Free Career Test

A 2010 report from the Congressional Research Service revealed that 11.51 percent of adults ages 55 and older had spent almost two years looking for work.

While many older adults may feel as though they are too old to change careers, this is not necessarily the case, according to former CNN correspondent Mark Walton, who recently spoke to Reuters. Walton has spent the past five years researching individuals who successfully revamped their careers during their 50s or early 60s. He has compiled his findings into a new book, titled Boundless Potential: Transform Your Brain, Unleash Your Talents, Reinvent Your Work in Midlife and Beyond.

Walton’s research led him to the conclusion that the human brain is not wired to prepare people for retirement, but rather a lifetime of learning and constant reinvention.

"The mature brain may lose some of the processing speed and accuracy that the younger brain has, but it isn't inferior," Walton told the news source. "When it is adequately challenged, it keeps growing and developing new strengths and assets that the average younger brain cannot compete with because of the reservoirs of knowledge that we have - what we sometimes call wisdom."

Before adults attempt to reinvent themselves and reenter the workforce, they may want to take a career test to see what type of role is best for them.

While everybody makes mistakes, jobseekers will want to try and limit the amount of regrettable blunders they are responsible for during an interview – especially in a time when face-to-face meetings with potential employers are hard to come by.

In some cases, jobseekers may not even realize they are making a mistake. Those who are unaware of how their actions influence potential employers’ hiring decisions may want to look at the results of CareerBuilder’s annual survey on interview mistakes.

Based on responses from more than 3,000 employers, hiring and human resource managers, 77 percent feel that answering a cellphone or texting is the most harmful common mistake. In addition, 75 percent believe that appearing disinterested is a turn off, while 72 percent say that dressing inappropriately can hurt candidates’ chances.

Other harmful mistakes that survey respondents have seen include an arrogant demeanor, chewing gum or talking negatively about current and past employers.

According to CBS MoneyWatch, it is important for jobseekers to not appear as though they are fleeing from their last employer, which badmouthing a boss can show. Instead, individuals should give off the impression that they are trying to advance to a better opportunity.

To ensure that jobseekers are interviewing for positions they will feel comfortable holding, these individuals should consider taking a free career test.

Once jobseekers take a career test, they may feel as though they are on the fast-track to employment. However, these individuals still need to get through an interview.

While job candidates will be expected to answer a series of questions during an interview, they should consider asking themselves a few questions as a way of preparing, according to the International Business Times’ blog. On this website, career experts Jeanine Tanner O’Donnell and Dale Dauten highlighted three questions in particular.

Before jobseekers meet with an interviewer, they should ask themselves why they think this job is a great move for the company, how they can help the organization save or make more money, and how they will hit the ground running.

Rather than focusing on the job candidate specifically, O’Donnell and Dauten wrote that these questions place an emphasis on how these individuals can help their prospective employers.

At the same time, it is important for candidates to practice answering questions they are likely to be asked, according to U.S. News & World Report. These include questions about people’s interests, strengths and weaknesses.

 
With 24-hour news networks pummeling jobseekers with bleak employment numbers on a consistent basis, it can be hard for some of these individuals to stay optimistic about their career goals. However, The Globe and Mail recently provided a few tips that may help people stay positive during their search for work.

For instance, the news source recommended that jobseekers stop comparing themselves to others and instead focus on themselves. As these individuals reflect on their passions, past mistakes and accomplishments, they may be able to get their career strategy back on its proper path.

If people realize their professional network is not suited for the type of career they have an interest in then they should change it, according to the news outlet. The right network is about quality, not quantity, and should reflect a jobseeker’s attitude and mindset.

As it will take time to achieve their career goals, the news source suggested that jobseekers execute their plan on a daily basis. CNBC also suggested that people devote three to six hours each day to their job search, which, in turn, may help them feel a little more optimistic.

Knowledge can also lead to more confidence in one’s professional abilities. As a result, jobseekers may want to take a career test so they have a strong sense of what type of position is best for them.

In a competitive job market, many employers are turning to websites such as Facebook and Twitter to weed out candidates, the San Jose Mercury News reported. Anything from the use of inappropriate language to a racy party picture can raise red flags for companies.

"We have seen pictures of people driving a vehicle with a beer in their hand, and that's posted," Max Drucker, chief executive officer of California’s Social Intelligence, a job applicant screening service, told the news source. "We found a picture of a person wearing a t-shirt with flagrantly racist remarks."

Before jobseekers make another online post, the news outlet recommended they consider whether an employer will view it as evidence that they could be an unfit candidate.

