“I am about to graduate but not sure what job to pursue”
“I have tried 7 jobs in the past 4 years but nothing seems suitable”
“I am a stay home parent for the past few years, I want to get back to work but I am not sure how to begin”
Does this sound like you?
If so, you could benefit from taking time to explore your career interests.
Reflect back to the time when you were learning a new subject in school.
You may notice that when you have a strong interest in the topic, you are motivated to dive deeper, spending more time and eventually score well.
Similarly, if your interests match the work environment/job sector, it can lead to improved performance, satisfaction and drive at work.
RIASEC
If there was a tool to inform you about what jobs might better match your interest, will you be willing to try?
The good news is there is an established assessment tool RIASEC that might suggest possible jobs suitable for you.
What does RIASEC stand for?
RIASEC is the acronym to six personality types—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.
Take a look at our hexagon infographic below to explore the six personality types.
According to Identifor, the theory classifies people into their respective category by evaluating how a person approaches life situations – and most people fall into more than one category.
The test is designed to help you discover which careers are most suitable for you according to your abilities, interests, skills, and traits.
The Holland codes theory or RIASEC was initially developed by American Psychology John Holland over the course of his career, starting in the 1950s.
How to find my ideal career?
Find out Your Holland Code
Excerpted from O*Net. The Interest Profiler, a 180-item instrument, helps individuals identify their work-related interests and translates these interests into occupations that closely fit.
The Interest Profiler can help workers consider career options and plan career preparation and transitions more effectively.
Users of the Interest Profiler may link information on more than 900 occupations described in the O*NET database to occupational information in America’s Career Info Net and to information in other career and labour market information systems.
The Interest Profiler also allows individuals to relate their interest assessment results to the requirements of occupations in the local labour market.
Now that you have a better understanding of the tool, you can log in to use the free Interest Profiler provided by O*Net and start your assessment.
Next Step.
Match Your Code to the Careers
Once you know your RIASEC code, the next step is to look through the list provided below.Look through your top 2 scores. For example, if you score the highest for Social and investigative, look at the jobs under these two personality types.
Choose three jobs from each type that resonate with you. Now do further research on the careers you have shortlisted and check if you qualify for that role.
You can sign up for a Linkedin account and connect with people in that industry to learn more about the career pathways and look for courses to upskill if you do not yet meet the requirements.
How do you find out what are the job requirements? One of the ways is to look at job posting from the company’s website or from job agencies.
If you are a mid-career seeker, you can check out the SGUS programmes. You can read my experience in this post.
Job List for RIASEC
This list is not exhaustive.
Realistic
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians
Animal Trainers
Athletes and Sports Competitors
Audio and Video Equipment Technicians
Bakers
Barbers
Carpenters
Civil Engineers
Electrical Engineering Technicians
Furniture Finishers
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
Painters
Pest Control Workers
Plumbers
Investigative
Anthropologists
Biologists
Clinical Psychologists
Computer Programmers
Dietitians and Nutritionists
Forensic Science Technicians
Marine Engineers
Optometrists
Pharmacists
Psychiatrists
Veterinarians
Artistic
Actors
Art Directors
Choreographers
Exhibit Designers
Graphic Designers
Interior Designers
Makeup Artists
Musicians
Photographers
Singers
Social
Child care teachers
Coaches
Marriage and family Counselors
Registered nurses
Social workers
Special needs teachers
Tour guides
Waiters and waitresses
Enterprising
Advertising Managers
Chefs
Copywriters
Human Resources Managers
Lawyers
Real Estate Sales Agents
Recruiters
Telemarketers
Training and Development Managers
Conventional
Accountants
Cashiers
Dental Assistants
General clerks
Insurance Underwriters
Librarians
Proofreaders
Secretaries
Web Administrators
Web Developers
There are few more things to consider before applying for a job of your interest.
Watch this video by the late Richard Nelson Bolles on the anatomy of the job using the flower exercise. You can buy his book – What Color is Your Parachute.Here are the steps for the flower exercise.
- List down your favourite knowledge of field of interest. E.g. Public speaking, and etc.
- Your preferred kind of colleagues. E.g. Supportive, honest and etc.
- What you can and love to do. E.g. Drawing, singing and etc.
- What is your favourite working condition? E.g. Relaxed dress code and etc.
- What is your preferred level of responsibilities and salary? E.g. Team leader, $3.8k.
- Where would you like to live (work context)? E.g. Singapore, Malaysia, UK and etc.
- What is your life purpose? E.g. Impact the next generation with joy.
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