The Strong Interest Inventory® is the most sensitive and widely used interest inventory available and designed to help you identify your pattern of vocational interests. It was developed at Stanford University in the late 1920s by Professor Edward K Strong with Jo-Ida Hansen, and David Campbell and was based on the work of John Holland. Holland defined six basic occupational themes (called Holland Codes) that can be used to categorise occupations as well as individuals.

The Strong measures your interests using 291 different questions to explore your likes and dislikes with regard to careers, leisure activities, school subjects and other categories.

• 107 questions about careers you would be interested in doing
• 46 questions about interest in different subject areas
• 84 questions about interest in activities
• 29 questions about interest in different leisure activities
• 25 questions on the people you would like to work with and personal characteristics

Your responses are compared to a representative sample of occupations followed by:
• people who enjoy their work
• have worked in that area for at least three years
• who do typical work for the field

People tend to search out those environments that match their interests, and an environment attracts people who share similar interests.

The Strong is based on the idea that people who enjoy their work will, in all likelihood, share similar interests. It is based on the work of John Holland. The theory says that individuals with similar interests are often attracted to the same kind of work, feel comfortable with others who share their interests, and are likely to be successful in a work environment that reflects those interests.

The Strong is a quick way to get a snapshot of career interests, but the highest interests may not be the most appropriate career for a client. That’s why I recommend that you use it in conjunction with other assessments.

The Strong Interest Inventory® is a useful assessment for anyone who is unsure about their future career goals. It can be a useful start to thinking about career planning or to help you decide between alternatives that you may be considering.

The Strong is especially useful for people in the early stages of career planning. It will not predict with certainty what occupation you should consider. However, by indicating how similar or dissimilar your interests are in comparison with people in a wide variety of occupations, it can be a useful step towards identifying work settings and occupations that may be satisfying to you.

Who should take the Strong Interest Inventory?

• People unsure about their future career goals
• People in the early stages of career planning
• People who would like some pointers as to what would be useful and interesting leisure activities

What's included and costs

For £40 or £45, (depending on report) you get:
• Full colour report (minimum of 9 pages). An in-depth, personalised account of your results, which clearly shows how your specific interests, learning, leadership and risk taking link to various jobs, work settings and careers, plus a booklet to help you get the most out of your report. You have the option of booking a feedback consultation with Denise.

There are 4 different reports available

The reports identify and provides insights on overall patterns of interests that can be explored for immediate and long-range career, educational and leisure planning. They are designed to expand, rather than limit, your thinking about the future. Each report is designed to meet the needs of adults considering a career change, seeking more satisfying work within an organization or planning their retirement. It introduces young people to the process of career choice and what to study at university, or which occupation best meets their interests.

Profile Report: This report is for you if you want to find out more about the types of jobs that match with your interests. It comprises 9 pages, but you get much more detail with the Interpretive report.

Interpretive Report: As well as the profile report, you also get the expanded interpretive report, which goes into MUCH more detail - highly recommended.

High School Edition: This is the profile report with additional information specifically for young people before they take 16+ educational choices.

College Edition: This is the profile report with additional information to help you make university choices.

The report identifies and provides insights on overall patterns of interests that can be explored for immediate and long-range career, educational and leisure planning.

The Process

• Choose your report - for adults this is usually the Interpretive Report

• Receive comprehensive instructions to take the assessment

• Complete the assessment, making sure you are feeling alert

• Receive detailed guidance on how to to read the report

• Schedule an (optional) feedback session with Denise

• Receive an emailed report, with full colour report posted to you

• Participate in an in-depth discussion to aid your understanding of the report and help you decide what to do next

Use the links above to find out more from our sister site: www.personalassessments.co.uk