Career and Personality Tests: How Self-Knowledge Is Key to Career Success
by Anes Benkrid
2nd-Year Student in Commerce / Juris Doctor
“Know thyself.” You've probably heard this saying from Socrates over, and over again without really understanding it. With these words, the great philosopher was trying to show that everyone is the master of their own way of thinking, appetite for life, ideas, and more. For years, the question of self-knowledge has intrigued many philosophers and psychology researchers. It is even more interesting today, as it is considered as one of the factors contributing to professional success.
In the following lines, I present three reasons why self-knowledge is one of the keys to your professional success.
Reason #1: It allows you to move towards a career or studies adapted to your interests
To grow professionally and get satisfaction from your job, you must understand your interests. What could be better than making a challenging career choice that matches your true aspirations? There are many ways to guide you, from your professional and volunteer experiences to tests such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Strong Interest Inventory.
How do you access these tools? The Telfer Career Centre offers a workshop entitled, “Who Am I: Self-assessment and Career Testing.” This workshop allows you to discover your interests and personality type (through the above-mentioned tests). At the same time, you can obtain the Career Development Certificate, an excellent tool for learning more about yourself as you progress through university.
Reason #2: It gives you the power to act quickly and find solutions to succeed
Imagine yourself reviewing an exam or completing a task for your employer. How would you like to review this exam or solve this problem? What is your work style? Do you prefer to work in a team or alone? Do you prefer to work in a hands-on environment or to achieve a specific goal? Do you prefer to take risks or to work carefully?
Self-awareness answers all these questions and that’s why by improving our self-awareness, we can quickly make smart decisions and achieve success in our professional lives.
Reason #3: It helps you manage your emotions and think clearly
Emotions often play a major role in our professional life and success. Getting to know yourself better will help you manage your emotions in all kinds of situations, both positive and negative. This will help you avoid the burden of anxiety, which can affect your decisions, and gain confidence in your ability to overcome difficult situations. By learning to manage your emotions, you will be clearer and more organized, and you will be able to make informed choices to achieve your goals in a timely manner.
Just as there are many reasons to gain excellent self-awareness, there are many resources designed to help you acquire such knowledge. Take full advantage of the Telfer Career Centre’s workshops and meetings with its team of professionals!
See the Calendar of Events on Career Launch and, most importantly, don’t hesitate to register!
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