What are the most effective self-assessment tools for job seekers?

In my practice with clients, I've found it helpful to start with strengths identification. Understanding where you're naturally strong and innately gifted is critical in crafting your professional brand story. For my clients, I use Clifton Strengths or Cloverleaf, which provides insights across several personality tests for a balanced view. With any personality test, remember there are inherent flaws and like any data point, remember the results are a singular view and should be one of several tools you utilize in your career journey.

In my experience, personality tests can be an excellent starting point for understanding where your strengths lie and how you work best. Taking a personality test such as a DISC Assessment or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) can help you understand not only what types of roles might suit you best, but also where the best culture fit will be for you at an organisational level. Personality tests can also provide insights into how you work with others, which can be helpful to know when deciding if a role is right for you. Whether it's work from home or office based, working closely with a team or more autonomously, different personality types are better suited to each.

There are five effective self-assessment tools that can help job seekers understand their strengths, and areas for improvement. 1. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) 2. StrengthsFinder (now CliftonStrengths) 3. DISC Assessment 4. Big Five Personality Traits 5. Holland Code (RIASEC) To know each of these self-assessment tools, Follow me and ping me a message "Hi" for the free Career Guidance.

In my experience, feedback tools that take in a broad range of perspectives such as 360-Degree Feedback can be really helpful for understanding your strengths and areas for improvement. 360-Degree Feedback gives you a much broader range of perspectives than you'd gain from traditional top down manager led feedback, so can provide unique insights from peer level colleagues and people from diverse teams and backgrounds.

Something to consider with any self-assessment tool is that the tools themselves are only as useful as they are to you. Try out a range of tools and see what you find useful. I personally find personality tests like the DISC profile and Myer-Briggs profile insightful, but you need to use what works for you. One of the great opportunties in the job seeking stage is the opportunity to reflect, and explore what comes next. Getting to know yourself better is a great first step in that process, so try out a range of tools and find what works for you.