Skills/Personality Assessment

I-Top Jobs For Different Personality Types

Many experts believe that to have a successful job search, and a rewarding career, you must know your interests, your work style, and which of your personal needs must be met for you to operate at your highest potential. The lists below are meant to give you ideas of possible professions that maybe appropriate if you have the interests and desires that appear at the top of each list.

Top Jobs for People Who...

Like to Keep Learning
1. Software Developer
2. Physicist
3. Diplomat
4. Journalist
5. Architect
6. Physician
7. Computer Programmer
8. Teacher
9. Writer

Need Make as Much Money as Possible Right Away
1. Investment Banker
2. Financial Analyst
3. Management Consultant
4. Sales Person Paid on Commission
5. Banker
6. Stockbroker
7. Marketing Executive

Can't Dressing Up
1. Computer Programmer
2. Artist
3. Writer
4. Actor
5. Petroleum Engineer
6. Athletic Coach
7. Philosopher
8. Zoologist
9. Anthropologist
10. Child Care Worker

Have Type-A Personalities
1. Attorney
2. Investment Banker
3. Management Consultant
4. Pilot
5. Military Officer
6. Architect
7. Athletic Coach
8. Stockbroker

Long for Unpredictable Days
1. Detective/Investigator
2. Customer Service Representative
3. Restaurateur
4. Firefighter
5. Musician
6. Advertising Executive
7. Petroleum Engineer
8. Promoter
9. Agent

Love People
1. Teacher
2. Human Resources Manager
3. Guidance Counselor
4. Corporate Trainer
5. Child Care Worker
6. Hotel Manager
7. Church Leader

Like to Work with Their Hands
1. Carpenter
2. Mechanic
3. Dentist
4. Machinist
5. Zoologist
6. Printer
7. Mechanical Engineer
8. Physician
9. Chef

II-The Right Tools Can Help You Find The Right Job

Figuring out which job or career is right for you can be an enormous challenge.  Ideally, a job should fit your interests, leverage your skills, and offer the opportunity for professional advancement and development.  This may be easier said than done however, especially since there could be several job possibilities that meet these criteria.  You may be interested in pursuing a career in sales, but also have a keen interest human resources, or teaching.

Whether you have some sense of what you want to do, or have absolutely no idea what job or career is right for you, a self assessment test may help you narrow in on the right focus.  Following is a list of websites offering personality and career-related assessment tests that may help you figure out which jobs to pursue, and which ones to rule out.  You may learn for example that you are outgoing and proactive, and therefore a job in sales could leverage these strengths.  While no test will tell you exactly what you should do for a living, you could gain some valuable insight into yourself and the type of job you are best suited for.  Good luck!

Personality assessment test

Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI):                            

www.humanmetrics.com

Keirsey Sorter:                              

www.keirsey.com and www.advisorteam.com

Enneagram:                                                               

www.enneagraminstitute.com

Career-related personality assessments

The MAPP Test (Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential}: Assessment.com.

Dr. John C. Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS) test:  

www.self-directed-search.com.

 Spencer Stuart: 

www.spencerstuart.com.

These tests may not provide all of the answers, however contemplating your skills, strengths, interests and personality can help you choose a more rewarding career path and realize more of your true potential.

III-9 Questions To Ask If You Still Haven't Found A Job
You have been looking for a job for six months but you still haven't found one? Ask yourself.

1. Are you networking? Job-seekers today can't rely on passive methods of job-hunting. You have to meet people and tell as many of them as possible that you're looking for a job (be specific).

2. Are you limiting your search? Are you relying strictly on job ads in the newspaper? Or have you decided that Internet ads will be the source of your next job? Don't search in only one sphere. Don't limit your search; incorporate every form of job-hunting into the mix.

3. Are you targeting employers most likely to need your skills? A really effective job search begins with comprehensive employer research and development of a list of employers to target. Based on various research criteria, you can target companies you most want to work for, companies that are likely to have plentiful openings in your field, and/or companies in particular need of the skills you have to offer.

4. Are you spending enough time job-hunting? Many experts believe job-hunting should in itself be a full-time job. If you're in school or employed while seeking a better job, your time may be somewhat limited. But you should put as much time as you can into it.

5. Do you follow up after sending out your resume? Those who proactively follow up are much more likely to get interviews.

6. Are you even getting interviews? If you're following up but still not getting interviews, the problem could lie with your resume or cover letter.

7. How are your interview skills? If you're getting lots of interviews but never make it past the interview stage, your interview skills might need some polishing. Have a friend conduct a mock interview with you and critique your performance. Better yet, find a professional in your field to mock-interview you.

8. Do you send thank-you notes after interviews? It's just common courtesy. Though a thank-you note won't make or break your job search, it might help you make a good impression.

9. Have you asked what you're doing wrong? After you receive a rejection from an employer, do you ask what you did wrong or what you could have done better? Granted, most employers won't give you a straight answer but occasionally you'll find a sympathetic person with whom you may have had good rapport in the interview. If only one person reveals something that can give you a more effective approach to your job search, it will have been well worth asking. If you are rejected, also be sure to let the employer know you're still interested in working for the company. That technique has paid off for many a job-seeker when the person the company hired didn't work out.

