A career assessment test is a questionnaire that uses information about a person’s interests and abilities to determine which careers are best suited for them. A career assessment test’s questions can assist you in identifying your natural strengths and preferences. When you’re looking into different career options or trying to narrow down your options, an assessment like this can help.
Career assessments are particularly useful for students or those looking to change careers because the test results can match a person’s inclinations, motivations, and abilities to appropriate career options. Many free online career assessment tests are available. Some online tests offer condensed results for free, but a more detailed report requires payment. Career centers, government employment offices, and high school and college career and counseling offices are all places where you can take a career assessment test.
It’s best to answer questions honestly and go with your gut when taking a career assessment test. What tasks you enjoy, how you perform various tasks, how you interact with others, how you express yourself, and whether you prefer working with things, people, or data are examples of the types of questions you might be asked. Questions about a person’s values appear on some tests.
An analysis of which career fields and specific jobs match your results will most likely be included in the results of a career assessment test. Other reports will include workplace environments that are likely to suit your preferences. The results could be presented as text or as a graphic.
Some career assessment tests include a phone call, an e-mail, or even personal career counseling to discuss your results. These types of results are likely to be more expensive than the brief summaries that are provided to test takers right away. Although no career assessment test can pinpoint the ideal job for you, the results can point you in the direction of areas that are most likely to be rewarding based on your interests and natural abilities. Taking two or three different career assessments and comparing the results could be beneficial.
Career assessments are only one step in the process of deciding on a career goal, such as a specific job or field in which to work. After you’ve decided on a career goal, you can move on to making a career plan. Your career plan outlines the steps you’ll take to achieve your objective, including where you’ll take the required courses.