Vocational rehabilitation helps people find a new sense of purpose and rebuild their careers, often after significant life changes. In this process, professionals need tools that help individuals understand their skills, values, and motivations. However, traditional career assessments can sometimes feel overwhelming or intimidating for clients. This is where self-reporting and self-discovery tools can make a difference by offering an easier, more comfortable way for clients to explore their career options.
Self-discovery career assessments give clients more control over their career exploration. These tools encourage individuals to reflect on their own experiences, helping them find their path instead of forcing them into a box. In vocational rehab, where clients are often rebuilding their confidence or have to consider new career directions, this self-guided approach can be very empowering.
These tools are also much less intimidating than traditional assessments, making them more approachable for clients who may feel unsure or vulnerable about their career future. They are simple to use and don’t need formal testing environments, making them ideal for one-on-one sessions or group workshops. They can also help kick-start meaningful conversations between clients and professionals, opening up new areas for exploration. Later, the results work as a reference point, allowing clients to reflect on their journey and measure their own progress over time.
The Knowdell Motivated Skills Cards and Knowdell Career Values Cards are two popular informal tools used in career development. They are practical, easy-to-use tools that help clients evaluate their skills and values in relation to their career goals.
The Motivated Skills Cards let clients sort their skills into categories: those they are good at and enjoy, those they are good at but dislike, and those they need to develop or avoid. This activity helps clients see what they truly enjoy doing, allowing them to make career decisions based on what motivates them.
Similarly, the Career Values Cards allow clients to sort and reflect on the work values that matter most to them, such as creativity, work-life balance, or financial stability. Understanding these values helps clients consider jobs that match their priorities, leading to greater satisfaction in the long term.
In addition to these, the Values and Skills Assessment Cards from the Winnipeg Transition Centre combine both skills and values into one deck. This combined approach gives clients a fuller picture of their career preferences, giving them more information, but not too much to work with. These tools help clients organize their thoughts and provide a starting point for exploring new areas they might not have considered before. Like the Knowdell cards, they are easy to use, take little time, and are perfect for vocational rehab settings.
Informal assessments like these have several benefits in vocational rehab. Because they are easy to use, they work great for a wide range of clients, including those who may have low literacy or limited career experience. These tools allow clients to take control of their career exploration, boosting their self-awareness and confidence, at a time when they really need it. This makes them work for you and your clients. These types of assessments can be used in different settings, from structured rehab programs to more casual, self-guided exercises. The hands-on, interactive nature of sorting the cards also makes the process engaging, which is especially helpful for clients who find traditional tests too rigid or impersonal. But most importantly, the cards act as conversation starters, helping clients and professionals explore new options and ideas. Over time, clients can revisit their results and use them as a reference point for future reflection.
Ultimately, these tools provide personalized insights that match each client’s unique strengths and values. This is critical for helping clients find meaningful, sustainable employment. The simplicity and self-directed nature of these assessments make them powerful tools for vocational rehabilitation professionals.
For vocational rehab clients, career assessments should be about exploration and self-reflection. Tools like the Knowdell Motivated Skills Cards, Career Values Cards, and the Values and Skills Assessment Cards provide a simple and engaging way for clients to explore their strengths and priorities. They also spark important conversations and give clients a reference point for future reflection as they continue to grow. By helping individuals better understand themselves, these tools guide them toward fulfilling and sustainable career paths. Vocational rehab is often a difficult journey; self-discovery tools offer a sense of clarity and control in rebuilding clients’ careers and lives.
Brad Whitehorn – BA, CCDP is the Associate Director at CLSR Inc. He was thrown into the career development field headfirst after completing a Communications degree in 2005, and hasn’t looked back! Since then, Brad has worked on the development, implementation and certification for various career and personality assessments (including Personality Dimensions®), making sure that Career Development Practitioners get the right tools to best serve their clients.