You may already have an idea as to what your perfect job would be, but have you ever considered how your personality might affect how well you get on? Of course, there are certain jobs that you probably wouldn’t consider, and these will be in line with your personality – whether it is based on your views, what you enjoy, what you don’t like, or any number of other factors. However, even in an area that is of interest to you, there will be factors to consider when it comes to what you want to do for a living – and many of these will be tied to your personality.
It’s fairly obvious that some jobs will not suit certain people. Agriculture may not be the best move for someone who doesn’t like the countryside, while a fear of maths may undermine your career in accounting, but there are also more subtle differences to be seen too.
Let’s say, for example, that you are looking to work as a salesperson. It may sound like the sort of job that would require you to be a people-person, able to communicate with others, and most importantly close a deal. But there are other considerations too. Will you need to approach people to make a sale, or will the customers come to you? There is a clear difference in the sort of person you will need to be in either case. If you are a shy person you may find it tough to approach potential customers, but a more brash, outgoing manner might turn off some customers who are coming to you to enquire about a product or service already. Sometimes the hard sell is required, while at other times it is not, and your personality can play into this.
Alternatively, for example, you might be looking to work in research. This area will normally be suited to a more studious, self-motivated person who can be left to get on with things. As such it is an area that tends to suit a certain personality type. Indeed, your personality is an important consideration when it comes to the nature of your work.
That said, it is not just ‘what you do’ that can tie into your personality, but also ‘where you work.’ Two very similar jobs at different workplaces can offer totally different experiences. This may be related to the actual place where you work. If you work in an office, is it open-plan? How many co-workers will you share the space with, and what will they be doing? If you need to concentrate on a task you may not find it easy if you are surrounded by ringing telephones and colleagues interrupting your thought process with questions. Just as some people may prefer a quieter working environment, others are more outgoing and find that they prefer the stimulation of being surrounded by others. For these more outgoing personality types, work can have a social aspect, allowing them to bounce ideas off of co-workers.
These are just a few examples of how your personality can make a difference not just in what job you are best suited to, but also where you may want to consider working. How does your personality match up to your perfect job?
