What is the Perfect Career For Me?

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." 
While this may sound like a cliché, choosing the career that is best for you is probably one of the most critical decisions you will ever make in your life. It will not only determine your future financial success but will also affect your energy, life satisfaction, income, and happiness in the years to come.

 According to the Pew Research Center, only about half of American workers feel satisfied with their careers overall. It is a sobering statistic, showing that all too often, we settle for a job that pays the bills rather than one that actually makes us happy.

Work should not feel like a burden.

You have to find the right career first – the one that sparks a fire and ignites your dreams. Working in the career field that is best for how you are wired is the life experience you are looking for. This will ultimately contribute to whether you are passionate and successful in your career.

First, you have to find the right career path, and that can come with challenges. It may feel incredibly overwhelming, but ultimately, going through the steps to find a career you won't regret will make it all worth it. Now, before you start wordsmithing the perfect cover letter or crafting your resume to find the best 2024 career, let's find the passion that makes you look forward to working every day.

These proven expert tips will help you navigate toward the career field that fits your life while complementing your natural strengths and providing the positive energy you crave.

 Finding the Right Career For You

 Finding the right career has to do with finding the right energy. Studies show that when you are energized at work and feel invigorated and charged, you are ready to take on the day and its many challenges. However, that energy is only as good as its environment. When your workplace is filled with negative energy, you will inevitably absorb that energy, and the same job becomes more difficult to perform.

 Self-awareness is your best friend throughout the process, helping you pinpoint your strengths while seeking out the type of environment, energy, organization, and workforce that help you perform at your best. Whether it's the fast pace of working in a newsroom or the feel-goods you get working in an environmentally friendly career, it is critical that it complements your personality and interests you but also challenges you, giving you something to work toward. 

Here are some key considerations to help you find the right job.

Pay attention to any requirements for education or experience; some positions may have specific qualifications required for certain positions. This free career research tool allows you to search for careers by your desired education, salary, demand, and more.

Look for a company that aligns with your values so you can feel good about working at a place you support. It goes a long way in creating the right energy at work.

For example, If you value helping others, a community-focused career such as a firefighter or policeman could be a good fit for you. Similarly, if you are an animal lover a career as a veterinarian or zoologist could be a fulfilling career for you, aligning with your values. 

 

 Landing the Best Job for Your Personality Traits

When figuring out the job that is the best fit for you, you must first learn as much as you can about yourself. Understanding your work personality can make all the difference in your career search. It allows you to better understand yourself as both an employee and team member so you can discern which opportunities best complement your personality.  

 A career test is the best place you want to start. It provides the direction and information about your strengths and preferences and career information necessary for you to make the best career decision. For example, CareerFitter is revolutionizing the job search with a career test and work personality assessment approach to help you identify who you are at work and provide the starting point for your career search.

This particular career test uses a scientific method to assess your personality strengths to profile your work personality. It then integrates with a second assessment called the Aptitude Aversion Assessment. Together, they generate your FIT score for every modern career in their database.  

This targeted approach may open your eyes to creative opporunties for careers you have previously considered.

After exploring and understanding your work personality, if you are still unsure which career options might be right for you, you can seek the help of a career development expert or speak with a career counselor who can provide coaching based on what you’ve learned about yourself.

If you can’t afford to hire career development professionals, some public libraries or local agencies provide career planning and counseling. Most universities also have a career services office that is open to those who are enrolled, the alumni of the university, or sometimes even other members of the community. These can be valuable resources to utilize as you carefully plan your next step.

 Identifying Your Work Style

Your work style is the way you behave and function at work. It relates to how you approach tasks, collaborate with others, and solve problems.

• Do you prefer working individually or collaboratively?
• Do you like to grab the reins of management or prefer to manage a single project at a time?

These details about you add up to create your individual work style.

Understanding your style is just as important for seasoned professionals as for new hires because you need to know how to tell the rest of the team what to expect from you.

Keep in mind, your preferences can evolve. So, if you become unhappy in your job maybe it is time to change positions or adjust your duties to better reflect the way you work today.

For example, if you are a creative thinker or you like to work in teams, data entry may not be the best fit for you, but marketing or graphic design could be a thrill. It all depends on your working and life style, which can be determined by a career test.

Take an Assessment or Career Test

 Taking a career test is the easiest way to figure out the perfect job for you. There are a lot of career assessments that are readily available online and are intended to guide you in choosing a career path. It is important you understand which type of career test you are taking.

•  Interest Tests: interest tests help you identify careers you may be interested in but do not necessarily assess if they are a good match.
•  Aptitude Tests: an aptitude test assesses which innate talents and skills you currently have and how you could apply to them but do not assess if these applications would be a good fit for either, nor do they suggest alternate career paths.
• Personality Tests: assess your personality traits in general and suggest careers that may fit your personality.
• Work Personality Career Test Assessments: focus on your personality in the workplace and suggest careers that would be a good fit for your work personality.

