Self-Directed Search
by John Holland
John Lewis Holland (1919-2008)
 American psychologist and Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University.

Created the career development model which is known as the Holland Occupational
Model or the Holland Codes.
The Self- Directed Search (SDS Test)
 The SDS is based on the theory of John Holland’s Theory of Career Choice or the RIASEC
Theory.

The SDS is one of most widely used career interest inventory, it is a self-administered test
that help individuals find occupations that best suit their interest and skills. It requires 3545 minutes to accomplish the test. The items explore one’s aspirations, activities,
competencies, occupations and self-estimates.

The test is best suited to early individuals who are at the early stage of career exploration.

It helps individuals who are interested in learning more about how careers align with
one’s personality styles.

It is self-interpreted.
Holland’s Career Choice Theory (RIASEC Theory)
 Holland believes that individuals can be
classified to two or more as Realistic,
Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising
and Conventional (RIASEC).

People tend to be productive at work
when they are with the same personality
types of other individuals.

The personality types closest to each other
are more alike than those farther away.

People who choose to work in an
environment similar to their personality type are more likely to be successful and
satisfied. Sometimes one personality type can be conducive to work at other personality
types’ work environment.
Compatible Work Environment
Personality Type
Most Compatible
Other Compatible
Realistic
Realistic
Conventional & Investigative
Investigative
Artistic
Investigative
Artistic
Artistic & Realistic
Investigative & Social
Social
Social
Artistic & Enterprising
Enterprising
Enterprising
Conventional & Social
Conventional
Conventional
Enterprising & Realistic

People search for work environments where they can utilize and maximize their skills
and abilities. Individuals also look for a work environment wherein they can express
their values and attitudes.

Therefore, people are most likely to have high job satisfaction if one’s personality is
compatible with the work environment.

In reality, people are combination of types like Realistic-Investigative, or Artistic-Social.
So the student or individual will probably want to consider occupations in more than one
category.
John Holland's Theory of Career Choice
Realistic
Interest area:
Key skills:
A student likes to
work mainly with
hands making, fixing,
assembling or
building things, using
and operating
equipment, tools or
machines.
Using and operating
tools, equipment and
machinery, designing,
building, repairing,
maintaining,
measuring, working in
detail, driving,
moving, caring for
animals, working with
plants.
He or she may likes
to work outdoors.
Occupations with
practical
components:
Pilot, farmer,
horticulturist, builder,
engineer, armed
services personnel,
mechanic,
upholsterer,
electrician, computer
technologist, park
ranger, sportsperson.
Subjects to develop
student’s skills:
English, Maths,
Science, Workshop,
Technology,
Computing, Business
Studies, Agriculture,
Horticulture, Physical
Education.
Occupations with
practical
components:
Science, research,
medical and health
occupations, chemist,
marine scientist,
forestry technician,
medical or
agricultural
laboratory technician,
zoologist, dentist, GP.
Subjects to develop
student’s skills:
English, Maths,
Science, Computing,
Technology.
Investigative
Interest area:
Key skills:
A student likes to
discover and
research ideas,
observe, investigate
and experiment, ask
questions and solve
questions.
Thinking analytically
and logically,
computing,
communicating by
writing and speaking,
designing,
formulating,
calculating,
diagnosing,
experimenting,
investigating.
Artistic
Interest area:
Occupations with
practical
Expressing artistically components:
Artist, illustrator,
or physically,
photographer,
communicating by
speaking, writing and signwriter ,
composer, singer,
singing, performing,
designing, presenting, instrument player,
planning, composing, dancer, actor,
reporter, writer,
playing, dancing.
editor, hairdresser,
fashion designer.
Subjects to develop
your skills:
English, Social
Studies, Music,
Drama, Art, Graphic
Design, Computing,
Business Studies,
Languages.
Interest area:
Key skills:
You like working with
people to teach,
train, inform, help,
treat, heal, cure,
serve and greet.
These types of
students are
concerned for others’
well-being and
welfare.
Communicating by
writing and speaking,
caring and
supporting, training,
meeting, greeting,
assisting, teaching,
informing,
interviewing,
coaching.
Occupations with
practical
components:
Teacher, nurse,
counsellor, police
officer, social worker,
salesperson,
customer secretary,
service officer,
waiter.
Subjects to develop
your skills:
English, Social
Studies, Maths,
Science, Health,
Physical Education,
Art, Computing,
Business Studies,
Languages.
Occupations with
practical
components:
Salesperson, lawyer,
politician,
accountant, business
owner, executive or
manager, travel
agent, music or
sports promoter.
Subjects to develop
your skills:
English, Maths,
Business Studies,
Accounting,
Economics, Social
Studies, Drama,
Computing,
Languages.
The student likes
using words, art,
music or drama to
express himself or
herself, they like to
communicate or
perform,create or
design things.
Key skills:
Social
Enterprising
Interest area:
Key skills:
The student likes
meeting people,
leading, talking to
and influencing
others, encouraging
others, working in
business.
Selling, promoting
and persuading,
developing ideas,
public speaking,
managing, organising,
leading and
captaining,
computing, planning.
Conventional
Interest area:
Key skills:
The student likes
working indoors and
at tasks that involve
organizing and being
accurate, following
procedures, working
with data or
numbers, planning
work and events.
Computing and
keyboarding,
recording and
keeping records,
paying attention to
detail, meeting and
greeting, doing
calculations, handling
money, organising,
arranging, working
independently.
Occupations with
practical
components:
Secretary,
receptionist, office
worker, librarian,
bank clerk, computer
operator, stores and
dispatch clerk.
Subjects to develop
your skills:
English, Maths,
Business Studies,
Accounting,
Economics,
Computing.
Implications to Guidance and Counseling
•
•
•
•
As guidance counselors, we must facilitate activities which help students discover
themselves more.
Students must learn that self-awareness is one of the important components of landing a
well-suited career.
Through the RIASEC Theory the students will be able to match their personality with their
jobs.
The students must understand that the work environment needs to be conducive so that
they feel satisfied with their jobs.
REFERENCES:
•
How to Use Holland Codes to Find The Right Career (2017). Retrieved from
https://www.truity.com/page/holland-code-riasec-theory-career-choice
•
Holland's Theory of Career Choice and You. Career Key (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.careerkey.org/choose-a-career/hollands-theory-of-careerchoice.html#.Wu_T19OFOT8

RIASEC - John Holland and Career Interests (2017). Retrieved from
https://www.identifor.com/about/riasec