By Nathan P Jones

The most important aspect of finding your dream job is to look for the job or career that is matched and compatible with your personality. This may sound relatively simple, however often we often don’t have a clue about what different careers really involve and too often people find themselves “ending up” in a career without ever having made a conscious choice to do so. Resources for career counseling, including career tests, can be a great help in giving people the power to make a career decisions. So what are some of the resources available to people and how can they be most effectively used to achieve outcomes?

Job Search Websites and Databases

The Internet is an exhaustive information source that allows us to select from an ever growing list of options. Most online resources help job seekers find a job based on their personal preference and skill. Unfortunately, as often happens candidates are forced to search for and take jobs that meet their requirements at that point in time based on factors such as salary, location, and often simply what jobs are on offer at the time. If not careful however, once a job seeker takes a job or role based on such factors however, they have often unknowingly move further from achieving their true career goal. Job seekers using this methods to decide on a career may eventually feel they have found themselves ultimately unhappy and in a job or career that is not suited to their personality or to them.

Identifying What Is “Really” Important To You

A critical aspect of finding a career well matched to your personality is to understand what is important to you. It sounds simple but surprisingly few job seekers actually do this. There are a few ways one can do this. You could make a list of all the things you think are important to you in a job and then place them in order from most important to least important. You could then access a jobs database and review the many thousands of jobs and careers in order to locate those that suitably match your list of priorities. While this process could potentially be successful, it would be extremely time consuming and fortunately there are more effective and time efficient ways of going about this process. One such method is for job seekers to take a career test, which when completed will review all their job preferences and personality traits before providing them with a list of all the jobs suited to their personality. Most quality tests, such as the Strong Interest Inventory (SII) also go a step further and provide a good list of detailed action steps to guide the person in taking the necessary steps to move toward achieving their desired career.

Ensure you use a quality Career Test only

Career tests aren’t career tests, just as “oils ain’t oils”. What is meant by this is that there are many career tests or “Quizzes” on the internet today which, while fun to play around with, are along way from quality career advice and are often very unreliable. In order to use a career test to help you find a job suited to your personality you need to find a test you can rely on. This is easier said than done but the only reliable or trusted way of doing this is to select a career test or questionnaire which is backed by solid research data and one which hasn’t just been created by the webmaster of the site you are visiting. For example, as mentioned above the Strong Interest Inventory is a career test which has been used by professional career counselors around the world for many years, and has had many revisions and updates. It is based on years of research and its developers publish its reliability and validity data which is publically available. Free career tests and quizzes on the internet may make many claims, but when was the last time you saw one that actually provided you with concrete reliability and validity figures and measures?

You can take the Strong Interest Inventory online at at CareerSense.com.au for a very affordable price. They will provide you with a comprehensive report reviewed by a registered psychologist and careers counselor. You can also have a one on one phone interview with a psychologist or careers counselor to discuss your results. Benefits – By taking a quality career test such as the at The Strong Interest Inventory (SII) you will be taking the first step on the path to finding your dream job. The Strong Interest Inventory (SII) report will give you a clear list of action step you can follow to move you towards being able to get your dream job. It will also give you some great insight into your personality and what is important to you in a job. Nathan Jones is the Director of CareerSense.com.au. He is a registered psychologist with extensive experience working in the field of career counselling and support. In 2009 he founded CareerSense.com.au which provides quality and affordable online career and personality testing. CareerSense use only the most respected and scientifically validated testing instruments and professional career counselling services. Visit CareerSense today for a career or personality test at CareerSense.com.au.

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By Kevin Mueller

So you’ve got the interview nailed perfectly, and all that’s left is to run your background check and you will be hired. Great, except for the fact that you aren’t sure whether or not your little mishap with the law 7 years ago is going to actually show up. Do you risk putting it on the application and having them reject you because of your past? Or do you not put it on there and risk them actually being able to find it on your public background check, this is the problem many people face.

The answer to the problem is quite simple. You can actually run a comprehensive background check on yourself and find out exactly what will and won’t show up when the check is actually ran. This is helpful for many reasons, but mainly to save you the embarrassment of getting caught having a dirty past.

So what can they possibly find anyways?

Depending on if it was reported correctly through the courts, your background check from your employer may include prior arrests, tickets, court judgments against your name, and any aliases or past addresses you may have had. Despite popular belief, your background check doesn’t show who your previous employers were so you are safe on that section of the employment application.

For a small fee, you are able to have full access to your own, or anyone else’s background information in a matter of a few short moments. No longer do you have to pay expensive private detective fee’s and have to wait weeks to find out what is able to be found. Now all you need is a name and an approximate age!

Don’t risk your potential job because of something you did 7 years ago that MIGHT show up on your background report. Do yourself a favor and find out what’s going to actually show up before you write anything down on your application!

Want to run a background check right away? Visit http://www.instant-background-checks.com/ and get anyone’s information in a matter of moments!

