This free career test uses the Holland Code, also called RIASEC, to match your interests with types of work. You rate 60 work activities, taken from the O*NET Interest Profiler developed for the US Department of Labor. You then get your three-letter Holland code and a list of New Zealand jobs that suit it, each linked to Tahatū, the government careers website. It takes about five to eight minutes and needs no email.
Last reviewed 26 October 2026 by Hamish Webb, counsellor, member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) and co-founder of Counsellors New Zealand. This test is for exploring career ideas. It is not a formal career assessment or professional career advice for your situation.
Read each of the 60 work activities and choose how much you would like doing it. Do not think about how much education/training is needed or how much money you will make!
There are ten activities to a screen, and it takes about five to eight minutes. Your answers stay in your browser and are not sent to us or saved, and you do not need to give your name or email.
This page includes information from the O*NET Career Exploration Tools by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY-ND 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The job suggestions in the results are provided by Counsellors New Zealand and are not part of the O*NET® Interest Profiler; USDOL/ETA has not reviewed or endorsed this website.
What is the Holland Code?
The Holland Code is a way of describing career interests, developed by American psychologist John L. Holland, who first set out his theory of vocational choice in 1959. Holland suggested that most people’s interests can be described by six broad types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional, often shortened to RIASEC.
Work environments can be described with the same six types. A Holland code is the two or three types that fit you best, listed in order, such as SAI or RIC. The idea is that people tend to feel more satisfied in work that suits their interests. The Holland Code is one of the most widely used models in career guidance, and many career services and job databases describe occupations with a three-letter code.
What are the six Holland types?
| Type | What people with this interest tend to enjoy | Example jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Realistic (Doers) | Practical, hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors | Electrician, builder, mechanic, farm manager |
| Investigative (Thinkers) | Researching, analysing and solving problems with ideas, science and data | Scientist, software developer, doctor, data analyst |
| Artistic (Creators) | Creating and expressing ideas through art, design, writing, music or performance | Graphic designer, writer, musician, architect |
| Social (Helpers) | Teaching, caring, supporting and helping others | Teacher, nurse, counsellor, social worker |
| Enterprising (Persuaders) | Leading, persuading, selling and making things happen | Sales manager, lawyer, marketing specialist, business owner |
| Conventional (Organisers) | Organising information, working with numbers and following clear processes | Accountant, administrator, auditor, logistics coordinator |
How does the career test work?
- Choose “Start the test” above. The career test lists 60 work activities, ten to a screen, and takes about five to eight minutes.
- Choose how much you would like each activity, from “Strongly dislike” to “Strongly like”. If you are not sure, choose “Unsure”. Think only about whether you would enjoy it, not how much training it needs or how much it pays.
- Choose “See my results”. You get a score out of 40 for each of the six types, your three-letter Holland code, and a short description of your top three types.
- Look through the career ideas. Up to 12 New Zealand jobs that share your Holland code are listed, best matches first, each with a link to that career area on Tahatū, where you can check pay, training and job prospects. You can also explore careers in any interest area you choose.
- Print or save your results if you want to keep them. Your answers stay in your browser and are not sent to Counsellors New Zealand or saved; see our privacy policy for how we handle information more generally.
How do I read my Holland code?
Your Holland code lists your three highest-scoring types, strongest first. A code of SAE, for example, means Social interests came out strongest, then Artistic, then Enterprising. The first letter usually says the most about the kind of work you are drawn to, and the second and third letters add detail about the setting or style of work that may suit you.
Look at your scores as well as the letters. If one type is well ahead, that interest is likely to matter a lot to you. If your scores are close together, you may be comfortable in many kinds of work, and the order of your letters means less. Types next to each other in Holland’s model, such as Social and Enterprising, often go together; types opposite each other, such as Artistic and Conventional, less often, which can point to work that combines both in an unusual way.
How accurate is a career interest test?
A career interest test measures what you enjoy, not what you are good at, what you value or what jobs are available near you. Research supports Holland’s six types as a useful way to describe interests, and a 2010 review by Margaret Nauta in the Journal of Counseling Psychology found considerable support for them. Large reviews of the research by Christopher Nye and colleagues, published in 2012 and 2017, found that people whose interests fit their work or study tend to perform better and are more likely to stick with it. Interests are only one part of a good career choice, though: your skills, values and circumstances matter too.
The questions in this test are the O*NET Interest Profiler Short Form, developed and tested by the National Center for O*NET Development for the US Department of Labor, and used here word for word with the five-point rating and scoring of O*NET’s own online version. The New Zealand job suggestions are our own addition, matched by Holland code, so treat them as ideas to explore. Your interests can also shift with experience, so a result that feels off today may make more sense, or less, in a year.
What should I do with my career test results?
- Explore the suggested career areas on Tahatū to compare pay, training, and how many jobs are likely to be available.
- Talk with people who do the work. Ask what a normal day looks like and what they enjoy or find hard.
- Try it out in a small way first, through volunteering, a short course, work experience or a side project.
- Think about your strengths and values alongside your interests. Our Big Five personality test can add another angle.
Career decisions can bring up a lot: pressure from family, money worries, burnout, or the loss of a job you relied on. A counsellor or coach can help you think it through and look after your wellbeing while you decide. You can find a counsellor online or in person. If you are feeling overwhelmed, you can call or text 1737 for free at any time to talk with a trained counsellor.
Common questions about the career test
Is this career test free, and do I need to give my email?
The Counsellors New Zealand career test is free and does not ask for your name or email. Your answers are scored in your browser and are not sent to us or saved.
What is my Holland code?
Your Holland code is the three RIASEC types your answers scored highest on, strongest first. The career test above works it out for you in about five to eight minutes.
Is the career test suitable for school leavers and career changers?
Yes. The activities don’t assume any training or work history, so the test suits secondary students thinking about subjects and study, as well as adults considering a change.
Can my Holland code change?
Interests are fairly stable in adulthood, but they can shift with new experiences, especially in your teens and early twenties. Your top type often stays the same while the order of the other letters moves around.
What if I don’t like any of the suggested jobs?
That is useful information too. Use “Explore careers by area” in your results to look at any interest area, and look at the career areas rather than the exact job titles, since each area on Tahatū covers many more roles. Your Holland types also describe the kind of tasks you enjoy, which can help you shape a role you already have.
Is the Holland Code the same as a personality test?
Not quite. The Holland Code measures career interests, while personality tests such as the Big Five describe broader traits like how organised or outgoing you are. The two overlap a little and work well together.