By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
Everyone knows how hard it is to get along with others when there's a personality clash -- so imagine how hard it is to be happy in career that does the same thing.
Similar to when you're looking for a mate, you want to find a career that complements your character, not conflicts with it.
By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
Everyone knows how hard it is to get along with others when there's a personality clash -- so imagine how hard it is to be happy in career that does the same thing.
Similar to when you're looking for a mate, you want to find a career that complements your character, not conflicts with it. For example, if you're active and outgoing, you might not do well sitting behind a desk all day. On the same token, if you're shy and soft-spoken, you might not do well in a job that requires a lot of social interaction, and if you like working alone, you wouldn't thrive in a team setting.
Find a Job
Search by Company | Search by IndustryHere we have six personality groups which seem to encompass the majority of people. From there, we've listed what jobs might be suited to best fit your needs.
Here are several vocations that are sure to complement your temperament. Please note that each requires different education, training and qualification requirements.
Personality: Artistic
What you're like: Artistic personalities are creative by nature, with imaginations that stretch further than others can conceive. These people like to express themselves through their work versus completing structured tasks. They like to work without rules, and enjoy working with forms, designs, colors, words and patterns.
Job matches:
Editor ... $47,811*
Graphic designer ... $48,891
High school drama teacher ... $52,856
Landscape architect ... $53,241
Perfumer ... $21,791
Producer ... $79,310
Personality: Conventional
What you're like: Conventional people like conventional things: Rules, procedures, schedules and instructions are all things that appeal to them. They prefer working with details and data versus ideas; they are practical and like routine and order.
Job matches:
Accountant ... $46,171
Actuary ... $97,354
Building inspector ... $47,735
Cost estimator ... $53,413
Financial planner ... $63,837
Technical writer ... $55,747
Personality: Enterprising
What you're like: Enterprise people are leaders. They like to see projects through from start to finish, business ventures in particular. They are doers more than thinkers and are more interested in the "big picture" than the small pieces that make it up.
Job matches:
Advertising sales agent ... $39,103
Financial officer ... $77,019
Management analyst ... $63,610
Sales representative ... $44,784
Sales manager ... $85,091
Personality: Investigative
What you're like: Investigative people prefer to work alone. They like using logic over imagination, solving problems and mysteries, putting together pieces of a puzzle, precision, science and they pay extreme attention to detail.
Job matches:
Computer systems analyst ... $61,549
Librarian ... $48,025
Optometrist ... $95,058
Software engineer ... $75,850
Statistician ... $59,830
Personality: Realistic
What you're like: True to their name, realists are ... well, realistic. They are results-driven, hands-on people who like problems and solutions. They like working outdoors, as well as with machines, tools and jewelry.
Job matches:
Diagnostic medical sonographer ... $56,603
Electricians ... $35,158
Highway patrol pilots ... $69,098
Locksmiths ... $34,148
Nuclear engineer ... $84,044
Orthodontist ... $271,373
Personality: Social
What you're like: Social people like helping others and working with teams. They communicate well, thrive on human interaction and they'd rather talk than work with machines or data. The best jobs for them are ones that let them be with other people.
Job matches:
Family practitioner ... $160,264
Personal coach ... $64,523
Personal trainer ... $24,881
School psychologist ... $49,622
Student affairs director ... $71,093
Teacher ... $44,137
Next: Jobs That Pay $60/Hour >>
Find a Job
Search by Company | Search by Industry*Salaries according to CBSalary.com
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Copyright 2009 CareerBuilder.com.
Jan 25th 2009 @ 8:32PM Joe
Dear Rachel,
Hmmmm...your links all go to dead web pages...you should add one more comment - "If you're over 40 years old, disregard all this information and try applying with a bus driving company or as a greeter at Wal Mart."
Reply
Jan 26th 2009 @ 5:33PM Sandra
Joe, there is some truth to your comment about this advice not being relevant to people over 40, but I think there are some hopeful examples of people making career changes that they are happy with later in life. People over 40 should stand together and against age discrimination in employment.
Jan 25th 2009 @ 10:37PM sara
Dear Rachel,
It is unfortunate that Joe is right. There is so much age discrimination out there it is downright scary. There are a tone of Baby Boomers out here now without employment but with years of solid experience, incredible work ethic, versatility, and WITH our minds and energy -- but we canNOT find jobs. Yes, our new college grad kids need jobs, but if WE get the jobs instead, at least the kids will have someplace to live until things get better. In the meantime, we are out in the cold. How about it, Rachel??
Jan 25th 2009 @ 10:51PM Wanda
You must be twenty Joe. I am fifty and find the job market wide open if you are willing to put forth a little effort. I have returned to college full time, work with our school system full time, run a business and many other activities. What world do you live in?
