Expert Direction on Job Changing Methodologies
by Gary Ames - Selected writings by a professional job campaign manager.
Home

Vocational Personality Types

by Gary Ames

 
  1. Advanced Job Search
  2. Communication
  3. Documents
  4. Getting Interviews
  5. Interviewing
  6. Research
  7. Miscellaneous
  8. Tools

There are six vocational personality types and six types of jobs.:

Realistic

Investigative

Artistic

Enterprising

Social

Conventional

There are 6 pages below that describe each vocational theme.

Some of these themes will be quite similar to the way you are, and others will be dissimilar.  Evaluate your fit with the types by looking at all the components of each vocational personality type.  As you do this comparison, do not be concerned about factors that are not central to the type (such as expected salary or required education).

Examine each of the six vocational types, and rank-order all six of them by placing them, in order, from “most like me” to “least like me”.  Then, below, write the first initial of the Type.  Put “Most” on the left and “Least” on the right.  For example, someone whose ranks their choices in the following order: Realistic, Artistic, Investigative, Conventional, Enterprising, and Social, would complete the chart like this. 

Most like me                                                               Least like me

__R__  __A__  __I__  __C__  __E__  __S__

Now, examine the pages,

assess your goodness of fit with that type,

and put the one letter, in order of fit, to you.

Most like me                                                               Least like me

__ __  __ __  __ __  __ __  __ __  __ __

Re-write the same letters, in the same order, but spread them out.  The 6 letters are spaced equally above, but the “psychological space or temperature” among them is not equal.

Group some letters close together if the types are about the same fit.  There are probably larger spaces between other letters.  Use the whole line below to distribute the 6 letters in the same rank order with close ones together and others farther apart to represent distance of psychological space or goodness of fit with your vocational personality.

Most like me                                                           Least like me

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------



___ R  Realistic Theme

Realistic jobs personalities include the risky, practical, conservative, frank and tangible.

Agriculture         hard physical labor outdoors

Nature                 appreciation of the out-of-doors, including its esthetics

Adventure           risk-taking, possibly of a physical, financial, and/or social nature

Military Activities   structured activities in a hierarchical setting

Mechanical Activities       working with tools, both large and small

Sample Questions

I enjoy physical labor and using tools, either large or small.

I can build and construct things.

I prefer to work out-of-doors.

I like to produce tangible results

Realistic Topics

Mechanical/Fixing
Electronics
Carpentry
Manual/Skilled Trades
Protective Service
Athletics/Sports
Nature/Outdoors
Animal Service

Realistic Occupations

Aircraft Mechanic
Conservation Officer
Electrician
Firefighter
Forest Ranger
Hardware Store Manager
Machinist
Military

Orthotist/Prosthetist
Police Officer
Telephone Repairer


___I Investigative Theme

Investigative combinations include exploration, understanding, scientific, and research.

Science           Physical sciences.

Mathematics   Working with numbers and numerical concepts.

Medical Science         Biological sciences.

Medical Service Performing clinical activities to help others.

Sample Questions:

I enjoy scientific and technical work.

I can think through problems in a creative manner.

I like to analyze abstract problems.

I prefer to work independently.

Investigative Topics

Mathematics
Scientific Research/Development
Medical Science

Investigative Occupations

Chemist
Chiropractor
Computer Scientist
Dentist
Economist
Physical Therapist
Radiologic Technician
Veterinarian



___A Artistic Theme

Artistic types include creativity, openness to experience, intellectual, and innovative interests.

Music/Dramatics        Participation in and/or appreciation of musical and theatrical activities.

Art                  Participation in and/or appreciation of the fine or visual arts.

Writing           Participation in and/or appreciation of verbal linguistic activities, including reading and writing.

Sample Questions:

I enjoy works of music, writing, or the visual arts.

I look for opportunities for self-expression.

I perform best in unstructured work environments.

I like to work independently.

Artistic Topics

Writing
Creative Arts
Performing/Entertaining

Artistic Occupations

Advertising Artist/Writer
Architect
Author/Writer
Chef
Interior Designer
Librarian
Newspaper Reporter
Photographer


___S (Social)

Social jobs and personalities include helping, teaching, agreeableness, and empathy.

Teaching         Instructing others, especially young people.

Social Service Helping others solve personal problems, particularly in a one-on-one relationship.

Athletics         Enjoyment of sporting events, particularly of a team nature, either as a spectator or participant.

Domestic Arts Interests in cooking and entertaining, child care, and/or home maintenance and organizational activities.

Sample Questions:

I enjoy helping others solve people-related problems.

I prefer to work with a group.

I can teach and train others.

I like caring for others.

Social Topics

Community Service
Educating
Medical Service
Religious Activities

Social Occupations

Athletic Trainer
Elementary School Teacher
Occupational Therapist
Registered Nurse
Religious Leader


___E Enterprising Theme

Enterprising jobs include status, persuasive, directing, and gregarious.

Public Speaking Speaking persuasively in front of others.

Law/Politics    Interest in policy issues and debating them.

Merchandising   Selling when others come to you.

Sales               Selling by approaching customers (cold calls).

Business Management        Leading others from a position of authority.

Sample Questions:

I like leading and taking charge of people and projects.

I enjoy selling to and persuading others.

I can manage people and projects.

I prefer to work in a business setting.

Enterprising Topics

Public Speaking
Law/Politics
Management/Supervision
Sales

Enterprising Occupations

Elected Public Official
Food Service Manager
Hospital Administrator
Hotel/Motel Manager
Insurance Agent
Manufacturing Representative
Personnel Manager
Purchasing Agent
Real Estate Agent


___C Conventional Theme

Conventional types include routine, standards, practical, and orderly.

Office Practices Taking care of the details necessary to run an office.

Sample Questions:

I enjoy working in an office environment.

I can keep office procedures running smoothly.

I pay attention to the details of the task.

I like working within a structure and a chain of command.

Conventional Topics

Office Practices
Clerical/Clerking
Food Service

Conventional Occupations

Accountant
Bank Manager

Pharmacy

 

 
 
Home

1. Advanced Job Search  2. Communication  3. Documents  4. Getting Interviews  5. Interviewing  6. Research  7. Miscellaneous  8. Tools