Career Test Tips and Advice

For many people, at some point in their career their work becomes less satisfying regardless of the pay or benefits they are receiving. If this happens to you, it’s important to not make rash decisions before making such a move. If this is your plan, chances are you’ll obtain another dead-end job which you’ll surely hate after a few weeks of working on it. Looking for a career that will both improve you as a person as well as you will enjoy doing for a long period of time, is an important yet somewhat difficult task to achieve. The first step one can take when venturing towards a new career path is by taking a career test. Read on the following as we discuss some of the tips and advice when taking career tests online.

A career test is specifically designed to help you find work that best complements your interests. Taking a career test will also conserve much of your time and effort from applying at jobs that won’t really work for you and your individual preferences. Basically, an online career test will ask structured questions and then provide you with a report in the end that displays detailed information regarding your possible options for a career. This report is outlined or summarized in a step-by-step fashion and contains the suggested steps to follow after you’ve completed the exam thoroughly. Another test you can take yet is considered to be ineffective when it comes to finding a suitable career for yourself is a personality test. The test offers you with a chance to explore more about your abilities and skills rather than your career interests. Although these skills and fortes can be used as a basis in locating a new suitable career, it isn’t as specific and useful as what a career test can provide. Below are some of the tips you should take into consideration when looking for the best career tests that may offer you with the most authentic and accurate results.

First off, never think of paid career tests as being the most valid just because they are paid. In fact, you should be wary when opting for these paid career tests to avoid wasting money on a test that consists of only random and invalid questions that really don’t make any sense as far as finding a career is concerned.

Also, look for career tests which have professional and reputable websites. Those with links of colleges and institutions as well as PhD advertisements improve the chances that the test is indeed valid or authentic. Regardless of the fact, you should still exercise precaution.

Next off, a career test from a quality website such as www.personalitytesthq.com should also provide a detailed study or a professional guide that will show you their authenticity studies. If not provided, don’t waste your time on taking the test.

Career tests will come in different forms such as quizzes, games, profilers and finders. All have the same function of helping you locate work that best fits your interests. One shouldn’t base their next career path solely on their skills and abilities as they may grow to hate the career after a few months of working on the job. They should find one that they love doing and not one that they can do well.

Also, choose a career test that offers specific or informative reports after the test is completed. Some websites that provide these tests only offer general reports that may not help at all. These career tests lack the recommendations as to what appropriate actions should be done next. Without the proper follow-up interventions, individuals will not be able to utilize the results properly. However, one should realize that even the best tests will not provide all the answers to your dilemma. It is up to you to plan and prepare for the next steps to execute after you’ve completed the career test.

The reports provided by these tests also come in handy, and so you should always choose to take a test that provides these reports. A structured and outlined report can help you perform the necessary actions effectively. It can also be shown to a specialist career adviser when you are in need of help interpreting the next steps. The career adviser may also be able to help you choose the proper test in the event that you have doubts of the validity of the test. If you are having trouble finding a professional career adviser, you can try to look from the National Career Development Association for recommended counselors that can help you locate the career that’s best for you. Although the services of these career advisers don’t come free, the cost will be worth it.

Overall, you should consider career tests as the beginning step towards achieving a desirable career instead of an all-in-one package for your problem.

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Benefits of Online Career Tests

It would be very easy if all of us knew what we were good at so that we can choose jobs without wasting time.  Unfortunately, most of us do not know what we are good at and we will spend a lot of time moving from one job to another. If you do not want to be one of those people that enter into a career and within a month you are contemplating quitting, then you should take online career tests. The primary objective of these tests is to help you know your natural abilities and what career choices are best for you. You can decide to use free online career tests or spend money so that you get a comprehensive interpretation and analyses of the findings of your test.

Online career tests are a great way for you to evaluate the kind of career you want to pursue in life. These tests can help you improve your chance of getting your dream job in the future. This is why most people that are finding it hard to choose a career are taking these tests. There are numerous tests to take online and the benefits associated with these tests are uncountable.

First, online career tests can help you help you to explore different careers to choose from, and to evaluate them and choose the best career that suits your skills and talents best. While most offline tests are extremely expensive and most people cannot afford them, online tests are cheap and they can help you find the most appropriate career choice for you.

All you have to do is answer some basic questions concerning reactions to situations and how you perform tasks and your reaction to different situations. You will be asked to rate your answers on a scale of 1 to 5 or 1 to 10. Most of these tests are simple and can be completed within a short period of time. Besides helping people to choose the right career, an online career test helps you to evaluate your current career and determine whether it is the right one for you. If not, you may quit and find a career that suits you best.

These career tests are designed in such a way that they can help you even if you decide to continue with your current career, and they also assist you when making future decisions about career choice.

The results of the tests can be obtained as soon as you complete the test. The computer marks your answers as you give them and this means that by the time you give your last answer the computer will have started analyzing the results.

Unlike taking offline tests, the person taking online tests is less pressured. Online tests are simple and the person taking the tests can complete them within a very short period. Besides, you take them at a time when you feel is convenient for you. There is no supervision from an external examiner and you are not afraid that people might find out your weaknesses.

Most websites offer a wide range of career tests from which you can choose from. It is also possible to do up to six tests at once. Doing several tests helps you to compare the findings so that you can find out which tests are accurate.

The tests cannot make the decision for you. It only helps you to understand your strengths and weaknesses so that you can work on them. The levels and career tests you will take depend on the type of job you have applied for. Most of these tests are in form of multiple choices and you will be graded based on your accuracy and your overall score.

A test summary is generated based on your answers to the queries. These tests can help you to narrow down the career choices available to the ones that suit you most. It is however crucial to remember that not all tests are credible since some people create these tests for fun or to build a name for themselves.

The bottom line is that career tests from quality providers such as careertesthq.com can increase your chances of getting a great career in the future. They also offer significant benefits that can help you with the choices you make about your career in the future. These tests are available online for free or at a very low price. Taking a career test is therefore very important if we want to know ourselves better. The tests also help you to enjoy your current assignment since you are working in a job that you love.

A career test is like a self-assessment that helps you to understand your attributes in various professionals. The test tackles the major attributes in career assessment to understand more your readiness to embark on a career. Besides, the job market right now is quite challenging and one must find ways to discover possibilities that you or others might not have thought of before. You should also look for things to reinforce your original plans. All these can be achieved by taking an online career test.

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Career Test and Personality Test Advice and Tips

When you consider your average day you’ll know that the majority of hours are likely spent at work. When you consider this it makes choosing a career you will actually enjoy a very important decision and one that is closely tied in with not only career satisfaction but also satisfaction in all other aspects of you life.

Choosing a career unsuited to your personality and interests is a clear path to boredom and career dissatisfaction. The best way for people to avoid this of course is to find a career which is suited to your interests and personality. When people do this they are maximizing their chances of realizing their true potential and talents to achieve career satisfaction.

How does one achieve career satisfaction and find themselves in a job or career they are happy with though?

It’s no secret that many large and even medium sized employers nowadays use personality and psychometric testing to help select the best candidates for particular jobs.  This is generally done by identifying any particular personality traits that are associated with success in the particular role and then testing potential candidates for these particular personality traits.  How successful the use of personality tests is for this purpose in companies hiring strategy will depend largely on those personality traits they have identified as being important for the role, and of course the quality of the personality tests used. If they get either of these two things one then it’s unlikely to be off much benefit.  But research has shown beyond doubt that personality tests used correctly can be of great assistance to companies in recruitment and selection.

Our experience at CareerSense.com.au been that more and more individuals, rather than just organizations, are taking advantage of personality tests and career tests in greater and greater numbers to help them identify careers that are suited to their personality and interests.

Why would people looking for a career do this though? Well consider for a moment potential benefit of working in a job you enjoy think about your thoughts and feelings when you are having to do something you enjoy when compared to something you are disinterested in, or even worse dislike. Of course they are two totally contrasting experiences and you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that people will tend to want to do activities that they enjoy. What people tend to forget however is that if they choice a career that they don’t really enjoy, perhaps for reasons such as salary or family or other pressures, they are not only likely to be unhappy in their career, but probably unsuccessful also.  Just think for a moment about how unmotivated you would be if you are doing something you dislike day in day out and then contrast this with the experience of someone that truly enjoys their job.  It’s clear who will be happier but in addition who do you think is likely to more successful in their chosen career?

