What is Self-Assessment?
Ever felt like you’re drifting through your career without a clear direction? Or maybe you’re wondering what sets you apart in the workplace? Understanding your strengths can be the key to unlocking new opportunities, and that’s where self-assessment comes in.
At its core, self-assessment is about taking a step back and reflecting on your skills, experiences, and traits. It’s like hitting pause to evaluate how you’ve performed in different areas of your life—particularly in your career. By doing this, you gain a clearer picture of what makes you unique and where you might want to improve.
There are a few different ways you can approach self-assessment:
Different Ways to Assess Yourself
Journalling – Keeping a journal is a great way to track your experiences and reflect on your daily actions. Try using prompts like:
What tasks energised me today?
Which challenges did I enjoy solving?
Where did I feel most confident?
Feedback from Others – Sometimes, we don’t see our own strengths clearly. Ask your colleagues, friends, or family for their perspectives. They might highlight strengths you hadn’t considered.
Structured Assessments – If you prefer a more analytical approach, career assessments can help. Tools like StrengthsFinder, the VIA Character Strengths Survey, or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) can offer insights into your work style and preferences.
Interestingly, a survey by the American Psychological Association found that people who regularly engage in self-assessment are 62% more likely to achieve their personal goals. That speaks volumes about the power of knowing yourself.
The Benefits of Self-Assessment
So, why take the time to assess your strengths? Because self-awareness gives you a serious advantage in your career. Here’s how:
Increased Self-Awareness – Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps you make better career decisions.
Improved Decision-Making – When you understand what you’re good at, you can pursue opportunities that align with your natural skills.
Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills – Self-assessment helps you recognise patterns in how you approach challenges, making you a more effective problem solver.
By regularly assessing your skills and experiences, you’re not just growing personally—you’re also making more informed career moves.
Which Career Assessment Test is Right for You?
If you're looking for a structured approach to self-assessment, career assessment tests can help. But with so many options, how do you know which one to choose?
It’s important to remember that no single test can define your career path—these assessments are simply starting points for reflection. They help you gain insight into your strengths, preferences, and potential career directions, but the real value comes from how you interpret and apply the results.
Some assessments are psychometric tests, designed to measure cognitive abilities and personality traits, while others are self-reflection questionnaires, helping you explore your motivations and interests.
Psychometric Tests:
CMAP+ (Career Motivation Analysis Profile Plus) – A comprehensive career assessment that evaluates your interests, work motivations, and reasoning abilities. It provides a personalised report with career suggestions based on your unique profile.
Morrisby Profile – A cognitive aptitude test measuring verbal, numerical, spatial, and abstract reasoning. It’s used to identify natural aptitudes and career directions.
Questionnaires:
Career Intelligence Questionnaire – This self-reflection tool helps individuals assess their skills, values, and motivations. It’s particularly useful for recognising transferable skills and refining career direction.
Holland Code (RIASEC) – A well-known framework that categorises people into six personality types (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional) to help identify suitable career paths.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – A personality-based test that provides insight into how you process information and make decisions. While it’s useful for self-awareness, it’s best used as a general guide rather than a predictor of career success.
StrengthsFinder & VIA Character Strengths – These focus on identifying natural talents and positive personality traits that can influence career decisions.
Assessments can highlight patterns in your strengths, interests, and work style, but they don’t provide a definitive career roadmap. The real value comes from using these insights to guide your own decision-making, rather than relying solely on the test results.
Steps to Effective Self-Assessment
To get the most out of self-assessment, follow these steps:
Set Clear Goals – Are you exploring a new career, looking to upskill, or figuring out what motivates you? Define your purpose before you start.
Gather Your Tools – Choose your preferred method, whether it’s journalling, asking for feedback, or using formal assessments.
Reflect on Your Experiences – Look back at your past roles, projects, and responsibilities. What tasks did you enjoy? Where did you excel?
Be Honest – A true self-assessment means acknowledging both your strengths and areas for improvement.
Look for Patterns – Are there recurring themes in your strengths? Are certain skills being highlighted consistently?
Create an Action Plan – Based on your findings, decide on the next steps. If you’ve identified a strength in leadership, for example, look for ways to develop it further.
Applying Your Strengths
Once you’ve gained insight into your strengths, the next step is using them effectively:
Tailor Your CV – Highlight your top strengths with specific examples of how you’ve used them in previous roles. Employers love seeing practical demonstrations of skills.
Seek Relevant Opportunities – Whether it’s a job, a side project, or professional development, actively pursue opportunities that allow you to leverage your strengths.
Network Strategically – When connecting with others, talk about what you do well. This can help you attract mentors, job offers, or collaborations aligned with your skill set.
Commit to Lifelong Learning – If a particular strength stands out, consider taking courses or attending workshops to further develop it.
Self-Assessment is an Ongoing Process
Remember, self-assessment isn’t a one-time exercise—it’s something you should revisit regularly. As your career evolves, so do your skills and aspirations.
Make a habit of reflecting on your strengths every few months. Use journalling, check in with colleagues for feedback, or try different career assessments at various points in your career journey.
Ultimately, self-assessment is a tool for empowerment. The more you understand your abilities, the more confident and intentional you can be in shaping your career.
So, why not start today? Take a few moments to reflect, gather feedback, or try an assessment—you might be surprised by what you discover.
Curious about which assessment might suit you best? There are options designed to fit different career stages and goals—if you're ready to explore, get in touch or check out Pick a Path's Redefine Your Career Package.
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