Committed to Your Success Coaching & Consulting

When coaching job seekers, I like to use assessments to help determine their personality characteristics.  These play a part in how one acts and interacts and can go as far as determining one’s career choice.  Personality characteristics can even be predictive of how you approach your job search.

One of the assessment tools I like is the Kiersey Temperment Sorter (www.kiersey.com).  The site offers a free version and it’s easy to use (tip: don’t spend a lot of time on the questions - go with your first thought).  There are four personality types, with four sub-types in each.  They are: Guardian, Artisan, Idealist, and Rational.  Here is a brief synopsis and how it relates to job search strategies:

1.  Guardians - make up the majority of the population.  They are loyal, prideful, dependable, hard working, joiners, value credentials; however, they don’t like change and can be overly cautious.  In the job search, they will dive right in, focusing on their degrees and memberships as the staple of their resume.  Getting them to think out-of-the-box can be a challenge in regards to new or different career paths.  They are not of the entreprenurial type, preferring the stability and security of working for a company.  However, they have what it takes to stay the course until a job is obtained. 

2. Artisans - focused on the present, willing to take chances, spontaneous, are intuitive, and want to achieve and make a difference.  The challenge with Artisans in the job search is getting them focused and into reality.  Due to their need for action and thrills, they can see job possibilities but may not have the skills to match.  They need daily plans and lists to keep them on track.  Research will be their friend as it will streamline their efforts so they can have time to “play.”

3.  Idealists - are fun-loving, giving, and focused on their self development and are concerned on how they reach the end results.  Idealists will take the time to do career assessments and figuring out where they want to go and how they will get there.  However, they may not reach high enough.  Because they are so giving, they can be too focused on helping others reach their goals rather than themselves.   They would do well with networking as a job search strategy.

4. Rationals - tend to be no-nonsense, practical, indpendent, even-tempered, and are researchers in getting to the bottom of how and why things work in their world.  Their job search strategy is thorough and though out.  They tend to go for the “safe” jobs but see positions that are exciting and relevant to their interests.  They have more to offer but prefer to stay the safe route.  Due to their diligence in seeking answers and pursuing goals, they need to put rest and fun on their ‘To Do” list.

Go take the test and see where you rate.  Remember, when our thoughts and actions align with our personal traits, we will be more successful in all areas of our life.