What kind of person are you?

Humans use labels as we encounter the world. There are a myriad of labels we use to classify and describe ourselves and others. Thoughtful. Short. Quiet. Likewise, employers use this same concept to determine the sort of employees would best serve its clients. Psychologists have developed numerous questionnaires often called assessments or inventories, that can be used as tools to gain insight into our cognitive makeup. These personality tests help us to understand ourselves and understand how we relate to others and how we show up in an assortment of scenarios. 

Of course, each is only a tool. These aren’t the end-all-be-all last word. Though the classifications are used as shorthand in many organizations, no two people are the same and it is you who ultimately has control over how you show up in your life. That said, it can be interesting to use these to give insight into the skills we might enjoy using and why we are drawn to certain professions or setting more than others.

Not only can it can also be fun to discuss our results with our friends, co-workers and partners, but career coaches often direct people to take an inventory during the course of career planning. One of the biggest reason these types of tests are so popular is because they can provide validation.

Here is a round up of some of well-known along with the number of areas each evaluates. 

Four Tools For Greater Insight and Self-Understanding are:

The Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator is an instrument to learn which of 16 personality types you are based on your cognition in four areas.

The CliftonStrengths is an assessment used by people in business and marketing. It ranks which of 34 personality areas are your strongest.

The Enneagram is based on an ancient geometric symbol and it is used to illustrate which of 9 personality types are your go-to as you relate to your purpose, relationships and even faith.

VIA Character Strengths Inventory tells you which of 24 values and strengths you have the most of.

To Learn More About Each Click Its Name

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Photos by Camille Kimberly from Stocksnap and Jessica Castro from Unsplash