It is Career Cougar's position that the following guidelines should be
used during your career search:
1. Assess yourself
2. Research options
3. Set goals
4. Create plan
5. Execute plan
6. Gather ongoing feedback
Some of the following resources are comprehensive and some are more focused. Remember that these tools only provide guidelines, and you understand yourself (and your individual situation) better than anyone and truly know what works for you.
I. Career, Skills & Personality Assessments
The Riley Guide: "The Riley Guide is a directory of employment and career information sources and services on the Internet." This is an extended resource for exploring and researching career options. Some items are free and some are fee-based.
Link to free test: http://www.rileyguide.com/prepare.html
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Career Planning Tools: There are three career planning tools - Accomplishments, Value Clarification, and Skills Exercises - in pdf format. These forms are free.
Link to exercises: http://hrweb.mit.edu/ctm/employees/career-planning-management/career-planning-tools
HumanMetrics: "This test is based on Carl Jung and Isabel Myers-Briggs typological approach to personality. When answering questions, please choose one of two possible answers you agree the most. If you are not sure how to answer then the decision should be based on your most typical reaction or feeling in the given situation. Respond to all questions to get a reliable result." Visit www.humanmetrics.com or click the link below to access the assessment.
Link to actual personality test: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
Career DNA: This online career center was developed by a psychologist and provides detailed testing and career mapping. There is a short, free test to introduce you to the testing process. However, there are annual fees ranging from $50 - $100.
Link to free test sample: http://www.careerdna.net/static/free-assessment
Keirsey Temperament Sorter®-II (KTS®-II): This free test was recommended by author, Kip Parent, in a 2008 BusinessWeek article, "Personality and the Perfect Job". As the author states, "People who excel in their careers are usually highly motivated and energized by their jobs...They achieve the most important of things in job satisfaction: 'a fit' with who they are." The test requires some basic information about you before you can take it, but it gives a complimentary report for your personality type. The author states that personality information for the 2008 presidential candidates are shown.
Link to free test: http://www.keirsey.com/personalityzone/index.asp
Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential: Are You Happy with your Job? This free test is provided by the Black Career Women group. "Find your real motivations, interests, and talents for work; identify your ideal careers; and discover your communication and leadership strengths".
Link to free test: http://www.assessment.com/MAPPMembers/Welcome
Career Planner Personality Test: This free test was recommended by Richard Bolles, the author of What Color is Your Parachute? 2009. Some basic information is required before you can take the test.
Link to free test: http://www.careerplanner.com/PT/SignIn1A.cfm
II. Career Planning & Execution
Now that you've chosen a career that is consistent with your values, work ethic, personality, and lifestyle, here are a few resources to help you reach your career goals.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: This is a great resource to research your chosen career. This handbook lists career descriptions, statistics, projected growth, etc.
Link to handbook: http://www.bls.gov/OCO/
Job-Hunt.org: This is another resource to research your chosen career.
Video Series from career counselor, Marty Nemko: Get Ahead in a Down Economy
Link to video: http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/careers/2009/06/05/career-advice-job-promotion.html
Professional Organizations: Now that you've chosen to learn about a career, consider visiting professional meetings/events to network with professionals in your chosen field (and learn what it's like to "work" in their shoes).
In addition to this link, Career Cougar highly recommends visiting the reference counter at your local library. Reference librarians are one of the world's best kept secrets.
Link to professional organizations: Top/Society/Organizations/Professional/
CareerOneStop (Pathways to Career Success): This all-in-one portal is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. It is a comprehensive site - everything from career exploration to job search to state job services. This is a must see.
Link: CareerOneStop.org
Career Alley: Career advice, job search advice and job search site reviews
Link: CareerAlley.com
III. Career Training
"If you're a busy adult looking to improve or refresh your reading, writing, or math skills, you've arrived at the right place." The Trumbull, Connecticut library has loads of free assessments & tests to increase your skills:
Link: http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/general/moreInfo/skillBuildingAdult
Occupation Specific Pre-assessments: http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/learningCenter/jobsCareers
IV. Career Support
Now that you're en route to or have reached your career goals, Career Cougar knows that life outside of work continues.
Corporate Voices for Working Families: Nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of life for working families.
Link: http://www.cvworkingfamilies.org