Remember that no one exhibits a pure theme — everyone has or uses all of these attributes to a greater or lesser degree. However, you probably prefer one or two over the others. By recognizing a clear preference for one or two, you can then focus on career opportunities that align with that theme or themes.

For example, if you're an Innovator, the chances are good that you have many wide-ranging interests and find it hard to settle on just one career option. Perhaps you wish you could be like those people who seem preordained to follow a particular career, who apparently knew at birth exactly what they would do and how to go about doing it.

You should be happy that you are interested in so many things. Your life won't be dull. The good news is that your results from this test, combined with your results from the other tests in this book, will help you hone in on just the right career options for you. The tips in these chapters and in the appendices will help you focus your efforts.

Integrating Multiple Themes

It's common for people to relate strongly to two personality themes. In order to get the most satisfaction out of your career, it should integrate elements from both of your strongest themes. For example, if your strongest themes are Organizer and Facilitator, perhaps you can use community service to balance the interpersonal or helpful aspects that may be missing from your Organizer career. You can look for a career that uses both your Organizer skills and your Facilitator values, such as being a project manager at a nonprofit. All of this information will help you in your career research as well as informational and job interviews. You can prepare specific questions to ensure that your Facilitator values will be supported and then look at the job description to ensure your Organizer skills are required.

If your preferences are distributed across all four themes, you're likely to be most satisfied in a career that is highly flexible and diverse, using your analytical side at some times while putting your creativity and spontaneity to work at others. Look at the traits listed in all the themes to find the ones that describe you and how you like to work. A career that makes use of these will allow you to express your varied interests and use the full range of your talents. In the long run, this will stave off boredom, dissatisfaction, or burnout.

Take Note of Your Traits

Look back at the four traits you listed under each theme in your chart. You may find these traits a useful way to describe yourself in job interviews or in workplace meetings. For example, complete the phrase, “I work best when….” Your answer may be something like “processes are structured” or “I am given lots of responsibility” or “I and my coworkers stay open-minded.” Just knowing these things about yourself — and about the people you work with — will help you interact more efficiently and cooperatively despite your differences.