After taking a career test and finding out what type of role they are suited for, jobseekers may want to create a LinkedIn profile if they have not done so already. CIO recently provided a few tips for the social media website that can help people’s online job search efforts.

For instance, the news source suggested that LinkedIn users focus on crafting an effective profile. An individual’s page should clearly state who they are as a professional. In order to accomplish this, the profile must also be completed in full.

"If you don't follow through on completing your own profile, what other things will you fail to finish," Eve Mayer Orsburn, chief executive officer of Social Media Delivered, told the news outlet. "Take the time to fill in as many of the fields as you can, and always include a picture."

For instance, while most companies do not actively pursue risk-takers, CBS MoneyWatch reported that organizations do like to see ambitious employees. This means that jobseekers will want to show their interviewer how they will go above and beyond what is expected of them at work.

Similarly, prospective employers want to see candidates who are confident, and not cautious or fearful, the news source stated. However, instead of bragging about their greatness, jobseekers should show that they are comfortable with what they have achieved professionally.

In addition to confidence, interviewers will also be looking for energy in those they are speaking to, according to the news outlet. Something else that jobseekers should bring to an interview is fresh ideas that can leave a company more impressed than underwhelmed.

During a job interview, it is also important for candidates to avoid telling jokes and discussing controversial topics, Quintessential Careers suggested.

Despite a high national unemployment rate, people are still finding work. While some may question their credentials, the reason for their lack of job offers may simply be due to the fact that they have poor interview skills.

The New York Times recently offered a few tips for jobseekers that, when used, may just lead to more offers.

For instance, the news source recommended that applicants think about their wardrobe before they head to their interview. This is not a time to dress casually. That means jeans, or anything people would typically wear to the beach, should remain in the closet. Once these individuals are appropriately dressed, they need to make sure they arrive for their appointment well ahead of its scheduled time.

Furthermore, the news outlet reported that researching a prospective employer before a meeting can yield enough knowledge to help individuals speak convincingly about their reasons for interviewing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one’s body language is also important during an interview. Jobseekers can show their interest in a position by making eye contact and resisting the urge to slouch.

People should also consider whether their lack of job offers has anything to do with the types of positions they are applying for. Taking a career test may point individuals toward jobs that they are better suited for.

As Thanksgiving approaches, some jobseekers may decide to take some time off from their search for employment opportunities, thinking that businesses will do the same. Despite what some believe, the holiday season is actually an excellent time to search for jobs, according to CareerCast.com.

During the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's, people can take advantage of several networking opportunities.

"By doubling your efforts over the holidays at a time when many other unemployed workers are focused on activities other than job hunting, you increase your odds of finding a new position," said Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast.com.

According to the online employment resource, hiring does not stop over the holidays. Attending holiday parties can provide an opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new connections that may lead to better job prospects. Furthermore, the season allows for a reason to reconnect with former co-workers and employers, who may be able to point jobseekers towards a few openings.

Before the holidays get underway, jobseekers may want to take a career aptitude test so they know what type of position will best suit their personalities.

Free Career Test

Every time firefighters leave the station to respond to an emergency, they never know if they will be coming back. As a result, this line of work is not for everybody.

In fact, there are a few traits that every firefighter should have, according to Firehouse.com. For instance, the ideal candidate for this profession should be accountable, adaptable, aggressive, persistent and willing to make sacrifices.

While training programs are designed to help firefighters prepare for the types of scenarios they will encounter on the job, a recent study by human factors/ergonomics researchers found that not all programs are as effective as they are meant to be. The researchers found that repeated exposure to the same set of live-fire scenarios can fail to prepare firefighters for situations that are different in nature.

"If you learn the scenario, you can predict what will happen in that one scenario, but you can’t predict what will happen in situations that look a little different," said researcher Michael R. Baumann. "If you learn general principles, then you can predict what is going to happen in a wide range of situations."

Before individuals even begin their training, they may want to take a free career test to see if they have the traits that are required to work as a professional firefighter.

When employers hire new workers, most are relatively confident in these individuals' ability to do the job for which they have been hired. However, as time passes, it may become apparent that these employees are not a good match for their new role.

In a recent survey, Robert Half Finance & Accounting polled more than 1,400 chief financial officers (CFOs) to learn what factors make a new employee a failed hire. Aside from poor performance, 36 percent of respondents cited a poor skills match as the main reason why a worker did not work out at their companies.

Results also showed that 30 percent of CFOs cited unclear performance expectations, 17 percent blamed personality conflicts and 14 percent pointed to a failure to fit into corporate culture.

