What is the Holland Occupational Type Test? What do Holland Occupational Codes represent?
Choosing a major in college can be seen as a decision that shapes a student's future. However, most students may not have a thorough understanding of themselves, leading to confusion when it comes to career planning. If a student is feeling lost about their future, it might be helpful to start by getting to know themselves better. The Holland Occupational Type Test is a career assessment system that analyzes individual characteristics and values using six different Holland Code occupational codes. Students can use the test results to identify suitable careers. But who invented the Holland Occupational Test, and how does it help students find their career direction?
Holland Occupational Type Test, also known as the Holland Codes or RIASEC codes, is a career assessment system developed by American psychologist John Holland. It's based on extensive research and theoretical concepts, aiming to categorize careers into six different types. These six Holland Occupational Codes are:
- Realistic (R): People who are practical, hands-on, and enjoy working with tools and machinery.
- Investigative (I): Individuals who are analytical, curious, and like to solve complex problems.
- Artistic (A): Those with a creative and imaginative nature, who enjoy self-expression through art and design.
- Social (S): People-oriented individuals who thrive in helping and understanding others.
- Enterprising (E): Goal-driven and persuasive individuals who enjoy leadership and sales roles.
- Conventional (C): Detail-oriented, organized, and rule-abiding individuals who excel in structured environments.
Each code reflects the test-taker's personal traits and assists in finding a suitable career path where those traits can be effectively utilized. Holland's theory suggests that individuals are most satisfied and successful in careers that align with their dominant Holland Code.

Source: Cyclopes Education
Analysing the Six Holland Codes to Find Matching Careers
After completing the test, individuals will receive scores for each of the six Holland Codes, and each code not only reflects one's personality but also suggests careers that align with those traits. Below, we will briefly introduce the meaning of each code and the corresponding jobs.
Realistic (R)
People with higher scores in the Realistic code are straightforward, humble, and focused on doing things well. They tend to immerse themselves in their work after planning and are highly concerned about work efficiency and performance. However, their social communication skills may be weaker, making them more suitable for jobs related to civil engineering, farming, or electronics repair.
Investigative (I)
Individuals with high Investigative scores love thinking and analysing data. Their thought process is primarily rational, and they approach tasks seriously, carefully, and systematically. Before making decisions, they consider multiple potential factors and risk factors while aiming to minimize unexpected risks. However, they tend to have lower leadership skills. According to the Holland Code analysis, they are more suitable for jobs involving research and data analysis, such as doctors or laboratory researchers.

Source: Freepik
Artistic (A)
The most noticeable characteristic of Artistic individuals is their rich imagination and creativity. They focus on emotional and psychological communication, possess diverse and changeable emotions, and excel at expressing their imaginative thoughts in artistic ways. They have unique insights into aesthetics but may sometimes overlook the practical effectiveness of things. Therefore, individuals with this code are more suited for creative professions such as illustrators, designers, novelists, composers, and more.
Social (S)
Social individuals are gentle, easy to get along with, and skilled communicators. They are open to listening to others' opinions and are willing to provide advice when appropriate. Their helpful nature allows them to excel in roles related to interpersonal relationships. With their excellent social skills, they are suitable for careers like teaching, social work, religious and psychological counseling, among others.
Enterprising (E)
Enterprising individuals are typical leaders. They are ambitious, confident, and capable of leading others to accomplish tasks. They are adventurous, willing to take on challenges, and possess strong organizational and coordination abilities. This makes them well-suited for leadership roles in management, sales, law, politics, and related fields.

Source: Freepik
Conventional (C)
Conventional individuals excel in handling repetitive, rule-bound, and well-structured tasks. They prefer to work in an organized and methodical manner, and their focus is on following rules and systems rather than emphasizing creativity and self-expression. Therefore, individuals with this code are more inclined toward careers in the finance industry, banking, secretarial roles, and administration.
After analyzing the six Holland Codes and their corresponding careers, it's important to note that the Holland Code results should be used as a reference. The same person's Holland Code scores may vary depending on the timing of the test. If you have any doubts or questions about subject selection or career planning, feel free to contact Cyclopes for professional academic advice. We will provide tailored recommendations based on your personal preferences and academic achievements, helping you find the right path for your educational journey and a promising future.