Job tests are popular and are increasingly being marketed as a solution for the 3 out of 5 workers (58%) in the US labor market desiring a career change in 2025 (source: LinkedIn). The most popular job tests draw results from AI, dumping mounds of data on an already confused career changer.

When it comes to life’s most important decisions, a dissatisfied worker might be tempted to believe that a job test is a great solution. It’s quick and relatively inexpensive. So, they pay for membership or a quiz, learning little or nothing about themselves.

Let me add that free AI tools provide the same information that a job test provides. For example, I entered the question, “What else can a career coach do for a living?” using my free ChatGPT account. The result was impressive. Six industry segments were identified along with a range of roles and job titles.

Here is the problem: it’s just a list. It does not offer clarity about the best alignment for the individual. Bottom line, it’s data that can be very useful after a well-designed career exploration process. It’s a great research tool, not an assessment of an individual's potential and aspirations.

I am pleased to have brilliant career development professionals who read this newsletter every week (thank you 🎉🎉🎉). You help early-stage career seekers and career changers explore their inner wisdom, draw on their life experiences, and consider their dreams. It’s a human interaction.

If you know someone who is stuck in a soul-sucking job, encourage them to use a preference-based career assessment that offers both self-awareness and career-related information. Also, please encourage them to use a career coach who is specifically trained to administer the assessment.

With more than half of the US labor market yearning for change, it’s important to get the word out about what works!