Are you considering an investment in careers support? Perhaps you are concerned about maximising this investment? It’s great to prepare for your career conversation. Are there activities you can undertake and resources you can use independently?
Absolutely! Read on to find out more.
Career quizzes
You might remember doing a career quiz as part of a careers lesson in school? Depending on when this was it might even have involved paper and pencil, and taken several weeks to be returned with a report. Obviously nowadays these quizzes are online and reports immediate. Not everyone feels positive about these quizzes. ”It suggested I should be a [x], why would it think that?” is a response I often hear.
How do careers quizzes work?
Online quizzes use algorithms. These computer systems analyse your preferences. Your stated preferences can reflect a range of conscious and sub-conscious opinions and experiences. Discussing your results with a career practitioner provides deeper insights.
The job market is changing rapidly, and career platforms may struggle to keep pace. Working with a careers practitioner with ongoing experience of the labour market as it is and as it may develop is a great idea.
Which career quiz should I use?
There are multiple online quizzes available. I have focused on those that are free, and which I have personally used and found thought provoking.
Whether you are starting your career or looking to make a change the following resources may be of interest:
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For career developers and changers |
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/discover-your-skills-and-careers
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For higher education explorers |
https://www.ucas.com/careers-quiz
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For graduate explorers |
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For career planners in education (pre-16 and post-16) |
Personality tests and character strengths assessments
Again, there are multiple resources available. I focus here on ones which have been rigorously researched, are free and that I have personally tested. I recommend discussing the results with a career consultant or coach. All these listed are suitable for career changers and developers, and may be useful for some career planners and younger users.
https://www.strengthsprofile.com/ (free starter profile)
https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
Other resources
Schein’s Career Anchors is an interesting tool which you can find freely available online as a PDF. There is no online report, requiring you to score yourself.
Unlike my other recommendations there is a cost attached to the Do-It profiler. This resource may be of specific interest to individuals working out the relationship between neurodiversity, experiences of work and career plans.
https://doitprofiler.com/personal-profilers/neurodiversity-profiler/
The Wellness Action Plan is a free resource which may help with identifying the kinds of adjustments you might benefit from in the workplace:
https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/5760/mind-guide-for-employees-wellness-action-plans_final.pdf
This is a very small number of the multiple resources available. Before using a resource it is a good idea to check out how it has been developed and what its roots are. Check costings – as you can see from this list there are well-researched resources freely available, so don’t rush into paying before checking its worth.
Let me know if you find a resource which you think I should try. I am always grateful for the opportunity to learn from you all.
Have you done your research? Ready to start your career journey? Reach out for personalised support via www.careerswithintent.com
Kath is a Registered Career Development Practitioner with the Career Development Institute. She is also a strengths-based practitioner and is currently undertaking study, through the Positive Psychology Guild, into how to develop more hope amongst young neurodivergent career planners and job seekers.