Personality and Career Tests

One of the greatest assets that is provided by the web is access to career profile and personality profile tests. These are valuable tools that will help you evaluate your experience as well as personality traits to make recommendations on what type of positions might work best. Many college career offices might have access to the more exclusive and expensive tests. For all of those students still enrolled, these tests take a short amount of time and are quite effective in making very good suggestions. For those who aren't in school, I have added several links to some of the most well known versions of this test. If you a college graduate it would be a good idea to give your career office a call to see if they have these tests available to alumni. Each link comes with a summery as well as my thoughts on each test. Be forewarned, these tests do cost money to take due to the fact that a lot of background analysis is done in order to get the test results. Usually these tests are administered by someone who is familiar with the analysis aspect, but they can also be purchased online.

- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator -
A very valuable tool that will evaluate key personal preferences and is used in a wide variety different ways from career identification, job training, and many other areas. While this test is very long, it does do a very thorough job in determining key skill sets that are great indicators when looking at potentials careers.

-Here is a link to take the Myers-Brigs Type Indicator test-

-Strong Interest Inventory Assessment-
Used primarily to help those who are looking to make a career change or choose a career. The test takes your interests and personality profile and from that information helps you identify a career.

-Here is a link to take the Strong Interest Inventory® Assessment test -


There are also two great books that you can purchase that come highly recommended by most career advisers.

Books:

- "What Color is Your Parachute?" is the industry standard in career search books. It has been around for over 30 years and is currently on its 2007 edition. The book provides techniques on how to search for jobs in the current job market.

- "10 Insider Secrets to Job Hunting Sucess" is a very well recognized and established book which focuses in on all aspects of the job search. (It also helps that the book is relatively cheap) The book will help you to define your ideal career and help achieve your dream job with advise on job searching, resume advise, interview tips, and much more.