Choosing the right career path can feel like navigating a maze. To help individuals effectively explore career options, plan their professional development, and manage career transitions, the U.S. Department of Labor has introduced a suite of self-guided Career Decider Tools. These resources are invaluable for both experienced workers contemplating a change and students transitioning from education to the workforce. The newly available Interest Profiler and Work Importance Locator are designed to empower you in making informed decisions about your future.
These innovative tools are built upon a “whole-person” assessment philosophy. They are designed to help you pinpoint your work-related interests, understand what truly matters to you in a job, and identify your key abilities. By gaining insights into these crucial aspects of yourself, you can then explore occupations that align perfectly with your unique profile. The beauty of these career decider tools lies in their seamless integration with the comprehensive O*NET database, which details over 900 occupations. Furthermore, users can effortlessly link to CareerOneStop for even more occupational information. This smooth transition allows you to move from self-assessment to understanding the specific skills and requirements of jobs in your local labor market.
For deeper insights and guidance, the O*NET Resource Center provides a series of Testing & Assessment Guides. These resources are designed to enhance your understanding of career assessments and how to utilize them effectively in your decision-making process.
Essential Guides for Career Exploration and Assessment
The O*NET team has developed several key guides to support both employers and individuals in leveraging assessments for career development:
For Employers: Testing and Assessment: An Employer’s Guide to Good Practices
This guide is an essential resource for managers and workforce development professionals. It demystifies employment testing and assessment practices, explaining how to effectively use these tools to achieve organizational human resources objectives. It breaks down complex concepts into easily understandable terms, making it accessible for any employer looking to optimize their talent acquisition and management strategies.
For Individuals: Tests and Other Assessments: Helping You Make Better Career Decisions
Navigating the world of career assessments can be daunting. This guide is specifically designed to empower individuals to understand the different types of assessments available and how to strategically use them to make well-informed career decisions. It serves as your personal roadmap to effectively utilizing assessments as a career decider tool.
For Workforce Professionals: Testing and Assessment: A Guide to Good Practices for Workforce Investment Professionals (December 2007)
This guide is tailored for workforce development professionals, providing practical guidance on using assessment instruments to foster talent development. By utilizing assessments effectively, professionals can assist clients in exploring diverse career paths, identifying skill gaps and educational needs, targeting relevant job opportunities, and obtaining industry-recognized credentials. This guide equips you to:
- Evaluate and select the most appropriate assessment tools and procedures for career exploration, skill identification, knowledge demands, and career readiness.
- Master the administration and scoring of assessment tools to meet the specific needs of both businesses and individual clients.
- Accurately and effectively interpret assessment results to provide meaningful career counseling.
- Understand the professional and legal standards that govern assessment use in career counseling, training, and other talent development activities.
These comprehensive resources from the U.S. Department of Labor, including the Interest Profiler, Work Importance Locator, and the series of Testing & Assessment Guides, provide a robust suite of career decider tools. Whether you are an individual seeking clarity in your career path or a professional guiding others, these tools are designed to empower informed decision-making and unlock your full career potential. Explore these valuable resources today at the O*NET Resource Center tools page and reports page.