"Companies can't afford hiring mistakes, which are costly and can erode staff morale," said Max Messmer, chairman and chief executive officer of Robert Half International. "Finding the right match requires time and attention, and it's something even busy managers need to make time for."

For both organizations and jobseekers, a career test can provide a solution to common hiring mistakes. The results of this assessment can help companies weed out poor candidates, while individuals can use the knowledge they acquire to find a job that best suits their skill set.

Many individuals may take their first personality test while they are in college, as schools often have on-campus career centers where students can receive help finding work.

Rio Hondo College in California is one institution that offers these and other services at its Student Career Development Center, El Paisano reported. At this facility, individuals can develop the skills they will need in their chosen professions. However, before they assume these roles, many students need a little help figuring out the types of jobs that would best suit them.

This is why the Center provides students with a chance to take a personality test. The news source stated that this assessment, which can be completed in 20 to 30 minutes, helps individuals make decisions that are related to their schooling and professional careers.

Individuals who take a career test of this nature can use the information they receive to find a career that they can excel in. According to U.S. News & World Report, certain professions are good matches for specific personality types. For example, artistic people may want to become architects, while those who are more social might thrive as nurses or mediators.

When jobseekers take career tests, they have an opportunity to better understand the interests and skills they possess and how these attributes can help them find the right position. These assessments can be found at school career centers and online, among other settings.

Once these individuals have started a job, having characteristics such as a clear sense of their job goals, as well as high career aspirations, can help these professionals stay employed, based on new research. These, findings will be presented at the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association.

In the study, researchers found that in troubling economic times, young adults who have educational aspirations, career goal certainty and an interest in job search activities stand a greater chance of gaining employment as they transition to adulthood.

The researchers arrived at these conclusions after analyzing data from the Youth Development Study, ongoing research that began with a group of St. Paul, Minnesota ninth graders in 1988. Individuals who displayed the three characteristics between the ages of 18 and 30 were more likely to gain employment when they were between 33 and 36 from 2007 through 2009.

"Although structural factors like industry, region, etc. are undoubtedly important, these three characteristics are found to be particularly significant career transition resources," said Mike Vuolo, an assistant professor of sociology at Purdue University. 

There are certain traits that great managers possess that can help ensure a productive work environment, according to BNET, The CBS Interactive Business Network.

For instance, the news source reported that managers who have a sense of humor and humility will be able to build better relationships with their employees. Keeping a level-head during a crisis and not feeling the need to flaunt one's power or knowledge can make a boss seem more approachable and less distant.

In addition, having confidence in one's own decisions and opinions is also the mark of a great manager, according to the news outlet. This includes the ability to take employees aside and tell them when they are making a mistake.

CareerBuilder states that the ability to create an atmosphere of trust is also vital to being a great boss. Managers can achieve this by keeping promises and following through on commitments that have been made.

Individuals who are unsure if a managerial position is best for them may want to take a business management aptitude test and see if they possess the characteristics that are crucial to being a good boss.

In the era of technology, there are many ways for people to look for jobs. For example, ClickZ, a marketing news website, recommends that individuals use the social networking site LinkedIn to land their next position.

Once users create a LinkedIn account, they can click the tab titled "jobs" on the top of the screen. This will lead individuals to an internal search engine that can show them what positions are available in a variety of regions, as well as the specific employers who are searching for applicants. The news source recommends that people send a LinkedIn message to hiring managers and ask if they can send them their resumes.

Another option at this step of the process is to ask the employer for their email or work address, which is another way of sending a resume.

Job seekers who are not sure what industries they wish to work in can also benefit from using technology to take an online career test. According to the book Career Counseling, these examinations can show people what their strengths and weaknesses are as well as how they would fit in various positions and work environments.  

As the market begins to open, more professionals are looking at their options in terms of job opportunities and potential salaries.

A new survey by Harris Interactive that was conducted for Plateau Systems reveals that the majority of Americans would consider a new job opportunity if it arose this year. The researchers report that although the majority of surveyed workers were happy in their current situation, they would still jump at the chance of another opportunity if it came along.

"There's a lot of talk about widespread job dissatisfaction, so we were frankly surprised by the findings," said Jeff Kristick, senior vice president of marketing at Plateau. "The large percent of passive job seekers presents an interesting challenge for HR leaders as the predicted 'war for talent' heats up - this is clearly larger than a top performer's problem."

Those who are looking for job opportunities may want to consider taking a career aptitude test in order to find a position that would match their qualifications and personality.