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.