3 Methods to Check that Your Personality Fits Your Career

By: Rachel Wei / April 22, 2019

Have you ever wondered whether there’s a job out there that’s just meant for you? A job, so perfect and suited to your strengths and interests that it doesn’t feel like a chore, but is something you look forward to everyday? Although this may sound like a scenario that is too good to be true, it is possible.

Today, many of us are too driven to settle into a passive, boring career that just doesn’t suit us. So, how do we go about finding one that does? Below is a list of three ways you can ensure your personality suits your career.

Method 1: Take a personality Test

I know that some people think personality tests aren’t accurate, but I personally have taken one that I have found to be extremely accurate for myself, my friends, and my family members. In fact, the 16 Personalities test is so accurate that I’m convinced it’s voodoo magic or something. Seriously, I have never seen test results that are so concise and helpful.

Even if you think you know yourself well, I think it’s worth taking this test to get an outside view of yourself. It will allow you to better understand how others may view your strengths and weaknesses, and thus allow you to work on those less desirable traits that may be damaging your personal and professional relationships.

The results also include a section on suggested career options and how you tend to interact with others in certain roles and positions. Although the test does not offer detailed advice, it does provide helpful insight into what sorts of jobs and careers you will not only excel in, but also enjoy because it fits your personality.

In short, I think this test is worth taking. It’s fun, informative and helpful, so there’s nothing to lose!

Method 2: Take the StrengthsFinder Test

I had to take this test for a class at Vanderbilt. Although this test isn’t free (unlike the 16 Personalities test), it does give you a list of your top five strengths. There are a total of 34 strengths divided into four categories: executing, influencing, relationship building and strategic thinking. This test differs from 16 Personalities, in that it is focused on how personal strengths can be used to guide one towards a fulfilling career that puts specific strengths to good use; it also focuses on how to approach colleagues and work with them based on their core strengths, as well as your own.

It was interesting to see my results and share them with my groupmates in the class. Some of us had four of our five top strengths all in one category, which helped us see who would be naturally suited for certain roles or positions in our group to maximize our strengths.

We all found that this test was pretty accurate in determining our natural strengths.

In addition to naming each strength and sorting it out into one of the four categories, StrengthsFinder gives you a personalized report about your top strengths and a paragraph detailing the advantages of each trait. The book that comes with the access code you have to purchase also goes into more detail about what sorts of jobs/careers you should pursue to make use of your strengths and also make sure you feel fulfilled in your work. The book also includes suggestions for how to work with those who have a certain listed trait, so it can be helpful in understanding your colleagues, friends or family if they have taken the test.

Certified CliftonStrengths Coach, Dr. Meaghan Mundy, wrote a super actionable Career Guide on “How to identify your talents and turn them into strengths?” Check it out!

Method 3: Ask your friends and family

If you’re not the type that enjoys personality quizzes, a great way to find out whether your personality suits your career (or a potential career you are considering) is to ask what your family and close friends think of a job. Since they spend so much time around you, they probably have a pretty good idea of your natural strengths and may have some practical suggestions about what jobs you would be good at. Moreover, as someone who is close to you, they are more likely to offer you genuine advice about whether a job you have in mind is feasible and will be something you will likely enjoy.

Here is a short list of questions you can ask your family and friends to get you started:

What are my most obvious and consistent personality traits?
- Make sure to ask them to include the “bad” or annoying ones-- they may be advantages in the workplace environment even if they’re not conducive elsewhere
What have I always been good at?
- Keep an eye out for hobbies or natural strengths you’ve possessed since you were young-- those are likely to be your inherent strengths that you can harness for success and fulfillment in your career!
In what environment am I happiest?
- Where we feel at our best can say a lot about us, including what environment we thrive in. Taking note of where you tend to excel can give you insight into what sorts of careers you would enjoy (i.e. fast-paced vs. laid back etc.)

What other ways have you tried to explore if your personality suits a career you have in mind? Comment down below with your thoughts and let us know if you found these tests accurate!