Introduction to the
Newly Revised
Strong Interest Inventory® Tool
For Career Assessment
Strong Theory
 What people do is a reflection of their
interests
 People of similar interests will be satisfied in
those occupations given their values,
knowledge, and abilities are also the same
 The Strong measures interests, not
abilities
Accountants
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21 years old
Satisfied in their work
3 years in occupation
Typical work tasks
 Note: Average for norm
groups – 35 years
The Hexagon of General Occupational
Themes (GOTs)
Realistic
Investigative
Conventional
Enterprising
Artistic
Social
Catherine’s Codes
 Career Counselor
 Career Director
 “Mature” Director
 Education Consultant
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SEA
EAS
AES
EAS
Strong Profile, page 2
GOT: Realistic
Realistic
Investigative
Artistic
Conventional
Enterprising
Social
Realistic: The Doers
 Likes to work with their hands, tools,
machinery, computer networks
 Rugged, practical, physically strong
 Enjoy fixing, building, repairing, working
outdoors
 Described as practical, persistent,
adventurous, sensible, self-reliant
 Motivated to use hands-on skills to produce
tangible results
Realistic
Work Environments
 Manufacturing or industrial firms with tangible
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products
Construction, mining and energy industries
Transportation fields (air, trucking, local transit,
etc.)
The outdoors; small, rural communities
Situations calling for minimal interaction with
others
Situations permitting casual dress
Organizations structured with clearly drawn lines of
authority (armed forces, law enforcement, etc.)
Realistic Job Titles
 Forester
 Law Enforcement
Officer
 Carpenter
 Engineer
 Veterinarian
 Computer & IS
Manager
 Radiologic
Technologist
Realistic Theme
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What kind of car do they drive?
Chevy Truck, 4-wheel drive SUV, Jeep
What do they spend their money on?
Plants for garden, home repairs, sporting equipment, boats,
campers, power tools, GPS, guns
What would be there ideal vacation?
Camping, attend sporting event, fishing, golf school,
outward bound, hiking Appalachian Trail
What motivates them?
Hands-on, tangible results
What do they read?
Sailing/boating magazines, western and adventure novels,
garden and home repair booklets, fantasy football league
magazines, ESPN magazine, Sports Illustrated
GOT: Investigative
Realistic
Investigative
Artistic
Conventional
Enterprising
Social
Investigative: The Thinkers
 Likes to gather information, uncover new
facts/theories, and interpret data
 Potentially competent in science, math,
analysis, writing and problem solving
 Described as curious, independent,
reserved, rational, non-conforming
 Motivated to probe questions of intellectual
curiosity
Investigative –
Work Environments
 Unstructured organizations that allow
freedom in work styles
 Research and design laboratories and firms
 Universities and colleges
 Medical facilities
 Computer-related industries
 Scientific foundations and think tanks
Investigative Job Titles
 Chemist
 Software Developer
 R&D Manager
 Veterinarian
 University Professor
 Respiratory
Therapist
 Physician
 Science Teacher
Investigative Theme
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What kind of car do they drive?
Volvo, “Hybrid”
What do they spend their money on?
Computer, books, telescopes, electronic equipment,
puzzles
What would be their ideal vacation?
Archeological dig, space camp, science museum,
African safari, Smithsonian, scuba diving, visit ruins
What motivates them?
Curiosity, learning, knowledge
What do they read?
Scientific journals, real-life crime novels, mystery
novels, Consumer Reports, science fiction novels,
biographies
GOT: Artistic
Realistic
Investigative
Artistic
Conventional
Enterprising
Social
Artistic: The Creators
 Likes art, music, drama, etc.
 Express their interests in leisure as well as
vocational activities
 Enjoy writing, creating art, appreciating art,
acting/performing
 Described as impulsive, non-conforming &
independent
 Motivated to express themselves through
their work
Artistic Work Environments
 Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow
self-expression
 Artistic studios (preferably their own)
 Theaters and concert halls
 Institutions that teach artistic skills
(universities, music & dance schools, art
institutes, etc.)
 Museums, libraries, galleries
 Advertising, public relations, graphic design
and interior-design firms
Artistic Job Titles
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Artist
Architect
Librarian
Attorney
Urban & Regional
Planner
 Broadcast Journalist
 Medical Illustrator
 Public Relations
Director
 Musician
Artistic Theme
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What kind of car do they drive?
Volkswagen Bug, PT Cruiser, Cargo Van
What do they spend their money on?
Art supplies, art collection, music CD’s, books,
musical instruments, colorful things, wine tasting, opera
What would be their ideal vacation?
NYC to see Broadway shows, Venice to see art,
art/acting/dance workshop, visit museums/galleries
What motivates them?
Self- expression
What do they read?
Pulitzer prize novels, artistic technique books, historical
novels about artists or artistic places, book reviews,
Rolling Stone magazine
GOT: Social
Realistic
Conventional
Enterprising
Investigative
Artistic
Social
Social: The Helpers
 Likes to work with people, often in groups
 Enjoy helping, nurturing, and teaching,
especially young people
 Solve problems through discussions of feelings
and interactions with others
 May enjoy working with people through leading,
directing and persuading.
 Described as humanistic, idealistic, cooperative
 Motivated to help and empower
Social –
Work Environments
 Social service agencies
 Schools
 Religious organizations
 Human resources
departments
 Medical service and
healthcare facilities
 Mental health clinics
Social Job Titles
 Parks & Recreation
Manager
 Social Worker
 Athletic Trainer
 School Counselor
 School Administrator
 Registered Nurse
 Elementary School Teacher
 Dietitian
 Community Service Director
Social Theme
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What kind of car do they drive?
