Are The Tests Valid And Reliable
A wide range of career assessment tests and personality tools are available online. There are a variety of free career assessments you can try, while others charge for all or some portion of the test.
When you take a career assessment or personality test, keep in mind that they may have little or no scientific or professional validity. However, they are quick and easy to take, and the answers you choose might give you insight into what jobs might be a good match for you.
First Take A Quiz About Your Abilities Values And Interests
- Online: Take the Washington Career Bridge Career Quiz to explore your interests and the career clusters that match.
- Pencil and paper: The Student Interest Survey for Career Clusters allows students to respond to questions and identify their top three career clusters of interest. This pencil/paper survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and is available in English and Spanish.
How The Career Key Discovery Career Assessment Works
1. In about ten minutes, our scientifically valid assessment measures how similar you are to Dr. John Holland’s six personality types. It assesses your interests, values, skills and abilities. Career Key’s author is Dr. Lawrence K. Jones.
2. With the results, you identify your strongest personality types and groups of people at work or in school with whom you will thrive and enjoy compatibility. We give you personalized advice about what to do next.
3. Next, explore and choose from careers and education options that best match your personality.
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Examples Of Career Paths
To get a sense of your options, it helps to review examples of career paths for a variety of fields. Keep in mind that some career paths are direct and include specific jobs that move you up the career ladder and are typically followed in order.
Here are several examples:
- Administration:Administrative AssistantExecutive AssistantOffice Manager
- Advertising:Advertising Account CoordinatorAssistant Account ExecutiveAccount ExecutiveSenior Account Executive
- Communications: Public Relations AssistantPublic Relations RepresentativeAssistant Director of Public RelationsDirector of Communications
- Customer service:Customer Service RepresentativeInside Salesperson Outside SalespersonMajor Account SalespersonRegional Sales Manager
- Editorial: Editorial AssistantAssistant EditorAssociate EditorEditorSenior EditorEditorial Director
- Education:TeacherCurriculum CoordinatorAssistant PrincipalPrincipal
- Education to insurance :TeacherInsurance SalespersonTrainer for New Agents
- Engineering:Junior EngineerSenior EngineerProject ManagerEngineering Consultant
- Human resources:Human Resources AssistantBenefits AssistantBenefits SpecialistAssistant Director of Human ResourcesDirector of Human Resources
- Retail:Retail Sales ClerkAssistant ManagerDepartment ManagerStore ManagerRegional Manager
Discover Your Interests Without Spending A Lot Of Money
If you want to try using an interest inventory on your own, some free or low-cost ones don’t require hiring a career development professional. If you’re finding it difficult to decide on your own, however, it can be helpful to work with one.
The Self-Directed Search , published by PAR , is available online for a small fee. You will receive a printable report containing a list of occupations that most closely match your interests.
The O*Net Interest Profiler is a free assessment and one of several tools that are part of O*Net Online, a project sponsored by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor. There are a few versions of the Interest Profiler including a short-form web-based version, a mobile one, and a pen-and-pencil form that can be printed out at home.
Career Cruising is an assessment tool that many public libraries offer to their visitors for free. It generates a list of occupations after users answer questions about their interests. You can then explore those careers from within the Career Cruising database. Check with the reference staff at your local library to see if it offers this resource.
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Why People Change Careers
There are many different reasons why people want to change careers. Of course, it’s a personal decision with many factors involved. Joblist’s Midlife Career Crisis survey reports on the top five reasons people change careers:
- Better Pay: 47%
- Wanted a New Challenge: 25%
- No Longer Passionate About Field: 23%
Recommended Tools & Websites
- Job Boards and Internship Opportunities
- Links to Resources – including extensive online step-by-step tutorial loaded with downloads and websites
Watch video about the Explore Careers and College Majors System.
Cost for one user for Explore Careers and College Major System & Online Tutorial Course
Regular Cost $150/ Special Cost $99
View video about Explore Careers with College Majors Bonus Tutorial Course.
Immediate access to Online Tutorial Course!
User Name, Password and Log In Instruction will be sent in an email.
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John Hollands Sds Test
John Holland believed that there are only six basic personality types: the realistic, the investigative, the artistic, the social, the enterprising, and the conventional. The RIASEC theory uses your results to recommend occupations that correspond with each personality type.
This 87 question Self Directed Search test measures how well you fit into each of those types, and identifies your top three personality attributes. Those are then combined to offer insight into the best possible career options for you. This test costs $9.95.
