Self-Directed Search

John Holland , Ph.D. © 1991, 1994, 1996

The Self-Directed Search (SDS) is the most widely used career interest inventory in the world, having helped more than 14 million people with career planning decisions. The SDS is an easy-to-use, self-administered test that helps individuals find occupations that best suit their interests and skills.

Applications

• Assist students and adults with career exploration
• Educational and career planning

Description

The SDS was designed to assist students and adults with career exploration and educational and career planning. Individuals answer questions about their aspirations, activities, competencies, occupations, and other self-estimates and discover occupations that best fit their interest skills.

Based upon the Holland "RIASEC" theory that people are most satisfied in work environments that reinforce their personalities, the SDS categorizes people as one of six (6) personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising or Conventional.

Reliability and Validity

The SDS manual and several research studies provide strong support for the reliability and validity of this carefully constructed assessment.

Hand Scoring

The SDS is self-scored by the respondent. The scores yield a 3-letter Holland code that designates the three (3) personality types the respondent most resembles. With this code, the respondents use the Occupations Finder, listing over 1,300 job titles referencing the DOT, to determine which occupations match their personality.

Additional Forms

The SDS Form E (Easy) is available for individuals with limited reading ability, and less than a high school education. This Form E version yields a 2-letter Holland code and respondents use the Job Finder booklet to identify the jobs matching their code, the required level of education and the DOT code.

Prices

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