At Foresight Psychology, we provide comprehensive psychological testing and career assessments to support individuals through key life transitions. One of our most valuable tools is the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-3), a scientifically validated assessment that measures personality traits based on the Five-Factor Model (Big 5 Personality). Whether you’re a college student exploring career options, a professional facing a mid-life transition, or an empty nester redefining your purpose, the NEO PI personality test offers deep insights into your strengths, challenges, and ideal work and life environments. As part of our comprehensive assessment battery, we integrate the NEO Inventory with career interest questionnaires, cognitive assessments, and values-based tools to create a personalized roadmap for your future.
NEO Personality Inventory Brief Overview 
The NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI) is a psychological assessment tool designed to measure traits based on the Five-Factor Model (Big 5 Personality):
- Neuroticism (N) – Measures emotional stability and tendency toward anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
- Extraversion (E) – Assesses sociability, energy levels, and assertiveness.
- Openness to Experience (O) – Reflects creativity, intellectual curiosity, and appreciation for new experiences.
- Agreeableness (A) – Indicates trust, altruism, and cooperativeness levels.
- Conscientiousness (C) – Measures self-discipline, organization, and goal-directed behavior.
NEO Personality Inventory Versions:
- NEO-PI-3 (latest full version, 240 items, used in research and clinical settings)
- NEO-FFI-3 (shorter, 60-item version for quicker big 5 personality assessments)
NEO Personality Inventory Uses:
- The NEO PI personality test is used in research
- It is also used in clinical and counseling psychology
- The NEO PI personality test is used in employee selection and career guidance
- Finally, it is often used for academic and personal development based on big 5 personality theory.
Traits Measured by the NEO Inventory (NEO-PI-3)
The NEO Personality Inventory is a scientifically validated assessment tool based on the Five-Factor Model (Big 5 Personality Traits). It comprehensively evaluates a person’s emotional, interpersonal, experiential, attitudinal, and motivational styles.
The NEO PI personality test evaluates five major traits (domains), each with six facets (subtraits) for a more nuanced understanding.
Neuroticism (N) – Emotional Stability vs. Emotional Instability
Higher NEO PI personality test scores: Anxiety, moodiness, impulsiveness, vulnerability to stress.
Lower NEO PI personality test scores: Emotional resilience, calmness, self-confidence.
NEO inventory Facets:
- Anxiety (tendency to worry, nervousness)
- Angry Hostility (prone to frustration, irritability)
- Depression (prone to sadness, hopelessness)
- Self-Consciousness (shyness, social anxiety)
- Impulsiveness (difficulty resisting urges)
- Vulnerability (difficulty handling stress)
Extraversion (E) – Sociability and Energy
Higher NEO PI personality test scores: Outgoing, talkative, energetic, assertive.
Lower NEO PI personality test scores: Reserved, independent, prefers solitude.
NEO inventory Facets:
- Warmth (friendly, affectionate)
- Gregariousness (enjoys social gatherings)
- Assertiveness (leadership, dominance)
- Activity Level (high energy, fast-paced)
- Excitement-Seeking (desires stimulation)
- Positive Emotions (frequent joy, enthusiasm)
Openness to Experience (O) – Creativity and Curiosity
Higher NEO PI personality test scores: Imaginative, open-minded, enjoys novelty.
Lower NEO PI personality test scores: Practical, prefers routine, traditional.
NEO inventory Facets:
- Fantasy (vivid imagination)
- Aesthetics (appreciation for art and beauty)
- Feelings (awareness and expression of emotions)
- Actions (willingness to try new things)
- Ideas (intellectual curiosity)
- Values (openness to different perspectives)
Agreeableness (A) – Compassion and Cooperation
Higher NEO PI personality test scores: Kind, trusting, cooperative, empathetic.
Lower NEO PI personality test scores: Competitive, skeptical, sometimes manipulative.
NEO inventory Facets:
- Trust (belief in the honesty of others)
- Straightforwardness (honesty, sincerity)
- Altruism (desire to help others)
- Compliance (avoidance of conflict)
- Modesty (humble, unpretentious)
- Tender-Mindedness (empathetic, compassionate)
Conscientiousness (C) – Organization and Self-Discipline
Higher NEO PI personality test scores: Responsible, goal-oriented, disciplined.
Lower NEO PI personality test scores: Spontaneous, flexible, sometimes careless.
NEO inventory Facets:
- Competence (confidence in abilities)
- Order (organization and tidiness)
- Dutifulness (sense of responsibility)
- Achievement-Striving (ambition, hard work)
- Self-Discipline (ability to stay on task)
- Deliberation (thoughtfulness before acting)
How We Use the NEO Personality Inventory
- Diagnosis and Planning
- The NEO inventory helps diagnose personality disorders and understand emotional difficulties.
