Self-Directed Search Questionnaire

Student name: Mary Catherine Collins

You may ask permission to record your testing session with your volunteer client, but
whether from audio review or memory, you should thoroughly observe the testing
process from start to finish. You should then answer the following questions while the
information is fresh in your memory.
1. How did you choose your volunteer client?
a. I chose my husband, not only was he convenient, but he was genuinely
interested in the assessment and wanted to know more!
2. What was his/her initial reaction to being asked to take a test?
a. He was pretty open to taking an assessment, did have a few questions up
front about what the assessment was testing for and he wanted to see the
results.
3. How did you prepare for your session? Here, you may speak to your specific
study of the Self-Directed Search (SDS), your review of test-giving skills found in
your textbook, and your consideration of ethical and multicultural factors related
to your client.
a. When I sat down with my volunteer, we first walked through the SDS
Administration video in Sakai. Then, I showed him a sample report and
answered a few questions that he had about time, what the SDS
measures, etc. I was prepared with my background knowledge of the SDS
and invested in his assessment process. I made sure I walked him
through the set up process and explained some of the scales in the first
set of questions asked. In addition to ethical and multicultural factors, my
volunteer was my husband who was brought up in a very similar culture
and family structure as well as cultural background. However, our interest
and comfortability in assessments vary greatly. I have always been
interested and willing to take assessments and on the other hand my
husband does not enjoy them as quickly learned!
4. What was successful about your explanation of the SDS to your client?
a. It was simple, clear, and concise which allowed him to feel comfortable
when taking the assessment. I was there to answer any questions he may
have had or if any technical difficulties arose.
5. What were your clients early questions about the instrument? For example, after
your explanation, and as he/she prepared to answer the first questions, did he/
she make comments or ask questions? If you client asked no questions, why do
you believe that was?

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a. He asked questions like, what is this about?, how long is it going to

take?, will it send me my results?, what exactly is this test measuring?,
what do I need to do?. I think he would have asked more questions if he
had more time, he took the assessment while taking a break from work, so
he may have felt a bit rushed-hence the time question.
Based on your clients early questions, how might you have changed your
explanation of the SDS or of the process to help inform him/her more clearly? If
he/she asked no questions, what would you have changed about your
explanation based on your own critique of yourself?
a. I think it would have been better if I gave him more direction when starting
the test so he felt more confident when starting the test and knew exactly
what to expect. I wanted to give him room to understand the SDS from his
own perspective at first, but perhaps I was a little too Rogerian (ha ha!). I
was willing, ready, and able to answer his questions while he was taking
the test, but he only asked a quick few that were easy to answer.
What general comments did your client make while taking the test (verbal and
nonverbal)? How did you respond to those comments?
a. At first, he started reading the questions out loud, as if he was supposed
to read them to me as well. After a few more questions, he mumbled a few
of the questions and responses, but then he was pretty quiet for the rest of
the assessment. In addition, he asked once more how long the
assessment would take and what exactly the assessment was looking for.
What were your clients reactions to his/her results (verbal and nonverbal)? How
did you respond to their reactions?
a. I think he was under the impression that he was supposed to read them to
me and that we were completing the assessment together. I informed him
that he did not need to read each question out loud to me when taking the
assessment. Shortly after he began taking the assessment without
reading out loud, but mumbling some of the responses here and there.
When you processed with your client at the end of the meeting, what did he/she
say about the overall testing experience? He/she may repeat some of his/her
previous comments but may elaborate or offer new thoughts as well. How did
you respond during this portion of the meeting? If your client had little to say,
discuss why you think that was and what you may have done differently to
engage your client in discussion.
a. Processing was a bit brief due to time constraints and different work
schedules. However, we were able to discuss the SDS and its testing
constructs, objectives, and overall measuring goals. In addition, we were
able to view his report and compare/contrast our results. He did mention
that the assessment was pretty standard for that type of a test because he

had taken similar ones before. He also liked that it had the selfassessment on skills as opposed to personality, as well as the items on
the assessment that would interest you, etc. He felt as if it really evaluated
a well rounded skill set along with personality traits that would best match
with certain careers or job potentials. After reviewing the report he was
excited to see that his SDS report matched up with his current career!
10. What insights did you gain, or what previous knowledge was reinforced, by your
administering of the SDS with your client? By insights or previous knowledge, I
mean that related to what youve learned in CNS 736 Appraisal for Counseling.
a. By administering the assessment to another individual, I was able to see
that sometimes others react to assessments in a much different way than I
do. I think I was able to feel some empathy for my husband because he
seemed genuinely concerned with what this assessment was measuring
and he seemed to be a little bit nervous about it. I think once he started
getting more into the assessment, he felt more comfortable, asked me a
few more questions and proceeded with ease. However, it really struck me
to remember to practice my care and empathy when administering to
potential clients because and assessment can be a nerve-racking activity
for some!
11. What did you learn about the SDS? What was one strength you perceived this
instrument to have? What was one limitation you perceived this instrument to
have?
a. I learned that the SDS has some great insight into an individuals skill set,
preferred job, ideal job, and potential career matches. I think this test
subtly blends personality traits and job skill sets into a neat package that
actually reflects the individual. This assessment is very clear and simple
which is a big strength for the SDS. My husband did mention that it felt a
bit redundant at times which is a potential limitation to this instrument.