What is RIASEC / Holland Code?
The Holland Occupational Themes (RIASEC) model, developed by psychologist John Holland, categorizes people into six vocational interest types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Research shows that matching people with compatible RIASEC profiles significantly improves job satisfaction and team cohesion.
Key Dimensions
Realistic (R)
Hands-on, practical problem solvers who prefer working with tools and physical systems
Investigative (I)
Analytical, research-oriented thinkers who prefer data and theory
Artistic (A)
Creative, expressive individuals who prefer unstructured, innovative work
Social (S)
People-oriented helpers who prefer teaching, counseling, and collaboration
Enterprising (E)
Persuasive leaders who prefer sales, management, and strategic influence
Conventional (C)
Detail-oriented organizers who prefer structured, systematic processes
How We Use RIASEC in Compatibility Scoring
EQIQs maps RIASEC types to predict how two people will collaborate on tasks, approach problem-solving, and distribute workload. Adjacent types on the hexagon (e.g., I-A or E-C) show higher natural compatibility.
Why RIASEC Matters
RIASEC reveals whether two people will naturally complement or conflict in how they approach work — predicting team dynamics before they unfold.
Who Uses RIASEC?
U.S. Department of Labor
Built the entire O*NET occupational classification system on Holland's RIASEC model
Strong Interest Inventory
The most widely used career assessment globally, based on Holland's theory
Uses vocational interest data to improve job and team recommendations
💡 Did you know?
RIASEC is used by the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET system to classify every occupation in the American workforce.
Research & Further Reading
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