Is There a Test to See What Your Career Should Be?

What if you could find your perfect career through a simple test? Imagine waking up excited about your job, fully aligned with your strengths, interests, and values. This isn't a fantasy—it’s an increasingly possible reality, thanks to modern career assessment tools. These tests are designed to help individuals understand their aptitudes, personality traits, and preferences, guiding them toward career paths where they can thrive.

In a world where career options are overwhelming and the pressure to "find your calling" is immense, taking a career test can help you make an informed, objective decision about your future. But before we dive into specific tests, let's first discuss why these tests are even necessary.

Why Take a Career Test?

In an age where the average person changes careers multiple times in their life, choosing the right path has become more challenging than ever. Studies show that about 30% of people feel misaligned in their current jobs, while others feel overwhelmed by the endless career possibilities. Career tests step in as a structured method of reducing uncertainty and improving self-awareness. By taking a test, you’re not just filling out a quiz; you’re gaining a roadmap to a potential life of fulfillment and satisfaction.

How Career Tests Work

Most career tests follow a similar structure, asking questions about your preferences, habits, and skills. From there, the tests analyze your responses to suggest career paths that suit your profile. But not all career tests are built the same. Some are more focused on your psychological profile, like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), while others concentrate on your skills and interests, like the Strong Interest Inventory or CliftonStrengths.

The MBTI assigns individuals one of 16 personality types, based on four dimensions: Extroversion vs. Introversion, Sensing vs. Intuition, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Judging vs. Perceiving. Each combination of these traits suggests certain career environments where individuals with that personality type might excel.

Meanwhile, the Strong Interest Inventory assesses your preferences across six categories, known as RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional). It compares your interests to those of professionals in hundreds of careers, giving you a practical sense of where you might fit.

But it’s important to note that no test will give you a magical answer. Instead, these tests should be viewed as tools in your arsenal to better understand yourself and to validate what you might already suspect about your career direction.

Top Career Tests to Try

If you're looking to try a career test, the good news is there are many reliable options to consider. Let's review some of the top tests available, their focus areas, and what you can expect from each.

1. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

   • Focus: Personality type
   • Time: About 30 minutes
   • What to Expect: MBTI will classify you into one of 16 personality types, suggesting careers that align with your personality traits. People with the INFJ personality, for instance, are often drawn to roles that allow them to help others, like counseling or healthcare.

2. CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder)

   • Focus: Identifying strengths
   • Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
   • What to Expect: This test is all about discovering what you do best, identifying your top five strengths and suggesting careers that utilize those talents. It’s particularly useful for people who want to lean into their strengths rather than focus on their weaknesses.

3. Strong Interest Inventory

   • Focus: Interests
   • Time: 35-40 minutes
   • What to Expect: You'll answer questions about your preferences for work activities, school subjects, and leisure activities. The test will then compare your interests to those of people in a wide range of careers.

4. Holland Code (RIASEC)

   • Focus: Interests and personality traits
   • Time: 20-30 minutes
   • What to Expect: RIASEC groups careers into six categories: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Based on your dominant types, the test recommends careers. If you're artistic and enterprising, for instance, you might thrive in marketing or event planning.

5. CareerExplorer

   • Focus: Comprehensive career matching
   • Time: 30-40 minutes
   • What to Expect: CareerExplorer uses a broad set of questions to assess your personality, interests, values, and skills. The result is a comprehensive list of career options with detailed explanations of why each might be a good fit.

The Science Behind Career Tests

Career tests aren't just guesswork. They are grounded in psychology, particularly in career development theories such as John Holland’s Theory of Career Choice, which posits that people flourish in work environments that align with their personalities and interests. Similarly, Donald Super’s Life-Span Theory suggests that career decisions are a reflection of our self-concept, which evolves throughout our lives. Thus, career tests serve as a mirror, reflecting back aspects of your personality that you may not have fully considered when thinking about your future career.

According to a report by the National Bureau of Economic Research, people who pursue careers aligned with their natural strengths and interests tend to experience higher job satisfaction and career success. This underscores the importance of tools like career assessments in helping people navigate an increasingly complex job market.

Potential Downsides of Career Tests

While career tests can be incredibly useful, they are not without their limitations. Over-reliance on a single test can lead to misguided decisions. For instance, you may score highly in the "social" category on the RIASEC test, but that doesn't necessarily mean you’ll enjoy every socially-oriented job like teaching or nursing. It’s essential to use these tests as part of a broader strategy, combining the results with real-world experiences and advice from professionals.

Self-report bias is another issue to be mindful of. Career tests rely on your honesty in answering questions, but sometimes, unconscious biases or lack of self-awareness can skew the results. That's why it's crucial to reflect on the results and possibly retake the test at different stages of your life, especially as your priorities and strengths evolve.

How to Use Career Test Results Effectively

Once you receive your career test results, the real work begins. First, take time to thoroughly read and understand the report. Reflect on whether the suggestions resonate with your current interests and skills. You might even want to seek feedback from people who know you well to see if they agree with the findings.

Second, explore the recommended career paths. This could involve shadowing professionals in that field, attending networking events, or even taking on part-time or freelance work to get a sense of what it’s really like. Tests can suggest the destination, but it’s up to you to embark on the journey.

Conclusion: Are Career Tests Worth It?

Ultimately, career tests are valuable tools in helping you navigate your professional life. While they can’t make the decision for you, they can provide clarity and direction when you're feeling lost. For many people, the insights gained from a career test can lead to life-changing decisions, whether it’s switching careers or simply confirming that they’re on the right path.

If you're ready to take control of your future, a career test might be just what you need to gain the confidence and knowledge to make your next big move.

Additional Resources

• Free Career Tests: If you’re not ready to invest in a paid test, there are several free options available online, such as 16Personalities, Truity, or CareerExplorer’s free version. These can give you a taste of what to expect from more in-depth assessments.

• Career Coaching: For those who want more personalized guidance, career coaches can help you interpret test results and provide actionable steps based on your findings.

• Further Reading: If you’re interested in learning more about career development, books like "What Color is Your Parachute?" by Richard N. Bolles and "Designing Your Life" by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans are excellent starting points.

In short, while a career test won’t tell you exactly what to do with your life, it can illuminate the path ahead, empowering you to make more informed, confident choices. So why not take the plunge and see where the journey takes you?