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http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Should-You-Put-Down-For-a-Pre-Employment-Background-Check-Questionnaire?&id=2857797

Firefighter Application Medical Test to Become a Fire Fighter in the UK

By James B White

The Firefighter Application Medical is undertaken at the Occupation Health Department where you will be examined by a Doctor employed by the FRS. Your medical records will have been previously obtained from your GP with your consent.

Before the Firefighter Application medical you will be required to complete a questionnaire about your previous medical history. This is a detailed Firefighter medical questionnaire that will be discussed with you when you see the doctor at the end of the test.

Part of the Fire Fighter Medical will subject you to a number of medical tests to determine your health. The Firefighter Application Medical test includes:

Lung Function test – you are given a tube in which you must exhale as hard as you can until your lungs are empty. A reading is taken of your lung capacity and flow.

Hearing test – you will sit in a sound proof booth with headphones on. A number of sounds are played in either ear. You are asked to press a button when you hear a sound.

Step test – your heart rate is registered as you step up and down from a box. The rate of the steps gradually gets faster as the test progresses.

Physical Strength / Stamina – you will use a machine to test your back and thigh strength when squatting. You are required to achieve a minimum measurement.

General Medical tests – the doctor will examine you generally and discuss the contents of your medical questionnaire with you.

If you have any doubts or questions about your medical fitness to join the Fire Brigade you need to speak to the relevant Occupation Health Department of the Service you have applied to join. They will be able to answer your questions.

Firefighter Eyesight requirements.

An additional part of the Firefighter Medical Tests will include the Firefighter eyesight test. The firefighter eyesight requirements are:

Distance vision (Uncorrected) in the stronger eye no worse than 6/18 , and in the weaker eye no worse than 6/24.

Distance acuity (The ability to focus on and distinguish fine detail at 6 m or more with either eye separately and together under a variety of lighting conditions) is required to be at least 6/9 with both eyes open and reach 6/12 in the weaker eye.

Near vision – required to be able to read N12 at 30 cm with both eyes open without vision aids.

Have normal binocular vision. The required level of colour perception must be attained. Candidates with normal or slight colour blindness are accepted subject to passing the test. The screening test is generally the Ishihara test with candidates showing any problematic signs requiring additional tests. The above will be examined during your Firefighter eyesight tests.

Join the fire Brigade but I have had Eye Surgery?

Many applicants who have had refractive eye surgery are now accepted to join the fire service. You will be required to provide additional information and test results to the Occupational Health Department that they will specify. this will be at your own cost. Additional information usually includes the date you underwent your surgery ( this must be at least 12 months prior to your application date), details of your pre operative refraction error, confirmation that you are no longer requiring medical treatment. Also:

A slit lamp examination report to confirm that the eye has returned to normal and that there is no significant loss of corneal transparency over the pupil area.

A report post Refraction, topographic examination and pachymetry to screen for keratectasia.

Applicants should also have their vision assessed using a technique sensitive to the presence of scattered light and aberrations.

These assessments can be done by your local optometrist. If you have any questions with regard to the eyesight standards to become a Firefighter contact the relevant Occupational Health Department who will be able to advise you.

James B White writes for a number of Emergency Services based websites on the subject of recruitment and application procedures. He offers free advice and tips on all aspects of recruitment to the Emergency services. For more information on the Firefighter application medical test please visit our website at http://www.Become-a-firefighter.co.uk/index.html

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By Thomas Hauck

If you currently have a job, you may not be sure if it’s time to make a move to a new career. This brief questionnaire will help you decide if your current job is rewarding. There are no right or wrong answers-just give the response that first comes to mind. Then, rank your score and see the results.

A. You’re on your way to work for another day on the job. How do you feel?

1. Ready to go and excited about my job

2. I wish I had the day off

3. I cannot believe I have to drag myself to this awful place

B. You arrive at work and greet your co-workers. They are:

1. Nice people who I look forward to seeing every day

2. Some of them I like, and others I don’t like

3. It’s very difficult for me to be with these people every day

C. At work, how do you feel about your job requirements?

1. My job is fun and rewarding

2. It’s okay, but sometimes it gets boring

3. I’m so miserable that I could scream

D. When you get your paycheck, you:

1. Are satisfied with how much I’m earning

2. Know that I could be earning more

3. Are discouraged because my pay is low

E. Your personal career skills are:

1. Just about right for my job

2. Could be improved with additional training

3. I feel like I’m falling behind, and I need better skills to get ahead

F. When you see other people get promotions, you:

1. Are very happy for them because they deserve it

2. Worry that I’ll be passed over the next time

3. I’m scared because I know that I don’t have their skills

Okay! Add up your score, then look at the chart below for your ranking:

Total 6-9: You’re satisfied with your current job, but additional training would help you stay on top.

Total 10-13: You have much more career potential, and you should think about career training that will help you get a better job or a promotion.

