What Is a Self Assessment?
A self assessment is the first step in the Career Planning Process. During it one uses a variety of tools, sometimes erroneously referred to as career tests, to gather information about himself or herself. The purpose of obtaining this data is to use it to find occupations that are a good fit for the individual. People sometimes work with career development professionals who can help them with this.
Anatomy of a Self Assessment
In order to be effective, a self assessment must take into account an individual's values, interests, personality and aptitudes. Let's take a look at the types of tools you can use to accomplish this.
- Value Inventories
Value inventories measure how important different values are to you. Examples of these values, which play an important role in one's job satisfaction, include autonomy, prestige, security, interpersonal relationships, helping others, flexible work schedule, outdoor work, leisure time and high salary. - Interest Inventories
The questions in an interest inventory ask about your likes and dislikes regarding various activities. The premise of this self assessment tool is that people who share similar interests will also enjoy the same type of work. Examples of interests are reading, running, playing golf and knitting. - Personality Inventories
A personality inventory looks at an individual's traits, motivational drives, needs and attitudes. A very popular one is The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator A qualified person such a career development professional or psychologist must administer it. - Aptitude Assessment
Aptitude tests can help you figure out what your natural talents are. One may have an aptitude for math or writing or may have manual dexterity or good spatial abilities, for example. It is important to keep in mind that even if you have an aptitude for something, that doesn't mean you will automatically like it. When you are choosing a career, pick one that requires skills that you have and that you enjoy using.
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