RIASEC Career Test — Discover Your Holland Code and Career Path
John Holland's RIASEC model identifies 6 career types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Find out which careers fit your profile.
What is the RIASEC Test?
The RIASEC test (also called a career guidance test or the Holland test) is one of the most widely used tools in school and career guidance services in France. Developed by the American psychologist John Holland in the 1950s, it rests on a simple but powerful idea: job satisfaction depends on the fit between your personality and your work environment.
In France, the model sits at the heart of skills assessments (bilans de compétences), careers consultations with ONISEP (the national careers-information agency) and career-change processes. It is also widely used in large companies and recruitment firms.
The 6 RIASEC Types
R — Realistic
Realistic types prefer working with their hands, with tools, with machines or in nature. They are pragmatic and direct, and not much drawn to social or administrative activities.
Typical careers: technician, field engineer, craftsperson, electrician, farmer, mechanic, surgeon.
Strengths: solving concrete problems, reliability, manual and technical skills.
I — Investigative
Investigative types are curious and analytical and enjoy solving complex problems. They prefer independent intellectual work to managing a team.
Typical careers: researcher, doctor, data analyst, biologist, economist, software engineer, clinical psychologist.
Strengths: analytical thinking, scientific rigour, solving abstract problems.
A — Artistic
Artistic types value creativity, self-expression and freedom. They thrive in unstructured environments where originality is prized.
Typical careers: graphic designer, writer, musician, architect, art director, photographer, actor.
Strengths: creativity, originality, aesthetic sensitivity.
S — Social
Social types enjoy helping, teaching and advising others. They are empathetic and communicative, and they thrive on interpersonal relationships.
Typical careers: teacher, social worker, nurse, coach, HR adviser, psychologist, youth worker.
Strengths: empathy, communication, teaching skills.
E — Enterprising
Enterprising types like to lead, persuade and take risks. They are ambitious and charismatic, and motivated by power and achievement.
Typical careers: business owner, salesperson, marketing director, lawyer, politician, manager.
Strengths: leadership, persuasion, business sense.
C — Conventional
Conventional types like order, procedures and data. They are organised, precise and reliable in structured environments.
Typical careers: accountant, administrative assistant, management controller, archivist, financial analyst.
Strengths: organisation, precision, reliability.
How Does the Test Work?
The RIASEC test gives you a three-letter code (e.g. SAI, RIC, EAS) that represents your three dominant types, in descending order of affinity. You can then cross-reference this code with occupational databases to find the most compatible professions.
For example:
- SAE: employment adviser, trainer, life coach
- IRE: general practitioner, medical director
- ASI: journalist, editor, agency creative
- RIE: engineer, technical project manager
School Guidance and Career Change in France
In France, the RIASEC test is especially relevant in two contexts:
1. Guidance for secondary-school and university students: Parcoursup (the national higher-education admissions platform) and guidance counsellors encourage young people to get to know themselves before choosing a course of study. The Holland code helps identify fields of study that fit your personality.
2. Career change: with longer working lives and upheavals in the job market, more and more people in France do a skills assessment at 35–45. The RIASEC test is systematically built into these assessments.
Limits of the Test
The RIASEC test is an exploration tool, not an oracle. Keep in mind that:
- your interests can change with experience
- the socio-economic context shapes the opportunities available
- your Holland code is a starting point, not a final roadmap
Take the Test Now
Our RIASEC test analyses your 6 career types and generates a detailed profile with job suggestions. Free, no sign-up, instant results.
Related tests: RIASEC Holland Test · DISC Profile · Strengths Profile
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