How the Holland Codes Help You Find Your Career Match

The RAISEC personality types

The Holland codes or RIASEC personality types were identified by psychologist John Holland. Holland believed that if people know their personality type, they can find a career that utilizes their personal strengths and matches their working style. People who find a good career match for their personality can be more happy and productive in their work.

The six personality types are: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional, also known as the RIASEC types. All of the personality types are equal in importance and are needed in every organization.

The RIASEC types you score strongest in help you match up your interests to the corresponding career cluster and individual occupations.

Realistic

People with Realistic interests like work that includes practical, hands-on problems and answers. Often people with Realistic interests do not like careers that involve paperwork or working closely with others. They like working with plants and animals; real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery; and outside work.

Career Clusters that may be a good fit for people with Realistic interests:

Agriculture, food, and natural resources
Architecture and construction
Arts, A/V technology, and communications
Health science
Hospitality and tourism
Information technology
Law, public safety, corrections, and security
Manufacturing
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
Transportation, distribution, and logistics

person looking at two computer monitors, keyboarding

Investigative

People with Investigative interests like work that has to do with ideas and thinking rather than physical activity or leading people. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems.

Career Clusters that may be a good fit for people with Investigative interests:

Health science
Information technology
Law, public safety, corrections, and security
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

Artistic

People with Artistic interests like work that deals with the artistic side of things, such as acting, music, art, and design. They like creativity in their work and work that can be done without following a set of rules.

Career Clusters that may be a good fit for people with Artistic interests:

Arts, A/V technology, and communications
Education and training
Hospitality and tourism
Human services
Marketing, sales, and service

Social

People with Social interests like working with others to help them learn and grow. They like working with people more than working with objects, machines, or information. They like teaching, giving advice, and helping and being of service to people.

Career Clusters that may be a good fit for people with Social interests:

Arts, A/V technology, and communications
Education and training
Government and public administration
Health science
Human services
Law, public safety, corrections, and security
Marketing, sales, and service

young man working at his laptop and smiling

Enterprising

People with Enterprising interests like work that has to do with starting up and carrying out business projects. These people like taking action rather than thinking about things. They like persuading and leading people, making decisions, and taking risks for profits.

Career Clusters that may be a good fit for people with Enterprising interests:

Arts, A/V technology, and communications
Business, management, and administration
Finance
Government and public administration
Hospitality and tourism
Law, public safety, corrections, and security
Marketing, sales, and service

Conventional

People with Conventional interests like work that follows set procedures and routines. They prefer working with information and paying attention to details rather than working with ideas. They like working with clear rules and following a strong leader.

Career Clusters that may be a good fit for people with Conventional interests:

Architecture and construction
Business, management, and administration
Finance
Health science
Manufacturing
Transportation, distribution, and logistics