Personality Is The Key In Holland's Theory Of Career Choice


 

The basic foundation behind Holland’s Theory of Career Choice is personality type. John Holland believed that a people can only excel to their highest potential and can only be happy their career placement if it matches their individual personality type. According to this theory, all persons have different aspects of personality, but one aspect stands more than others. This is the one to take into consideration when choosing a career.

Holland says there are six types of personalities. First of all, there is the social personality type—people who love to be around people. These people are caring and giving of themselves enough to assist others. These are people such as school counselors. Secondly are people who have a realistic type personality. They choose to endeavor in activities that deal with coordination. Their strengths lie in using their hands and in mechanics. Military service, carpenters, farmers, etc. are realistic type people. Thirdly, there are the conventional personalities. These are orderly people—no spontaneous actions. Everything has to follow certain rules and regulations—no deviation. Secretaries and factory workers are good examples of this personality trait. Fourth, according to Holland’s Theory of Career Choice, is the investigative type person. Here, you have the logical people—concerned with ideas and theories. They have scientific minds. People such as those in teaching positions, researchers, chemists, and math instructors are in this category. The fifth type is the artistic personality. Certain teachers, depending on what subject they teach can fall under this category. These are people who like to use their imaginations excessively. Open expression is part of their mind set—no set rules and regulations to follow. Artists, designers, actors, radio DJs, and the like are artistic type people. Lastly, there are folks with an enterprising personality. They like to have others working beneath them. They are leaders, not followers. Lawyers, salesmen, people in management positions, and also authoritative military positions are enterprising.

People work best (according to Holland’s Theory of Career Choice) around people who have basically the same personality and interests s them. You should not accept a job in a field or around a group of people with which you have nothing in common. It will not last. John Holland’s assessment of personality and career matches is based on a large amount of research. Chances are if you follow Holland’s Theory of Career Choices when you are searching for the right career choice, you are likely to be successful, dominating, and happy in your chosen area of work.

 

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