Job Guidance Tests: What Are They?

What are career guidance tests?

Career guidance tests can be seen as a mediator between individuals and the world of work. In general, these tests gather sufficient information from you to determine whether you are compatible with specific jobs or professions.

Alternative names: career direction tests, career guidance exams, professional competency tests

How do career guidance tests work?

You can take a career guidance test yourself online, or it can be administered to you on paper, or someone can ask you questions verbally and record your answers.

The tests vary in length, types of questions, and result determination. They also differ in cost. Many sites offer free career guidance tests, but they often charge a fee if the test taker wants a detailed analysis of the test results.

Career guidance centers and counselors offer guidance tests, and many job search books also include such tests. Be sure to choose a guidance test from a reputable source to get the most reliable results.

Types of career guidance tests

There are many types of guidance tests, all of which approach the goal of identifying the best job for the individual taking the test in different ways.

Some guidance tests are based on personality, such as the Myers-Briggs test, which assesses your personality type to predict which jobs would be suitable (or unsuitable) for you. Other tests aim to match the soft and hard skills required in a specific job with your own skills and interests.

There are also talent and competency assessment tests, which seek to measure your abilities. Depending on the job, a guidance test may include elements assessing professional knowledge, cognitive abilities, physical ability, emotional intelligence, and even integrity.

Do I need a career guidance test?

Career guidance tests are beneficial for individuals just entering the job market and are unsure of their interests, or for those looking to change their career path. If you have ever felt uncertain about what type of job suits you, or felt aimless in your job search, you may find it helpful to take a test.

Career guidance tests can also be a useful means to open new avenues for jobs. For example, you may be very skilled at comparing things and finding errors. A guidance test can help you discover that and find that you fit perfectly in a quality assurance role, where finding errors and places where the product does not meet specifications is vital.

Considerations for career guidance tests

It is important to keep in mind that guidance tests typically only indicate a certain direction and are not the only way to help you discover the right job for you. Ultimately, experience – whether through pursuing a specific job, vocational training, or informational interviewing – will tell you whether a particular job is right for you or not.

For example, you may be talented in a certain field, but you might find that you do not necessarily enjoy it and do not want to do it for several hours a day. Or you may enjoy something as a hobby or task occasionally, but realize that you do not want to engage in it as a career.

On the other hand, it is possible to be very interested in a certain job but lack the necessary basic skills, knowledge, background, experience, or education to obtain the job.

Note: Guidance tests are only as accurate as the information you provide. Be as honest as possible to get the best results.

A guidance test is not a magic solution for uncertainty in choosing a job. However, it can open the door to discovering possibilities you may not have already considered and encourage you to reflect on your own skills, talents, and interests, which is important for a successful job search.

Most important

Points:

• Career assessment tests help match individuals with potential jobs by gathering data on a variety of factors.
• They are useful for individuals entering the job market or looking to change their career path.
• There are many types of career assessment tests – both paid and free – that measure a variety of traits, interests, skills, and more.
• Job matching in the assessment test does not guarantee it will be a good fit for you.

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Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-are-career-placement-tests-2062785