How can you use online career assessment tools to boost your career?

The problem with many of these tools is that it's an input=output game. Depending on your mood, current situation, environment, or a number of other factors, the answers you give may well reflect your given mood, but may not be the best way to make such an impactful decision. Aptitude testing, more similar to IQ testing, in which answers cannot be manipulated and data outcomes are more accurate, are inherently more effective and useful for making career decisions.

Here are some examples of online career tools: 1. Diverse Platforms: Tools like 'CareerExplorer' integrate with job boards for role guidance. 2. Feedback Loop: Platforms like 'PathSource' allow mentor feedback for a rounded view. 3. Customizability: 'CareerFitter' offers insights tailored to specific industries. 4. Gamification: 'Pymetrics' uses game-based evaluations to engage users. 5. Privacy Concerns: Always check data handling, as with platforms like '16Personalities'. Marry these tools with real-life experiences for a comprehensive career path.

I do find them helpful for a basis of knowledge regarding general traits. Not to be used in singularity but in conjunction with situational behavioral interviews. They can also show coherence between what the candidate says and what the assessment reveals, or the lack of thereof. Past behavior is a strong predictor but also past context, past managers, academic or informal training, cultural match and job requirements match... All need to be considered, typically by a specialized human being. So yes, an interesting tool to save Recruiters time and provide a larger information basis. As long as we treat it as a tool I think it can be helpful. If we rely only on online Assessments for the decision, then we may fall prey to mistakes.

These tools offer a pathway to self-discovery and growth. By delving into your personality, interests, and skills, they provide tailored insights that guide you towards fulfilling roles. It's vital to approach these tools with a discerning eye, considering their design and credibility. The key lies in using them critically to unearth your true potential and align your career with your passions and aspirations.

In my experience, I encourage myself and others to use online career assessment tools such as personality tests to identify the Knowledge, skills, and attitudes that we may not be aware of. Being able to speak directly to your KSAs and your values related to your career choices can definitely boost your eye for opportunities. Far too often, we try to separate our personal traits from our job duties only to become positioned in a job or company that does not utilize our KSAs or uphold our values. Knowing yourself is the key to marketing yourself towards your career goals.

In my experience, one of the best tools to use is a career values assessment. This will reflect what is REALLY important about a career, not the company or the position.

Tests with ambiguous stimuli are more accurate when choosing a career. Once on a clear career path, self-report inventories can be useful to making team and role specific decisions.

As a former Clinical Psychologist, I have seen many career assessment tools. Many of them I used in the past when I was working as a therapist with my clients to find their alignment with their careers. Do they work? Here's my take. If you're missing a deep understanding of what you can do for work and what you're curious about then no other tool can possibly help you find it. You have to go on a deep journey within. Also, I would caution you to look not just for your passions but for things you might be curious about. Not every profession has to be passion and not every passion has to be a profession. It

Here's an example of online career assessment in action: Sophia, a college sophomore, was uncertain about her major. She tried 'Pymetrics', a tool that uses neuroscience games to measure cognitive traits. After engaging with the games, Sophia got a report outlining her strengths and suggesting careers in data science and market research due to her analytical aptitude. Intrigued, she took a data analytics course, found her passion, and switched her major to Data Science. Today, she's excelling in her chosen field, all thanks to the tool's insights.

Given my deep athletics coaching background, I searched for a framework that would help me understand client strengths (just like the stats that I took in sports). Gallup StrengthsFinder has become an important tool for me to nurture the individual talents that each of my clients have. These strengths are like tools in their tool belt, they're enjoyable to use, and their use considerably increases the client's chances of success.

As a career coach, I utilise this kinds of online career assessment tools to provide valuable insights to my clients to help them make a right career decision. Particularly for fresh graduates and also people aiming for a career transition, these tools are invaluable for developing a personal SWOT analysis and considering the best possible career options. Mostly the results help chart a path forward.

Online career assessment tools can be used to boost your career because these are used by prospective employers by looking at the strengths & weaknesses of the applicants. This is not the end of it all because a prospective employer will also look at the applicant’s profile; typically you can expect better results from a professional with work experience as compared with a fresh graduate. Given this, a fresh graduate or a career professional can use these assessment tools to her advantage by looking at those aspects with lower ratings as areas for improvement. One can use these results to focus on learning & development of oneself on the areas with needed improvements. With online assessment, a fresh graduate can gain ground on weak areas.

While online career assessment tools are helpful, they cannot replace the individualised and customised approach one can get with a human interaction from a mentor or a career coach. A career coach would help the coachee by probing and asking relevant questions to understand the emotions behind the responses. For example, someone's personal life situation which could be handling a crisis may play a great influential role in developing a particular behaviour which could be a temporary phase. And decisions regarding careers cannot be based exclusively on the findings of the online assessment tools.

Especially when you are at a loss and feeling stuck, relying on online career assessment tools can be a dicey strategy. Your self-confidence might be low and therefore you might answer the questions very differently from who you really are. This in turn, can have a negative impact on your self-confidence. It is certainly wise, not to rely on them alone. As a coach I work with my clients to get a full picture of their talents; what they love doing, what they enjoy doing from time to time and what drains them. I use a tool for this, called Coretalents, which is very powerful. Unfortunately, it is not available as an online assessment because the guidance of a certified coach is needed.

The affordability and diverse range of options make them a great starting point for career exploration. They provide valuable insights that can serve as a helpful foundation for self-discovery. However, your points about limitations are equally crucial to consider. As an Executive Coach, I often stress that these tools provide a snapshot, not the entire picture. Context and timing can significantly influence the outcomes. While they offer valuable insights, they don't replace the depth of personalised guidance and human interaction. A holistic approach that combines online tools with expert advice ensures a more accurate understanding of one's unique circumstances and aspirations.

The results of career assessment tools provide you validation of what you already know and revelation of what you don't know. Overall it adds to greater self awareness in the specific areas eg. personality, values, interests. With greater self awareness, it can be used in some common ways: 1. Job fit decision making - using the self awareness of our personality, interests, values to determine person to task and environment fit 2. Career decision making - using the result as a consideration factor within your career dilemma or situation. 3. Team building - effective teams are built on greater awareness of self and each other. Learning about each other's styles and strengths can help with delegation and performance.

Online career assessment tools can give you inspiration for avenues you weren't even thinking of. Feedback from mentors, peers and friends can be useful.

When using career assessment tools, please note: Whether the tool is a formal or informal tool - formal tools are researched, tested and validated psychometric tools while informal tools only have "face value" validity. The validity and reliability of the assessment tool you are using - has the tool been tested to produce accurate and reliable results? The origins and theories supporting the construct of the assessment tool - is there solid research and theory that the tool is built upon? Or is it from a mystic, unknown source? Your mental and emotional state - are you rested and focused on completing the assessment? Doing the assessment in a frazzled, tired state will influence your results.

Assessments can be very enlightening in your career journey. But I’ve often found that professionals implement or utilize them to fit an agenda, rather than for growth. You want to avoid falling into the BOX that it describes for you. These assessments are there to show you both strengths and weaknesses, but not to give you excuses for your behaviors or why you act a certain way at work. Additionally, you have to remember that you’ll have skills that you are very strong in, but may have no enjoyment in completing - this is often a trap I see professionals fall into. The assessment can show strengths but not always fulfillment. And aligning both can have an even more important role in your growth and development, and career direction.

One key indicator is energy. If an activity energizes you, it's bound to be linked to a talent. If it drains you, that is also important information. Look for clues in yourself, without judgement.