Holland Career Interest Theory: Discover Your Career Tendency

I. Background: The Holland Career Interest Model

The American psychologist John L. Holland proposed the theory of career interest in 1959, holding that a person's career choice reflects their personality traits. He summarized career environments and interests into six types, forming a hexagonal model: Realistic (R), Investigative (I), Artistic (A), Social (S), Enterprising (E), and Conventional (C).

The core idea of Holland's theory is that when a person's interest type matches the career environment they are in, it is easier to achieve career satisfaction, stability, and a sense of achievement. This test is based on Holland's classic theoretical framework, adaptively revised for modern workplace situations, to help you better understand your career preferences.

II. The Six Career Types (RIASEC Model)

• Realistic (R): Prefers hands-on work, tool use, and outdoor activities; likes concrete, well-defined tasks; good in fields such as mechanics, construction, and agriculture.
• Investigative (I): Prefers thinking, observing, analyzing, and exploring; likes solving abstract problems; good in fields such as science, technology, and R&D.
• Artistic (A): Prefers creation, expression, intuition, and imagination; likes novel and unique approaches; good in fields such as art, design, and writing.
• Social (S): Prefers helping, teaching, communicating, and caring for others; likes teamwork; good in fields such as education, counseling, and healthcare.
• Enterprising (E): Prefers influencing, leading, persuading, and achieving goals; likes business and competition; good in fields such as management, sales, and entrepreneurship.
• Conventional (C): Prefers order, precision, and following processes; likes data and clerical work; good in fields such as administration, accounting, and information management.

III. Purpose and Design

This test helps you identify your two or three most prominent career interest types (your Holland code) as a reference for choosing a major, planning a career, or shifting direction. The questions are designed around daily preferences, work values, and activity tendencies, avoiding direct questions like "are you suited to job XX", to reduce social-desirability bias.

Each question describes a situation or feeling; please choose the option closest to your true tendency (not your ability). The test has 15 questions and takes about 5-8 minutes to complete.

IV. Who It Is For

• High school and college students about to face a major or career choice
• Professionals who feel lost in their current job and want to explore a new direction
• Individuals who want to understand their work preferences better and improve career satisfaction
• A tool for career planners and educators to assist students or clients

V. Scoring and Results

Each option corresponds to a certain tendency among the six types. Based on your choices, the system calculates the scores for the six types. The one or two highest-scoring types form your "Holland code". The result report includes:

• The name and traits of your dominant career type
• The score distribution across types (shown as a radar chart)
• Suitable career fields and growth advice