Personality Tests for a Career Path
There are numerous types of personality tests in use today that consist of up to hundreds of questions where respondents must rate the applicability of each item to themselves. Likewise, a common form of personality testing known as career aptitude testing helps individuals determine career paths that match their interests, personality, skills or intellect. These career assessment tests estimate where people are in their careers and can help determine more suitable career options for the future.
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History
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Dating back to the early 1900s, researchers have developed and used different types of personality tests to evaluate psychiatric disorders and capabilities. One of the most cited examples of a personality test is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which is based on Carl Jung's psychological types and developed during World War II by Isabel Myers and Katherine Briggs. By the 1960s, specially developed personality tests were being given to employees and applicants as often as to psychiatric patients.
About Career Aptitude Testing
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Research conducted by the American Management Association revealed that 39 percent of companies surveyed use personality testing in their hiring process. Whether you are an employer starting the hiring process, a high school student trying to determine a career in which to succeed or an experienced employee looking for a change, career aptitude tests are available to help meet your goal. Aptitude tests typically ask participants to rank favorite and least favorite activities and rank their skill levels.
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Finding A Career Aptitude Test
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Many high school guidance counselors and college admission centers offer career aptitude or personality tests to students or prospective students for a small fee. There are also many career tests available online. Some are offered for free, but some companies charge to assess test results.
Examples Of Online Tests
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The Princeton Review is a standardized test prep company that is known for its ranking lists of U.S. colleges and universities. It also offers a 24-question career aptitude quiz on its website. LiveCareer.com offers a free 100-question test to help test-takers find their dream job. Careerpath.com is an offshoot of Gannett's job site careerbuilder.com, and offers multiple versions of tests to rate a person's personality in relation to career options.
Pros and Cons
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A career aptitude test can help measure your basic understanding of the written word, your basic math abilities, your perception of shapes and patterns, your ability to visualize in 3D, your technical ability, your analytical skills in solving word problems and your ability to solve problems quickly and accurately. However, the test will only show what you are capable of in the here and now, and can't predict your future interests and skills.
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References
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