Career Tests

Class Location: The Internet.

Description: This course is designed to help students decide which career path best interests them.

Objective: Find your talent and interests and pursue that career path.

Career tests, also known as vocational tests, can be very valuable in helping you determine a career that best suits you. But you need to take these tests with a grain of salt. Career tests come in a lot of shapes and sizes—some may suit you better than others. Depending on your personality, you can learn different things from these tests. The best way to get the most from career tests is by using a competent and professional career counselor who can help you interpret the test results and figure out the career choice that's best for you.

Several suggestions can help you make the most of career tests:

• There's no one test that works for everyone. Some people hate tests altogether. Some people just hate certain types of questions. For example, some tests ask you to rank yourself against others. People with low self-esteem may always rank themselves on the low end of the scale. Other tests ask you to pick occupations you like. This may not work for people who can find fault with any job. The point is that you should feel comfortable with the form of the test you take.
• No single test always gives better results than others. One test might help you figure out a lot about your career goals. The same test might prove completely useless for your best friend. Each test has its own personality. How you feel about that test will likely skew your results.
• Don't assume every test is accurate. A test cannot define who you are. Just because a test tells you a certain career is right for you doesn't mean that it is. Career tests should leave you with ideas you hadn't considered and suggestions you should pursue. That's about all you can ask of them.
• Take several tests, not just one. If you take three different kinds of tests, you'll come away with a much better sense of your preferences, your profile, and some good career suggestions.
• Trust your instincts—they're probably more accurate than any test. If a test gives you suggestions you feel are completely wrong for you, don't follow them. On the other hand, if you like what the test tells you, it's probably worth looking into. Follow your heart.

• Don't let tests pigeonhole or label you. Because these tests deal in categories, the results are likely to group you with other people who are probably very different. Don't forget that you are a unique individual with unique qualifications pursuing a unique career.

• A test isn't over once you've finished answering the questions. You need to do more than read the results. You need to think long and hard about how those results apply to your situation and what you want to do with what you’ve learned from the test. If you take the lazy approach and let the test results alone determine your career path, you're likely to miss out on a unique and fulfilling career.

• Remember that these tests are meant to give you ideas and open doors, not define your career choice. A career counselor can help you interpret the test results and make the most out of what they have to offer.