Written self-assessment activities, in the form of surveys, checklists, or questionnaires, are one way to gain insight into which careers match one's skills, personality, values, and goals. Some basic and practical considerations will help you achieve greater benefit from these tests:

Set aside enough undisturbed time (at one sitting) to read the assessment material, complete the exercise, and analyze your responses.

Since different assessments evaluate different traits and factors pertinent to a career, it is best to do more than one type of assessment exercise.

Don't feel you need to do all of the different assessment exercises at one sitting. Take time to reflect after each one.

Record your notes and answers in the manner that is best for you – on a computer, on notepaper, or in the test book. Keep the answers for future reference.

Think seriously about the questions. You are doing the assessment(s) for your own edification. Don't think in terms of "shoulds" or about what is "expected." For example, if a question asks if you like working directly with people and you really don't (even if you wish you were the type that did), say that you don't.

Remember: 1) there is no correct answer; 2) the questions aren't trying to trick you; and 3) the questions aren't trying to determine if you are dysfunctional – they're trying to help you identify information that will be useful in evaluating career choices.

Once you have done several different self-assessments, compare the results and look for trends and patterns.

Consider how the results match to what you are doing now, to what you have read in self-assessment books, to your career options, and to your goals.

Ask for input from friends, family, colleagues, and/or career/employment counselors about the findings of your self-assessment.

Don't be surprised if your self-assessment activities result in discoveries about traits, skills, attitudes, needs, and/or interests that you didn't know you had.

Because you change over time, revisit the self-assessment exercises from time to time.

Did you determine that you're in the right job for you right now? Great! Did you find out that you're in the right field, but not the right department/unit/role? Or did you find out that you are in the wrong field entirely?

Armed with the results of your assessments, you can plan how to proceed.

This article is one of a series about self assessment exercises. See also: getting started, personality testing, early life/ideal childhood job, goals, motivations, previous work experiences, skills, values, work at home, and work environments.

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Know Thyself: Using Informal Self-Assessment Tests