How to use the Internet to find out what career is right for you
What if you're not sure of what you want to do after you graduate? You can take
interactive tests on the Internet or use noninteractive career exploration tools.
Some of these tests tell you a lot about your personality and can be
applied to career development but only marginally helpful in choosing
a career. For a detailed table comparing and reviewing these assessments
-- and more -- go to
Quintessential Careers:
Online Career Assessment Review.
- For Teens and Young Adults:
QuintCareers Assessment Powered by JVIS --
developed to assist high school and college students, and adults with educational and career planning, the
Jackson Vocational Interest Survey will help you discover the college majors and rewarding careers that match
your interests. Provides a detailed report, with career implications and jobs that match your pattern.
Top-rated. Fee-based.
- For Established Job-Seekers or Career Changers:
CareerMaze --
if you're looking for some career direction, then taking this assessment might be just the answer for you.
This assessment is an online tool designed to help you find your future by increasing your self-knowledge. Provides a
detailed report, with career implications and jobs that match your pattern. Top-rated. Fee-based.
Ansir's 3 Sides of You Self Perception Profiling System
is a three-part self-perception test that provides you with insight into
your particular styles of thinking, working, and emoting. By completing
the test, you become a member of the Ansir Community, allowing you to
search their database (150,000 records) to learn what others just like
you do for a living. Also includes chat rooms, discussion boards, and
much more. Free.
Career Directions Inventory at LiveCareer.com --
identifies your career interests (highest and lowest) and then tells you what jobs match your results in your highest
scored categories. Also includes workplace fit preferences using seven approaches to work (and based on Holland Scale).
Results are presented in text and graphic form. No cost to job-seekers for basic report.
ImproveNow.comImproveNow.com
offers several interesting assessments for job-seekers, including ImproveNowPSI,
which examines your personal style in helping better understand yourself, and the
ImproveNow JSI, which is designed to help you identify and articulate behavior styles
appropriate for your job. Free.
The Keirsey Temperament Sorter
asks you to fill in a questionnaire of about 70 questions, which is automatically
scored on the Web. Your results will be in the form of Myers-Briggs Types, and
suggestions of appropriate careers are made. Free.
The ">MAPP
(Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential) Assessment consists of a
questionnaire with 71 triads of three statements. Assessment is designed to guide,
motivate, and empower test-takers to achieve their greatest educational and career
potential. Very detailed results are sent via e-mail; more details and guidance available
for a fee. Free.
TypeFocus is a free online
assessment that is similar to the Myers-Briggs and gives results in Myers-Briggs types.
TypeFocus also offers an inexpensive ($14.95) paid program, TypeFocus Careers
Program, with results offering greater detail that is more career-oriented than a
typical personality tests.
While The Big Five Personality
Test assessment is not strictly career-oriented, it does provide insight that can be
applied to careers. It ranks you on scales of closed-minded vs. open to new experiences;
disorganized vs. conscientious; introverted vs. extraverted, disagreeable vs. agreeable,
calm vs. high-strung.
knowyourtype.com is the
only assessment site that offers the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Instrument online. Take
the 93-question assessment online and get the results (a seven-page report) emailed
back to you. Includes lifetime access to client support area. Fee-based.
TestingRoom.com
-- a site dedicated to helping you learn more about yourself. The site includes access to
numerous online tests and assessments for self-discovery (including career assessment,
values competencies, and work personality). Membership, assessments, and abbreviated results are free,
but you must pay for detailed test results.
See also:
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