Do you know which kinds of careers are of most interest to you? Answering this question with confidence is a great first step towards career planning. If you are unsure of the answer, start the process of self-assessment with a careers interest questionnaire
The Career Interests Inventory developed by Team Focus builds Holland, a distinguished psychologist鈥痺ho developed a theory of career choice that dominates to the theory and鈥痳esearch鈥痮f career counselling to this day
According to is that people can be described a combination of six types (abbreviated RIASEC) which can be described as the person鈥檚 individual 鈥渋nterest code鈥�:
- Realistic
- Investigative
- Artistic
- Social
- Enterprising
- Conventional
Take the Careers Interest Inventory鈥�and receive a confidential, individualised report.
Hollands鈥欌�痗ore鈥痶heory is that people鈥痗an be described鈥痑 combination of six types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional鈥�(abbreviated RIASEC) which can be described as the person鈥檚 individual 鈥渋nterest code鈥�. A Holland code (typically the first letters of the three RIASEC types the person most resembles) uses鈥痶he rank ordering of all six types to describe individuals.鈥�鈥�
Likewise, work environments can be categorized by their resemblance to the RIASEC types, and Holland codes are often used to describe them as well.鈥疶wo of the most important鈥痑ssertions鈥痮f Holland鈥檚 extensive research鈥痑re鈥痶hat鈥�(Holland, 1997):鈥�
- 鈥疘ndividuals search for and enter work environments鈥痶hat allow them to鈥痶ake on problems and roles鈥痶hat align with their interest codes.鈥�
- The鈥痙egree of鈥�渇it鈥濃�痓etween an鈥痠ndividual鈥檚 interest code鈥痑nd the work environment鈥痗an determine their level of performance and job satisfaction.鈥�
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The following table outlines Holland鈥檚鈥痠nterest framework, as described by the鈥�, the primary source of careers information in the United States, funded by the US Dept. of Labour ( have integrated Holland鈥檚 codes into their system of standard classification of occupational roles).
The table outlines the kind of work associated with each interest type. Most people have a combination of preferred interest types which can be grouped together by the associated letters in order of preference, forming a personalised interest code. For example, a person whose first interest is Investigative, second is Social and third is Conventional would have an interest code of 鈥淚SC鈥�.
| Holland鈥檚 Interest Type |
Likely to enjoy work that involves 鈥� |
O*Net Definition of Types |
| R - Realistic |
鈥凄辞颈苍驳 and Implementing鈥� |
Realistic careers involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. |
| I - Investigative |
鈥淭hinking and Analysing鈥� |
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally. |
| A 鈥� Artistic |
鈥淐reating and Expressing鈥� |
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules. |
| S 鈥� Social |
鈥淐ommunicating and Helping鈥� |
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others. |
| E 鈥� Enterprising |
鈥淧ersuading and Influencing鈥� |
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business. |
| C 鈥� Conventional |
鈥淧lanning and Organising鈥� |
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow. |
