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Career assessments can provide you with the tools you need to make better-informed decisions about your professional life. They can offer direction when your career path seems a bit out of focus, and can lead you to jobs you might never have otherwise considered. They can also save you a great deal of money, since they enable you to channel your resources into more job-appropriate areas, such as computer training or specialized college classes. You may find that, once you complete your education, you'll also find it easier to land your dream job, having completed the training necessary for the position. But, even more importantly, career assessments can provide you with priceless information about yourself that might not be readily apparent to your conscious mind. These tests offer a window into your private world of motivations, interests, and talents. They can analyze your thinking style and job-related behavioral traits. Probing into your personality, they can determine which jobs would provide you with the best chance of success. They can illuminate your strengths and weaknesses, and show you how to capitalize on your assets. They can be administered and interpreted by qualified career counselors, who can provide additional insight into the inner-workings of the workplace and where you can best devote your talents. Career assessments are beneficial to both job applicants and employers. People who are well-suited for their jobs tend to love their work, achieve impressive results, and maintain a high energy level. They are devoted employees who display that devotion when dealing with customers, clients, or patients. Their enthusiasm can often be contagious, improving the atmosphere of the workplace. Their absentee rates tend to be lower and they may also have fewer medical claims, reducing health insurance costs for their employers. They are also more likely to stay on the job, reducing re-hiring and training expenses for their bosses. One tool that can be used in career assessment is DISC, which stands for Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance. The DISC model measures observable behavior and emotion--how you relate to the world. While DISC does not assess intelligence, values, skills, experience, or training, it can provide valuable insight into an individual's personality traits. Through DISC, you can achieve a greater understanding of a person's general characteristics, his or her value to an organization, how he or she communicates best, and his or her ideal work environment. Of course, any assessment is only as reliable as the information that's been supplied. It is important that you answer the questions honestly--you don't have to worry about answering them "correctly," since there are no right or wrong answers. You need to view yourself with a somewhat critical eye, observing yourself the way an outsider might. But don't try to over-analyze the questions. Simply answer them as forthrightly as you can. Keep in mind this is not a contest, but simply a pleasant voyage to self-discovery. Career assessments are far more valuable than they might first appear to be. They can provide you with a professional roadmap that can guide you through the maze of career options available to you. They are, quite simply, a link to your future--and a critical element in the formula for your ultimate success.
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