. With this report you receive your 4-letter personality type, as well as a list of careers that are a good match for your type.

• Ansir is an interesting test that focuses on your strengths and potential in the areas of thinking, working, and emoting. You also find out your life purpose and your greatest challenge. The basic report is free.

• The Enneagram test, which is free, focuses on helping you become more aware of your strengths, motivation, and personal growth needs. Each of the 9 enneagram personality types has a different path of development.

Career Interest Inventory

In a career interest inventory, your interests are compared with those of people in different professions. Skills assessments look at whether you prefer working with things, information, or people, and can be helpful in identifying and prioritizing your transferable skills.

• The Holland Self-Directed Search explores your interests and abilities. You receive a 3-letter Holland Code that represents your top 3 interest categories. You can then see which careers or activities match your particular code. There is a small fee involved.

• The Princeton Review Career Quiz, which is based on the more extensive Birkman Method, gives you a list of career ideas that match your interests, plus a description of your preferred work style. The quiz is free. A more detailed survey is available at extra cost.

• The Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS) is a comprehensive, low-cost test that measures (1) your attraction to different careers, and (2) how confident you are about performing the various activities involved in those careers.

• MAPP (Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential) assesses your unique styles of communication, learning, and leadership. The focus is on discovering what really motivates you so you can reach your full potential. The sample report is free. You'll pay extra for more detailed reports.

What To Expect From Career Assessments

Career assessment tests may help you find more clarity as you explore your career options. But if the results of an assessment don't feel right to you, always trust your instincts first. Only you know what's right for you.

Career assessments are not meant to label you or "tell you who you are". They're simply a way for you to gather more clues that may help you in your career change. Sometimes too much information can become confusing. A professional coach or counselor can help you understand and synthesize the results.

Please contact me if you would like to explore career assessment tests as part of your career change.

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