Okay, so you're ready to take the StrengthsFinder (aka CliftonStrengths) assessment.

As a Gallup certified coach, here's my best advice on how to do that. I have literally seen hundreds of people go through this process, here are my top do's and don'ts. It’s not that hard but I have seen people get derailed on some of these things and so if I can spare you that extra annoyance and pain in your life, I’d love to be able to help.

Don't start the test and then stop it.
This will mess up your results, make it difficult to get back in and retake it. So make sure when you're ready to take the test that you are able to do it into completion. Usually, I recommend about 30 minutes.
If you need extra time, you can get a different setup.
For example, if you have a learning difference that will make it hard to take the test quickly, you can contact Gallup to get access to the test without the timed responses which will make for a much better experience. You can contact their customer service department to get that set up for you.
Know that you’ll be on a time limit.
As I said, the test is timed. It's purposely designed that way and it's not going to let you linger too long on any question. If you wait too long to answer, it will move you on and it will be marked as a no answer. Use your best judgment and your best measure of how what you think represents, how you actually behave. That's going to give you the best results.
Respond according to how you actually behave.
Maybe goes with the last point, but don't answer as you think you should or what you think is “the right answer.” Respond in a way that is true to who you are, that's going to give you the best results, period, okay?
If you have technical difficulties, reach out to customer support.
If you have any kind of technical difficulties, which does happen from time to time, contact Gallup customer support and they should be able to help you figure that out. You can access that here and I like that they have a Live Chat option.
Don’t overthink your answers.
The questions are set up by having two different statements and you are asked which you agree with. There’s a choice to mark “neutral” as well. But my advice is to try not to leave too many blank questions blank and don't leave too many as neutral. If you do that too many times, the assessment will come back as inconclusive and it won't be able to give you anything. So try to answer many as you can and go with your instincts. Of course, you can leave some as neutral, but try to do that too much.
Be prepared.
Make sure you have your access code ready to go and know that you'll also need to create a login for the Gallop system if you don't already have that period so be prepared to do that.

Okay, ready? Don’t overthink it and have fun with it. Trust the test. Sometimes the questions seem random but they have been thought through and researched and you’ll be amazed at how well it helps identify your strengths. Now, after you have taken the test check out my post on how the “8 Essentials for Investing in Your Strengths.”

What about you? Any tips you would add to my list?