 This approach can save an abundance of time because it allows you to bypass the normal search process and instead proceed straight to your compatible matches. Armed with your personal strengths and weaknesses from your personality profile, you can make better career decisions for your future by choosing a career that is interesting, challenging, and still meets your financial requirements.

The Best Time to Take a Career Test

A career test can be taken at any time throughout your professional career. Maybe you’re entering the workforce for the first time, or you are a veteran looking for a career change. Maybe you are happy with your role, but you want to work from home, receive a raise, or start a side hustle. No matter the reason, there is no best time to take a career test. In fact, it is a good idea to take careert tests every few years to identify changes in your work style and personality as you grow and advance professionally. 

Making a List of Possible Occupations

 With a career test, you answer the question of what job will suit me by using your personality profile and individual work style to create a personalized list of possible occupations. For example, if you have an analytical mind you could be a great fit to work as a business analyst or financial advisor. 

 You can compare different careers easily regarding income, education, job experience, and training requirements. This gives you a full portrait of the occupation, allowing you to access detailed information.  List or save in your favorites the careers that are compatible with your personality.

As with any career, there are occupational factors to consider, which are also outlined in detail. You can use this information to make a well-informed decision based on your interests and personality.

Pushing Yourself Towards Your Chosen Career

 Once you choose your perfect career, it is time to get ready.

Create a Personal Brand and Resume 

Create your personal brand. This includes writing your resume and updating your social media or profiles on career website to make it more relevant to your field and career path. Using online tools can help you craft the perfect resume.

Interview Practice

Interview practice is something that will give you the advantage you need to impress potential employers. Interviewing is not something you do every day, and nailing both in-person and online interviews is essential to standing out from the crowd, so dust off those cobwebs. 

Gain Certifications and Experience to Further Your Career Goals

Staying up to date on applicable certifications can give you another competitive edge in today's ever-changing job market. Consider job shadowing, internships, or volunteer work to gain experience and give you a clear idea of your intended career's day-to-day and employer expectations. The CareerFitter career advice section can also help you with professional resources.

It's crucial to develop your skillset continuously. Engage in ongoing learning through formal education, online courses, or self-study to stay informed about trends, technologies, and changes in your industry.

Engage in Networking Opportunities

Networking is equally important; attend things like industry conferences, join professional associations, job boards, and connect with peers and mentors on platforms like LinkedIn. It's not just what you know... it's who you know.  These connections can provide job opportunities to help advance your career.

Think about your career as a journey, not a destination, and ongoing personal and professional development is key to long-term success and fulfillment.

Final Thoughts About Finding Your Ideal Career

With thousands of career options available, finding the perfect career for your work style, background, and preferences can be highly challenging. But now you know to start by taking the best career test.

 Choosing a career isn’t an easy task, but keep in mind the career test can do some of the work for you and help take away some of the heartache. Use it to help you learn about your professional self while matching you with compatible jobs you can research with the click of a button.

Most importantly, it gives you the opportunity to learn more about yourself personally and professionally so you can make educated decisions regarding your career in the future. 

FAQs About How to Find the Best Job that Suits You

How do I know what job suits me?

Finding a job that suits you involves a combination of self-awareness and exploration. Start by identifying your strengths, interests, and values. Reflect on past experiences to uncover what tasks and environments energize you. You can also take career assessments or personality tests to gain insights into suitable career paths based on your traits and preferences.

Additionally, research different industries and job roles to see which aligns with your skills and interests. Networking and informational interviews can also provide valuable perspectives from professionals in the fields you're considering.

How do I find my career interests?

Discovering your career interests involves self-exploration and exposure to various industries and roles. Reflect on activities or subjects that captivate your attention and bring you fulfillment. Consider your hobbies, volunteer experiences, and past jobs to identify patterns or themes.

Explore different career paths through internships, job shadowing, or informational interviews to gain firsthand insight into different industries and roles. Additionally, take advantage of online resources, career assessments, and counseling services to further explore and refine your interests.

How do I choose a career I really like?

Choosing a career you genuinely enjoy involves aligning your interests, skills, values, and personality with the demands and opportunities of different professions. Start by identifying your passions and strengths, and then research careers that allow you to leverage these qualities.

Key factors such as job satisfaction, work-life balance, growth potential, and alignment with your values will help you decide if a career is right for you. Explore industries and roles that excite you, and don't be afraid to pursue unconventional or different paths if they resonate with your aspirations. Seek guidance from mentors, career counselors, and industry professionals to make informed decisions and navigate your career journey effectively.