Introduction to the Newly Revised Strong Interest Inventory® Tool

For Career Assessment

Strong Theory

What people do is a reflection of their interests

People of similar interests will be satisfied in those occupations given their values, knowledge, and abilities are also the same

The Strong measures interests, not abilities

Accountants

21 years old Satisfied in their work 3 years in occupation Typical work tasks

Note: Average for norm groups – 35 years

The Hexagon of General Occupational Themes (GOTs)

Investigative

Enterprising Social

ArtisticConventional

Realistic

Career Counselor - SEA Career Director - EAS “Mature” Director - AES Education Consultant - EAS

Catherine’s Codes

Strong Profile, page 2

GOT: Realistic

Investigative

Enterprising Social

ArtisticConventional

RealisticRealistic

Realistic: The Doers

Likes to work with their hands, tools, machinery, computer networks

Rugged, practical, physically strong Enjoy fixing, building, repairing, working

outdoors Described as practical, persistent,

adventurous, sensible, self-reliant Motivated to use hands-on skills to

produce tangible results

RealisticWork Environments

Manufacturing or industrial firms with tangible products

Construction, mining and energy industries Transportation fields (air, trucking, local transit,

etc.) The outdoors; small, rural communities Situations calling for minimal interaction with

others Situations permitting casual dress Organizations structured with clearly drawn lines

of authority (armed forces, law enforcement, etc.)

Realistic Job Titles

Forester Law Enforcement

Officer Carpenter Engineer Veterinarian Computer & IS

Manager Radiologic

Technologist

Realistic Theme

What kind of car do they drive? Chevy Truck, 4-wheel drive SUV, Jeep What do they spend their money on? Plants for garden, home repairs, sporting equipment, boats,

campers, power tools, GPS, guns What would be there ideal vacation? Camping, attend sporting event, fishing, golf school,

outward bound, hiking Appalachian Trail What motivates them? Hands-on, tangible results What do they read? Sailing/boating magazines, western and adventure novels,

garden and home repair booklets, fantasy football league magazines, ESPN magazine, Sports Illustrated

GOT: Investigative

InvestigativeInvestigative

Enterprising Social

ArtisticConventional

Realistic

Investigative: The Thinkers Likes to gather information, uncover

new facts/theories, and interpret data Potentially competent in science, math,

analysis, writing and problem solving Described as curious, independent,

reserved, rational, non-conforming Motivated to probe questions of

intellectual curiosity

Investigative –Work Environments

Unstructured organizations that allow freedom in work styles

Research and design laboratories and firms

Universities and colleges Medical facilities Computer-related industries Scientific foundations and think tanks

Investigative Job Titles

Chemist Software Developer R&D Manager Veterinarian University Professor Respiratory

Therapist Physician Science Teacher

Investigative Theme What kind of car do they drive? Volvo, “Hybrid” What do they spend their money on? Computer, books, telescopes, electronic

equipment, puzzles What would be their ideal vacation? Archeological dig, space camp, science museum,

African safari, Smithsonian, scuba diving, visit ruins

What motivates them? Curiosity, learning, knowledge What do they read? Scientific journals, real-life crime novels, mystery

novels, Consumer Reports, science fiction novels, biographies

GOT: Artistic

Investigative

Enterprising Social

ArtisticArtisticConventional

Realistic

Artistic: The Creators

Likes art, music, drama, etc. Express their interests in leisure as well

as vocational activities Enjoy writing, creating art, appreciating

art, acting/performing Described as impulsive, non-conforming &

independent Motivated to express themselves through their work

Artistic -Work Environments

Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression

Artistic studios (preferably their own) Theaters and concert halls Institutions that teach artistic skills

(universities, music & dance schools, art institutes, etc.)

Museums, libraries, galleries Advertising, public relations, graphic

design and interior-design firms

Artistic Job Titles

Artist Architect Librarian Attorney Urban & Regional

Planner Broadcast

Journalist Medical Illustrator Public Relations

Director Musician

Artistic Theme What kind of car do they drive? Volkswagen Bug, PT Cruiser, Cargo Van What do they spend their money on? Art supplies, art collection, music CD’s, books,

musical instruments, colorful things, wine tasting, opera

What would be their ideal vacation? NYC to see Broadway shows, Venice to see art,

art/acting/dance workshop, visit museums/galleries What motivates them? Self- expression What do they read? Pulitzer prize novels, artistic technique books,

historical novels about artists or artistic places, book reviews, Rolling Stone magazine

GOT: Social

Investigative

Enterprising SocialSocial

ArtisticConventional

Realistic

Social: The Helpers

Likes to work with people, often in groups Enjoy helping, nurturing, and teaching,

especially young people Solve problems through discussions of

feelings and interactions with others May enjoy working with people through

leading, directing and persuading. Described as humanistic, idealistic,

cooperative Motivated to help and empower

Social – Work Environments

Social service agencies Schools Religious organizations Human resources

departments Medical service and

healthcare facilities Mental health clinics

Social Job Titles

Parks & Recreation Manager

Social Worker Athletic Trainer School Counselor School Administrator Registered Nurse Elementary School

