Planning a career can feel overwhelming, whether you’re a student just starting out, a worker considering a career change, or a professional guiding others in their career journeys. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Labor provides a suite of free Online Career Tools designed to simplify this process. These resources are invaluable for anyone looking to explore career options, understand their work-related interests and values, and make informed decisions about their professional future.
Among these helpful resources are the Interest Profiler and the Work Importance Locator. The Interest Profiler helps you pinpoint your work-related interests by asking about your preferences and activities. This assessment then links your interests to various occupations, providing a clear starting point for career exploration. Similarly, the Work Importance Locator guides you in identifying what you value most in a job. Do you prioritize helping others, achieving recognition, or working independently? Understanding your work values is key to finding job satisfaction and long-term career fulfillment.
Both the Interest Profiler and the Work Importance Locator are designed around a “whole-person” assessment concept. They take a holistic approach to career planning, acknowledging that your interests, values, and abilities are all interconnected. After using these tools, you can seamlessly connect to the O*NET database, a comprehensive source of information on over 900 occupations. You can also explore CareerOneStop, another U.S. Department of Labor resource, to delve deeper into occupational details and local labor market conditions. This integration allows you to move smoothly from self-assessment to researching specific careers and their requirements in your area.
Beyond individual exploration, the O*NET Resource Center also offers valuable guides for professionals. For employers and workforce development professionals, the Testing and Assessment: An Employer’s Guide to Good Practices provides essential insights into using employment testing and assessment effectively. This guide clarifies key concepts and promotes best practices in human resources. Individuals seeking to understand career assessments will benefit from Tests and Other Assessments: Helping You Make Better Career Decisions. This guide demystifies different types of career assessments and explains how to use them to make sound career choices.
Workforce investment professionals will find particular value in Testing and Assessment: A Guide to Good Practices for Workforce Investment Professionals. This guide focuses on using assessments to support talent development. It covers evaluating and selecting assessment tools, interpreting results, and adhering to professional and legal standards in career counseling and training. By utilizing these online career tools and assessment guides, individuals and professionals alike can navigate the complexities of career planning with greater confidence and clarity.