Truity: The Big Five Personality Test
With this free career personality test, youll discover more about how you relate to others in less than 10 minutes. The results detail how open to new experiences you are, how much self-discipline you may have, how much of an extrovert you are, and how you handle stressful situationsnot just how you imagine yourself to be. This intel is especially useful to understand when it comes to how you handle your job and coworkers and what kind of work environment would be best for you.
Note: While the basic results are free, youll have to pay to see your full report.
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What Is A Career Aptitude Test
Career aptitude tests are tests that provide career suggestions based on your personality, skills, interests and values. Whether you are just entering the workforce or are curious about what a change in career may look like for you, these tests can provide useful insights as to what type of job would best suit you. Career aptitude tests can also give you an idea of the type of work environment you would do best in and whether you would excel in a career that is people-oriented or more individual-based.
What Are Career Tests
Lets get this out of the way: No test can guarantee itll tell you your dream job or your forever career.
These quizzes will ask you about your values, interests, skills, and goals and give you some ideas for careers or types of careers to explore furtherin other words, theyre a jumping off point, says Muse career coach Lynn Berger, whos used these tests for over 20 years to help clients gain focus and direction in their careers.
Some will also help you learn more about your working style or what type of environment you thrive in. Your results might even provide a little help for you in your current positionsetting you up for success, no matter where you are in your career journey.
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Campbell Interest And Skill Survey
The Campbell Interest and Skill Survey , developed by David P. Campbell, measures self-reported interests and skills. Used primarily in career exploration, it was designed for individuals who plan to pursue careers requiring a college education. It is helpful for adults considering career changes, trying to understand job dissatisfaction, or thinking about retirement. Written for individuals with a sixth-grade reading level or above, the CISS can be given to adults and adolescents age 15 years and older. It is appropriate for use in high schools, colleges/universities, human resource departments, and outplacement firms.
The CISS reports interest and skill standard scores on 7 Orientation scales 29 Basic Interest and Skill scales 60 Occupational scales and 3 Special scales . Three procedural checks detect problems with answer sheet completion or scoring.
The seven orientations are similar to John Hollands six RIASEC types , although there are some differences: Influencing measures leadership, while Enterprising focuses on sales Organizing relates to management and financial services, while Conventional deals with clerical and office work and the two CISS scales of Producing and Adventuring are represented by Hollands Realistic scale. The CISS orientations provide the organization for the Basic Interest and Skill scales and the Occupational scales.
When To Try A Personality Test
Personality tests can be useful in transitional moments of your career. Whether you are looking for your first job or you’re interested in a career change, an assessment can be a good way to discern which choices might be ideal for you.
If you already know what kind of work you want to do, a career or personality test can still be helpful.
It can show you whether you need more training or experience. It can reveal what skills you have that make you a strong candidate for a specific job. At the very least, they can help you to write a more effective resume and cover letter.
None of these tests will provide you with a definitive answer on what you should do with your life. Rather, they can be a tool in your overall career planning, helping you to make a better-informed choice.
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Careerfitter Free Online Career Test
As one of the pioneers in the field, CareerFitter has been providing career assessments since 1998. Receive a free career report when you complete the Careerfitter Online Career Test. This 60 question test takes about 10 minutes to complete.
It analyzes four dimensions that contribute to the foundation of your personality including Energy, Perception, Decision Style, and Planning Style.
The free career report includes information such as how much money you can earn in careers that match your personality, career fields you should consider, and the number of specific careers that fit you.
Free Career Aptitude And Career Assessment Tests
When you are not sure about what type of job you want or what you would like to do next with your career, a career aptitude test can help you narrow down your job choices and choose a career path that is compatible with your interests, skills, values, and personality.
Taking a career test is a little like playing “What do you want to be when you grow up?” but with a twist. The twist is that career tests don’t just give you a chance to dream about what you want to do they can give you concrete ideas about what you may be best suited to do. They can help you understand the type of environment and work that will help you thrive as a person.
Review information on how career assessments can help guide your career choices and what the assessments will evaluate, and try free career tests that you can use to learn about jobs that may be a perfect fit.
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Holland Code Career Test
The Holland Code Career Test, also known as the RAISEC test, is based on the work of John Holland . This free test highlights which jobs suit the interests, aptitude, and talents of individuals.
In the test, there are six work themes based on six personality types that can be expressed within the workplace:
- Investigative
- Social
- Conventional
The results highlight the test takers highest interest area and how it compares to others, depicting an individualâs Holland code. The results describe what this means concerning an individuals career choice.
