What Job Should I Have? Careers Based on Personality, Strengths, and Interests

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 that 51 percent of Americans say they derive a portion of their identity from their work, 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 I have based on my 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? Getting Started in Accounting

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

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

• What is Optical Engineering (and How to Become an Optical Engineer)

professional certificate

IBM Data Science

Prepare for a career as a data scientist. Build job-ready skills – and must-have AI skills – for an in-demand career. Earn a credential from IBM. No prior experience required.

4.6

(78,119 ratings)

698,207 already enrolled

Beginner level

Learn More

Average time: 4 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Generative AI, Data Science, Model Selection, Data Analysis, Python Programming, Data Visualization, Predictive Modelling, Numpy, Pandas, Dashboards and Charts, dash, Matplotlib, Cloud Databases, Relational Database Management System (RDBMS), SQL, Jupyter notebooks, Machine Learning, Clustering, regression, classification, SciPy and scikit-learn, CRISP-DM, Methodology, Data Mining, Github, Jupyter Notebook, K-Means Clustering, Data Science Methodology, Rstudio, Big Data, Deep Learning, Quering Databases, Data Generation, Career Development, Interviewing Skills, Job Preparation, Resume Building

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.

• Front Desk Jobs: Medical Receptionist Description and Salary Information

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

• How to Become an HR Consultant

• 9 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: No Experience or Commute Required

• 10 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

• 10 Entry-Level IT Jobs and What You Can Do to Get Hired

professional certificate

Google IT Support

Get on the fast track to a career in IT. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.

4.8

(182,984 ratings)

1,748,924 already enrolled

Beginner level

Learn More

Average time: 6 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Cybersecurity, Wireless Security, Cryptography, Network Security, Directory Service, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Backup, Domain Name System (DNS), Ipv4, Network Model, Troubleshooting, Binary Code, Customer Support, Linux, Powershell, Linux File Systems, Command-Line Interface

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

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

• 15 Jobs That Allow You to Travel

• 16 Small Business Ideas

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: 2024 Guide

• 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

professional certificate

Google UX Design

Get on the fast track to a career in UX design. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.

4.8

(81,471 ratings)

1,149,765 already enrolled

Beginner level

Learn More

Average time: 6 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

User Experience (UX), Prototype, Wireframe, User Experience Design (UXD), UX Research, mockup, Figma, Usability Testing, UX design jobs

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 2024: How Much Can You Make?

• What is a Technical Project Manager and How Do You Become One?

• What Does a Business Development Manager Do?

professional certificate

Google Project Management:

Get on the fast track to a career in project management. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.

4.8

(114,404 ratings)

1,914,435 already enrolled

Beginner level

Learn More

Average time: 6 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Project Management, Change Management, Strategic Thinking, Career Development, Organizational Culture, Risk Management, Quality Management, Project Execution, Agile Management, Problem Solving, Coaching, Scrum, Influencing, Effective Communication, Stakeholder Management, Business Writing, Project Charter, Procurement, Task Estimation, Project Planning

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?

• Introduction to Virtualization: What Is a Hypervisor?

• How to Become a React Developer in 3 Steps

specialization

Meta React Native

Become a cross-platform mobile app developer. Learn in-demand skills for developing reliable, scalable and user-friendly mobile apps for multiple operating systems, such as iOS and Android.

4.8

(1,422 ratings)

28,246 already enrolled

Beginner level

Learn More

Average time: 8 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

HTML and CSS, React (Web Framework), Web Development, JavaScript, Mobile Development, Test-Driven Development, Front-End Web Development, Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), React (Javascript Library), Application development, Data Management, REST APIs, React, Github, UX and UI, SQL, Figma, Version Control, Bash (Unix Shell), Linux, Web Application, Web Design, Accessibility, User Experience (UX)

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 give 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?)

• How to Become a Video Game Designer

• How to Become an Oculus Developer in 4 Steps

specialization

Game Design: Art and Concepts

Create Imaginative Games. Design a video game for independent distribution in just four courses.

4.7

(2,682 ratings)

54,582 already enrolled

Beginner level

Learn More

Average time: 1 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Interactive Storytelling, Game Design Document, Video Game Design, Game Design, Video Game Development, Gameplay, Level Design, Art

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 and Is It a Rewarding Career Choice?

• How to Become an Exercise Physiologist

• How to Become a Fitness Instructor | 10 Tips

course

Introductory Human Physiology

Explore the fascinating world of human physiology and learn about the body's organ systems, their functions, and how they maintain health. In this ...

4.8

(5,099 ratings)

564,281 already enrolled

Beginner level

Learn More

Average time: 34 hour(s)

Learn at your own pace

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 Job Guide

• What Does a Patient Advocate Do?

• What Is an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

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

• Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Personal Care Aide

course

Health Behavior Change: From Evidence to Action

Humans often fail to make rational decisions that affect their health. This course seeks to heighten understanding of the social and behavioral factors that ...

4.8

(432 ratings)

51,919 already enrolled

Beginner level

Learn More

Average time: 15 hour(s)

Learn at your own pace

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

• 9 Digital Marketing Jobs

• Marketing Careers: 6 Areas to Explore

• What Does a Marketing Manager Do?

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

professional certificate

Meta Social Media Marketing

Launch your career as a Social Media Marketer. Build job-ready skills – and must-have AI skills – for an in-demand career. Earn a credential from Meta 5 months or less. No degree or prior experience required.

4.8

(19,222 ratings)

460,312 already enrolled

Beginner level

Learn More

Average time: 5 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Social Media Marketing, Generative AI in Social Media Marketing, Brand Management, Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, Performance Advertising, Social Media Marketing Strategy, Marketing, Campaign Management, Ad Management, Meta advertising, Meta Ads Manager, Marketing Content Development, content management, Content Development, Communication, Marketing Strategy, Ads Manager, Marketing Optimization, Digital Analytics

Additional resources to answer, “What job should I have?”

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 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.

You can learn more with Coursera.

Try taking free courses on Coursera to explore subject matter you're interested in.

Or, learn new skills or strengthen existing ones to become job-ready with a Professional Certificate on Coursera. Designed by industry leaders like Google, Meta, and IBM, they focus on helping you develop important skills to pursue in-demand jobs. With a Coursera Plus subscription, you get access to over 7,000 learning programs from leading universities and companies.

Build job-ready skills with a Coursera Plus subscription

Start 7-day free trial

• Get access to 10,000+ learning programs from world-class universities and companies, including Google, Yale, Salesforce, and more
• Try different courses and find your best fit at no additional cost
• Earn certificates for learning programs you complete
• A subscription price of $59/month, cancel anytime

Start 7-day free trial