There’s a well-known quote: “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” It may sound idealistic, but many people are living that dream right now while some might still be looking to find the perfect career.
For others, figuring out what they love is the biggest hurdle. It’s an exercise prone to endless spirals into existential dread, leading to questions like “What’s my passion?” or even “Who am I?”
Finding the answer is worth a closer look inward. Some people thrive in fast-paced and agile work environments. Others are happier in predictably structured routines. Get it right, and you’ll wake up energized for the day ahead. Get it wrong, and you’ll find yourself hitting the snooze button every morning.
If you identify with the latter, then it might be time to consider a career change. But how do you find the perfect career and how do you get it right? What’s the connection between your personality type and the job you choose?
The Link Between Job Satisfaction and Personality
Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that people are more satisfied in their jobs when their behavioral traits and innate strengths line up with their careers. They’re more likely to be happier at work and experience long-term success.
John Holland’s theory on personality and work expands on this by matching key traits with specific career paths. In it, he states that people gravitate toward jobs that align with their natural strengths.
Understanding Core Career Archetypes
- Realistic | Introverted These people are practical by nature and prefer hands-on work with tools or machines. Careers in construction and engineering often appeal to them.
- Creative | Introverted These people are imaginative visionaries more often than not. Although introverted, they will tolerate social aspects of their work as long as they can express themselves. Careers in art and media are strong options.
- Social | Extroverted People in this category get satisfaction from working with people. They have a natural sense of empathy and do well in careers like nursing, teaching, or other supportive roles.
- Enterprising | Extroverted This trait is commonly found among leaders. These are people who can easily influence others and naturally assume authoritative roles. Other career options include entrepreneurship and sales.
- Conventional | Hybrid People who fall onto this part of the scale can be either introverted or extroverted. They are logical thinkers who are extremely detail-oriented. Careers in finance and administration suit them well.
These are just a few examples of how closely personality and career are linked.
Finding the Perfect Career
Switching jobs is a major transition, but it’s made easier when your career choice resonates with who you are. Whether you’re moving into a more creative role, changing careers to a nursing profession, or stepping into leadership, learning how your personality traits relate to your new job makes the change that much smoother.
For example, Baylor University notes that people who score high on the empathy scale are most successful when switching to a nursing career. Successful candidates show a natural sense of compassion and emotional resilience, enabling them to excel as healthcare professionals.
Nursing education leverages this by incorporating sensitivity and compassion training into courses. This ensures registered nurses are equipped with the empathetic tools required for success.
Points to Consider for an Effective Career Shift
- Play to your strengths Start with a free personality test online to gain insight into your innate behavioral traits and way of thinking. Popular ones include the Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, and the MBTI test.
- Consider your options Make a list of alternative careers best suited to you, and keep narrowing it down by what excites you the most. Once you have three to five solid choices, it’s time to dive deep to find your new career path.
- Research job trends Use your refined list and do some research about how your choices fit into the larger scope of the job market. Look for areas showing rapid growth, proven stability, or room for innovation.
- Copy and paste Find successful role models or mentors in your selected fields, particularly those who’ve made similar career changes. Study how they managed the transition and apply the same to yours.
If recent data is anything to go by, there’s no reason to keep yourself stuck in a job that doesn’t satisfy you. Gallup’s 2022 study showed that 60% of employees around the world have no emotional attachment to their work. And as if that isn’t enough to jolt you into taking action, the same study found that 20% of the global workforce is downright miserable.
Job Fulfillment Is Personal Alignment
Can you really find that perfect career for you? When people say they’re happy in their careers, they’re not just talking about money or status. True satisfaction comes from doing the kind of work that corresponds with your personality, interests, and behavioral traits.
By understanding your personality type, you’ll be able to make intentional choices about your career change. In doing so, you’ll set the stage for a job that doesn’t only pay the bills but provides a sense of purpose too.
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Note: personalitymax.com does not provide financial, legal, or medical advice. Please consider consulting a professional.
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