What Job Should I Have? How to Choose a Career

According to Gettysburg College, the average person spends around one-third of their lifetime at work [1]. As such, many people want to find a job that aligns with their interests, personality traits, or strengths. That decision becomes even more important, considering 73 percent of Americans say their work is at least somewhat important to their overall identity, according to the Pew Research Center [2].

Choosing a career can be a trial-and-error process for many people. Figuring out what you enjoy doing can take time. To help get you started, we've compiled jobs you may be well suited for based on various personality traits, strengths, and interests. 

What job should you have based on your personality?

What you do in your day-to-day role can align with your dominant personality traits. If you have more introverted tendencies, you may enjoy jobs with greater autonomy. If you have more extroverted tendencies, you may enjoy jobs that require interfacing with colleagues and clients more often.

Below, we've pulled together job ideas based on different traits.

Careers if you're more introverted

Some people thrive when working independently. The career options below tend to emphasize independent work and study. 

• 24 Fulfilling Jobs for Introverts Based on Skill

• What is a Data Scientist? Salary, Skills, and How to Become One

• What is Bookkeeping? Duties, Pay, and How to Become a Bookkeeper

• 5 Entry-Level Programming Jobs + How to Get One

• Robotics Engineer Salary Guide: How Much Can You Make?

• What is Optical Engineering + How to Become One)

Careers if you're more extroverted

Some people get their energy from engaging with others, and there are many ways to do that in the workplace.

• Medical Receptionist: Job Description, Duties, and Salary

• Jobs in Call Centers: Skills, Outlook, and Salaries

• How to Become an HR Consultant: Jobs, Salaries, Courses

• 11 Jobs for Former Teachers

• What Is Production Management?

Careers if you want to work from home

Working from home can be rewarding for a number of reasons. If your goal is to reduce or eliminate your commute, look over the following articles. 

• 5 Tech Entry-Level Jobs in 2025: No Experience Required

• 10 Remote Work from Home-Jobs That Pay Well

• How to Become a Help Desk Technician in 3 Steps

• Top 5 Entry-Level Computer Science Jobs + How to Get One

• Your Guide to Entry-Level IT Jobs: Top Roles & Requirements

Careers if you want greater flexibility

A growing number of workers want greater flexibility in their job. This could mean working remotely or having a job that allows you to travel more often.

• 9 Jobs for Better Work-Life Balance

• 13 Jobs with Flexible Hours to Suit Your Lifestyle

• Remote Work Guide: How to Find Work-from-Home Jobs

• 15 Jobs That Allow You to Travel

• 16 Small Business Ideas and How to Find Yours

Jobs based on strengths

Everyone has unique strengths, and finding a job that lets you tap into yours and make a big impact can be rewarding. We've outlined several jobs based on major strengths. 

Careers for creative people

If you enjoy thinking outside the box and working in creative mediums, you may want to incorporate these career paths into your job search.

• What Does a Creative Designer Do?

• Graphic Design Jobs: Career Paths to Explore

• Graphic Artist vs. Graphic Designer: Understanding the Difference

• Becoming a Digital Designer: What You Need to Know

• UX Design vs. Graphic Design: Choosing the Right Career Path

Careers for leaders

The careers below suit someone with great leadership or management skills. 

• How to Become a Project Manager: 6 Steps

• What Is Release Management? (And How to Start Your Career In It)

• DevOps Engineer Salary 2025: How Much Can You Make?

• What is a Technical Project Manager? (How to Become One)

• What Does a Business Development Manager Do?

Careers for tech-savvy people

Do you enjoy learning about and using the latest technologies? Consider the careers outlined in the articles below. 

• What is a Blockchain Developer (And How Do I Become One)?

• Careers in Blockchain Technology: Solidity Developer

• Introduction to Virtualization: What Is a Virtual Machine?

• What Is a Hypervisor? Types, Use Cases, and Career Opportunities

• What Is a React Developer? (And How to Become One)

Jobs based on interests

You can find a job that aligns with one of your interests. When your job involves your passions or aligns with your values, you may feel more motivated on a daily basis.

Think about activities you enjoy outside of work and what it is about those activities that gives you energy. For example, a job involving logic and critical thinking may be a good option if you enjoy playing chess. If you enjoy volunteering at an animal shelter, finding a job involving empathy and collaboration may be a strong fit.

Below, we've gathered some examples of careers based on popular interests.

Careers if you love video games

If you enjoy playing video games and consuming gaming-related content, use the articles below to help you explore related careers. 

• What Is a Game Tester and How Do You Become One?

• What Is a Game Developer (and How Do I Become One?)

• What Is a Video Game Designer? Career Overview + FAQ

• How to Become an Oculus Developer in 4 Steps

Careers if you love health and fitness

If taking care of your body is important to you, your ideal career might involve helping others do the same.

• What is a Health Coach? Benefits, Salary, and How to Become One

• What is a Recreational Therapist? A Career Guide

• Your Guide to Becoming an Exercise Physiologist

• How to Become a Fitness Instructor | 10 Tips

Careers if you love people

If you enjoy connecting with and helping others, there are a variety of careers you can explore.

• 9 Hospitality Jobs That Pay Well

• HR Entry-Level Jobs Guide: Roles, Salaries, and Strategies to Get Hired

• What Is a Patient Advocate? (And What Do They Do)

• What Is an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

• How Long Does it Take to Become a Paramedic? + Career Guide

• Personal Care Aide: What It Is and How to Become One

Careers if you like popular culture and trending topics

If you enjoy staying on top of current trends and connecting with audiences either via content, campaigns, or social media, there are many jobs in marketing that might be a good fit. 

• Social Media Jobs: 6 Roles to Explore

• How to Get a Job in Digital Marketing

• Marketing Careers: 6 Areas to Explore

• What Does a Marketing Manager Do? A Guide

• What’s a Social Media Manager? And How to Become One

How to decide on a career: Additional resources

Trying to determine which job you should have may entail a career change. We've got you covered. Learn more about how to embark on a career change with our step-by-step guide. We've also outlined what career changes look like at ages 30, 40, and 50.

• How to Prepare for a Career Change: Step-by-Step Guide

• Career Change at 30: Building on Your Skills

• Career Change at 40: Moving Into Your Next Stage 

• Career Change at 50: Entering Your Next Career Phase

Consider a career coach

If you'd like additional help figuring out which job is best for you, it may be worth hiring a job coach or a career coach. Either of these trained professionals can meet with you, learn about your goals, and help you determine which job is best for you.

Explore courses to help you decide on a career on Coursera

Learn new skills or strengthen existing ones with a beginner-level Specialization on Coursera. Explore ways to inspire and motivate individuals, manage talent, influence without authority, and lead teams with the Leading People and Teams Specialization, or improve your effectiveness with words in the Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization, both offered by the University of Michigan. Or, learn skills to help you balance the rational and emotional to make the best possible decisions with Dartmouth’s Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making Specialization. All of these Specializations are offered on Coursera. 

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