Career Assessments – Who Needs Them? And Why?

Career Assessments have long been the foundation of choosing careers.  The reliance on these tests can sometimes be over-emphasized and the results -misleading. One bad mood or bad day could change the results unintentionally. Even over thinking the answers could lead you the wrong way. I’ve provided 4 assessments for you to choose from. Mostly inexpensive (but very GOOD) to help you figure out what your assets are. But first …

Does someone in Career Transition need one?

I don’t make my clients take assessments unless they absolutely feel this overwhelming need to sit at a computer and take one. I believe if you’re “still” enough and quiet enough you can determine your strengths, your best skills and your most important values. In fact when I use  “appreciative inquiry” most of clients are able to determine their best skills and core values without ever taking a single assessment.

Having said that many assessments are useful in pointing out a direction (not necessarily a destination). Assessments differ in what they test. Today you can choose to test from interests, to character, to values and even overall comprehensive assessments.

Where Do Assessments Fit in the Career Change Journey?

I believe the first step in the career change journey is figuring out where you want to be. It doesn’t matter what your best skills are if you don’t know where you’re heading or even where you want to be. Once you have a clear vision of what you want your life to look like. Then you begin discovering your unique talents, gifts and other assets.

If you ask someone what they’re good at, their response is usually from the view point of something they’ve done in the past. Yet if you’re changing careers, chances are you may not enjoy some aspects of your old job. Let’s say you’re really good at debating and analyzing. Do you want to continue using those skills in your new job? Maybe not.  My point is, your best skills may not be what you want to spend the rest of your life doing. This is where Assessments come in. They help point you in a direction.

What will An Assessment Do?

A career assessment is simply a way of evaluating or judging your best skills, your strengths, your interests, values and character strengths. While you can take Comprehensive Assessments like the M.A.P.P, there are others that only focus on one part of the puzzle. The M.A.P.P is a Career Motivational Appraisal which measures your potential and motivation for various vocational areas. If you’ve been thinking about doing some kind of assessment make sure it helps you answer one of  two questions:

1. Where Do I Belong?
2. What are my Strengths – what I do (skills) and who am I (character)?

Quite frankly that’s all you need to get going. The following is a BRIEF list of assessments you can use to help you figure out the answer to those questions:

1.  Strengths Finder by Tom Rath. This small book delivers a power punch to not only finding your skill-strengths i.e. what you do best but how to apply it. I’m only a fan of things that tell you HOW.  Once you read the introduction explaining WHY knowing your strengths is key to enjoying job satisfaction, a web based test is given with the unique code from the back of the book. The results not only identify your top 5 strengths but also a clear plan for you to start using them more at work. Yes, they even include “scripts” for talking to your manager and co-workers. Click here to purchase this book from Amazon. One of my TOP strengths is Futuristic, I would love to hear yours!

2. VIA Survey of Character Strength. Developed and delivered by Dr. Martin Seligman of University of  Pennsylvania. The “Father of  Positive Psychology” created this FREE assessment to help you determine your character strengths. This assessment helps you see “WHO” you are. Once you do, it becomes easier to see where you can use your strengths to take advantage of situations that will promote your enthusiasm, productivity and eventually bottomline. One of my best is Caution, Discretion and Prudence. Can you tell how I might use this everyday when working with clients?

3. Career Liftoff Interest Inventory. This interest inventory is much like having a compass if you are lost in the woods. It can help you find the right direction and also other variables like your values, motivation and skills. After you’ve completed the interest inventory you receive your report on-line which includes a list of occupations for your top 6 areas of interest. This inventory is based on  Holland’s Vocational Theory. It simply states people who choose to work in an environment similar to their personality type are more likely to be successful and satisfied.

4. Values Preference Indicator - This test helps you understand your core values. Why? When you make decisions based on your core values you are less likely to lead a life that’s stressful and unfulfilled. Being true to who you are  begins with an understanding of your core values. Use this assessment to make intentional decisions and prioritize your values.

Once you taken the assessment, be sure to claim your FREE Transition Evaluation where we help you complete the puzzle of “What Do I Want to do?”

This post was written by Charlene Nora on 6/23/2010 and although I’ve taken assessments to help serve you better as a Profit From Your Passions Coach. Please accept my free gift of Dull To Dazzling Career in 5 Steps by clicking on this link for instant access.