IV-How To Get A Job With A Company That Is Not Advertising Open Positions

Some employers are difficult to see, and it takes creative strategies to gain entry. It also takes a lot of old-fashioned persistence.

I am reminded of a saleswoman who wanted to make an appointment with a purchasing executive in another city, and knew that person would probably be hard to see. She wrote ahead and said she would be calling the executive when she arrived in town, figuring that would ease the way. But when she called, his secretary said the man was busy and could not take the call.

That story was repeated every time the woman called. She had scheduled four days of appointments in that city and called the purchasing executive every day without success. She was about to give up on the morning of the fifth day, only a few hours before she had to catch a plane home, but decided to give it one more try.

To her surprise, the purchasing executive answered his own phone, apologized when told she had been trying to reach him all week, and told her to come right over. She made her presentation, which resulted in a major sale. Whether the purchasing executive had in fact been too busy to see her or whether her lack of access was caused by an overzealous secretary, she was persistent and successfully completed her mission.

If you have your sights set on a certain company, more effort is required. You might want to call the hiring manager early or late, before or after the start of the business day. You might be able to make direct contact with the employer when the secretary isn't there.

If you do, offer to make an appointment at his convenience, before or after the regular business day if necessary. That will send the message that you are interested in the company enough to make the extra effort to be interviewed. It also will show that you are not likely to be a nine-to-five worker, recognizing that the hours of the business day have expanded to encompass whatever time is needed to get the job done. Both are very desirable impressions to make on a prospective employer.

Have you sent this person your resume? What type of a resume was it? Many job seekers do not have the type of resume they need in today's market. If your resume was the traditional one-and-a-half or two pages that briefly outlines your goals, work background and education, you have done yourself a disservice. Today you need to add specific examples of your accomplishments for previous employers. You should focus your resume away from your own objectives and concentrate on what you have to offer a company. A self-centered resume that discusses your goals is going to wind up in the trash.

If need be, revise your resume and just sit outside the hiring manager's office until you can be seen. Sooner or later, the person will likely talk to you.

There is, of course, the possibility that an employer may not be interested in you. It is not pleasant to contemplate, but you have to consider it. However, you should not let it lessen your sense of self-worth. Do not put all your eggs in one basket. There are lots of excellent jobs out there. If you still have no success after making your best effort to see this hiring manager, take your experience to another employer.

V-Can’t Find A Job?  Be a Free Agent.

During a job search, many people consider consulting or project work. Unfortunately, finding interesting consulting work isn’t always easy, however here are few ideas to get you started as a successful independent contractor.

If you are out of work, your former employer or other companies in your industry may be interested in having you do some consulting work. It's good for the employer because someone familiar with the company and/or industry is doing the work. The work may be steady and the pay good for a specified period of time, but inevitably, like most project work, it will end.  So be sure to continue your job search or look for new consulting projects even when you are busy on your current project.

Project or consulting work can often lead to a permanent position, or at least allow ample time to job search if you are careful about which jobs you accept. Ask yourself: Is the opportunity with a good company? Could the temporary work lead to full-time employment? You may even want to get two or three outsourced jobs, putting you in touch with two or three prospective employers. of the fact is, most temporary work can turn into a full-time position if you are able to make a positive impact and prove your long-term value.

Don’t forget however, job searching is in itself can be a full-time job. If you are temporarily working at a company where there is no future for you, you could be wasting your time, and taking valuable energy and effort away from the important task of getting a full-time position.

When doing consulting work, ask if the company is hiring full time at that office or other company locations. If the person you are directly consulting for is not hiring, he or she may know of someone else in the company who is. Take advantage of your time in the company's office. Personally visit the people who may be hiring. You will have a head start on your competition because you are already working for the company and have the trust of someone at the firm.

Even if you cannot find someone hiring full time, you still have expanded your list of job-lead contacts. Ask them if they know other people you could meet.

Project work also allows you to expand your job search and apply your skills to other industries. Let's say, for instance, you are a laid-off copywriter for an advertising agency. You can consult not only for other agencies but also for businesses that have their own in-house advertising departments. Through consulting work, you can get exposed to the client side of the business.

VI-VietnamWorks’ Career FAQ and Answers.

1.How can I get information about a career that interests me?

The best way is to speak to people who currently do the job, perhaps you know somebody that does? Otherwise apply for an internship and get some work experience. Work experience can be useful if you have some spare time, perhaps after graduating, or during school summer holidays. Usually unpaid you may be given the chance to shadow an employer which can provide a valuable insight into what a job entails. It is also a good idea to have a look at some industry publications, these are often not available in normal newsagents but perhaps your local library stocks them? Industry specific websites on the Internet can also be useful in providing up to date career information too.

