Holland codes describe what kind of work people enjoy. They come from psychologist John Holland’s RIASEC theory, one of the most widely used models in career guidance. Each person, and each job, can be described by a mix of six types.
Find your code with the free Holland code test.
The Six Types At A Glance
| Type | Nickname | Likes to work with | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Realistic (R) | Doers | Tools, machines, nature, physical tasks | Realistic type |
| Investigative (I) | Thinkers | Ideas, data, research | Investigative type |
| Artistic (A) | Creators | Self-expression, design, art | Artistic type |
| Social (S) | Helpers | People: teaching, caring, counselling | Social type |
| Enterprising (E) | Persuaders | Leading, selling, influencing | Enterprising type |
| Conventional (C) | Organisers | Data, records, systems, procedures | Conventional type |
The RIASEC Hexagon
Holland arranged the types in a hexagon: R, I, A, S, E, C. Types next to each other share more in common than types across the hexagon.
| Relationship | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Adjacent | Realistic and Investigative | Similar interests; easy to combine |
| Alternate | Realistic and Artistic | Some overlap |
| Opposite | Realistic and Social | Very different interests |
Three-Letter Codes
Most people have a three-letter code made of their top three types, such as SAE or IRC. The first letter is your strongest interest. There are 120 possible ordered codes.
Holland also described three useful ideas:
- Consistency: how close your top letters are on the hexagon. Adjacent letters, such as RI, suggest focused interests.
- Differentiation: how clearly one type stands out from the others.
- Congruence: how well your code matches your job or study environment. Research links higher congruence with greater satisfaction.
Each Type In More Depth
Every type has its own set of guides:
- Overview: traits, values and preferred environments.
- Strengths and weaknesses.
- Careers: jobs at different education levels.
- Education: university subjects, courses and learning styles.
- At work: how the type behaves in teams.
See careers for many three-letter codes in our Holland code careers list.
Where Holland Codes Are Used
- **ONET*, the US Department of Labor’s occupational database, gives every job a RIASEC interest profile.
- School and university careers services worldwide use RIASEC inventories.
- Commercial instruments, such as the Self-Directed Search, are based on Holland’s theory. Our test is an independent, original version.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Holland code?
A one- to three-letter code describing your strongest career interests, based on the six RIASEC types.
Is the Holland code test accurate?
RIASEC is one of the best-supported models in career psychology, though any short test gives an estimate.
Can my Holland code change?
Interests are fairly stable from late adolescence, but they can shift with experience.
For career exploration, not professional careers advice.