"They say the most successful and contented people are those that enjoy what they do and love their work." They say the most successful and contented people are those that enjoy what they do and love their work. True enough, you might find a way to excel in a career that barely fits your preferences, but you can never find as much fulfillment and satisfaction as when you choose a career path that fits your personality. In a stage of finding a career or making a career change, you can refer to the Holland's Theory of Career Choice as discussed further below.
The Holland's Theory of Career Choice and Personality
Hypothesized by John Holland, this theory of career choice gives light on work-related behavior vis-à-vis an employee's personality and is, thus, useful in career matching. Further on, the Holland Theory of Career Choice explains which careers will you be more successful in and which would provide you the most satisfaction.
To quote John Holland himself: "…people can function and develop best and find job satisfaction in work environments that are compatible with their personalities." The theory gives a problem-solving and cognitive approach to career planning. It is, in fact, what career counselors refer to when giving career advice about deciding on which university programs, degree majors, and eventually, what career will give you the most fulfillments throughout your lifetime.
The highlights of the Holland's Theory of Career Choice are the six different personality types which each individual is believed to have, namely:
- Realistic
If you have a Realistic personality, you prefer working with your hands building, assembling, fixing, or making things, using tools and/or operating equipment or machines, and often prefer working outdoors. Your key skills are in using tools and operating equipment and machinery, repairing, working manually, designing, measuring, driving, caring for animals, moving, working in details, and working with plants.
English, Math, Science, Workshop, Technology, Computing, Business, Horticulture, Physical Education
Occupations practical to your skills:
- Pilot
- Farmer
- Horticulturist
- Builder
- Engineer
- Armed services personell
- Mechanic
- Upholsterer
- Electrician
- Computer technologist
- Park ranger
- Sportsperson
- Investigative Personality Type
This personality type likes to discover and research ideas, experiment, observe, investigate, and ask and solve questions. Your key skills may be one or more of these: thinking analytically and logically, designing, calculating, computing, communicating by writing, experimenting, diagnosing, investigating, and formulating.
Recommended studies:
English, Math, Science, Computing, Technology
Occupations practical to your skills:
- Science
- Research
- Medical and Health occupations
- Chemist
- Marine scientist
- Forestry technician
- Medical or agricultural laboratory technician
- Zoologist
- Dentist
- Doctor
- Artistic Personality Type
A person having this personality likes to use mediums to express oneself, such as the use of words, music, art, and drama. You are also inclined to create or design things. Common key skills are in artistic or physical expression, oral communication, writing and singing, designing, performing, composing, presenting, planning, dancing, and acting.
Recommended Studies:
English, Art, Languages, Music, Theater, Social Studies, Computing, Design, Business Studies
Occupations practical to your skills:
- Art: artist, photographer, sign writer, illustrator
- Music: dancer, singer, composer, instrument player
- Literary: actor, editor, advertiser, reporter, writer
- Designing: fashion designer, hairdresser
- Social Personality Type
You have an inclination towards frequent social interaction such as being with people often to teach, train, help, inform, treat, cure, heal, serve, greet, or are concerned with the welfare and well-being of others. Your key skills are in written and oral communication, training, meeting, greeting, teaching, assisting, informing, coaching, interviewing, and caring and supporting.
Recommended studies:
Art, English, Health, Languages, Physical Education, Social Studies, Science, Math, Business Studies, and Computing
Occupations practical to your Skills:
- Teacher
- Nurse and nurse aide
- Police officer
- Counselor
- Social worker
- Customer service officer
- Waiter
- Secretary
- Salesperson
- Enterprising Personality Type
Meeting people, talking, leading, influencing others, and working in business are what you like to do best. Your key skills are in promoting, persuading, selling, organizing, managing, public speaking, leading, planning, computing, and developing ideas.
Recommended Studies:
Accounting, Business Studies, English, Economics, Drama, Computing, Social Studies, Theater, Information Management, Languages, Math
You may find a career match in any of these occupations:
- Conventional Personality Type
Individuals with conventional personality type are believed to be inclined to working indoors, and enjoy tasks that involve organizing, following procedures, accuracy, working with data or numbers, and planning work and events. Key skills in this personality are in computing and keyboarding, recording and keeping records, making calculations, meeting and greeting, organizing, handling money, arranging, and working independently.
With this personality, you might find career matches in these occupations:
- receptionist
- Secretary
- Office worker
- Librarian
- Computer operator
- Stores and dispatch clerk
Areas of study that match your career include Accounting, Business Studies, Math, Computing, Economics, Test Information Management.
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Finding the Perfect Career Match Based on Your Personality