Guidance Based on Skills and Interests
To help you consider what careers are well suited to your skills and interests, read the following section.
Guidance based on skills and interests
The first step in making career decisions is to understand your unique set of interests, skills, values and motivations. You’ll enjoy your work more when you’re doing something you’re interested in and good at.
Identifying your skills
Think about the things you achieve every day at school or work, through your sporting activities, hobbies, interests or as a parent. List all the skills you need to be effective in these areas. For example, if you play a team sport, you could include ‘teamwork.’ If you’re a parent, you could list ‘organisational skills.’
Once you’ve drawn up your skill list, think about your interests and the careers these are most aligned to.
Understanding your personality type
John Holland is a psychologist who devoted his professional life to researching issues related to career choice and satisfaction. His research found that when people understood their fit with six vocational personality types, it helped them make better career decisions.
According to Holland's theory, people search for environments that allow them to express their interests, skills, attitudes and values. Work environments often attract people with similar personality types.
A number of websites now offer free self assessments that can help you select career options that best match your skills and interests. A good place to start is Career Services
