A new orientation process or finding the right career path can be more than a little challenging for most of us. The challenges will, of course, vary depending on our position in life. Regardless of whether or not we are considering school or university drop-outs searching for the right career paths, or others in the process of new orientation or further development in their careers, a great deal of importance is given to personality tests and assessments, both by employers and ourselves alike.

These instruments facilitate the decision making process. There are a lot of professions where the recruiting and selecting process would be unimaginable without them. As The Wall Street Journal states in an article about the personality tests: “An applicant's handshake may be crucial at a job interview. But a personality test can tell a company what's behind that handshake.”

Fair point, but I am beginning to believe that we are losing faith in ourselves. Last week, we ran a workshop for a group of young students on the topic of choosing their professional career path. A group of young minds, some of them already with firm ideas on where they want to be and some others in the process of thinking, searching and feeling slightly afraid of making the wrong decision came together. At the end of the workshop one of the students said that she sometimes wished that there was some kind of test at the end of which she was presented with a number stating you are number XYZ and this is the right job fit for you. Theoretically this is possible. She was, of course, only joking, but her comment has stayed with me and has been playing on my mind.

I also experience, through my work, how heavily job seekers rely on assessments and personality tests. They often tend to forget to take the simple approach towards getting a personal insight e.g. taking some time off for some self-searching on a personal and professional level. They need time to draw upon their experiences, to get an insight into the different facets of their personality and to dig a bit deeper to see how much valuable information is accessible thanks to their own personal ability. This is an amazing and powerful exercise. Where necessary tests and tools can be utilized to help overcome uncertainties. 

Take the courage to believe in your personal ability, to assess your personality, your skills, competencies and more …