Choosing a career is a big decision. There are lots of factors to consider. What do you like doing? What are you good at? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your aspirations and ambitions? Do you prefer to lead or be part of a team? Some of these might be easy to answer and others a little harder. A personality test can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and reveal insights into which career path might be right for you. However, the internet is full of various personality tests claiming to tell you something about yourself and your behaviours. Here is a summary of the top 7 personality tests currently available that focus on career guidance.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is an introspective self-report questionnaire claiming to indicate psychological preferences in how people perceive the world around them and make decisions. The MBTI was constructed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers. The 16 personality types of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® instrument
Millions of people worldwide have taken the Indicator each year since its first publication in 1962.
Cattell 16PF (PF stands for “personality factors”)
The sixteen personality factors or 16PF psychometric test assesses various primary personality traits in order to provide feedback about an individual’s disposition, traditionally used by psychologists in a clinical or research setting and more recently by recruitment consultants and prospective employers. Personality characteristics have been linked to job performance and satisfaction within occupational roles by a number of psychological studies, suggesting that not only will some individuals perform at a higher level in a specific employment; they are also more likely to gain greater satisfaction and fulfilment from a job that is suited to their character.
Orpheus work-based personality questionnaire
A work-based measure of personality, developed entirely in the UK.
Orpheus is a big-five measure of personality developed specifically for use in the workplace. As well as the big five measures of Fellowship (Extraversion), Authority (reverse Agreeableness), Conformity (reverse Openness), Emotion (Neuroticism) and Detail (Conscientiousness) it contains an Unlikely Responses Scale (Lie, Social Desirability, or Impression Management) and seven integrity scales assessing the integrity traits of Proficiency, Work Orientation, Patience, Fair-mindedness, Loyalty and Initiative.
An Orpheus report can answer the following important questions about both potential and current employees:
- How will potential employees integrate into the team and fit into your organization?
- How do they cope in stressful and demanding environments?
- Can they make decisions for themselves?
Thomas International Personal Profile
Thomas International Personal Profile Analysis tests (or PPAs) are used by 5,000 UK businesses and 123 schools. The PPA test take 8minutes to complete and is made up of 24 questions. The assessment is based on the work of 1920s psychologist William Marston, the creator of the lie detector, and evaluates dominance, steadiness, influence and compliance to determine personality traits. The test has been researched and modified over the years, and is validated by the British Psychology Society.
The Career Interest Inventory
Developed by counselling psychologist, Dr. Lawrence K. Jones, NCC. The test aims to measure the six Holland personality types which are Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. It then matches users to careers, majors, training programs, and much more
The Differential Aptitude Tests
The Differential Aptitude Test is a general abilities assessment which measures both verbal and numerical reasoning ability. This test covers several areas including, Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Ability, Abstract reasoning, Perceptual Speed and Accuracy, Mechanical Reasoning, Space Relations, Spelling, and Language Use. The tests are performed under exam conditions and are strictly timed. These tests are primarily used by employers to assess their future employees’ abilities, and consequently decide which ones are competent and suitable to be offered positions.
Truity Holland Code Career Test
The Holland Codes or the Holland Occupational Themes (RIASEC) refers to a theory of careers and vocational choice (based upon personality types) that was initially developed by American psychologist John L. Holland (1919-2008) This test measures your interest level in the 6 categories of careers: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional.
Yvonne Akinmodun is an Executive Career Coach. She is the founder and CEO of careercoachingmatters, a site dedicated to helping people solve their own career challenges. Do you have questions about your career? Click here to book a FREE consultation session
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