Career Tests
In this section, we take a brief look at the different types of assessment, what they are designed to assess, their strengths, limitations and some common misconceptions about them. Today there is a broad range of paper and online assessment tools and they are easily accessed.
It’s helpful to understand what they are about and how to make the most of them. Tests are sometimes referred to as tools or instruments.
What's a Career Assessment Tool?
Career assessment tools are designed to help people recognise and understand their personal attributes as they relate to careers. Assessment tools are typically used to measure some of the following:
Values
Preferences
Motivation
Aptitudes
Skills
The purpose of career assessment tools is to help people make more informed career decisions. The better a young person knows themselves – the more effective their career decision making will be.
What are the main Career Assessment tools used in Irish schools?
Schools vary in the type of assessment used. Factors taken into account are suitability for school population, cost, availability and accuracy of results for individual students.
Here are some examples of the type of career interest profilers currently in use:
CII = CAREER INTEREST INVENTORY:
This instrument gives information about a young person’s educational goals, their interest in particular subjects and activities and career areas. It’s useful for helping young people to set and focus on their career and educational goals and to encourage them to explore various career options. CII is linked into the Differential Aptitude Tests giving an important link between Career Interests on the one hand and Aptitudes or Abilities on the other. CII takes about thirty minutes to administer to students. Note: Costs apply]
SDS = SELF DIRECTED SEARCH [click here for more]
The SDS is a career assessment tool based on HOLLAND’S OCCUPATIONAL CODES AND THEORY OF CAREER INTERESTS.
R = Realistic
I = Investigative
A = Artistic
S = Social
E = Enterprising
C = Conventional
Holland saw people as loosely falling into these six occupational categories with certain preferences dominating. People who choose careers that match their own occupational type are likely to be more content and fulfilled. So a person who scores RIE for instance will have a strong leaning towards occupations that are Realistic, Investigative and Enterprising. RIEs will be satisfied, fulfilled and successful in careers such as Engineering, Science and Business where their occupational type matches the chosen livelihood.
The SDS test asks a series of questions broken down into five categories: Daydreams, Activities, Competencies, Occupations & Self Estimates.
Taking the SDS takes about half an hour and when the results are scored it generates a three letter code = eg RIE. The code is then used to look at a number of career options. Note: Costs apply.
CPIP = CAREERSPORTAL INTEREST PROFILER [CPIP]
The CPIP is an Irish adaptation of Holland's work using 8 Interest categories developed by CareersPortal, it investigates career interests and offers career suggestions based on responses. The interest test takes about fifteen minutes to complete and generates a good summary page with a clear visual bar chart showing occupational interests. On the basis of results the test indicates career options worth exploring and possible CAO and Further Education course options.
This test is free to use - you can take it yourself and discuss your results with those of your child. This is a good way of engaging with your teen on career matters. All you have to do is Sign Up to create an account and then complete the Interest Profiler.
CENTIGRADE [http://www.coa.co.uk/centigrade]
This is an assessment programme aimed at college applicants. It is used to assess interests, abilities and personal qualities. The student is then matched to potential higher education courses throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe. Suggestions are mainly at degree, HND or Diploma levels. Guidelines and work sheets are given to steer students through their course and career research. Centigrade also produces a personal action plan and course analysis forms.
Students receive a personalised workbook. Centigrade costs in the region of €20, depending on number of subscribers and the particular option chosen.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Career assessment tools are designed to cover as broad a range of career options as possible. Encourage your child to focus on the career suggestions that are of greatest interest them.
The same test taken at different stages in your child’s development may yield different results and suggestions. The important thing is that the young person is given opportunities to explore careers and consider their own interests and aptitudes.
A WORD OF WARNING
There are lots of career and personality instruments on the internet. Those mentioned above offer good help in career development. However, others are less scientific and can be misleading or not suitable to the young person.
