JVIS

Jackson Vocational Interest Survey

Abstract

The Jackson vocational Interest Survey (JVIS) is a relatively new instrument that contrasts sharply in several respects with the SIl. The 34 basic interest scales on the JVIS are composed of two different types, work role scales and work style scales. The 26 work role scales measure specific interests pertinent to broad occupational themes such as mathematics, life science, adventure, business, and teaching. The 8 work style scales were designed to measure preferences for working in environments that require particular modes of behavior, such as job security, dominant leadership, accountability, and stamina. The JVIS may be hand scored, but computer scoring is probably preferable since the user then obtains several additional groups of scales, including data on examinees similarity to college students majoring in specific academic disciplines. The JVIS is suited to high school age and older.

Jackson Vocational Interest Survey

Introduction

The Jackson Vocational Interest Survey is widely used in high schools to help students chart their future careers. Douglas Jackson estimates it is been given to about 350,000 students across the nation in the last 12 years. It is also used by career counsellors to help people who feel stuck in an unsatisfying job to choose new directions.

Developing an accurate personality test is "like planting a tree. It takes time," says Jackson. "The typical questionnaire might have 300 questions, but we start with 3,000. We just keep working at it until we find the 300 that work the best." Jackson is working on a project in California that uses personality testing and computers to project in detail how certain executives will perform in the future and under specific job stresses.

The Jackson Vocational Interest Survey is widely used in high schools to help students chart their future careers. Jackson estimates it is been given to about 350,000 students across the nation in the last 12 years. It is also used by career counsellors to help people who feel stuck in an unsatisfying job to choose new directions.

The Jackson Personality Inventory and the Personality Research Form are used by major corporations for job selection and by career counsellors trying to match clients to jobs. The tests measure personality strengths and quirks, and can help employers choose people who are innovative, outstanding leaders, or good negotiators, depending on what the job needs. The Basic Personality Inventory is used by psychologists and psychiatrists in clinical settings to determine a patient's mental health and for screening job applicants in some high- stress professions. The test measures responses on a scale against what are considered average and usual answers. Developing an accurate personality test is "like planting a tree. It takes time," says Jackson. "The typical questionnaire might have 300 questions, but we start with 3,000. We just keep working at it until we find the 300 that work the best."

General information

The Jackson vocational Interest Survey (JVIS) (Jackson, 1977), appropriate for high school and college students and adults who need assistance with educational and career planning, is composed of 289 forced-choice items describing occupational ...