Holland Types
Holland Types
John Holland developed a popular format for determining interests, which is included here. Holland's code comprises six personality types:
- Realistic (R)
- Investigative (I)
- Artistic (A)
- Social (S)
- Enterprising (E)
- Conventional (C)
Realistic (R)
| Interests | Skills | Personality | ||
| work with machines | fix mechanical objects | mechanical | ||
| work outdoors | plant a garden | nature lover | ||
| work with hands | operate machinery | practical | ||
| build things | read a blueprint | problem solver |
Investigative (I)
| Interests | Skills | Personality | ||
| explore ideas | do science experiments | inquisitive | ||
| analyze data | solve math problems | precise | ||
| use computers | perform basic programming | abstract thinker | ||
| read science fiction | interpret formulas | independent |
Artistic (A)
| Interests | Skills | Personality | ||
| read fiction, plays | write stories | imaginative | ||
| work on crafts | design new things | innovative | ||
| act, sing, listen to music | play or compose music | creative | ||
| take photographs | sketch, draw, or paint | intuitive |
Social (S)
| Interests | Skills | Personality | ||
| help people | teach/train others | helpful | ||
| do volunteer work | plan activities | outgoing | ||
| play team sports | host an event | insightful | ||
| work in groups | lead meetings | friendly |
Enterprising (E)
| Interests | Skills | Personality | ||
| meet people | initiate projects | assertive | ||
| make decisions that affect others | sell or promote | persuasive | ||
| negotiate sales/deals | make speeches | enthusiastic | ||
| participate in political activities | convince others | persistent |
Conventional (C)
| Interests | Skills | Personality | ||
| work with numbers | keep accurate records | organized | ||
| be responsible for details | statistical work | mathematical | ||
| learn computer programs | operate computers | efficient | ||
| follow directions | write business letters | conscientious |
Data, People, Things, and Ideas
A second way of looking at occupations is to measure them in terms of Data, People, Things, and Ideas.
- Realistic people like working with Things in occupations such as chef, air traffic controllers, carpenters, and builders.
- Investigative people like working with Data in occupations such as medical technician, computer programmer, engineering, andscience.
- Artistic people like working with Ideas in occupations such as commercial artist, musician, and interior design.
- Social people like working with People in occupations such as teaching, counseling, and care of elderly people.
- Enterprising people like working with People and Data in occupations such as business leadership, marketing, entrepreneurship, and politics.
- Conventional people like working with Data in such occupations as accounting, administrative assistance, and paralegal.
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