The clearer you are about your strengths, areas of interest, and key rewards you want from work, the more likely you will be able to recognize and pursue the best opportunities for you.
As a developing leader, skills matter and character matters even more. For many of us, strengths and traits are implicit, but talking about them and even naming them can be difficult.
Getting Started
Assessments may be helpful to you and your Haas coach in discovering your strengths. These assessments provide language and a starting point for your ability to talk about your strengths.
Assessments
VIA measures your top character strengths and values – essentially who you are at your best. It’s scientifically based and was developed by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan. Research reveals that people who recognize and use their top strengths every day are:
- 3x more likely to report having an excellent quality of life
- 6x more likely to be engaged at work
Knowing your VIA character strengths can help you find values-based language to include in your stories.
How to Take the VIA
You must use your @berkeley.edu email address. Follow these instructions on how to complete the survey.
Results
You will only get a 2-page summary with a list of your values after taking the survey. To access the full 20-page report and understand your results, please book an appointment in CMG BEARS with one of the CMG Career Coaches and request that they send you the report to review ahead of the session.
If you have questions about the VIA Character Survey or need help logging in, email CMG.
This assessment measures your top 5 skills that you bring with you to any role – if you haven’t taken it in the last three years we recommend you take it again.
Purchase a copy of StrengthsFinder – a code for the assessment comes with your purchase.
If you are interested in taking the CareerLeader assessment, please contact mbacareers@haas.berkeley.edu.
Next Steps
After you have taken an assessment, make an appointment with one of our coaches who will work with you to help integrate your strengths into your story. Facilitated VIA Workshops are offered throughout the year. You can sign up for both on CMG BEARS.