Holland’s theory of vocational choices

Careers are determined by an interaction between our personality and the environment in John Holland's
Theory of Career Choice. We want jobs with people like us.

John Holland's Theory of Career Choice (RIASEC) maintains that in choosing a career, people prefer jobs
where they can be around others who are like them. They search for environments that will let them use
their skills and abilities, and express their attitudes and values, while taking on enjoyable problems and
roles.

Holland theory is based on several assumptions-

1) An individual’s personality is the primary factor in vocational choices.

2) Interest inventories are personality inventories.
3) Individuals develop STEREOTYPICAL views of occupations that have psychological relevance.
4) Daydreams about occupations are often precursors to occupational choice.
5) Identity – that clarity of an individual’s perceptions of his or her goals and personal characteristics is
related to having a small number of rather focused vocational goals.
6) To be a successful and satisfied in one’s career it is necessary to choose an occupation that is
congruent which one’s personality.

John L. Holland claimed that both people and work environments can be categorized and
then matched to each other. Holland’s theory aims to categories people according to what
type of work they are most interested in and then categories occupations under the same
scheme to measure their congruence.