Assessment tools are part of the career exploration process.
Power cuts can be a challenge at the best of times but this week’s unexpected 7 hour outage meant a rethink of how I was going to work with my clients. 
No internet, no computer and no use of online resources. And I was poorly prepared as had no idea I was going to lose the juice. I couldn’t even offer the clients a cup of hot tea or coffee.
The usual preparation is the printing of different assessment tools and sorting them into some semblance so that the client and I can explore the responses together. Occasionally the assessment tools are online, so the client will sit quietly and work on their own before we consult.
However this week the assessment tools were cards. Yes, cards.
We did a couple of word sorts from Very Important to Not Important at all for personal and work values. Critical for job satisfactions.
And the more use of assessment tools in the form of a competency skills profiling pack of cards. Working through these competencies helps the clients refocus on their skills and expertise.
Using these assessment tools was ideal since I couldn’t use the PC and made for a better dialogues and discussion. I think the clients had a better understanding of their results too.
Delighted to get these assessment tools out anytime to remind myself of my own values and skills. Makes interesting learning.
What assessment tools have you used?