With these benefits in mind people are able to apply similar strategies companies have been using for year and use personality testing to help empower them find a job that is suited to their own personality. Of course, with the number of people looking to take career tests and personality tests increasing the number of such tests available on the internet has grown greatly. Unfortunately however many such tests are low quality and do not measure what they purport to measure. In order to avoid poor quality tests that may threaten to lead you down the wrong path here are some tips:

1. Make sure you select a quality test provider who are prepared to provide or make freely available the reliability tests data to support the use of their tests.  There are many great claims made by personality and career test developers on the internet, but unless they are prepared to provide the actual scientific data to support their results then consumers should be very skeptical. On the other hand, if a personality test or career test supplier is prepared to make such data easily available it’s probably a good sign or indication the test or tests are of good quality. Check out the test data for our assessments at CareerSense and you will get an idea of the work that goes into development reliability tests.

2. Another thing potential test takers should look for is a good quality report after you take the test which provides clear and concrete recommendations focused on your career development. You don’t want vague recommendations that you will be unable to put into action.  Once again, a good test supplier should make available sample reports you can take before taking the assessment so you can get a good idea of the information, and level of detail, you will be getting after you take the assessment (visit this link and click on the sample report to view a sample Strong Interest Inventory which is a popular career test).

3. There should be the opportunity to get feedback on your results.  Any test supplier that does not offer this is probably not a quality supplier as it is one of the basic assumptions in psychological testing that test takers receive feedback on their results. You may not choose to have the feedback if you feel it wouldn’t be helpful, but it should be made available at no extra cost if you need it.

4. Choose a widely used and respected assessment such as the Strong Interest Inventory. When you take the career test or personality test you may not feel like you need any additional assistance and if the report has clear action steps it’s likely you won’t.  However, you may find you would like some further guidance and look to get this from a career counsellor.  If you do so it can be beneficial to have taken a career test that is commonly used by career counsellors and professions such as the Strong Interest Inventory or the Myers-Briggs Career Report.

5. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.  That is, if a career test makes bold claims but is free to take you have to wonder how much research and testing has been put into the tests development.  If you find a free career test that meets the four criteria outlined above then perhaps it’s worth a try but the reality is that if you want a quality career test or personality test that is used by psychologists and career professionals then you should be prepared to pay. This shouldn’t be a large some and a quick internet search for tests and phases such as “Strong Interest Inventory” or “Myers Briggs Career Report” should give you plenty of results to compare and choose prices.

Although there are a few pitfalls to look out for in choosing a career test, if you follow the point above in choosing a test you are likely to get a good quality test and more importantly better results.

CareerSense.com.au is a provider of quality assessments.  Visits us today and try one of our quality career tests or personality tests online.

 

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What Should My Career Be?

This is the most important question that everyone should find an answer to. The question of what should my career be might appear mundane in nature but the truth is that this is what you need to answer if you want to get into a career that you will love all the days of your life. Of course, you best know what your capabilities are but at times, it is good to go for professional help if you are not sure. Such help could be from a career counselor or better still, you could just use the tips that you will find on the internet on how to find a career. Chances are that if you give your career selection the attention and thought that it deserves, then you will be in for happiness and satisfaction all your professional life.

The question of fitting into your career is not restricted to the job search period only, but you can ask this for years on end even after you have worked on your job for decades. So many people have wasted years and years in jobs that they did not love and the good news is that this does not have to happen to you because today, you will find a lot of help so that you can select the right career. It is quite possible for you to know what you are best suited to do with your life. Sometimes, childhood fantasies turn into reality. People who were always fascinated by space, the universe and the stars have ended up as astronauts. Love of speed has seen many people become professional racers just like love for doing stuff with ones hands has led to some people becoming mechanics. The long and short of this is that it does not matter what career you are in, but what matters is whether you are happy.

Your career should be the profession that fits your natural abilities best, or at least comes close to them. When you think of selecting a career, just think of how much you would love to do your hobby, and then get paid for that, then go and get a career that is closely related to your hobbies. For example, someone may have writing as a hobby and then they become novelists later on in life. People talk of job happiness and satisfaction. The truth is that this is possible, but you have to know that it does not just happen. You have to make a wise career decision.

Getting an answer to the question of what should my career be should be easy. After all, your job should be related to your temperament type. What are you like psychologically?  What are your natural abilities and what would you rather you did with your life? All that and more are some of the factors you have to bear in mind when you are selecting a career. The best way to know this is to use online self-assessment tests like those at http://www.career-tests.net/career-test-links/. Do several of them, both free or paid for, and then compare the results that you get. This way, you will know the kind of careers that are within the parameters of your ability.

Maybe you are not great for teamwork. Knowing that in advance will save you the trouble that you could get into by going into a career where you have to organize people. As hard as it might be to accept, the truth is that you will never fit into a career that is beyond your natural abilities, no matter how glamorous or well paying it might be. You should invest some time in finding out how to pick a career. You should also invest some money, for example, by going for professional career counseling services. What is a few dollars that you will be required to pay compared to having a career that you will be happy to do for the rest of your job?

Knowing what your career should be can be easy and hard at the same time. However, the key is to know what kind of person you are, your strengths and weaknesses. Never even imagine about going into a career that does not suit your temperament because you will never like it, and at long last it will break you. Careers are not about money, though that too is not bad, but they are about happiness. Most of your adult years will be spent working and therefore you can see the essence of selecting the right career. Nothing should be left to chance here. Just think; what makes you tick? And answer that truthfully. Most likely, that is where you will get your career. How to pick a career is as easy as knowing your weaknesses and strengths and doing enough research about temperament on the internet. Even if you are already too long in a career, if you think like… what should my career be? Then you need to change careers.

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7 Criteria for Deciding Which Career Test Is Right for You

“I used to feel depressed at work, hate my boss, and was sometimes so bored that I actually fell asleep at my desk!” — career test taker

If this sounds like you, then it’s probably time to consider changing jobs or careers. But before you can make your career change, you need to figure out what you want to do.

One of the best ways to get clear is to complete a career assessment. Yet there are literally hundreds of career tests out there. Is a career test the same as an aptitude test? What about a career personality test? This article clarifies the differences and presents 7 criteria for deciding which career test is best for you.

#1 Career test vs. personality test

Is the assessment specifically designed to provide career guidance?

Personality tests only tell you about your character traits whereas a career assessment gives specific career advice. Of course, it helps to know whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert and perceive by sensing or intuition. Personality tests such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Enneagram are quite useful as background information. Making the leap from simple awareness of your personality type to specific career strategies is very difficult, however. If you want a new job or career, it’s better to take an assessment that is specifically geared to providing career guidance.

#2 Specific vs. general

Does the career assessment give concrete recommendations that you can use immediately rather than vague observations that are open to interpretation and not actionable? Aside from the change itself, the hardest part of changing careers is narrowing down your choices. But if you don’t get specific, you won’t be able to take action. A good assessment should not be general like the astrological horoscopes in the newspaper.

#3 Motivation rules: why motivation is a better indicator than aptitude or personality

Does the career assessment measure motivation?

Motivation is a far better career indicator than skill or personality because what you like to do is what you WILL do and what you will get very good at (if you aren’t already). Why force a square peg into a round hole?

When you base your decisions on what motivates you, you’ll probably feel much more fulfilled, and be much more successful, too.

#4 Where’s the beef?

Even if you’re a vegetarian, you’ll want “meaty” results! A good career assessment should include hard data, as well as sufficient detail and explanation to help you interpret the results.

#5 Do you believe it?

Is the career assessment scientifically valid? An effective career assessment should have a high predictive reliability. Such things can be measured statistically. Anything over 95% is quite good.

Statistical validity is important for a number of reasons. Obviously, you want to feel that the assessment provides an accurate picture of what motivates you and you don’t want to be misled by grossly inaccurate results. But another point is that when the results are believable this provides a boost to your self-confidence. In my case, I was relieved and encouraged to see from my results that I had chosen the correct career path. It was a kind of confirmation or validation: “Whew! What a relief!”

