Aptitude and Ability

So, what is difference between aptitude and ability? They sound alike, but are vastly different...

An individual may have acquired necessary experience in order to have an ability to complete a task, but not an aptitude for it. Aptitude refers to possessing more of a natural talent for a task, even if that talent is not yet fully developed.

Why Take an Aptitude Test?

Aptitude tests are beneficial for a number of reasons...

Benefit #1 Aptitude tests can actually highlight areas of potential talent, in some cases, aptitudes individual was not even aware of.

Benefit #2 The results of tests will not only help you set up a career plan, but also help you in your job search. You will be able to build a better resume and ace your interviews if you can clearly identify your skills, strengths and weaknesses.

Benefit #3 They are also fantastic for assisting individuals who are considering making a career change but due to current responsibilities want to insure they are moving in right direction before taking a risk.

Benefit #4 A career aptitude test can also assist persons who are considering either starting college or adults who are returning to college. Tuition is far too costly to play trial and error with. It's much better to go into classroom armed with knowledge that you possess both interest and aptitude to succeed in your chosen career field.

Life is far too precious to spend it in a career you thought would be a perfect fit...

... for you only to discover that there are aspects of it that make you miserable. Aptitude tests can help you eliminate jobs you would be least suited for and discover those careers that are a perfect match for both your interests and your aptitudes.

Identifying and understanding your particular career strengths can also assist you in fine tuning resumes you utilize in your job search. This is important because research has shown that individuals who work in careers that complement their both their interests, abilities and work values are much more likely to be successful and satisfied.

Next, let’s say your research into most effective copy approach leads you to a discovery: people don’t find stinky things humorous. Surprisingly, best choice is straight copy, delivered with an authoritative demeanor, written to convey sense of relief from stinkiness purchaser feels every time he or she opens a can of Stinkalicious.

Now here’s where action verbs come into your direction to voice talent. Instead of saying to actor, ““When you get to line about relief from stinkiness…be happy that people will be relieved,” say, “When you get to that line, convince, Jane, listener, to really agree with you.” By using action verbs instead of adjectives, voice actor doesn’t have to think, "Now I'm supposed to be getting happy." Instead, talent can concentrate completely on actually convincing listener of happiness to be found with stink-free Stinkalicious. That’s motivation and that’s what talent needs to make a piece of copy come alive and be persuasive.

In words of Steve Pak, “Action verbs lead to specific action through which actors discover and experience emotions -- resulting in compelling performances.” Not just in feature films, but voiceovers, too.

©Peter Drew