Understanding and Interpreting the MBTI and Strong

Presented By:Jackie Dernek

Understanding and Interpreting

the MBTI and Strong

What is the MBTI and why is it important in career Development?

What are the characteristics of your own MBTI type and how will they impact your personal and professional development?

How might an assessment like this be useful when working with clients?

MBTI Objectives

Based on the work of Carl JungDifferences in behavior are a result of inborn

tendencies.As we act on these tendencies, we develop

patterns of behavior. Developed in the 1940s 40+ years of research Most widely used personality indicator in the

worldAdministered to approximately one to three

million people each year.

Background of the MBTI

NC State University

A self-report assessment tool that determines personality type.

An indicator of preferences.A way to sort, not measure. Research backed.Rich in theory. Professionally interpreted. Important note: there are over 100 aspects of

personality, MBTI highlights only sixteen!

What is the MBTI?

The chart is grouped into four basic scales with opposite poles.

The four scales are: extraversion/introversionsensing/intuitivethinking/feelingjudging/perceiving

Four Scales of the MBTI

ExtraversionEnergized by being

with othersBreadthSociableInitiatesInteractionMany

Energized by being alone

DepthOne-to-one

discussionReflectsConcentrationClose relationshipsFew

MBTI Key WordsIntroversion

SensingPerceiving with

sensesReliance on

experiencePracticalityIn touch with

physical realitiesAttending to the

presentAttention to detail

Perceiving with memory and associations

Seeing patterns and meanings

Seeing possibilitiesPrefers adding new

skillsLooks at “big picture”Identifies complex

patterns

MBTI Key WordsIntuition

ThinkingCause and effect

reasoningObjectiveLogic“Tough Minded”Fair –wants everyone

to be treated equally

Decisions based on impact on people

Guided by valuesStrive for harmony“Tenderhearted”Fair –wants everyone

treated as an individual

MBTI Key WordsFeeling

Judging Focus on completing

tasksDeciding and planningOrganizing and

schedulingControlling and

regulatingGoal orientedWants closure

Focus on starting tasks

Taking in information

Adapting and changing

Curious and interested

Open-mindedResists closure in

order to obtain data

MBTI Key WordsPerceiving

Your type consists of four letters that represent your four preferences.

The results illustrate the clarity of your MBTI preferences.

A larger number suggests you are quite sure that you prefer that pole.

A lower number suggests that you are less sure about your preference for that pole.

How to Interpret Your Score

Based on 1996 data from the US population—CPP) http://www.delta-associates.com/type-percentages/

The MBTI 16 Types

A person’s type is regarded as a working hypothesis.Everyone uses every preference. We favor, however,

one preference over the other on each of the four scales.

High scores do not indicate greater skill, magnitude, or use of a preference. Scores indicate clarity of choice.

Type can explain some human behavior—not all.Type is not an excuse for doing or not doing

something. Avoid stereotyping someone on the basis of his or her

type.

Guidelines

Increase client self-awareness through greater understanding of personality type.

Help client to understand others by knowing more about themselves.

Understanding how a client’s personality type fits into their career search.

Appreciate how personality impacts personal satisfaction and job performance.

*Understanding your own MBTI score can help you identify potentially challenging situations or prejudices you may have that may impact your interactions with clients.

Uses for our Clients

In groups of 4-5 discuss the situation given to you and formulate an action plan for how you would help this client.Situation ASituation BSituation CSituation D

Simulation Activity

What is the Strong and why is it important in career development?

What are the characteristics of your Strong, and how will it impact your personal and professional development?

How might an assessment like this be useful when working with clients?

Strong Interest Inventory Objectives

The most widely used interest assessment in North America.

Based on Holland’s theory of vocational interests:RealisticInvestigativeArtistic SocialEnterprisingConventional

Strong Background

Will NOT predict with certainty what occupation one should consider.

It can be a useful tool for identifying work setting and occupations that may be satisfying.

It indicates how similar or dissimilar one’s interests are in comparison with people in a wide variety of occupations.

Remember it’s just one tool of many!!

Strong Guidelines

The Strong is organized in four ways:1. General Occupational Themes (GOT)

1. An overall view of your interest patterns2. Basic Interest Scales

1. Specific interest areas based upon your GOT3. Occupational Scales

1. Specific interest patterns to people working in the field that share your likes and dislikes

4. Personal Style Scales1. Your preferences on 5 different scales

How the Assessment Works

Notice the kind of job categories in which you have an elevated score. How do you feel about these scores? In your

opinion, are they accurate why or why not?

Your Personal BIS Scores

It can be helpful in identifying interests, which can lead to greater job satisfaction.

It can be helpful information to assist with career and educational planning.

3-Step Process--include the client in all phases:PreparationInterpretationExploration

Using the Strong with Clients

Twenty Things You Like to Do!Activity