Shine at What You Do By Choosing a Career Based on Personality

You have a unique personality that suits certain vocations over others. If you consider your character traits when selecting a career path, you can set yourself up for a fulfilling and successful career.

In this article, we will cover why personality affects job performance, how to identify the individual characteristics most beneficial to employers, and what careers suit your personality.

Why Personality Affects Job Performance

When you have the right personality for your career, you will feel happier and more comfortable in your position. This will lead to higher productivity and engagement. You will also find more motivation to develop your skills and climb the corporate ladder. Eventually, people will see you as an expert in your field and trust you for advice and help train new employees.

The right personality can make it easier to develop relationships at the workplace and create valuable connections. You can use these connections to exceed expectations at work and even possibly find more lucrative opportunities.

How to Identify the Individual Characteristic Most Beneficial to Employers

Generally speaking, people fall into one of the "Big Five Personality Traits":
1. Receptiveness

Receptiveness refers to a person's creativity, curiosity, and openness to new ideas.

2. Extroversion

Extroversion refers to a person's confidence in social situations and assertiveness.

3. Responsibility

Responsibility refers to a person's instinct to follow the rules and stay organized.

4. Agreeableness

Agreeableness refers to a person's likelihood to get along with others and "go with the flow."

5. Neuroticism

Neuroticism refers to a person's tendencies toward depression and anxiety.

However, most employers want a combination of personality traits. Some of the most common characteristics employers look for include:

• Professionalism
• Self-assurance
• Self-motivated
• Problem solving skills
• Team player
• Adaptability

You should take a personality test to help you determine what areas describe you the best and use those characteristics to choose a career and appeal to employers.

Careers that Suit Your Personality

Need help choosing a career based on personality? See the following suggestions for all personality types.

Receptiveness

People who show high levels of receptiveness like to travel, show off their creativity, and solve problems. They are not afraid of a new challenge and don't do well in a tedious position. They want something that gives them the opportunity to explore and work with a diverse group of people.

If this sounds like you, consider the following careers:

• pilot
• travel blogger
• tour guide
• graphic designer
• researcher

As a pilot, travel blogger, or tur guide, you can see new places and meet interesting people on a regular basis. You may also want to look into graphic design to use your creativity or scientific research to solve problems and learn about the world and how it works in new areas people haven't thoroughly explored yet.

Extraversion

People who show high levels of extraversion like to work with people in both competitive and non-competitive situations. They also thrive in group settings as opposed to working independently.

If this sounds like you, consider the following careers:

• Salesperson
• Personal trainer
• Event planner
• Politician

As a salesperson, you will get to talk to both potential customers and colleagues all day. You will even get to use your persuasive skills to get a sale. As a personal trainer, you will constantly experience a challenge. You will also need to connect with your clients to develop the best fitness plan for them. As an event planner, you can make people happy by creating events specifically tailored to their tastes. Finally, as a politician, you will need to feel comfortable speaking to crowds and demonstrate a likeability combined with confidence.

Responsibility

People who have a responsible personality like to follow a regimented schedule and keep things in their place. These people want to work in a consistent field with regular hours and teammates. They may not like when things break from the status quo, but they can restore order quickly.

If this sounds like you, consider the following careers:

• accountant
• retail manager
• data analyst

As an accountant, you will find comfort in the fact that math always produces the same results. You will also notice regular patterns in the company's finances to help you identify and resolve discrepancies quickly. As a retail manager, you need to follow specific procedures. You also get to use your organizational skills to keep your products easy to find and aesthetically appealing.

Agreeableness

People with high agreeableness demonstrate empathy and kindness to others, and they want to do good at the end of the day. They also tend to excel in low-pressure environments.

If this sounds like you consider the following careers:

• teacher
• nurse
• judge

As a teacher, you will get to use your empathy to teach and motivate all types of learners from all backgrounds. As a nurse, you will use medical education to heal people who need your help from illness or injury. As a judge, you will need to hear both sides of a situation to determine the fairest solution.

Neuroticism

People who show high levels of mental stability, they can handle intense situations with high stakes.

If this sounds like you, consider the following careers:

• social worker
• addiction counselor
• fire fighter

You can use your level head to help people in bad home situations live a better life. You can also relate to people suffering from addiction and help them make better decisions. Finally, as a firefighter, you will make quick decisions that keep people safe during a fire.

Whatever career you choose, you have unique traits that make you great at certain tasks. Put yourself in a position to shine and showcase your talent.