Jan 25th 2009 @ 10:56PM Beachbug
How special....set up and go nowhere! The links are all usless. GOOD OLD AOL why should we come to expect anything more?!
Jan 25th 2009 @ 11:25PM S
Wow...I hope you dont feel so hopeless about yourself when you turn 40 lol. Is your own self-esteem only based on your age rather than your talents? hmm.
Jan 26th 2009 @ 2:45AM DerD.
Over 40? Try 55 and experienced in the field of law. No one will even give me the time of day. It's been almost
four years now and my parents are supporting my wife and myself. We are thinking of getting a divorce so we can use the State benefits for medical and food stamps. I am an attorney. Don't believe that insures employment. WRONG
Good luck to all you fellow unemployed people.
Feb 20th 2009 @ 11:47AM waldronworld
JOE, ARE YOU SERIOUS! Your following comment was ridiculous:
"If you're over 40 years old, disregard all this information and try applying with a bus driving company or as a greeter at Wal Mart."
What an ignorant statement. Oh and the links are not dead. I tried several of them. Maybe you should get a new computer.
Jan 25th 2009 @ 8:37PM Samuel Osipow
These six types and related occupations are based on a theory of John Holland. At the least, you should have given him credit for the ideas.
Reply
Jan 25th 2009 @ 8:50PM Alex
Wow!!! Miley Cyrus's sex tape here:
http://bcelebvideos.com/video.php?link=Miley_Cyrus_sex_tape
Reply
Jan 25th 2009 @ 9:27PM KUT
Well, I am an INFP in Brigg-Meyers typing. What job do you suggest for me?
KUT
Reply
Jan 25th 2009 @ 9:27PM pollyfarm2
WHAT A PILE OF DOG CRAP. THIS GUY SHOULD BE OUT OF A JOB.
Reply
Feb 25th 2009 @ 2:50PM DerD.
Polly:
You got that right!
Jan 25th 2009 @ 9:29PM lady sparky
I question the income listed eg. an electrician who makes $35,000. In my area, a union electrician makes more than twice that, working a steady job. Even as up and down construction is, our income is well over the amount listed. Non-union makes more than $35,000 also, they can solicite their own work. The emphasis should not be on how much one makes, but learning to live on only the income made.
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Jan 25th 2009 @ 10:56PM Kevin
Lady Sparky, I believe the amount stated is simply an average wage. We electricians here in sunny Florida are below the national average in wages. A four year apprentice without a license is making on average twelve dollars per hour, with license about fourteen dollars an hour. If you specialize in residential, your probably unemployed, or making below average monies. Yes, there are electricians making above $35,000 in industrial and motor controls. But with the influx of people (albeit questionable legal status)over the past 15 years the economy has weeded out the poor examples of so called electricians. Regardless, the wages in Florida are below average and without strong union representation (right to work state)I doubt the wages will become average at best any time soon.
Jan 25th 2009 @ 11:05PM lonesomedean
im a master electrician in tx and i make 132.000 a yr
Jan 25th 2009 @ 10:20PM Leon
I live in the deep south, the most undesired (regardless of educational acheivements) employees in today's job market are the over 40 white males. Even leaving off the over 40 part, I was told when I was 23 by a major insurance company that they would hire me in a second if I was black or female but they were over quota with white males. Later when I was about 27 and applying for a post office job, I was told that as a white man I was wasting my time applying. I KNOW about set asides for lesser qualified applicants FIRST HAND.
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Jan 25th 2009 @ 11:52PM Venezia
Hey, Leon, I am a white female and I can't get a job because of my race. If I were black of hispanic female or male, it would be no problem. I thought only NYC's job market is racist, but I guess it's all over the US. If your skin is not dark enogh, you'll be left jobless.
Feb 1st 2009 @ 4:07PM Brendan
easy solution; just select black or latino; since these designations are more about self-identification than anything else. I come from Italian stock, that's latin in my book;) And if a prospective employer tells me different, I got a whole lecture to give them. There is nothing illegal about choosing to identify yourself as a race that doesn't appear to match your skin type or bakcground.
Jul 7th 2009 @ 4:49PM Shortie
The comment about the Post Office job is total crap. I have worked in the Postal Service HR department for years and NOTHING could be further from the truth.
Career people are hired on the basis of three factors: 1)Veteran's preference 2)Test Score 3)Job History
Race/sex/religion is NOT a factor for hire at the Post Office. Those factors CANNOT be considered in hiring. That is why the Post Office is one of the most diverse work forces in the country; it reflects the actual population.
Maybe you were not hired because of something in your own work history. Lying on your application, perhaps?