Remember that ultimately it’s up to you to decide whether a set of results makes sense or not. However, it helps to use a highly reliable assessment.

#6 Can you get from A to Z?

Are additional tools available to help you take your results and develop a clear career roadmap for yourself?

Honestly, a lot of people take career tests and get brilliant insights. Unfortunately, many of these same people are never able to turn their insights into results. What’s needed is a support infrastructure of materials and people to help you apply your results over time.

#7 Is it fast?

Even in the internet age, there still are a lot of tests that you can only take on paper. It takes 30 minutes or even over an hour to take the test. Then you have to wait while the test is scored and processed. You may only get your results after several days or weeks.

Personally I prefer career tests that I can take online and that give me my results immediately.

Conclusion

A career test is just a tool and just one step on your career change journey. Nonetheless, it’s worth spending some time to understand what types of tests are available and which is best for you. Just remember that even the best career test is only a tool. It’s up to you to take charge of your own career.

Copyright 2006 Paul Arinaga
Source: http://www.fast-career-test.com

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Should I Take a Career Assessment Test?

The short answer to the question “Should I take a career assessment test?” is yes. Taking a career assessment test can help you determine how changing your employment or position within your company could help you feel more satisfied in life. Such a test could also help you better prepare for the future. It is important to be satisfied with your work, because then you are more likely to be productive and content in not only your job, but in other aspects of your life, including your family and relationships.

Career assessment tests are sometimes called career aptitude tests. You might also see them referred to as career discovery or business personality tests. Though the results are sometimes similar, each type of assessment test might measure a different aspect of your skills, goals, interests or personality. Most only take between 15 and 20 minutes to complete.

It is often possible to take a career assessment test online for free; simply search for “career assessment tests” to find these options. If you are in high school or college, checking with your guidance counselor or student advisor is a good idea, as they will be able to direct you to any resources provided by the school. You will also be able to find books in a store or library that provide options to take a career assessment test, along with ideas for finding a satisfying career.

Frequently, these tests will offer career planning or educational advice once you have completed the test. It is a good idea to take a career assessment test even while you are still in school; this can provide some insight into which type of career will fit best. If you have completed school and feel dissatisfied with your job, however, it is still not too late to take a career assessment test. Many are tailored for your specific goals in life, and if your goal is to change your career, you will certainly be able to find a test to help.

The questions on a career aptitude test often focus on your working style. For instance, do you enjoy coming up with ideas or do you enjoy more hands-on work? Do you excel at public speaking, or do you prefer to listen and learn? Each of these questions can help identify your unique talents and motivations, and give you some helpful insight and practical ways to apply your talents to your day-to-day work.

It seems obvious, but you should remember that some personality types will fit well into careers that others would not. An outgoing person who loves being around others and being challenged at work might fit well into a business environment, whereas a more introverted person might excel in the arts. When you choose to take a career assessment test, be honest! Usually, no one will see the results but you, and you are only hurting yourself if you lie in the test.

Another important point to remember is to not limit yourself. If you take a career assessment test and do not like the results, do not feel as if that is the path you must follow. If you are still in high school or college, your interests and personality are certainly going to change, so keep your options open.

Source: www.wisegeek.com/should-i-take-a-career-assessment-test.htm

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Assessing Your Career Interest Online

On the internet, there are many resources that you can use to help you determine whether you are in the right career. You can also use the tools to help you determine the right career for you so that as you venture into the job market, you know what you want to look for. The good news is that anyone can now use the career assessment quiz online and know beyond reasonable doubt what they are meant to do with their life. There is no doubt that if you are reading this, then you must be wanting to know some things about your career. Thankfully, your search is now over and thus, after reading this you will know where you stand in relation to your career.

As you look for ideas on the internet, you will be amazed to know that there is so much that you do not know about you and your career. The good news is that it is not too late. All you that you need is an internet connected computer, and then you can get all the help that you need to determine that your career is headed in the right direction. First, what is your career interest? Whatever it is, you should then assess it on the internet by taking the career assessment quiz so that you can decide that its really what you want to do with your life. There are so many things that you could do with your life. But unfortunately, you cannot excel in everything. The secret to enjoying your career life lies in knowing what your interests are naturally and then building your career around that.

You have to concede that aptitudes (your natural abilities) cannot be learned, modified or altered. Nature has endowed all of us with abilities that are natural and unequalled anywhere else. The secret therefore lies in building a career that is centered on ones natural talents. In fact, it has been established that the best career interest are those that are centered around one’s aptitudes. The secret is in finding out what you like to do, what you have always enjoyed doing since childhood and then aim at making money out of that. The happiest workers are people who are in careers that they love. Such people have turned their hobbies into professions and through several career guidance sessions, career assessment tests and self-assessments, they have perfected their careers, thus taking their lives to newer and higher dimensions. The good news is that you too can be able to do this, and on the internet too.

On the internet, you will find free and paid-for career assessment tools. What you choose depends entirely on your preference but both are helpful. However, perhaps you should go for the paid for tools because such are more substantial. There is so much information on the internet such that you never know what is right for you. Therefore when choosing a career assessment tool online, it is only proper that you read a few user reviews so that you see what others recommend. If you would like to take your time answering the career assessment quiz,   then you should look for the printable version that you can take home with you. You should not take chances with your career because it takes a big chunk of time out of your life. The good news is that now, with so much help online and offline, you do not have to spend another minute in a career that you feel you were not called to do. You can always change and be a better you.

On the internet, not only will you find help in assessing your career interests, but even if you know that you are in the right career, then you will find help on how you can advance in your line of work. Many people spend too much time in one place not knowing that maybe that they are just one or two certifications away from the next rung in their career.

Are you unhappy with your current career? Do you feel that your job is not as challenging as you would like it to be? Do you ever wish that you were elsewhere? Are you bored while at work? Have you held the same position for a long time in your career? If you answer yes to any of those questions, then you need to do some career assessment afresh. The good news is that it is never too late for you to change and you know what, you do not have to slave your life away in a profession that you do not like. You can make the switch today, no matter how old or young you are. Please do a career interest assessment today on the internet, and see what you should be doing. Remember that your career is your life. Help is just a mouse click or two away, on the internet.

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Career Exploration Using the Strong Interest Inventory and MBTI Instruments

There are new rules for career success in today’s organisations, whether the organisations are corporate, educational, or not for profit. Career success is no longer what our parents believed it to be-climbing up the career ladder, with all of the accompanying promotions, salary increases, and perks. We no longer accept without questions their assumptions:

* Happiness and wealth are synonymous.
* Who we are is defined by our employers.
* Sixty-hour work weeks are the secret to success.
* We will complete our education by age 25, work until age 65, and then retire and play.

For some people, a few of these assumptions still hold. But for most of us, they do not fit today’s realities. Our parent’s formula of choosing an employable major, obtaining the “right” credentials, and going for the gold watch has changed. We have more career opportunities now than our parents could possibly have imagined. The new rule is to take advantage of every opportunity-to actively make it happen for ourselves rather than rely on our employers to make it happen for us.

Most important, we cannot take anything for granted as we set out on the path to “making it.” There are no “right” degrees and credentials. Sometimes credentials are bypassed altogether in favour of unique experiences or ideas. As we develop and gain experience, we may discover that wealth is not what makes us happy; that who we are is much more than how our employers define us; that play, family, and lifelong learning are just as important as career achievement; that retirement is not age related; and that gold watches have lost their meaning. Some of us will learn these things through experience, by “trying on” different careers until we find the one that fits. If you are reading this, it probably means that you are not willing to wait for your best fit to happen by accident, that you believe there is a better way, There is.

The Strong Interest Inventory career test and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test are well respected tools in the field of career development. Both inventories have been used for decades and research and revised to reflect current vocabulary, employment trends, and user requirements.
The  Strong Interest Inventory career test is based on the idea that there are six types of people and six corresponding types of work environments. The more similar you are to the environment in which you work, the more satisfied and productive you are likely to be. Your Strong personality is determined by comparing your likes and dislikes with those of people who enjoy their work in a wide range of occupations.

The Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality test results show your preference for:

* Source and direction of energy: Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)
* Gathering information: Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)
* Making decisions: Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)
* Life orientation: judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)

One of 16 combinations of the preferences above fits you best and describes a pattern of broad personality characteristics. This pattern is called your MBTI type. You type suggests what kind of work might be meaningful to you and the style with which you might like to do your job.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/career-management-articles/career-exploration-using-the-strong-interest-inventory-and-mbti-instruments-3234696.html#ixzz19EVvxBQ2

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Strong Interest Inventory Helping Students Find a Career Path

Strong Interest Inventory Career TestIn today’s career environment there are thousands of jobs and careers that twenty years ago didn’t exist.  This is good news as it provides people with more career options than were available to previous generations.  But these new found options can come with a downside. For example people often find themselves overwhelmed by the myriad of options available to them and find it difficult to reach a decision as to which career path would be best for them. Nathan Jones from CareerSense.com.au says this is particularly the case for high school or college students who are looking to decide on a career path for the first time but without the benefits of career experience to draw upon.

For this reason the popularity and use of various online career tests is increasing and one of most popular career test tools used by career counsellors is the Strong Interest Inventory career test.

Colleges and universities have used the Strong Interest Inventory almost since its inception to achieve multiple aim. The Strong Interest Inventory helps students make decisions about what to courses to student and what careers to plan for.  It also can assist them with resolving a variety of developmental and adjustment issues, such aas forming a career identity, determining sources of academic dissatisfaction and adjusting to college life overall. Because the Strong Interest Inventory Fulfills these functions so effectively, it has become one of the most widely used career assessment tools in colleges and universities.

The Strong Interest Inventory career test is a flexible tool. Career counsellors can easily incorporate it into their work to enhance the effectiveness of their career counselling without necessarily altering their counseling style or theoretical orientation. It can be used equally effectively with individuals and with groups in workshops or classes.

The Strong Interest College Profile can help students with a variety of specific educational decisions. It is an ideal tool for identifying courses, academic majors, graduate programs, and job settings worth exploring. For example, the Strong College Profile provides a list of academic majors, college courses, and job environment that correspond to students’ top interests areas. The information on the Strong College Profile can also help with specific decisions, such as changing major, transferring between colleges, and defining a career direction. Following an interpretation of their Strong Interest Inventor results, many students acquire an expanded view of their alternative; others, fully aware of their options, are able to narrow them. Either way, the Strong career assessment can help them make better academic choices.

So if you’re a student, or perhaps the parent of a student, who is looking for assistance in deciding on a career path why not try the Strong Interest Inventory and put your faith in one of the most popular and trusted career tests available today. The Strong Interest Inventory can be taken found online through a number of providers via a quick internet search.  One of the quality providers is CareerSense.com.au.  CareerSense offers the Strong Interest Inventory online which can be taken along with a range of personality tests such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

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Career Choice Tests and Career Counselling

Career Choice TestsBy making the right career choice a person is assured and career satisfaction and lasting contentment. In making the wrong career choice however, people often become unhappy and unproductive at work.  This can not only limit other aspects of the life, such and relationships with friends and family.

For many, even after completing college or university degrees finding the right career can take many years of searching. Some people experiment with dozens of jobs and feeling demoralized and disillusioned eventually end up falling in or settling on a career path which they are not suited to. In order to avoid this occurring people can meet with a career counselor and work with them to help find a career path suited to them.  Another option, perhaps even before meeting with a career counsellor is to try a career choice test to help pinpoint the right job for you.

A career choice test can be helpful in identifying a number of career options that may be suitable for you to explore. It’s important however that when taking a career test you should answer all questions very honestly to achieve most accurate results. It’s also important that you choose to take a quality and reliable career test rather than for example some of the free career quizzes commonly available on the internet. Two of the most widely used career choice tests available today are the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. They can both be taken online at CareerSense.com.au or can be found through a quick internet search. Remember, although generally referred to as “tests” there are no right or wrong answers and a more accurate description term to use would be to call them “career questionnaires”. Another common misperception or expectation with career tests or questionnaires is that they will give you “the one” career or answer to your dreams.  Although this is a possibility, in reality career choice tests will generally provide you with a number possible career options and you will need to work through these, either on your own or with the assistance of a career counselor, to narrow down the list and decide on the best career path for you.

If choosing to work through your career test results on your own probably the first thing you should do is make sure you research all the jobs listed so you have a good understanding of the job or career. You should do this even for jobs or career you think your already have an understanding as often the reality of certain careers is very different from the public perception. In researching careers you’ll find that many countries have web based recourses providing information on local labor markets and jobs.  For example, in Australians can visit www.jobguide.deewr.gov.au which is a site run by the Australian Government and has hundreds of occupational profiles for you to search and browse.

In researching your job options you will also be able to determine the necessary level of training and educational requirements of the role.  For example, to be a psychologist in Australia you will have to undertake a four year undergraduate degree followed by relevant post graduate study. To be a counsellor however there are no fixed educational requirements and you may be able to move into such a career with far less training and by utilizing your transferable skills from other areas. Once you determine the necessary level of skills and experience you can make an assessment as to what level of training your are able to, or prepared to commit yourself to. For some, depending on personal circumstances and interests the prospect of committing to a course of study may be desirable, but not so for others who may not wish to undertake study.

As part of your career research you can begin to rule out jobs or occupations which don’t meet your set criteria.  For your remaining career options, rather than just ruling them out, try numbering them in order of preference across all the criteria that are of importance to you. For example, if salary and earnings are important, as it is for many, place your recommended careers in order of likely earnings. Then do the same for any other criteria that are important to you in a career. This could be such things as how much you think you would enjoy the work, the likelihood of being able to start your own business in the industries listed, work life balance or other aspects of the work environment.

Often times people are able to work through this process on their own, however if you feel you would benefit from some assistance a career counsellor may be able to help. Career counselors be can very beneficial in helping people work through many career options and narrow in on the ones that are best suited to their interests.

So in summary, taking a quality career choice test such as those found at CareerSense.com.au can be an excellent starting point to helping you locate the perfect career for you.  But it’s important to understand that a career choice test is just a starting point and you will need to work through the career options which are identified for you by the test.  An important aspect of working through your career options is researching different careers to increase your understanding of what is involved in the various jobs.  Many people are quite comfortable with working through this process on their own, but for others using a professional career counsellor can be highly beneficial in helping them work through career options.

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Do Career Tests Really Help People?

This is a much more common question than you might think. In fact, most people are not going to go through these career tests because of a belief that the tests are not going to help them out at all. Such an approach is really bad because the career tests offer you a lot of possible benefits. You will learn a lot about what career path you are better suited for and about your personality. To put it really simply, work evaluation tests are important and they do help you because of the information that you are going to receive.

We are subjective when talking about ourselves. No matter how much you deny this, it is reality. We cannot analyze ourselves because we are subjective. That is why it is a really good idea to ask others opinions and to try and learn as much as possible from what others see. A career test is just like this only a lot better. The questions that you are going to answer will offer you a clear insight into your life, personality, skills and aptitudes. The only problem that can appear is not being open enough to understand that the test results are correct. There are many that will dismiss something that they do not like. However, if you take in the information and you accept it you are going to be able to gain a lot of advantages. This is true for all aspects of your life from your social status to your career.

The first information that is offered from career tests is the list of career options that are suitable for you. In the event that you are already involved in a career and this is not suitable, at one point in the future you will notice that you cannot grow anymore. With the career that is perfect for you there is no growth limit. This is something that we need to properly understand as it might bring in the need for drastic changes. A lot of people have quit their job after a career test and they started doing something else that was better suited for their personality. The move is almost always a success because of the fact that you can easily advance the corporate ladder when you really like what you are doing. Everyone around you will notice this and you will get many benefits.

Career tests will also help you from another point of view. It will not just tell you what career is the best as it will also bring in important information about your strong points and your weak points. By knowing this information you will be able to know exactly how to evolve. You can see what you need to start working at and what to put an emphasis on. People that know their strong points can use them in order to get results in careers and those that know their weaknesses can properly hide them. In both cases we are faced with a huge advantage that can quickly materialize itself into a raise.