A free copy of the Holland Code Career Test can be found on Truity.com.
How To Explore Career Options
Once youve generated a list of potential career options, you can take a closer look at what each job entails to learn whether it would be right for you. Enter a job title in CareerOneStops Occupation Profile tool to get details on the occupation, including a job description, required experience, education or training, earnings potential, and job outlook.
The U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Outlook Handbook is a career guide with information on occupation groups and individual jobs. It provides details on what workers do on the job, the work environment, training, education, and certification needed to get started in the occupation, median pay, and expected job prospects.
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Types Of Career Paths
Career paths typically refer to either your path through an industry or your path through an organization. For example, if your goal is to become a principal, you’d typically start as a teacher and work on your administrative credentials while teaching. If you’re in a large district, you might chart a path within your district. You might become a department head and then advance to a position as an assistant principal.
If you’re in a smaller district, you might need to move to a different organization to advance your goals. In that case, your advancing within your profession, but moving to another organization.
Some organizations help you develop a career path as part of the employee development process. In this case, you and your supervisor or a human resources representative discuss your career development within your organization.
This discussion may take place as part of the performance appraisal process. Additional education, training, or work assignments may be planned to qualify you for subsequent roles within your career path.
Ultimately, your career path depends on your career values and personal goals. You might change industries as you pursue a higher income, better benefits, and/or increased job satisfaction. Or, you might wander off the path altogether to take care of family or continue your education.
What Is A Career Path
A career path is a series of jobs that help you progress towards your goals and objectives.
Your career path includes the jobs youll need to hit your ultimate career goal, but it doesnt need to follow a straight line. Theres no blueprint or timetable for climbing the career ladder.
Career paths traditionally imply vertical growth or advancement to higher-level positions, but they can also include lateral movement within or across industries.
A Bureau of Labor Statistics survey of baby boomers found that they had an average of 12.3 jobs from ages 18 to 52. Changing jobs is expected, and sometimes those changes will involve different types of positions in various industries. Some career paths have a few ups and downs and some people even plan a move down the career ladder.
You might move down the career ladder by asking your company for a transfer to a position with fewer responsibilities and less stress. Or you might apply for a position with a company that you’re passionate about working with, but the only available positions are lower level ones.
If you’re feeling stuck and unsure of the next step in your career path, consider talking to a career counselor. A reputable counselor can help you clarify your goals and explore your options.
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Requirements For A Career Path
Some people have deliberate, well-planned career paths. Others take things one job at a time, adjusting as their goals and preferences change. Either approach can be successful. Here are a few ways you can position yourself for a successful career path:
- Be in learning mode:Todays job market moves quickly. To keep up, you need to be prepared to add to your skillset. To find out which skills are most in demand in your industry, take a look at your peers’ LinkedIn profiles. Youll learn which skills youll need to advance.
- Network:Connecting with your peers can help you identify new directions for your career, even if youre not interested in job-hopping at the moment.
- Be flexible:Dont hold too tightly to your career plan. Be open to opportunity and keep your ultimate goals in mind. Whats important to you? What do you enjoy about your job and career, and what would you prefer to minimize at your next gig?
- Dont be afraid of a lateral move:Sometimes you need to move sideways to get ahead. If a job offers you a chance to develop skills or connections that will be valuable later on, be open to a lateral move.
Free Career Test Video Transcript
Your future is waiting for you. What will you choose to become? How do you want to live your life? What career is right for you? This free career test is for students and adults to help you discover your career interests because there are thousands of careers to choose from and each is just as unique as you! Give us just a minute to explain how the free career tests on this site work so you can take full advantage of the free career exploration resources this site has to offer.
First, there is zero cost to access your full, free career test results. Your career interest results are immediate, and youll receive a unique link to access your results in the future. When you access your free career test results, be sure to email your unique link to yourself, your teacher or parent, or copy it somewhere. Just dont lose it. Were a student-friendly resource, so we dont collect your email address or require you to register to see your results now or in the future. Because we dont collect or save your personal information, we will not know which test results belong to you. If you lose the unique link to your career test results, we will not be able to retrieve it for you in the future. If this happens, youll have to retake the free career test again. But dont worry, theyre all really quick to take.
There are two last points to call out.
RethinkOldSchool, Inc.
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Career Exploration And Skill Development
Finding a job can be a challenge for youth. They must determine what careers are available, what their interests are, and what skills they have or need to develop. Numerous resources are available to help youth get a sense of their interest and skills as well as gain employment experience and learn about employment opportunities.
