Career Development

Career development involves the use of assessment tools and resources to assist with the process of career planning and transition.  The assessment process often includes a three-prong approach (self-assessment, informal assessments and formal assessments), to discover an individual's specific strengths, aptitudes, skills, values, and preferences.

When performing a self-assessment, an individual will be guided through a process to explore questions such as:

• What activities do you enjoy?
• How do you like to spend your time?
• What do you feel are your talents, skills and abilities?
• What experience can you draw upon for a new career position?
• What makes you unique?
• What characteristics of a job are needed to provide you with long-term energy and motivation?
• What elements of your work and career do you value most?

The process of performing an informal assessment often involves:
(a) exploring topics by completing written exercises and questionnaires
(b) informational interviews
(c) individual discussions
(d) job shadowing

Formal assessments involve the completion of standardized instruments, which can provide a basis for measurement or interpretation.

We provide administration and interpretation services using several key assessment inventories and instruments, including the:

• Myers Briggs Type Indicator ~ MBTI ®
• Strong Interest Inventory ®
• FIRO-B® Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior
• Work Personality Index ~ WPI
• WPI Career Transitions Report
• Manchester Personality Questionnaire
• Personal Competencies Inventory
• Hogan Career Compass
• Career Interest Profiler
• Career Values Scale
• Barriers to Employment Success Inventory
• Time Management Practices Inventory
• Stress Profile

You may view a sample listing of these assessments at: CPP, Inc., CareerID and the SHRM Testing Center. These assessments fall into such categories as:
(a) aptitude and ability inventories
(b) interest inventories
(c) values assessments
(d) career development assessments
(e) personality and leadership style inventories

How is career coaching different from counseling and therapy?