The career test will also tell you information about your skills. Learn what you are good at and what you are not good at. This helps in choosing career paths and constantly improving at work by knowing exactly what skills should be used more and what should not be used that often.

We should also discuss the fact that not all career tests are the same. Some are not accurate and we have to learn how to stay away from them. In most cases the problems are going to appear when we trust internet sites. The truth is that most of the sites available online that offer free testing are really bad and they will not give you access to important results. Even those that do will be limited in the sense that they are not complete and might point you in a bad direction. Because of this we need to recommend that you always only consider taking career tests that are paid and that are backed up by real professionals. It is important that you look at the experience of the site and notice what people that took the test are saying about the results that they got. This will be a really good indicator of the quality that is offered. In addition, you might always go at a local college as they do have such possibilities. In fact, you should only use online sites in the event that you do not find food tests near where you live. When choosing online tests to take, be patient. If you do, this you are going to notice that the results of the career tests are going to appear much faster than you first think. You can use all the advice to actually advance in your career.

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Career Test for College Students

John is a college student and is busy thinking which course he should opt for his higher education. Though he is more inclined towards management studies, his friends tell him that a degree in information technology can help him get good job prospects. What should he do to secure his future career? Finally, he decided to take a college student career test and applied for the same in an institute.

This is what most students do when they get confused regarding how to choose a career for their higher education. Taking the right decision regarding your career is of prime importance as any wrong decision can hamper our future growth. Being different human beings, our interests and inclinations are different and it is vital to find out what exactly we love and do we have the capacity to succeed in our field of interest. The best career test for college students can assist us in choosing a proper career by taking into consideration our interests, strengths and weaknesses. The next paragraph has information on the nature of career test for high school students.

Nature of Career Test for Students

Career test for college students generally have objective type questions with multiple choices. The tests can ideally have fifty questions which are to be attempted in fifty to sixty minutes. The questions are set such that knowledge of different subjects such as Logic, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Business Administration, Politics is tested. Many of these tests have negative marking scheme in which one mark is deducted for every wrong answer. Your spatial ability, reasoning skills, ability to interpret information fast, observation skills and general knowledge will be tested in these tests. Questions are also included in this test which involve finding missing numbers using numerical ability and solving puzzles.

Candidates are advised to attempt all questions so that the counselor can guide them well. After the test is complete, based on your score, the career counselors will guide you about which branch of studies is the best one for you. The counselor will also give you reasons why you should pursue a particular course and suggest how to perform well in it. Career test for middle school students have helped many of them take right career decisions at the right time. Choosing a career test can be difficult as number of tests available are too many. In the next section, let us know of some great career tests which will help in proper career planning.

Top Career Tests for Students

The General Aptitude Test Battery can help us test occupation related aptitudes of the students. This test was designed in 1940 and has been consistently used to evaluate the intelligence quotient of students. Every company has set standards regarding the performance and the results of this test are compared to those standards to decide the worth of the candidate. The General Aptitude Test Battery consists of questions on spatial skills, manual dexterity, numerical aptitude, clerical perception and form perception. Then, there is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test which can help the counselors decide the way of thinking and perceiving things of the candidate in different contexts. Personality test for career is also conducted at many places. A psychological test known as Strong Interest Inventory can also be useful to spot the talent in the candidates.

Character Development Scale is another effective tool for career assessment and its function is to measure the character traits such as conduct, kindness, determination and respect. The Picture Interest Career Survey, which makes use of pictures for finding out the inclinations of students has also become quite popular over the years. Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential (MAPP), Assessment and Keirsey Temperament Sorter are also great sources to help you evaluate your career interests. Conducting the career test for college students at the right time is necessary in order to get the benefits of this test. You can consult your teachers and seniors regarding which test you should undergo for proper feedback.

Hope this article on career test for college students has cleared all your doubts regarding these tests. Such tests can explore new career opportunities for you and secure your future. You should also remember that career tests are meant for giving you a direction for a successful career and whether you will do well in that career will depend on your efforts and hard work. So, apply for these tests and enjoy the benefits!

Source: www.Buzzle.com By Charlie S
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Career Test for High School Students

The strengths, weaknesses, intelligence and inclinations of students are different, and it is essential to identify them correctly in time in order to take the right career decision. Many a times, parents are not aware of the strengths and weaknesses of their child and end up taking wrong decisions while choosing a career path. A single wrong decision can ruin the entire career of the student. ‘The career test for high school students’ or ‘career test what should I be’, are prepared by experienced academicians and educationists, who have spent several years in the educational system and have guided thousands of students. Given below is the overview of career test for high school students.

Career Test for High School Students: Overview

The career test for high school students contain some typical and well designed questions which help to analyze the ability of the student. The career test may have anything between fifty to hundred questions and most of the times, you will get one minute on an average to answer a particular question. The questions will have multiple options and the candidates appearing for the career test are supposed to choose the correct alternative. The career test online or written tests can both be equally beneficial for you. Obviously, the more correct answers you give, more will be your intelligence and the counselors will use the result sheet to guide you in achieving your career goals. These tests are very useful in career planning and career development.

The career test will contain questions covering all the subjects and also contain questions to test your general knowledge and personality. There will be intelligence testing questions such as finding the missing numbers, making meaningful words, etc. mathematical questions related to mathematical concepts, theorems and problem solving, astronomical questions and also those related to subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering etc. You can expect questions testing general reasoning ability and spatial ability in the career test for high school students. What is expected from the candidates is that they sincerely attempt all the questions by using their previously gained knowledge in the allotted time. The more correct answers you give to the questions of a particular subject, the more will be your chances of making a successful career in that field. For example, to excel in field like engineering, you will need good reasoning ability along with mathematical skills and spatial ability. Entrepreneurial skills can also be tested using the career test for high school students.

Types of Career Test for High School Students

The General Aptitude Test Battery, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Strong Interest Inventory are the famous or well known career test for high school students. Let us discuss them one after the other as choosing a career test which has good reports is important.

The General Aptitude Test Battery
The occupation related aptitudes can be tested by using the The General Aptitude Test Battery which was designed way back in 1940. The vocational or the employment counselors generally use this test for perfect counseling purposes. The aptitude of the candidate, which is measured using this test, is compared to the standards which are set by companies which denote successful performance. Verbal aptitude, form perception, numerical aptitude, clerical perception, spatial aptitude, finger dexterity, manual dexterity and motor co-ordination along with four other equipment tests are the contents of the General Aptitude Test Battery.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test is used to know the way a candidate views, thinks and perceives things around him. This test is basically a tool which can bring out the personality traits of the individual and suggest him a career which suits his personality the most. You can read more on personality test for career.

Strong Interest Inventory
The Strong Interest Inventory test is a psychological test which was developed by E.K. Strong, Jr. in 1927 and was revised later by many talented psychologists. This test has a time duration of around twenty five minutes and is often used by people who hire employees. This is one of the most reputed tests which is always recommended by academicians. Read more on how to choose a career.

This article on career test for high school students has emphasized on the importance of the career tests. However, hard work and consistent efforts are essential to take an individual to great heights in the future.

Source: www.buzzle.com By Charlie S
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Career Test – Guide Towards The Fulfillment Of Dreams

Choosing a career is hard.  You have to choose the one which you think is best for you, the one which you think will help you in the future and the one which you really like.  There are some individuals who choose a career because it is what their parents want or because it is what their friends are also taking.  This method should be discouraged because it is you who should be thinking of what is best for you.  It is you who will be working towards the fulfilment of your dreams and definitely not your parents and neither are your friends.

There are different career tests that will help you and guide you when you are looking for a career.  The career test will determine what career is best and is suited for you.  It is usually based on your character, your traits and interests and your approach on work.  The tests may be difficult but they are intended that way so you will really know what career suits you.