2. What are the most well paid industry sectors?

Salaries increase proportionally with job responsibility, however some industries do pay a lot more than others. Banking and finance, is one of the highest paying, accountants and bankers are all well paid. Skilled Information Technology personnel, specifically programmers can earn a lot of money too. Sales personnel who work on a commission based can earn a lot of money and any managerial post is usually financially rewarding.

3. I want to travel as part of my job, what career paths should I take?

The world is becoming a smaller place due to rapid affordable communication networks, globalization, and the reduced cost of air travel. As a result there is increasingly greater scope for traveling with many jobs. Some sectors lend themselves to international travel, leisure and tourism, export/trade and commercial airways are among the most obvious, but if you are skilled your abilities will be in demand in other countries.

4. The Information technology industry mainly employs men, why is this? And is it going to change?

With numbers of women in IT falling rather than rising, both the government and the IT industry are scrambling to encourage women to take up IT studies at the earliest possible opportunity. IBM, Microsoft and Sun have all been targeting women with awareness campaigns in an effort to close the skills gap. Hopefully change is on the way.

5. Is it necessary to attend university to get a good well-paid job?

No, attending university is not a guarantee of future success, some industries do however require that you have a degree for example medicine and law. In general, if you do not attend university you will have to start lower down the career ladder, but then again you will have 3 or four years head start on your contemporaries before they graduate. Experience and enthusiasm can go a long way.

6. Does my choice of degree have to dictate the direction my career takes?

If you want to get into a specialized industry like Medicine, Veterinary Science or Engineering then yes, you need to have relevant qualifications. However, if you have a good degree in any subject it can open doors to most industries. Having a degree shows a level of intellect, and commitment. Generally speaking a science degree is seen as being of higher value than an arts degree.

7. I am currently in work but I don't feel challenged, how can I develop my skills so that I am better qualified to move on to something else?

There are many ways to develop yourself whilst you are in work. Perhaps learn a foreign language at night classes or with an audio class. Improve your IT skills, perhaps your company will pay for you to take a course on databases or management. Make contacts whilst you are at work, networking is a very important skill and the adage 'it's not what you know but who you know ' is very true.

8. My great grandfather and grandfather were teacher, my father is a teacher, do I have to be a teacher?

Teaching is a very worthwhile occupation, however if your heart is not in it then perhaps it is not for you.

9. I have just finished university, should I be in a hurry to get my career underway?

Surely if you don't get a foot in the door soon, then you will be left behind. Most people need to find employment rapidly after leaving university to help pay off accrued debts. However you should not feel pressurized into making any career decisions. Take your time so that you get it right.

VII-Honesty - The Only Policy When Looking For A Job

It may sound like a truism, but an increase in ethics violations has caused companies to be more cautious when hiring job applicants. To help prevent hiring mistakes, employers are interviewing more applicants and doing more in-depth screening.

In this job-hunt atmosphere, you can eliminate yourself by making misstatements in an interview or on your resume. Details about responsibilities, education and salary are the most common misstatements.

Some job seekers exaggerate their previous salary, believing this will enable them to negotiate from a stronger vantage. Professionals call it "adding the tip." Salary usually is one fact previous employers will verify. If you are caught lying about your income, it is all over.

Some job seekers claim to have had more responsibility in their previous position than they actually did. For example, a manager in the financial-services industry decided to exaggerate his status at past jobs. He told prospective employers that he had been a vice president at his last two jobs. He was hired by a company and worked there for several months. One day he was called into his employer's office and fired on the spot. His boss said he had discovered the lies. Although the employee protested and cited positive contributions to the company, it was too late. Lying cost him his job and significantly jeopardized his future. He had to start all over again

Another unfortunate lesson involves misstatements which seemed to be the right idea for a manager in the manufacturing industry who had worked with one company for 10 years. He was worried that he would appear limited in the eyes of prospective employers, so he falsified his resume and listed other companies for which he had supposedly worked. When the prospective employer asked about his previous experience, he made up a few examples of what he had done at previous jobs. He also mentioned a well-known company by name and said he worked there for several years. Coincidentally, the prospective employer had a relative who was president of that company. When he asked a question about the president, the job candidate looked at him with a blank expression and said, "Who?" As soon as he said that, the interview ended.

Had that job seeker stressed his pluses instead of lying, he may have been offered the job. His background would have been looked upon favorably by most employers because he had been promoted several times in his previous job and had the ability to perform several job functions.

Misstating anything, either orally or in writing, will only wind up being counterproductive, because as soon as the employer detects a lie, you will be removed from consideration. If you feel something in your professional or educational background may stand in the way of your job search, stress the positives about yourself instead of lying.

There are many ways to project the image of a likable, confident, happy and capable person, the kind of candidate an employer is looking for. In an interview, instead of speaking generalities about how wonderful and capable you are, give concrete examples of how you contributed to a company's performance. You do not need to lie or exaggerate. Good work speaks for itself when properly presented.

Avoid mentioning anything that may be perceived as negative. Give examples of your ability to work well with others. Employers, today more than ever, want to hire people who will fit in well with the company immediately and be effective team players. By citing positive examples, you will give the employer reasons to screen you in, not out.
 

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