Tips for Taking a Career Interest Test

Do you feel as though you don't have a good answer when people ask you what you want to do for a living, or what type of career you would like to pursue? Often, this uncertainty comes from a lack of awareness as to what careers are actually available and which ones best suit your interests. One way to get a better handle on what you want to do, and where your skills would be best used, is to take a career interest test. Follow these tips to ensure you get the most out of the testing experience.

1. Choose a reliable test.

Especially with the popularity of the internet, there are now hundreds of possible career tests out there. To ensure the results actually have some credibility, you should put time into choosing an accurate, reliable test. The Strong Interest Inventory is a classic one, invented by a psychologist named E.K. Strong. You can find online versions quite easily. If you do with a different version than this, make sure it is designed by a reputable professional. A quiz-style career test published by a teen magazine is not going to yield dependable results.

2. Be honest with your answers.

Sometimes, people take the test with a preconceived idea of what they want the results to be. For example, maybe your family wants you to be a doctor, so you answer questions in a way that you think a would-be doctor would answer them. This strategy will not serve you well. If you want to know where your true talents and interests would be best used, you need to be honest with your answers. If you find yourself trying to answer in a biased way, pause—take a deep breath, and refocus on your inner thoughts before going on with the test.

3. Remember the results are flexible.

Many career interest tests will give you a top three or four options that are most suited for you, and then several other options that are also good choices. Do not feel pressured to opt for one of the top options. These are just suggestions. You know yourself best, and if one of the lower-level suggestions seems more fitting to your situation, that might be the best choice for you. Remember to also be practical. If the test recommends you pursue a career as a doctor, but you do not have the funds for medical school or believe in taking on that kind of debt, it's okay to pursue nursing instead.

With the tips above, you should find taking a career assessment test a rewarding and informative experience. 

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