- It provides insight into the big 5 personality traits for therapy and treatment planning (e.g., how a client may respond to stress or social interactions).
- It can assist in understanding ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depression-related behaviors.
- Career Counseling and Employee Selection
- The NEO inventory helps individuals find careers that match their personality traits.
- HR professionals use it for leadership assessment, team compatibility, and job fit.
- Employers use it for hiring, promotion decisions, and leadership coaching and development.
- Personal Growth and Development
- Individuals use this measure to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and social behaviors.
- Provides insight into communication styles, relationships, and conflict resolution.
- Academic and Educational Settings
- The NEO inventory is used in college student therapy and counseling to guide career choices.
- It helps educators understand learning styles and motivation.
- Research and Psychological Studies
- The NEO Personality Inventory is extensively used in scientific research on personality traits and behavior.
- It helps examine links between personality and mental health, well-being, and life outcomes.
NEO PI Personality Test Case Example 1: College Student Career Planning
Sarah, a 21-year-old college junior, is struggling with career indecision. She enjoys several subjects but feels unsure about her strengths, interests, and work style. She seeks guidance from a career counselor, who refers her to us for a comprehensive battery of assessments, including the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-3), Strong Interest Inventory (SII), and the Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT).
NEO Inventory Assessment Battery & Results
NEO-PI-3 (Big Five Personality Traits & Facets)
Sarah’s NEO Personality Inventory results provide insight into her personality and work preferences:
- Neuroticism (N) – Moderate (52nd percentile)
- Sarah has some anxiety under pressure but is generally resilient.
- She handles stress well but can feel self-conscious in unfamiliar settings.
- Career Implication: She may prefer roles with structure but can manage moderate challenges.
- Extraversion (E) – Low (30th percentile)
- Sarah prefers solitary or small-group settings over large social environments.
- She works well independently but can engage socially when needed.
- Career Implication: She may enjoy research, writing, or analytical careers rather than sales or public relations.
- Openness to Experience (O) – High (85th percentile)
- Sarah is curious, imaginative, and open to new ideas.
- She enjoys problem-solving, creative thinking, and intellectual exploration.
- Career Implication: She is likely to thrive in roles that allow for creativity and innovation, such as design, research, or strategic planning.
- Agreeableness (A) – Moderate-High (70th percentile)
- Sarah is empathetic, values cooperation, and enjoys helping others.
- She prefers harmony but can assert herself when needed.
- Career Implication: She might enjoy counseling, healthcare, or human resources—fields involving collaboration and people support.
- Conscientiousness (C) – Very High (92nd percentile)
- Sarah is highly organized, detail-oriented, and goal-driven.
- She has a strong work ethic and enjoys planning and structure.
- Career Implication: She may be suited for fields requiring discipline, such as law, medicine, or project management.
Strong Interest Inventory (SII) – Career Interests
Sarah’s highest interest big 5 personality themes aligns with:
- Investigative (High): Enjoys research, problem-solving, and analysis.
- Artistic (Moderate-High): Appreciates creativity, design, and innovation.
- Social (Moderate): Likes helping others but prefers structured settings.
Career Matches: Psychology, UX Research, Environmental Science, Data Analysis
Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT) – Problem-Solving & Logical Thinking
Sarah’s CAT results suggest that she has the following:
- Strong verbal reasoning and critical thinking skills.
- Prefers structured but flexible problem-solving tasks.
Career Counseling Big 5 Personality Interpretation
🔹 Sarah’s Key Strengths:
- Analytical and detail-oriented (High Conscientiousness & Investigative Interest).
- Creative and open-minded (High Openness).
- Prefers structured independence (Low Extraversion, Moderate Conscientiousness).
- Values meaningful work (Moderate-High Agreeableness).
🔹 Career Paths to Explore:
- Research & Analysis → Market Research, Data Science, UX Research
- Creative-Analytical Fields → Technical Writing, Environmental Design
- Helping Professions (Structured Settings) → Psychology, Healthcare Administration
Sarah and her college counselor discuss internship opportunities, networking strategies, and skill development to refine her career goals.
Conclusion
The NEO-PI-3 played a key role in helping Sarah understand her work preferences, personality strengths, and ideal job environments. Combined with her interests (SII) and cognitive skills (CAT), the assessment battery provided a well-rounded career roadmap.
