Basic Interest Scales

The JVIS Basic Interest Scales are the foundation of your interest assessment. Read the descriptions of scale names given in the Extended Report so you're able to interpret the scales properly. Be sure to study your JVIS profile carefully.

There are two types of Basic Interest Scales - Work Roles and Work Styles. Work Role scales are samples of work activities performed in occupations related to the scale name (e.g., Engineering). Work Style scales reflect your interest in working in an environment requiring the behavior implied by the scale name (e.g., Independence).

Marc Verhoeve, a career expert and author of the JVIS Applications Handbook, is known as "the JVIS interpretation expert." He suggests that people invest considerable time examining this vital part of the Extended Report. If your job does not satisfy all of your interests, you may find hobbies that will (Verhoeve, 1993, JVIS Applications Handbook). A good understanding of your own Basic Interests can help you choose both jobs and activities that you will find satisfying.

CREATIVE ARTS

Interested in arranging materials in an artistically pleasing manner; enjoys being creative and original in the applied or fine arts.

PERFORMING ARTS

Enjoys performing for an audience.

MATHEMATICS

Enjoys working with mathematical formulas and quantitative concepts; interested in performing computations and in planning and applying mathematical methods to the solutions of problems.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Interested in the systematic investigation of various aspects of nonliving nature.

ENGINEERING

Likes to plan, supervise and coordinate the converting of raw materials of nature to practical use; interested in the designing, testing or manufacturing of a wide variety of products.

LIFE SCIENCE

Interested in investigating various aspects of living organisms.

SOCIAL SCIENCE

Interested in investigating and learning about various aspects of the organization of society, human behavior, and social interaction.

ADVENTURE

Enjoys novel situations; seeks out the unusual or dangerous.

NATURE-AGRICULTURE

Likes to work outdoors with animals or plants.

SKILLED TRADES

Prefers working with hands or with machines, usually in making or repairing some product.

PERSONAL SERVICE

Enjoys providing services which the public require.

FAMILY ACTIVITY

Enjoys domestic activities, likes to take an active part in family life and child care, in decorating and caring for a home and garden, entertaining guests, and related activities.

MEDICAL SERVICE

Interested in working toward the prevention and cure of disease in individuals.

DOMINANT LEADERSHIP

Prefers a forceful, aggressive style of leadership. Enjoys a position of authority in which active, direct supervision and criticism of the work of others is involved such as in the military.

JOB SECURITY

Prefers a job with a definite and predictable future. Avoids taking social or economic risks on the job.

STAMINA

Reports a willingness to work at a task for long hours without rest and in the face of difficulty. Is likely to be challenged by difficult, involved assignments.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Reports a preference for working environments requiring a high degree of honesty and traditional virtues.

TEACHING

Interested in teaching a specific subject.

SOCIAL SERVICE

Wants to help troubled people cope with their problems.

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Enjoys teaching or caring for young children.

FINANCE

Interested in handling the financial needs of the public, in solving financial problems, and in investment and trade.

BUSINESS

Interested in the day-to-day functioning of business and commercial organization.

OFFICE WORK

Interested in clerical work and in activities involving detail, usually in a business context.

SALES

Interested in selling; likes to work with and to attempt to influence other people.

SUPERVISION

Interested in planning, organizing and coordinating the activities of others. Enjoys holding a position of managerial responsibility.

HUMAN RELATIONS MANAGEMENT

Enjoys acting as "the person in the middle" between people in conflict; enjoys resolving interpersonal situations, including those which are difficult or emotionally charged.

LAW

Interested in legal matters.

PROFESSIONAL ADVISING

Enjoys counseling and giving expert advice.

AUTHOR-JOURNALISM

Likes to be creative and original in writing; enjoys writing for a general audience.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Commonly Misinterpreted:
People who score high on Academic Achievement are interested in intellectual activities like attending lectures on serious subjects and reading serious work. There is a small relationship between having such interests and earning higher grades in school. When people enjoy something, they will tend to do it more often. This applies to studying, reading etc.

TECHNICAL WRITING

Enjoys writing detailed, factual reports, manuals, or essays about scientific, technical, legal or historical matters.

INDEPENDENCE

Prefers working in an environment free from restraints and close supervision. Feels confined by rules and regulations. Would rather find own solutions to problems than seek advice from others.

PLANFULNESS

Is organized in work habits and prefers working in an environment in which activities occur in an expected sequence.

INTERPERSONAL CONFIDENCE

Commonly Misinterpreted:
Prefers a working environment requiring a high degree of self-assurance in dealings with others. Reports not being afraid of meeting strangers and speaking with confidence about a variety of topics. Believes in own ability to accomplish most tasks undertaken. A low score does not imply that the person has no confidence, generally. It highlights a lack of preference for work situations described above.