Self-Knowledge

To generate the best possible career options and work settings for your unique background and preferences, it is invaluable to assess your personality, interests, skills and values.

While there are numerous beneficial fee-based and free career-related assessments online, below are some of the best: 

Personality Assessments
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (fee-based)
This widely-used and well-validated personality assessment provides information on how you prefer to get energy, process information, make decisions, and plan tasks.  It is very helpful in determining if a job and work environment will mesh well with your personality. 

Keirsey Temperament Sorter (free)
This informal personality assessment renders results similar to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator's personality preferences.  Because it has not been widely validated like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, it should not be regarded as a  substitute and results should be carefully validated by the user.    

Interest Inventories
Strong Interest Inventory (fee-based)
Psychologist John L Holland developed a theory describing the world of work through six personality types/work environments called the "Holland codes."  This widely-used assessment compares your interests to those in 211 occupations and generates the top Holland codes that fit your interests and occupations you might want to explore further.

My Next Move (free)
Developed by ONET Online, this assessment identifies interest areas and aligns them with potential careers.  Knowledge, skills, abilities, and job outlook information is then provided for each career, leading to further career exploration.

CareerKey (fee-based)
The CareerKey assessment will tell you your Holland personality type and identify careers you might wish to consider.

Skills Assessments
SkillScan (fee-based)
This assessment asks you to self-rate various skills to determine your strengths, weaknesses and skills needing development.  The results include suggested action steps for strengthening areas you would like to improve.

MySkillsMyFuture (free)
An online tool that identifies new career options based on prior skills and experience.  Enter your current or past job title and receive a list of similar careers.

Values Assessments
Career Change Checklist (free)
This assessment of past likes and dislikes regarding past work experiences is valuable to those making a career change to help evaluate whether an opportunity is the right fit.

To discuss your assessment results or to obtain additional information on self-assessment, please contact the Career Services Center.

Strengths Assessments
Strengths Assessments 360 Reach (free)
This web-based personal branding assessment provides feedback on how others may perceive you. People in your network receive an anonymous 10-minute survey where they can share their reflections about your unique strengths.

StrengthsFinder 2.0 (fee-based)
Based on 34 Strength Themes developed by the Gallup organization, this book and online assessment provides ideas on how to turn specific themes into personal strengths that are aligned with core values. Specific action steps on how to develop strengths in the workplace are also provided.