You might find choosing a career as fun and exciting.  It is fun and exciting but you also need to look into the other side and that is taking it seriously.  If you are more on being caring, competent and soft hearted, the career that is best for you might be those which are related in the medical field. If you have the personality of being wise, makes firm decisions, uses critical and analytical thinking, then a business related career is best for you. You see, your traits and character will help you choose the right career.  

If you are already experiencing a dilemma on choosing the best career, the solution to this is simple.  Take a free career test.  As mentioned earlier, career tests will serve as your guide.  You can take this type of test in your local career test center.  They will help you with your needs.  You can also find a free career compatibility test in the internet.  There are already online centers which will also supervise you with your needs. 

The only key to finding the right career is through answering the questions sincerely.  No matter how hard it is, you just have to answer the questions based on what you have learned and based on what you think is right.  Whatever the result of the career test may be, it is still up to you what you will choose.  The results might not be what you have expected and if this happens, you can either take another test from other career test center.  You should also take note that not all centers offer a career test. There are some who will make you pay a small fee.  What you have paid will still be worth it since it is for your own good anyway.

You can also find free employment tests if you want to re-evaluate or re-examine your job choice.  This too will help you determine if you are still satisfied with the job that you have.  You will greatly benefit from the different tests.  Not only will they help you determine the best career for you, they will also help in determining whether you are on the right track of your career or job.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jaimie_Max

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Can a Leadership Test make you a Better Manager?

This question isn’t as simply answered as either a yes or no answer, it’s similar to saying “Does a math test make me a better mathematician?”.  For the most part a leadership test on its own will not make you a better manager, this is because the test is only an assessment of your current leadership knowledge and traits.  Without leadership development or similar training the test alone will not help you become a better manager.

What is a leadership test, and who uses them?

Leadership tests are a diagnostic examination that will quantify and qualify your inherent traits as a potential leader.  As such they are used to find traits that may be lacking and may be enhanced through further training or other forms of leadership development.  Many large companies now apply a leadership test to potential incoming candidates for managerial positions.  Many fields also apply them to assess the ability of an individual to lead a group of people and properly motivate them to perform to the best of their abilities.

What makes for a good leader?

A good leader is not an inborn inherently acquired skill, it is developed and honed through the course of an individual’s life and the experiences that they encounter along the way.  A good leader is not subject to the old archetype of the hardcore drill sergeant or boss type, they are not the overbearing ruthless “get it done or else” individuals who possess great knowledge and strength often depicted in popular media and fiction that existed in the past.  Today’s leader is more down to earth and is not necessarily better than the other individuals in a group.  The application of a leadership test and subsequent leadership development can provide the proper tools to any individual to become an effective leader.  This is because the ideal leader is not actually smarter, faster, stronger or better than the rest of the group in any other way.  A good leader is a catalyst that facilitates the group and is able to motivate them in a way to accomplish tasks in the best possible manner.

What is leadership development?

Leadership development can be a purposefully applied program to someone who has completed a leadership test.  This being said it does not necessarily mean that you need to attend classes or go to a camp or something of that matter to be developed into a useful leader.  Although there are classes, camps and other dedicated organizations meant for the explicit task of leadership development, one can actually pick up traits the traits of a good leader by being a good follower.  A good leader will lead by example and will facilitate group members into becoming effective leaders themselves, this non-invasive and natural process is often times more effective than attending a leadership training program once.  This is due to your constant exposure to a good leader and this in turn supplies you with natural leadership development.

What is usually included in a leadership test?

A leadership test is designed to measure the current traits you possess that are ideal for leadership positions.  This often includes psychological and personality tests.  Testing your tendency of introversion and extroversion is key, as certain leadership styles are better suited for each of those traits.  An extroverted leader is highly motivational and will often work to raise the morale of those around them and be highly involved in the affairs of other members in the group.  An introverted leader is more calculating and able to manage resources and skills of individuals of the group to ideally apply them to the proper tasks.  Your ability to empathize with others is another key trait tested, as an effective leader should be able to understand group member’s situations and offer advice on the matter to get them to work to their greatest potential.  Intelligence or IQ is not usually tested, what is more important for leaders is emotional intelligence or EQ which will measure the ability of a leader to understand and communicate with a group and facilitate better management over interpersonal disputes for better job performance in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Anyone can stand to undergo some form of leadership development or training.  Even if you do not believe you would be a good leader nor want to be, this is because knowledge of their responsibilities and traits will make you a better worker.  Being able to understand how leadership works and what makes a good leader will allow you to know who is a good leader, and if what they are doing is truly helpful for a team.  Leadership training will also unleash some of your inert qualities that you didn’t know you had and allow you to tackle the world from a different more effective angle.  Within all of us is the ability to become a good leader, it is based on choice and practice if we want to use these traits. LeadershipTestHQ.com is a quality provider of leadership development tests and should be your first point of call for quality personality tests focused on leadership development.

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Career Tests – Taking a Career Test

Taking a career test is a little like playing “what do you want to be when you grow up?” with a twist. The twist is that career tests can give you ideas about what you possibly should do rather than you simply pondering what you want to do. A personality test can give you an indication of which jobs match your personality type and which careers you may have an aptitude for. You do need to remember that the test results are only an indicator and should not be relied on as an absolute assessment of which career is best for you.

Take a Career Test

That said, spend some time taking a career test or two, conduct a career assessment, review career options and consider how they may fit with your personality. Evaluating your goals and life style can provide insight into what types of jobs you are best suited for. You may also get some information on career options that you hadn’t even thought of before. Also some of the tests are actually fun to take. If nothing else, you will gain information on potential careers that you can explore to see if they really are a good fit.

A variety of career tests are available online. Some are complicated, others are quick and easy. There are fees for some assessments, others are free. Start with the free tests to see how they work for you. Then consider the more in-depth analysis provided by the top rated assessment instruments like Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Strong Interest Inventory or the Keirsey Temperment Sorter which do charge a fee for products and services but may be well worth the investment.

Top Career Tests:

Myers-Briggs (MBTI)
This is one of the top rated instruments to help assess your personality type and explore career options (fee). If you’re a college graduate, check to see if your career office offers no-cost testing for alumni.

Career Key
Online career assessment tool (fee) which determines how similar you are to six different personality types. The results are linked to occupational choices.

Discover Your Perfect Career Quiz
Take Monster’s quick quiz and discover which career is perfect for you. This one only take a few minutes.

Keirsey Temperament Sorter
The Keirsey Temperament Sorter, another top rated test, helps you discover what type of temperament you have and tells you if you’re an Artisan, Guardian, Rational or Idealist (free description, option to purchase full report).

Princeton Review Career Quiz
Answer a series of questions to determine the best career choices for you. You’ll need to register (free) to get full results.

Strong Interest Inventory
See how your interests match professional careers, plus learn about your preferred work style, learning environment and leadership style.

More Personality Tests
Directory of online general and career personality tests.

Here’s what I discovered about my personality and careers. Monster decided I was “cautious, conservative and quiet; literal, realistic and practical, careful and precise; logical, honest and matter of fact” which is a pretty close fit. Princeton Review selected “college administrator” as one of my career options. That one was interesting because it’s exactly what I do at my day job. Some of the other options, like anthropologist or curator are jobs that I would have an interest in doing. Then there was the Color Quiz which told me that I have “considerable stress,” need to “stand out from the herd” and I’m “making the best of things.” I’m not quite sure about that one!

When you’re exploring career options, it’s worth taking some time to get some suggestions on what career might be right for you. Then spend time researching the options to discover if you really have found the career that’s right for you.

Article source: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/careertests/a/careertests.htm

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Personality Tests

Personality tests are used to determine your type of personality, your values, interests and your skills. They can be used to simply assess what type of person you are or, more specifically, to determine your aptitude for a certain type of occupation or career.Personality tests range from the five-minute Color Quiz which is supposed to determine your personality type by the colors you select, to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator which is one of the top-rated personality tests that helps assess your personality type and helps to explore career options.

There are a variety of tests that measure your intelligence or aptitude, inventory your skills and assess your ability to succeed in a career.

