Outreach Ministries: Job Interest Assessment

Job interest assessment, sometimes called occupational interest assessment, is usually preformed by high school students who are seeking a major to pursue in college. However, these assessments can be used by working adults who are seeking to make a career change, stay at home moms entering the workforce, or those seeking new job options after retirement.

Who administers Interest Surveys?
In truth, anyone can administer such a survey, although the ideal person would have some experience with career selection in the past.

Where do I find these surveys?
Here are a variety of different models available in books and online. Have your instructor research a couple, to find one or two that prove the easiest to use.

How are surveys administered?
You may either set aside a classroom or office for test takers to utilize on site, or allow them to take it home and return it the next day.

What types of survey should I use?
There are a variety of different forms available. Each has it’s own advantages and disadvantages.

Rate the Activity
These include long lists of activities, usually classified by career fields, with the boxes next to each one. In some cases, test takers are asked to check only the boxes next to job’s that interest them. In other cases, there are a range of boxes from “Greatly Dislike to Greatly Enjoy” and they are asked to choose one for each job listing. At the back of each survey is usually page that explains the results (ex: If you checked mostly “Greatly Enjoy” on page _____, then you are best suited for a career in ___.)

• Advantage:They are quick, and can be taken without much instruction.
• Disadvantage- By simply checking boxes, test takers are not encourage to actively think about their answers.

SAN
This is an abbreviation for what is known as the “Sometimes, Always, Never” form of survey. Instead of job descriptions, it offers a series of supposed character statements (ex: I enjoy working on challenging tasks at a fast pace.) Beside each statement are three boxes. Test takers are asked to mark weather the statement applies to them sometimes, always, or never.

• Advantage- This form of survey is a little more thought provoking than Rate the Activity.
• Disadvantage- It still forces test takers to limit themselves to pre-prescribed answers.

Exploratory
This is the most open-ended form of survey. There are no boxes to choose from. Instead, test takers are given a series of prompts and expected to write short answers. These prompts are meant to help the person realize their interests and skills in life. The main difference between this test and the others is that, at the end, you don’t come away with a specific career suggestion, but a firmer understanding of your personal interests, strengths, and weaknesses.

• Advantage- Probably the most thought provoking and interactive survey form.
• Disadvantage- They take much longer. Your instructor will need to posses the ability to interpret their results and suggest appropriate career options.

What comes after the survey?
After the test taker has completed their survey, they should have some possible career options in mind. The instructor should then supply them with literature or online sources where they can further explore the demands and educational requirements of each option. If you live near a college or University, make sure have a copy of their Undergraduate catalog.

Helpful Links

Survey Console- A member only service that allows you to create customized career interest surveys for a small fee.

Amazon.com Books- A listing of over 600 career interest book titles. .

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