Deciding what you want to do with your life can feel like a huge decision, right?
With so many options and everyone around you having an opinion, it’s easy to feel stuck or unsure about which way to go. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and the good news is that figuring it all out doesn’t have to be so overwhelming.
This guide is here to help you take control. We’ll walk you through how to choose a career path that actually works for you, focusing on how to choose a career based on your personality, strengths, and what you care about most. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have a clear direction and the confidence to take that first step toward a future that excites you.
Your dream career isn’t just about fitting in somewhere; it’s about finding where you thrive. Are you ready to get started? Let’s make this decision a little less scary and a lot more exciting!
Key Takeaways
- The Right Career Aligns with Who You Are: Choosing a career that aligns with your personality, strengths, and values leads to greater fulfillment, improved performance, and reduced stress.
- Self-Reflection Is the First Step: Understanding your interests, natural talents, and motivations is essential before exploring career options.
- Explore Careers That Match Your Personality: Use tools, research, and conversations with professionals to discover roles that excite you and suit your traits.
- Narrow Your Options Based on What Matters Most: Filter career paths by evaluating growth potential, salary, flexibility, and alignment with your lifestyle goals.
- Gain Experience Before Committing: Try internships, volunteer roles, or job shadowing to get a real sense of what different careers are like.
- Expect and Overcome Challenges Along the Way: Fear, uncertainty, or outside pressure are normal, but focusing on small steps and seeking support can keep you moving forward.
- Real Estate Is a Flexible and Rewarding Option: With low entry barriers and high growth potential, real estate offers autonomy, uncapped income, and meaningful work.
Why Choosing the Right Career Matters
Your career isn’t just a paycheck; it’s a significant part of your life. On average, a person spends 90,000 hours at work during their lifetime. That’s a lot of time to be doing something that doesn’t excite or fulfill you.
When you align your career with your personality, values, and strengths, you’ll experience the following:
- You find fulfillment and purpose in your daily tasks when you are well-matched with your career.
- You’re more productive and motivated when your work aligns with your personality, values, and strengths, leading to better job performance. Gallup studies show that employees who feel engaged perform 20% better than those who don’t.
- You have less stress if your work aligns seamlessly with your natural skills and interests,
The right career doesn’t just happen by chance. It happens when you consciously reflect on who you are and what you want. Here’s how to start.
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding the Right Career
The process of choosing the right career is not just about landing a job. It’s about creating a life that feels meaningful and rewarding. By taking deliberate steps, you can uncover the direction that leads to personal and professional growth.
Here’s how to choose a career based on personality:
Step 1: Take a deep look at yourself
Before exploring different career options, it’s important to reflect. The better you know yourself, the easier it becomes to align your career with who you truly are.
Ask Yourself These Questions:
- What activities make me lose track of time?
- What topics or tasks energize me?
- What are my greatest achievements, and why do they matter to me?
- What do others often praise or compliment in my skills or abilities?
Use Tools to Gain Clarity:
- Take personality assessments like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or the Enneagram, which can provide insight into your strengths, decision-making style, and ideal work environment.
- Identify skills that come naturally to you with skills inventories.
This step is about self-discovery. Don’t rush it. Take the time to uncover who you are and what you value. You’ll be glad that you spent this time finding a career path based on strengths.
Step 2: Explore potential career options
Once you have a stronger sense of yourself, it’s time to research careers that align with your key interests, values, and strengths.
Where to Start Your Research:
- Read about different professions and required skills on career databases like O*NET or LinkedIn.
- Talk to professionals who are already working in roles you are considering.
- Connect with experienced professionals who can provide guidance or offer valuable industry insights via mentorship programs.
Pro Tip
Look for careers that excite you both emotionally and intellectually. The ideal option should strike a balance between your passion and practicality.
Step 3: Narrow your options
After exploring potential careers, you may have a long list of exciting possibilities. Now it’s important to narrow it down to a few realistic choices that align with your personal priorities.
Evaluate Careers Based on the Criteria that Matters Most to You:
- Growth Opportunities: Will this role allow you to advance and develop your skills over time?
- Compensation and Benefits: Does the salary support your personal goals and lifestyle?
- Work-Life Balance: Is this career compatible with the time you want to dedicate to your life outside of work?
- Location Flexibility: Does the career allow for remote work or flexible hours (if that’s important to you)?
Step 4: Test the waters
Choosing a career isn’t just about research; it’s about experience. Testing potential careers first-hand is an excellent way to determine if a path really fits.
How to Try Out Careers:
- Apply for internships or apprenticeships.
- Volunteer in roles related to your field of interest.
- Take on freelance work or side gigs to gain practical experience.
- Shadow professionals in your shortlist of careers for a day.
Hands-on experience can either confirm your choice or reveal insights you didn’t initially consider.
Step 5: Address barriers and overcome roadblocks
Everyone faces hurdles when choosing a career, whether it’s fear of failure, uncertainty about starting over, or pressure from family and friends. These challenges are common.
Tips to Overcome Roadblocks:
- Recognize Fear as Part of the Process. It’s normal to feel hesitation when making big decisions. Take small steps to build confidence.
- Focus on What You Can Control. You can’t change external pressures, but you can focus on discovering what you want and taking action toward it.
- Seek Support. Connect with career advisors or supportive friends and family.
Choosing a career is a personal process. Stay true to your goals, even if others don’t initially understand.
Step 6: Make a plan
Clarity and confidence come once you create a solid action plan. By outlining the steps you’ll take, you can track your progress and celebrate milestones as you go.
Steps to Create an Action Plan:
- Set clear, measurable goals (e.g., attend a networking event by [date]).
- Outline the resources and tools you’ll need, such as resume builders, LinkedIn tutorials, or enrollment in a skills course.
- Set deadlines for each step to stay motivated.
- Track your progress and reassess your plan as needed.
Remember, career planning is an ongoing process. Your goals and priorities might shift over time, and that’s okay.
Additional Tools and Exercises
To make the career exploration process even easier, here are some helpful tools:
- Career Quizzes: Tools like “Career Quiz” or “16Personalities” can suggest career options based on your profile.
- Resume Builders: Online tools can help you prepare a stunning resume that highlights your strengths.
- Networking Platforms: Utilize LinkedIn to connect with industry professionals and explore potential career opportunities.
Take the First Step Toward the Right Career
Choosing a career path isn’t something you figure out overnight. It’s a personal growth process that takes time, thought, and experience. By aligning your career with your personality, values, and strengths, you’re giving yourself the best chance at long-term satisfaction and success.
Now is your time to take control of your future. Download our Career Switch Guide today to learn more about real estate as a career.
- Flexibility and Autonomy: Real estate offers the opportunity to set your own schedule and work independently, giving you control over your time and priorities.
- Unlimited Earning Potential: With effort and dedication, your income isn’t capped, allowing you to build financial security and achieve your goals.
- Meaningful Work: Helping clients find their dream homes or make life-changing investments can be deeply rewarding and fulfilling.
- Low Barrier to Entry: Compared to many careers, real estate requires relatively low upfront costs and offers accessible training and licensing pathways.
- Opportunities for Growth: Whether it’s specializing in a niche market or building your own agency, a career in real estate offers continuous growth potential.
Colibri Real Estate School offers all the required courses you need to become a real estate agent in your state. Learn more about real estate as a career, and then enroll in your pre-licensing courses with Colibri.