Aptitude Tests
Aptitude tests measure your ability to acquire a skill or do a particular type of work. These are the type of tests employers typically use to screen candidates for employment. Self Assessment and Aptitude Tests are available online and, in many cases, are free. Tests are available on just about every topic. There are tests to determine whether you have an aptitude for sales or for firefighting, for example. You can even take a Circus Aptitude Test to find out if you should run away and join the circus!

Career Tests
Career Tests are used to provide an indication of which jobs match your personality type and which careers you have an aptitude for. You can take a quick test online and get immediate result or take more extensive (and professional) tests to determine which careers might interest you.

Intelligence (IQ) Tests
Intelligence tests measure your intellectual functioning, or in plain language, how smart you are. They are designed to measure an individual’s mental skills. A person’s intelligent quotient (IQ) is a measure of intelligence derived from the results of specially designed tests. The quotient is determined by dividing an individual’s mental age by his chronological age and multiplying the result by 100.

Inventories
Inventories are checklists that you can use to identify factors which you relate to – and which you don’t. They measure how your interests match those of other people employed in certain occupations. Career inventories, like the Strong Interest Inventory, provide a summary of your interest areas and the occupations that match your interests.

Personality Tests
Personality tests and other psychological tests measure your personal characteristics, your emotional makeup and your stability. They are often used by trained career counselors as a tool in the self-assessment part of the career planning process. Some of these tests can be personally interpreted online, others need a counselor to interpret them. Use the About.com directory of Online Personality Tests to get a sense of what type of personality you have.

Just for Fun
Take a break from the serious stuff and try some fun quizzes. You can measure your stress level, decide if you are burned out, assess how healthy you are or discover how you feel about love!

It’s important to note that none of these tests will provide you with a definite answer on what you should do with your life. Rather, you should use them as a tool to generate informed guesses and see them as one part of your overall career planning.

More Resources

Career Personality Tests
Taking a career personality test is a little like playing “what do you want to be when you grow up?” with a twist. The twist is that personality tests can give you ideas about what you should do rather than you simply pondering what you want to do. Here are career tests you can take online and information on how they work.

Article source: http://jobsearch.about.com

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Where to Find Online Career Tests

By Jessica Bosari
Many people know they want to make a career change but have no idea where to begin. Making a change without a clear plan can lead you into another career that is just as disappointing as your current one. To ensure that you find work that is both profitable and rewarding, you should consider online career tests. These tests are about assessing your skills, interests and values, helping you make a well-informed decision on your new career choice. They have been designed by psychologists, teachers and employers to determine what you like and what you don’t, what inspires you and what you are good at.

A good place to start is by making a list of the parts of your job you love and other skills that you have and like to apply. Then make a list of those skills you want to keep out of your future job. Perhaps you dislike answering the phone. Maybe you would rather watch paint dry that continue standing in front of a register all day. Once you have a good idea of the career duties you want and those you do not want, you are ready to take some online career tests.

Career testing is not just for teenagers looking for direction. The economy is evolving as it begins to recover. Mortgage brokers, real estate agents and even hedge fund advisors are seeking new careers. These tests are perfect for finding the occupations best suited to your personality and working style.

Choosing a Career Test

Free job placement test are available all over the web. Choose one at a website you trust, like AOL. It is also a good idea to visit some web forums to see what others are saying about career tests that they took and their level of satisfaction with them. In some cases, these tests are used as nothing more than a marketing gimmick, so it is important to investigate the tests available and choose one that is dependable and truly free. You will often find a test that offers only basic and general information, and then requires you to pay a fee for the complete results.

Career tests will make some general career suggested based on your answers. Then it will take you through a personality test to help you choose the careers that are best suited to you. Once you have some career suggestions, lookup the job descriptions to be sure this is something you might want to try.

Testing Basics

Online career tests are based on five time-proven tests to help measure your personality and aptitudes. They include the Myers Briggs Personality test, The Six Factor Personality Questionnaire, the Hogan Personality Inventory, The Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey and  16 Personality Factors

The Myers Briggs Personality Test has been around for years and is the basis of most of the personality tests that are found online. The test will determine your personality type combination based on how you answer the questions. The personality assessment evaluates how you cope, the way you process information, your decision-making style and your way of organizing life.

The Six Factor Personality Questionnaire measures six aspects of your personality and breaks each one down in to categories to express how much you agree or disagree with a statement. The aspects the test quantifies are Agreeableness, Introversion or Extraversion, Dependence or Independence, Openness to Experiences, Methodology, and Industry. This tests helps you better understand how you will respond in certain work environments.

The Hogan-type tests measure personality with respect to job performance and personal attitude. There are several Hogan tests, including a development survey, motivational, values, preferences and of course, the personality test.  The test will measure your personality and emotional traits as they relate to particular occupations.

The Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey evaluates personality alone, measuring your potential for learning, any learning disabilities that may be present and your temperament. These assessments will determine how you relate in the workplace to conflict and personal relationships.

The 16 Personality Factors test is geared to measure the 16 primary factors that predict your behavioral tendencies with respect to reasoning and emotions, such as extroversion, sensitivity, attention span and openness to change. 
Remember that no career test will give you a precise description of the exact career for you. They are simply tools that will guide you in the right direction. It is up to you to decide the best career choice and implement the decision to take the steps needed to have your new career. See these tests as the start of your new career search, not the final say in your decision. You will still need to invest your time and energy in making your career change.

Recommended Online Career Tests

If you are seeking truly reliable and trustworthy sites, the U.S. Department of Labor runs a website with some career tests that can help you.

They offer a Skills Profiler, Ability Profiler, Interest Profiler, Work Importance Locator and Employability Checkup. The profiler is a very useful tool for identifying your skills and matching them to jobs. The Ability Profiler matches your strengths with particular occupations. The Interest Profiler will give you more general results, helping you to uncover your general interests. The Work Importance Locator helps you to identify the job skills that are important to you and the Employability Checkup gives you a quick picture of your employability. All of these tests can be enormously helpful in directing your career path.

One surprisingly accurate test is the Color Career Counselor by CareerPath.com. You simply click on colors you prefer in comparison with other colors and the test produces careers that are good for you. The results are uncannily accurate for such a simple test.

You can also try the Job Diagnosis Test, which is quick and provides you with results in the top fields that would be best for you.  The Live Careers test provides you with a detailed report to help you find your strengths and weaknesses. You can then get job search results matching your profile; however, you will have to pay a fee.

Online career tests give you insight into your talents, personality and characteristics. They are useful for determining which skills you need to acquire to find the right career. They will also show you which careers may be best avoided altogether. There are many tests available to help you and it is best to try a few and compare results before deciding the right career for you.

Source: http://www.askdeb.com/careers/tests/

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Making A Career Move

by Kevin
(New Orleans, Louisiana)

I’m going to talk about making a change in the direction of my career, meaning making the huge change of study towards the end of my college years.

I decided to make a change in what I was studying because I just wasn’t happy with what I was doing. I finally came to terms with this and realized what I was currently studying, psychology, was not going to be what I wanted to do once I got into the real world.

I went through a series of steps to be make my career change. First, I started realizing I just wasn’t happy with what I was doing. Then, I started exploring other options that I did get excited about. After spending much time contemplating and thinking over the comparisons, the risks, the benefits, and everything involved with the decision to stay or the decision to change, I made a carefully thought out decision to switch.

I knew I made a good decision with the new choice because I found myself a lot more interested in what I was doing and much more eager to learn about things involved with this subject.

To anyone else making a career change, I would say be sure to carefully think it through and spend time on your decision. Don’t rush it and don’t think all of the answers are going to come at once. Taking time to make your decision is key. A good change changed my life.

Source: www.careerchoiceguide.com

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Free Career Aptitude Test Online

There are a few important aspects in a person’s life including family, love and career. Some people will even add ‘money’ into the list but that is not what this post is about. Some people don’t have much problem getting the job of their dreams but other may experience some difficulties here and there.

On the surface, most people will choose a job base on two fundamental criteria: personal interest and the payback. There are people who simply get into a career field knowing that the pay will always be good. There are also people who choose a career because they love doing it, regardless of what figure the pay will be (at least, as long as it can pay off some bills and get some foods on the table).