NEO Personality Inventory Case Example 2: Adult Struggling with a Life Transition
Lisa, a 50-year-old woman, recently became an empty nester after her youngest child moved out for college. She has spent most of her adult life focused on raising her children and managing household responsibilities. Now, she feels a loss of purpose, increased anxiety, and uncertainty about how to fill her time. She seeks guidance from a life coach and counselor to navigate this transition and explore new personal and professional opportunities.
The counselor refers her to us for a battery of assessments to help Lisa understand her personality, strengths, and possible new directions for this stage of life.
Assessment Battery & Results
NEO-PI-3 (Personality Assessment – Big Five Traits & Facets)
Lisa’s big 5 personality profile provides insight into how she processes change and what environments may be fulfilling for her:
- Neuroticism (N) – High (78th percentile)
- She is prone to worry and feelings of loss.
- She is sensitive to stress and change, especially in emotionally meaningful areas.
- Life Transition Implication: She may need structured emotional support (therapy, support groups) and a gradual approach to new activities.
- Extraversion (E) – Moderate (55th percentile)
- She enjoys socializing but also values alone time.
- She is comfortable in social settings but does not actively seek them out.
- Life Transition Implication: She could benefit from structured social activities (volunteering, book clubs) without overwhelming commitments.
- Openness to Experience (O) – High (82nd percentile)
- She is curious about new ideas, cultures, and experiences.
- She is Interested in learning but previously focused on family responsibilities.
- Life Transition Implication: She may enjoy educational courses, creative pursuits, or travel as a way to redefine personal identity.
- Agreeableness (A) – Very High (90th percentile)
- She is deeply compassionate and nurturing and enjoys helping others.
- She finds meaning in relationships and community support.
- Life Transition Implication: She is likely to thrive in mentoring, volunteer work, or caregiving roles outside of the home.
- Conscientiousness (C) – High (88th percentile)
- She is organized, responsible, and prefers goal-setting.
- She previously structured her life around family obligations.
- Life Transition Implication: She might feel lost without a clear “role” but could benefit from structured personal or professional goals.
Strong Interest Inventory (SII) – Career & Hobby Exploration
Lisa’s interests align with:
- Social (High): Helping professions, mentoring, counseling, teaching.
- Artistic (Moderate-High): Writing, crafts, music, or photography.
- Enterprising (Moderate): Leadership, event planning, organizing projects.
Potential New Roles: Volunteering in community organizations, mentoring younger women, exploring creative hobbies, or starting a small business.
Values in Action (VIA) Strengths Assessment – Personal Meaning & Fulfillment
Lisa’s core strengths include:
- Love & Kindness: Deep emotional connections.
- Curiosity: A desire to explore new interests.
- Perseverance: Strong work ethic, even in new challenges.
Implication: Lisa may find purpose in roles where she can nurture relationships while learning new skills, such as coaching, nonprofit work, or creative entrepreneurship.
Counseling Interpretation & Recommendations
Key Big 5 Personality Strengths for Life Transition:
- High Conscientiousness & Agreeableness → Good at planning and helping others.
- High Openness to Experience → Open to learning and growth.
- Moderate Extraversion → Prefers social engagement but needs balance.
Challenges & Areas for Growth:
- High Neuroticism → Needs emotional coping strategies for anxiety and uncertainty.
- Loss of structure → Needs new purposeful activities.
Recommendations for Lisa’s Next Steps:
- Volunteering/Mentoring:
- Join a mentorship program for young women or college students.
- Volunteer at a community center, nonprofit, or counseling hotline.
- Creative or Intellectual Growth:
- Take a writing or art class.
- Explore a new career path in social work, life coaching, or nonprofit leadership.
- Start a blog or memoir about parenting and life transitions.
- Social & Emotional Support:
- Join an empty nesters’ group.
- Practice mindfulness and therapy for managing stress.
Conclusion
Using the NEO-PI-3 and career and values-based assessments, Lisa and her counselor developed a roadmap for redefining her identity beyond motherhood. She will gradually explore new professional, social, and personal roles that align with her potential and strengths while addressing emotional challenges.
Summary and Our Work
At Foresight Psychology, we believe that self-awareness is the foundation for meaningful life and career decisions. Utilizing the NEO-PI-3 alongside other tailored assessments (such as more comprehensive personality testing or interest inventories) helps you better understand your personality, motivations, and potential career paths. Whether you are seeking professional guidance, personal growth, or support during a significant life change, our expert team is here to provide actionable insights and strategies for success. Contact us or schedule a consultation today to learn how our NEO Personality Inventory assessment services can help you confidently navigate your next steps based on the big 5 personality theory.
