Using Holland’s Theory in Employment Counseling: Focus on Service Occupations

an article by Denise L. Ohler (Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, USA and Edward M. Levinson (Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA) published in Journal of Employment Counseling Special Issue: Career Development Theory and Employment Counseling: Focus on “Hot” Occupational Opportunities Volume 49 Issue 4 (December 2012)

Abstract

This article presents the basic tenets of Holland’s (1997) theory of vocational personalities and work environments and discusses its use by employment counsellors in service occupations.

The authors describe Holland’s 6 personality types and research on the theory, as well as formal and informal assessment and counselling strategies within the context of the theory’s use and resources for employment counsellors.

Growth trends within service occupations and the fastest growing occupational groups within the service sector are identified. A case study of a 20-year-old college student that combines Holland’s theory with labour market trends in service occupations is presented.

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Cracking the New Job Market

Charles Purdy of The Monster Blog talks to the veteran human resources executive and career coach R. William Holland about his new book.

Holland provides answers to the following questions:

• Do you believe that “following your passion” is good advice today in choosing a career – and has that changed in recent years?
• How has the advance of social media changed looking for a job and managing a career?
• What are some traditional or “old-fashioned” methods that no longer serve job seekers, especially older job seekers, well?
• Soon-to-be college grads and their parents are feeling hopeless about career prospects – what is your advice for them?
• What skills should all workers be cultivating to stay relevant?

You can read the answers here

Amazon.co.uk has the paperback (£13.99) and Kindle (£6.46) here

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