Total 14-18: You’re stuck in a dead-end job! Do yourself a favor and contact the nearest career training school today, and get prepared for a rewarding new career!

Check out the career college nearest you, or use the career selection to locate the college that offers training in the career field you want. Why wait? You have nothing to lose but your dead-end job!

Thinking about training for a new career? Education-For-Careers.com can help you compare colleges. Get information about career training programs, online education, financial aid opportunities, job placement services, and much more.

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By Abhishek Agarwal

Teens have to decide on the career that they want to pursue and their college major, not necessarily in that order. Deciding upon a college major is a difficult task by itself and takes time. Similarly, deciding upon a career path is a process that should start when the teen is still in high school and continue as that person moves into college. The reason being that career choices are fluid and young people are bound to discover new things about themselves, their likes and dislikes and skills as they go along though studies.

Selecting the right career is never an easy matter. Career planning is a process that involves several steps, particularly when it is for a teen. Both universities and business organizations have designed programs for teenagers to assist them in identifying suitable options and making a right choice of career. Such guidance can be obtained by making a payment from a university, by a student as well as any member of the public. The guide can include a questionnaire and information about several careers. The questionnaire helps the person to narrow the choices based on several criteria. A program that has been designed well could also throw light on several career choices that the person may not have known about, effectively broadening his or her horizon. Also, as young people are not clear about the growth path of different careers, they also gain clarity on this issue.

Career counselors and teenage counselors have always said that young people and college students must select a career based on their own interest and skills, not due to pressure of family or peers or some image that may have of a particular career. Thus the so called ‘best’ careers may not always be the right choice. Career planning for teens is a process that will try to dissuade them from such a career unless it suits the individual for reasons mentioned earlier. So many websites and magazines may list hottest jobs, best jobs for collegiates and those with highest salary and perks. However, this is not the right way to decide upon a career and hot jobs should not become an automatic choice for a teen or a young job seeker.

The process of career planning for teens exists to make sure that they select the career path and college program that is best for them as an individual. A lot of young believe, quite wrongly, that they will be stuck with the career choice that they make now, through out their life. Nothing could be more different. People change their career at several stages during their life. So, a career that is chosen now due to a college major or a training program can be changed later. However, career planning for teens goes a long way in ensuring that there is not much heart burn later.

Abhishek is a Career Counselor and he has got some great Career Planning Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 71 Page Ebook, “Career Planning Made Easy!” from his website http://www.Career-Guru.com/769/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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By John Groth

A career planning or assessment test, of which there are many types, can be a valuable tool in helping you find your career direction. There are values inventories, interest inventories, achievement and aptitude tests, personality assessments, and career maturity tests.

Many high schools provide a free career testing for students. Some colleges and universities will also provide a free career assessment test. Some companies even have free career assessment tests for new personnel. Very often, however, these tests come with a minimum fee. Some can actually be quite expensive.

There are plenty of Internet sites that offer free job related assessment tests and some charge a small fee. As with anything else, it makes sense to shop around these sites before making a financial commitment. You may take these tests for employment purposes and to find direction in your career. Or you may take the assessment tests just to satisfy curiosity you might have about yourself.

Here are some of the sites you might investigate to assist you in your career planning:.

The Princeton Review Career Quiz: Here you will find 24 questions based on the Birkman Method – which is explained on the site. The test enhances your understanding of your personality, and gives a list of occupations that might be of interest to you. You must register to use the site, but this is a free testing procedure.

Career Decision Making: This is part of the Job Search Tutorial at the Career and Employment Service of Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. You can go online and take the Personal Traits Inventory, the Work Values Inventory, the Influence of Significant Others and Significant Factors, Interest Inventory; the Working with Others Workshop, and the Skills Workshop. These tests are not standardized, but they can provide good self-assessment. Moreover, this is a free self-assessment test.

Holland Codes Self-Directed Search: This was designed by a career development theorist named John Holland. It is based on his theory that people have interests that fall into one-to-three of the following types: realistic (R), investigative (I), artistic (A), social (S), enterprising (E), or conventional (C). This is now called the RIASEC model. When a person does the test and gets a three-letter Holland code, they have a tool that can help them decide which occupations might be of interest to them. The Self Directed Search (SDS) can be taken right at the website and does not cost anything. However, this is not quite a free career planning test. You must pay a small fee – usually under $10 – to get the results of your test.

There are many other websites offering career testing. Those that charge a fee usually keep the cost to a minimum. Always thoroughly investigate a site before paying a large fee.

You might start with these free assessment tests. Then do some additional research and if you find something interesting and if it looks like the results will help in your career planning invest some limited funds to further your personal understanding. Another good source to help direct you to the most productive assessment tests are referrals from career counselors and career coaches.

John Groth is a former HR executive and career coach. Find Career Planning Ideas ,valuable articles and a Free seven day career planning guide on his web site. Discover up to date career and recruitment strategies at his Employment Network Site all to assist you in advancing and managing your career.

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