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Assessment tests > many types, one goal
There are many career assessment tests, but one major goal – to help you discover more about yourself. The tests can include personality tests, skills tests, and values inventories.

EOC has developed a quick assessment test to help students begin their career exploration. See My Future WISHLIST below. Often, the test is all that is needed for many students. Others may require more help.

With the advent of the Internet, Margaret Riley Dikel, in her WSJ.com CareerJournal.com article, A Guide to Going Online For Self-Assessment Tools, says finding on-line assessment tests are as easy as ever. Some are free, while othes can be taken online for fees ranging from $10 to $100, depending on the test and whether telephone, e-mail or personal counseling is included.

Richard Bolles, author of "What Color Is Your Parachute?" suggests using several assessments, and using your intuition while reviewing the results. Don't put all of your faith in one tool, even if you've used it before. Never forget that you're unique, and in-depth honest personal examination is always your best assessment tool. Also realize that tests with price tags aren't necessarily better than free ones.

EOC's Quick Assessment Test,
- Your Future WISHLIST -

Your Future WISHLIST is a quick career assessment test that will explore your interests, values, and aptitudes.

1. KNOW YOURSELF & YOUR INTERESTS
Developing career goals requires two basic types of information: knowledge about yourself and information about career options that are compatible with your interests, values, and skills. Begin by creating a picture of your ideal position, one that will bring you real job satisfaction:

A. My ideal job and minimum desired earnings would be

Choice 1:
Choice 2:
Choice 3:

B. Do you want to live on Maui?
• If yes, match your choice to the jobs available on Maui.
• If no, match your choice to anywhere you would like to find employment.

C. What kind of work would you be most happy with - (working with people, doing creative, mechanical or analytical work, one that challenges you, one where you are independent, or work in a group, one that does not require additional hours, etc.)?

D. What kind of work would you not be interested in?

2. ASSESS YOUR VALUES
Determine which of your values or personal attributes are important to your job satisfaction. (i.e. helping others, contributing to society, being part of a team, working independently, intellectual challenge, recognition, potential for advancement, financial rewards, professional status, job security, etc.)

3. DETERMINE YOUR SKILLS AND COMPENTECIES
Evaluate the skills you possess or want to develop. Skills come from a variety of work, academic, and life experiences, and generally fall into three categories: work-content skills (ability to perform a specific type of work); functional skills (i.e. problem solving, analyzing, selling, team building, managing, etc.) and self-management skills (the style and manner in which you work.)

Exploring career options
For many of you, this test is all you'll need to begin exploring careers that interest you. If that's true, see Local Resources for career exploration resources specific to Hawaii. For national career resources visit our National resource link.

If you are interested in other assessment tests, here are several career links and testing resources. Some tests are free, while others have a fee.

A Guide to Choosing TestsThat Are Right for You, Margaret Riley Dikel - WSJ.com CareerJournal.com

Career-intelligence.com - a woman's online career resource

JobHunter's Bible.com - Richard Bolles, author of "What Color Is Your Parachute?

EOC career links:

EOC Career exploration > Overview
EOC Career exploration > Assessment tests
EOC Career exploration > Local Resources
EOC Career exploration > National Resources

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