Adaptation and Validation of the O*NET Interest Profiler and the O*NET Computerized Work Importance Profiler (WIP-C) in Finland

Abstract

This study describes the adaptation and validation of two publicly available career exploration tools, the O*NET Interest Profiler (IP) – Short Form and the O*NET Computerized Work Importance Profiler (WIP-C), into the Finnish-language and cultural context. We examined the psychometric properties of the adapted versions of these tools against similar instruments already established in Finland, the Kiinnostukset interest inventory and the Vocational Meaning and Fulfillment Survey (VMFS) as well as the Big Five Inventory-2 Extra Short-Form (BFI-2-XS) using data from a sample of Finnish general upper secondary school students ( N = 558, aged 16–20, 65% women). Satisfactory internal consistency was obtained for both instruments. Structural validity (by means of randomization tests and multidimensional scaling), convergent validity (by comparing scores to established instruments) and concurrent validity (by replicating known associations) were established for the adapted O*NET Interest Profiler, while convergent and concurrent validity were established for the O*NET Computerized Work Importance Profiler. Both instruments were able to independently predict students’ reported dream jobs with hit-rates similar to meta-analytic expectations. We conclude that both the adapted O*NET Interest Profiler and the O*NET Computerized Work Importance Profiler are suitable for use in Finnish career and guidance counselling practice and research.