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[P251]Personality And Career Tests

by Lisa Moore, Lis

Rule #1: Not everyone loves all career tests. Some people hate taking tests, no matter what kind of test it is. Forcing a friend or family member to take a career test can bring big trouble. Similarly, those who enjoy taking tests might just dislike certain styles of questions. For example, forced-choice questions can be big turn-offs for certain people. Being told to choose between two options, when neither one is appealing, can leave a sour taste in one's mouth. Other people, particularly those with low self-esteem, dislike the sorts of questions that require them to rank themselves against others. Comparing one's strengths and weaknesses can be a nerve-wracking exercise. There are also those who don't like to be required to choose occupations that they like. These people have learned through experience that there are positive and negative elements to every occupation, and it can be hard to focus on the good when they know that there are also negative factors. Hypothetical scenarios can put off some career test takers. It's difficult to honestly answer how one would react in a particular situation, because people tend to respond how they would like to behave, rather than how they would naturally behave. Basically, no career test is perfect for everyone.

Rule #2: No one test provides great results for everyone. Let's say you take a career test that offers wonderful suggestions for future careers. Your best friend takes the same test, with disappointing results. How can this happen? Career tests have their own distinct personality. One test-taker might love every element of a particular career test, while another person will absolutely despise everything about it. Unfortunately, how the respondent feels about the test will certainly twist the results.

Rule #3: Take a few tests. By completing a variety of career tests, you'll get a wider profile of options. This is a good way to keep an open mind and consider a broader scope of possibilities. You will have a more complete picture of your preferences, profile and career suggestions.

Rule #4: No career test should be assumed to be accurate. People turn to tests in hopes that there is a magic formula to determine who they are and what they should do. If this is your reason for taking a career test, stop right now. Test results can be way off the mark. Answer just one or two questions inaccurately and you can end up with completely wrong results and recommendations. There are many sad tales of people whose lives took a completely wrong path, because they followed test results when their hearts said otherwise. Take your test, but take the results with a grain of salt. Career tests have one simple purpose: to provide ideas you might not have considered, and suggestions that may be worth following up. Don't expect any more from your career test.

Rule #5: Follow your gut. Let your intuition be your guide. You know more about yourself than any career tests do. No test results should ever be considered 'gospel'. If the summary seems dead wrong to you, reject the summary and try another test. On the other hand, if you really like the suggestions the career test gave you, but it seems entirely the wrong fit, don't agonize or waste time worrying whether it's worth following up. Listen to your heart and remember the old saying, "if it feels good, do it!"

Career tests are fun for some and agonizing for others but all in all, they are good springboards for future possibilities. Take your career test with an open mind. Think of all the qualities you have that distinguishes you from everyone else, answer honestly and give yourself the benefit of the doubt. Your future isn't carved out in a career test, but the results may help you find it.

Any business that fails to take a regular inventory of its assets and deficiencies is doomed to failure. The same can be said for individuals who are committed to using their innate strengths in choosing a career path and improving their lives. Americans are often stuck in the pursuit of “finding themselves". As a result, they're suffering from a paralysis of analysis. Fortunately, there are personal assessment tools developed by psychologists to place you in wide categories of human traits, strengths, and weaknesses. Some of the best of these cost-free assessments are available online.

Before taking any of these online assessments, it's prudent to consider the results you'll receive as a best-case snapshot of how you fit pre-established categories. Plus, results are based on your intellectual and emotional reactions to the questions and how honest you are in your responses. You'll profit most by heeding any results with a grain of salt and using your assessment as broad guidelines in career and skill planning.

Clickable Tests that Measure How You Tick

Online tests fall into several broad categories. There are skills assessments that evaluate your capabilities in the workplace, asking such questions as, “are you a finisher or do you procrastinate?". Some tests measure your tendencies and preferences, with such questions as, “Would you rather work a drill press or be a financial planner?". Still other tests measure your personality tics asking things like, “Do slow drivers bother you?".