Teacher Dietitian Community Service

Director

Social Theme What kind of car do they drive? Mini-van, SUV, school bus, Suburban What do they spend their money on? Big Screen TV, Social Events, Charity, Pool Table,Bar What would be their ideal vacation? Habitat for Humanity, Cruise with their friends/family,

family reunion, beach house vacation, Disneyland What motivates them? Helping others What do they read? Oprah magazine, People magazine, Nora Roberts

novels, Living section of newspaper

GOT: Enterprising

Investigative

EnterprisingEnterprising Social

ArtisticConventional

Realistic

Enterprising:The Persuaders

Enjoy working with other people and leading them toward organizational goals and/or economic success

Likes to lead groups, give speeches, manage people and projects, persuade

Seeks positions of leadership, power, status Described as persuasive, adventuresome,

competitive, energetic, sociable, optimistic Motivated to persuade others of the merits

of an idea or product

Enterprising – Work Environments

Industrial and manufacturing firms Government and political organizations Seats of power and finance (large

corporations, brokerage firms, executive offices, etc.)

Retail and wholesale firms Fund-raising organizations Independently owned businesses

Enterprising Job Titles

Investments Manager Restaurant Manager Realtor Operations Manager Buyer Marketing Manager Human Resources

Manager Chef Elected Public Official

Enterprising Theme What kind of car do they drive? Lexus, Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, Lincoln, high-end SUV What do they spend their money on? Sporting event tickets, nice cars, country club

memberships, latest electronic equipment What is their ideal vacation? Luxury cruise, spa retreat, African safari, week of golf,

week in the the Hamptons or Cape Cod, skiing in Lake Tahoe, anywhere they can network

What motivates them? Persuading others What do they read? Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Town and Country

magazine, Travel and Leisure magazine, Fortune, Donald Trumps biography, Steven Covey books

GOT: Conventional

Investigative

Enterprising Social

ArtisticConventionalConventional

Realistic

Conventional:The Organizers

Likes activities requiring attention to detail, organization, accuracy and data systems

Enjoys mathematics and data management activities

Described as practical, organized, systematic, accurate, conscientious

Motivated to organize information and bring order to data and things

Conventional – Work Environments

Large corporations Business offices Financial institutions (banks, credit

companies, etc.) Accounting firms Quality control and inspection departments Structured organizations with well-ordered

chains of command

Conventional Job Titles

Banker Computer Systems

Analyst Paralegal Actuary Financial Analyst Accountant Nursing Home

Administrator Food Services Manager Business Education

Teacher

Conventional Theme What kind of car do they drive? Buick Oldsmobile, Honda Accord, Saturn, fuel efficient What do they spend their money on? File cabinets/shelves, home improvement projects, hobby

collections (stamps, antiques), games, investment clubs, PDA’s, OfficeMax

What would be their ideal vacation? Habitat for Humanity, site-seeing in historical city, knitting

workshop, pre-programmed tour, same beach house every year, volunteer at food bank

What motivates them? Organizing and bringing order to data/things What do they read? Real Simple magazine, Martha Stewart magazine, family

themed books, “beach” novels, how-to & hobby books, investment magazines, Consumer Reports

The Hexagon of General Occupational Themes

InvestigativeInvestigative

EnterprisingEnterprising SocialSocial

ArtisticArtisticConventionalConventional

RealisticRealistic

Strong Profile, page 9

General to Specific

General Occupational Themes The state in which you live

Basic Interest Scales Your city or town

Occupational Scales Your specific street address

Personal Style Scales The way you decorate your home

Interpretive Comments

Very high - More interest than almost all women/men

High - More interest than most women/men

Moderate - About as much interest as most women/men

Little - Less interest than most women/men

Very little - Less interest than almost all women/men

General Occupational Themes

Look over all 6 Theme descriptors on the Strong Profile, p. 2

Underline any that seem like a good fit for you.

Cross out any that don’t appeal to you. Confirm your top 3 theme codes in order of

preference. Share with partner how your theme code is

reflected in your current occupation.

Basic Interest Scale Questions

How will your high and very high Basic Interest Scales be satisfied in the career you are considering?

How will your top 5 Basic Scales be incorporated into either your career or personal life?

How could your life be enriched by incorporating more of your top 5 Basic Interest Scales into your work, leisure, school and family?

Meaning of Occupational Scores

20 Likes and dislikes are mostly opposite of satisfied workers in that occupation; not a good match

20-29 Likes and dislikes are somewhat opposite of those of satisfied workers in that occupation; may not be good match

30-39 Shares some likes and some dislikes of satisfied workers in that

occupation; may or may not be good match 49 Shares most of the likes and dislikes of

satisfied workers in the occupation; may be a very good match

New Occupational Samples

Administrative Assistant Chiropractor College Instructor Computer & IS Manager Computer Scientist Computer Systems Analyst Editor Engineering Technician ESL Instructor Financial Analyst Financial Manager Firefighter

Geographer Network Administrator Operations Manager Production Worker Recreation Therapist Rehabilitation Counselor Retail Sales Representative Sales Manager Technical Sales

Representative Technical Support Specialist Top Executive Urban & Regional Planner