These Tests help you expand your awareness of your strengths and weaknesses. There are six rules for taking these assessments, according to jobhuntersbible.com, who publishes the book What Color Is Your Parachute?: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers.
- No test can measure YOU
- You are unique, and are like nobody else on earth
- Don’t pre-determine how you want the test to come out
- You’re looking for clues, hunches, or suggestions
- Take several tests and not just one
- Don’t try to force your favorite online tests on your friends
There are many personality and career assessment tolls available, free or with a fee, paper or online. If you are a new college grad, the career office in your school can help you. If you prefer do-it-yourself, the following methods are popular tools.
This U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored web site offers career resources and workforce information to job seekers, students, businesses and workforce professionals to foster talent development in a global economy. (If you are recently out of work, visit re-employment portal, which includes answers about unemployment benefits and COBRA rights). Free.
Contains tests to determine your job satisfaction level, find the jobs that match your skills, find the ideal career that corresponds with your potentials, and help you plan your career. Free.
Keirsey Temperament Sorter®-II (KTS®-II)
This 70-question personality instrument helps individuals discover their personality types. Free.
The most authoritative personality inventory and is used by many career counselors. It is designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. With fee.
Made available by Massachusetts Career Information System. Uses 28 factors often considered in career decision-making. According to the website, “Occupation Sort is not a test. It is designed to let you say what you know about yourself, your likes and dislikes, and creates a list of occupations that match your preferences. It doesn’t tell you what you should be. Instead, Occupation Sort locations occupations that match factors you consider important.” Free.