Here are the top-ten tests you'll find online and their features:

• Big Five Personality Test
• Career Focus 2000 Interest Inventory
• OneNet school-to-work transition assessment instruments
• The 3 Sides of You Self Perception Profiler
• Career Interest Inventory
• Keirsey Temperament Sorter
• Career Zone Assessment Test
• AdvisorTeam Temperament Sorter
• Monster.com Assessment
• Career Link Inventory

Big Five Personality Test

The Big Five Personality Test is based on a 1970 measurement test created by researchers from The National Institutes of Health, the University of Oregon, and the University of Michigan. The test asks you to evaluate your own preferences in categories called Extraversion, Emotional Stability, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience. There is no cost for taking the test.

Career Focus 2000 Interest Inventory

In this cost-free test you'll take stock of your interests in 18 career fields by responding to 180 questions. This is a measurement of interest, rather than aptitude. Would you like to test blood in a laboratory or create a musical score for an orchestra? The test is well-suited for high school and college students, and for adults looking at new career options.

OneNet school-to-work

Easily the most comprehensive assessment tool online, OneNet is free to the user. A bank of tests will measure your skill sets, occupational likes and dislikes, and potential career fields that suit your type. The site is sponsored by The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA).

The 3 Sides of You Self Perception Profiler

This cost-free test delivers a three-part profile of how you rank in thinking, working, and emoting. Each of the three category tests contain 56 statements that users rank in order of importance or self-identification. For example: "You often feel when something's wrong, yet seldom speak up about it." Or, "For you, there's one best way of doing everything." At the end, you'll receive an overview of your personality style.

Career Interest Inventory

This free online inventory reveals to the user the career fields that best match their personal interests. The 45 questions ask, "Would you rather be an undercover agent for the Drug Enforcement Agency or a plastic surgeon?" Or, "Would you rather be an eye doctor, a poet, or a firefighter?"

Keirsey Temperament Sorter

This free, online assessment tool is popular among counseling professionals, Fortune 500 companies, and major universities for measuring career and personality development. The test follows the standardized 16 Myers-Briggs personality assessment categories in accordance with psychological types first described by C. G. Jung. A more-detailed assessment is available for a fee.

Career Zone Assessment Test

This free, online measurement tool evaluates your career by work environments and personal preferences. It uses a model based on life themes in six categories: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. By combining your positive choices, the test delivers a range of professions.

AdvisorTeam Temperament Sorter

AdvisorTeam's free test also uses the Keirsey model, helping you to understand your "strengths, motivations, and temperaments." You'll answer questions about your behavior, attitudes, and preferences. Do you chat with strangers while waiting on line at the supermarket or do you pace anxiously? What's more important, your thoughts or your feelings?

Monster.com Assessments

One of the Web's largest job sites offers a free career test based on your personality type. Four questions detail two sets of personality characteristics. You're asked to honestly describe which set best fits you. You decide if you're an extrovert or introvert; a thinker or a feeler; judger or perceiver. Questions: Where is your energy naturally directed? What kind of information do you naturally notice and remember? How do you decide or come to conclusions? What kind of environment makes you the most comfortable?

Career Link Inventory

This free, online assessment tool helps you take your own inventory in aptitudes, interests, temperaments, physical capacities, working conditions, and career preparation. Do you prefer to work inside or outdoors? Are you stronger in spatial or verbal skills? Would you rather have on-the-job prestige or prefer producing a visible, tangible product?

I See Myself Better, Now What?

It's easy to fall into a pit of extreme emotional reactions or set your goals in stone as a result of your test results. Remember that any results are just guidelines and another tool to give you an additional glimpse of yourself. The tests can be useful if, based on your findings, you establish some career options and objectives with flexibility.

You might consider conducting additional research into what it will take to get into fields that excite you. You could make a pluses and minuses list of the jobs you're considering. If you're motivated, develop an action plan and timetable for reaching your goals.

Article Source : The Deer Hunting Guide

About Author

Both Lisa Moore & Kelli Smith are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Lisa Moore has sinced written about articles on various topics from Brain, Franchise and Customer Service. Lisa Moore contributes to several web magazines, on and subjects.. Lisa Moore's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.

Kelli Smith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Career Change and Time Management Skills. Edu411.org is a career education directory for finding colleges and universities, training schools, and .. Kelli Smith's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.