Recently, there are many kinds of career tests available. These tests and quizzes are provided to help those who had trouble in choosing a career for themselves. You might often find these tests in magazines, books, newspapers articles and even on the internet. Here are a few lists of free career aptitude tests that I’ve found online and tried. Hope those in need will find these somehow useful.

            1. http://www.funeducation.com/

 It’s hassle free but has a long list of questions.

 2. http://www.careerexplorer.net/aptitude.asp

 This test requires you to submit basic information about yourself before taking the test. This might be a little turn-off for some people because there are individuals who don’t fancy giving out personal information that much. Personally, I think this is a well-focused site on the issue.

 3. http://www.questcareer.com/career_assessment_resources.html

 This site requires registration, which means submitting basic information about yourself as well. Other than that, it’s all free. The site also provides basic information on career such as guides and tips. It greatly helps in promoting career planning.

 4. http://www.job-application-and-interview-advice.com/free-career-aptitude-test.html

A very simple site and test. The test has minimal questions but with reasonable result. I like how descriptive it is. This is definitely hassle free and take very little time. 

 

There you go – a few free online tests that you can use to help you get a hint of the right job for you. You can also take it for fun!

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5 Tips for Choosing a Career Test

Choosing the right career test is part of making a good career decision. A valid career test helps you learn accurate information about yourself so that when you look at your job options and make a decision, you act on the best information. A high-quality decision made this way likely leads to job satisfaction.

The following tips will help job seekers choose the right career test:

  • Consider taking a high quality career interest inventory. The best valid interest inventory will do four things: help you understand yourself better, match you with careers that are likely to lead to satisfaction and success, suggest careers you had not thought of, and give you comprehensive information about each one. Through this process, you learn about yourself, the pros and cons of each job option, which helps you make a successful career decision.
  • For a serious career decision, choose a serious, valid test. Quizzes, games, sorters, profilers, and finders that assess and match you with jobs are all career tests. To be helpful, they must be valid measures. But few of them are. For a test to be “valid,” there must be published, scientific evidence that it measures, in fact, what the author claims it measures. If you want accurate information about yourself and job options that fit you, take a valid test.
  • Make sure the test website contains information about the test’s validity. It should mention specific studies or offer a professional manual you can see. A manual will describe validity studies; for an example, click here. If no such information is available, avoid using it.
  • Look beyond credentials, links, and endorsements. A Ph.D.’s endorsement or authorship does not make a test valid; anyone, with or without a Ph.D., can create an invalid career test. Links from schools, government and professional organizations are well-intentioned, but often unreliable.
  • Seek the help of a professionally trained career counselor who recognizes the importance of test validity. They can help you choose the right test and help you interpret your results. The National Career Development Association provides helpful consumer guidelines on selecting a counselor and CounselorFind of the National Board of Certified Counselors can help you find a certified counselor near you.

No test can tell you what to do. But choosing the right test, one that gives you comprehensive, accurate information about yourself and your career options, is a step on the road to job success.

Article Source: www.careerkey.com
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Knowing Myself – Strong Interest Inventory and MBTI

by Marina
(Philadelphia, PA)

A few years ago when I was considering moving from a career as a university professor to another as an ordained minister, I took both the Strong Interest Inventory (SII) and the MBTI. (I have since taken the MBTI at least twice more.)

To see whether we were qualified for the ministry (Presbyterian), we were asked to go to a career counseling office. I spent an afternoon with a counselor taking these tests and another discussing the results. Turns out I was on the right track.

I found taking the tests to be easy and fun. It’s all about simple preferences. I’d advise people not to think too hard about the answers and just go with immediate response. Try not to second-guess what you think a response will mean in terms of your career goal. You are here to find out more about yourself, not to fit yourself into a slot.

I was glad to get the results because with the SII I found out I was heading in the right direction. The follow-up session to go over results was even more interesting, because I found out more about why I was making this change and what kind of work within the field would best suit me.

The MBTI really helped with that, and I’ve taken it several times throughout my career and been pleased to find that I’ve filled in weaker parts of my personality and skills.

Source: www.careerchoiceguide.com

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Career Placement Tests are Good for Gaining Insight

by meaghan
(carrollton, ga, usa)

I would say that to anyone that is planning to take a career placement test, go into it with an open mind ready and willing to receive the options that will be displayed for you.

Its purpose to serve as a tool of suggestion, for people who want to change careers and don’t know exactly where to look; or even for people who aren’t quite sure on what career to start.

I personally took the MAPP Assessment as part of a program at my university. The test was quite easy; it simply asks you to choose the best option that describes you and how you feel based on certain criteria. The only problem I had was that the test wasn’t that short, so I was wondering when the test was going to end.

My counselor reviewed the test results with me individually. What I learned from the test is that I’m on the right track in my major, but also what specific fields in my major that I may want to explore.

For example, I am currently a Finance Major, but I didn’t know exactly what in Finance I wanted to do, it told me a few options that might be beneficial for me to try out.

Taking career tests to me is a great asset to anyone looking for a career. I would recommend everyone to take one!

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Career Test – Guide Towards The Fulfillment Of Dreams

Choosing a career is hard.  You have to choose the one which you think is best for you, the one which you think will help you in the future and the one which you really like.  There are some individuals who choose a career because it is what their parents want or because it is what their friends are also taking.  This method should be discouraged because it is you who should be thinking of what is best for you.  It is you who will be working towards the fulfilment of your dreams and definitely not your parents and neither are your friends.

There are different career tests that will help you and guide you when you are looking for a career.  The career test will determine what career is best and is suited for you.  It is usually based on your character, your traits and interests and your approach on work.  The tests may be difficult but they are intended that way so you will really know what career suits you.

You might find choosing a career as fun and exciting.  It is fun and exciting but you also need to look into the other side and that is taking it seriously.  If you are more on being caring, competent and soft hearted, the career that is best for you might be those which are related in the medical field. If you have the personality of being wise, makes firm decisions, uses critical and analytical thinking, then a business related career is best for you. You see, your traits and character will help you choose the right career.  

If you are already experiencing a dilemma on choosing the best career, the solution to this is simple.  Take a free career test.  As mentioned earlier, career tests will serve as your guide.  You can take this type of test in your local career test center.  They will help you with your needs.  You can also find a free career compatibility test in the internet.  There are already online centers which will also supervise you with your needs. 

The only key to finding the right career is through answering the questions sincerely.  No matter how hard it is, you just have to answer the questions based on what you have learned and based on what you think is right.  Whatever the result of the career test may be, it is still up to you what you will choose.  The results might not be what you have expected and if this happens, you can either take another test from other career test center.  You should also take note that not all centers offer a career test. There are some who will make you pay a small fee.  What you have paid will still be worth it since it is for your own good anyway.

You can also find free employment tests if you want to re-evaluate or re-examine your job choice.  This too will help you determine if you are still satisfied with the job that you have.  You will greatly benefit from the different tests.  Not only will they help you determine the best career for you, they will also help in determining whether you are on the right track of your career or job.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jaimie_Max

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Career Test in a Job Interview

I did take a psychological and career test at a testing location in the Detroit Area. The test was quite extensive about 4 hours of testing and then the results were reviewed by a professional psychologist who also asked probing questions.

Overall the test was broken down in regards to Math skills, English competency, Interpersonal Skills and some general knowledge questions. The test was given in sections in a private office and their was a time limit to complete the different areas of concentration.

The math part of the test was pretty simple and clear cut how ever I knew I would not have a chance to complete it in the time given so I quickly only worked on problems where I felt I had a good chance of success and did not require a lot of time.

The English part of the test was quite basic and most any one with a high school education would have no problem with passing.

The psychological part of the test was the most difficult as there were a number of questions that would lead back to how you answered some of the other earlier questions…Many questions on team work, ability to be a team leader, how teams function etc for the best results.

The actual interview with the psychologist was a bit awkward as it was apparent he was trying to find out more about the test answers but doing so by asking a battery of seemingly unrelated questions.

The most interesting question was when he asked about a job related team activity that failed because of something that the team leader had done. This was followed on how you would handle the same situation and why if you were the team leader. Since I was offered the position I assume I did well in the test.

Source: www.careerchoiceguide.com

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