The goal of conducting a self-assessment is to help answer the question "What do I want to do in my career?" Two techniques-identifying your skills and abilities, and identifying your values-require pencil and paper. There are self-assessment tools available on the Internet that are free and require only a few minutes of your time. But just how good are they in helping you determine the right career for you?

In her review of online career assessment tools, Katharine Hansen of Quintessential Careers asked the same question and the conclusion she reached was "neither good nor poor." Not surprisingly there is a debate between the Webmasters of these free online assessment sites and professional career counselors. The Webmasters contend that the interactive tests suggest career possibilities or give you information about your personality type and how well suited it is to particular career choices. On the other hand, career counselors question the reliability and accuracy of these free online tests and whether a job seeker should trust any career-oriented assessment without the benefit of a career counselor's interpretation and guidance.

Based on her research, Hansen recommends that to get the most out of free online assessments, take them before meeting with a career counselor and ask the counselor to help you interpret the results. Online assessments vary considerably in terms of interactivity, what they measure, what kinds of results they provide, and whether they really are cost-free. (Hansen also recommends that if an online assessment turns up a career possibility you don't think is remotely suited to you feel free to disregard it.)

So which assessments did Hansen like the most?

1. Ansir's 3 Sides of You Self Perception Profiling System - A 168 question, three-part self-perception test that provides you with insight into your styles of thinking, working, and emoting. It is easy to use, but a bit longer to complete than other assessments (about 30 minutes).

2. Keirsey Temperament Sorter - A 70 question assessment that gives results in terms of the Myers-Briggs Type indicator. Also easy to use but a little time consuming.

3. ImproveNow Personal Style Indicator - This test has 16 sections with 4 sets of descriptive words that must be ranked, and examines your personal style in helping better understand yourself. The report is very detailed and you can order even more detail for $19.95.

4. ImproveNow Job Style Indicator - Same format as the Personal Style Indicator but it's designed to help you identify and articulate behavior styles appropriate for your job. Hansen's caveat is that this test is better for assessing a current job than choosing a career.

5. The Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential (MAPP) Career Analysis - This test consists of 71 triads of three statements and you must select the statements you most and least agree with. Registration is required but the test is fairly easy to use. Very detailed results are sent by e-mail; more details and guidance are available for a fee.

You can review the complete Online Career Assessment Review table and read the full text of Hansen's article on Online Career Assessments on the Quintessential Careers Web site. Quintessential Careers also offers its own recommended list of career assessment books.