Purpose: To assess career interests
Administration: 15-30 minutes — Individual and group
Scoring: Paper-based or computer
Candidates: 14+ years of age

 

Features:

Useful as a brief screening inventory prior to a more detailed career exploration
Psychological career inventory

Content:

The VPI consists of 160 occupations representing the six personality types in the RIASEC theory of personality, as well as five additional dimensions.

The theory states that people search for work environments similar to their personalities. VPI users decide if they like or dislike each of the occupations. The VPI parallels other Holland instruments that match user interests to occupations.

The 11 VPI scales are:

• Realistic

• Investigative

• Artistic

• Social

• Enterprising

• Conventional

• Self-Control

• Status

• Masculinity/Femininity

• Infrequency

• Acquiescence