Mini-van, SUV, school bus, Suburban
What do they spend their money on?
Big Screen TV, Social Events, Charity, Pool Table,Bar
What would be their ideal vacation?
Habitat for Humanity, Cruise with their friends/family,
family reunion, beach house vacation, Disneyland
What motivates them?
Helping others
What do they read?
Oprah magazine, People magazine, Nora Roberts
novels, Living section of newspaper
GOT: Enterprising
Realistic
Investigative
Conventional
Enterprising
Artistic
Social
Enterprising:The Persuaders
 Enjoy working with other people and leading
them toward organizational goals and/or
economic success
 Likes to lead groups, give speeches, manage
people and projects, persuade
 Seeks positions of leadership, power, status
 Described as persuasive, adventuresome,
competitive, energetic, sociable, optimistic
 Motivated to persuade others of the merits of an
idea or product
Enterprising –
Work Environments
 Industrial and manufacturing firms
 Government and political organizations
 Seats of power and finance (large
corporations, brokerage firms, executive
offices, etc.)
 Retail and wholesale firms
 Fund-raising organizations
 Independently owned businesses
Enterprising Job Titles
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Investments Manager
Restaurant Manager
Realtor
Operations Manager
Buyer
Marketing Manager
Human Resources
Manager
 Chef
 Elected Public Official
Enterprising Theme
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What kind of car do they drive?
Lexus, Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, Lincoln, high-end SUV
What do they spend their money on?
Sporting event tickets, nice cars, country club memberships,
latest electronic equipment
What is their ideal vacation?
Luxury cruise, spa retreat, African safari, week of golf,
week in the the Hamptons or Cape Cod, skiing in Lake
Tahoe, anywhere they can network
What motivates them?
Persuading others
What do they read?
Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Town and Country
magazine, Travel and Leisure magazine, Fortune, Donald
Trumps biography, Steven Covey books
GOT: Conventional
Realistic
Investigative
Conventional
Artistic
Enterprising
Social
Conventional:The Organizers
 Likes activities requiring attention to detail,
organization, accuracy and data systems
 Enjoys mathematics and data management
activities
 Described as practical, organized,
systematic, accurate, conscientious
 Motivated to organize information and bring
order to data and things
Conventional –
Work Environments
 Large corporations
 Business offices
 Financial institutions (banks, credit companies,
etc.)
 Accounting firms
 Quality control and inspection departments
 Structured organizations with well-ordered
chains of command
Conventional Job Titles
 Banker
 Computer Systems Analyst
 Paralegal
 Actuary
 Financial Analyst
 Accountant
 Nursing Home
Administrator
 Food Services Manager
 Business Education
Teacher
Conventional Theme
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What kind of car do they drive?
Buick Oldsmobile, Honda Accord, Saturn, fuel efficient
What do they spend their money on?
File cabinets/shelves, home improvement projects, hobby
collections (stamps, antiques), games, investment clubs, PDA’s,
OfficeMax
What would be their ideal vacation?
Habitat for Humanity, site-seeing in historical city, knitting
workshop, pre-programmed tour, same beach house every year,
volunteer at food bank
What motivates them?
Organizing and bringing order to data/things
What do they read?
Real Simple magazine, Martha Stewart magazine, family themed
books, “beach” novels, how-to & hobby books, investment
magazines, Consumer Reports
The Hexagon of General Occupational
Themes
Realistic
Conventional
Enterprising
Investigative
Artistic
Social
Strong Profile, page 9
General to Specific
 General Occupational Themes
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The state in which you live
 Basic Interest Scales
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Your city or town
 Occupational Scales
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Your specific street address
 Personal Style Scales
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The way you decorate your home
Interpretive Comments
 Very high - More interest than almost all
women/men
 High - More interest than most women/men
 Moderate - About as much interest as most
women/men
 Little - Less interest than most women/men
 Very little - Less interest than almost all
women/men
General Occupational Themes
 Look over all 6 Theme descriptors on the
Strong Profile, p. 2
 Underline any that seem like a good fit for
you.
 Cross out any that don’t appeal to you.
 Confirm your top 3 theme codes in order of
preference.
 Share with partner how your theme code is
reflected in your current occupation.
Basic Interest Scale Questions
 How will your high and very high Basic
Interest Scales be satisfied in the career you
are considering?
 How will your top 5 Basic Scales be
incorporated into either your career or
personal life?
 How could your life be enriched by
incorporating more of your top 5 Basic
Interest Scales into your work, leisure, school
and family?
Meaning of Occupational Scores
 20
20-29
30-39
 49
Likes and dislikes are mostly opposite of
satisfied workers in that occupation; not a
good match
Likes and dislikes are somewhat opposite
of those of satisfied workers in that
occupation; may not be good match
Shares some likes and some dislikes of
satisfied workers in that occupation; may
or may not be good match
Shares most of the likes and dislikes of
satisfied workers in the occupation; may
be a very good match
New Occupational Samples
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Administrative Assistant
Chiropractor
College Instructor
Computer & IS Manager
Computer Scientist
Computer Systems Analyst
Editor
Engineering Technician
ESL Instructor
Financial Analyst
Financial Manager
Firefighter
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Geographer
Network Administrator
Operations Manager
Production Worker
Recreation Therapist
Rehabilitation Counselor
Retail Sales Representative
Sales Manager
Technical Sales
Representative
 Technical Support Specialist
 Top Executive
 Urban & Regional Planner