WHAT AM I?
June 1, 2007 12:46 PM Subscribe
Where to start? Basically I want to find a job that I'm beautifully suited to. How does a person figure this out? It's so frustrating especially as I know I have the answer already, but just can't see it. (Perhaps blinded by the instant migraine that searching for it is beginning to cause). Where can I find help with this? Sites where the nuances of my personality and skills are matched up with jobs that would utilize them - do such things exist?. Or are there any problem solvers out there that want to have a crack at it? Or anything at all? What comes to mind? Any crumbs are most welcome!
Start with this book, I Could do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was.
posted by drezdn at 12:58 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by drezdn at 12:58 PM on June 1, 2007
Uh... this is sort of what life is: finding what you're good at. Or, knowing what you're good at, and finding a place to do it. There' s no magic bullet. This question is like asking if anyone knows of an algorithm that will instantly identify the love of your life.
posted by Kololo at 1:11 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by Kololo at 1:11 PM on June 1, 2007
Kololo is right, there's no magic bullet. Even if you figured out what you wanted to do, you could get a job doing it, and hate the job because of office politics, bad boss, small paycheck, etc. One mistake I think people make is that they limit the industries they'll work in- "I could never work in finance! I could never work in healthcare!" So they become a secretary in a theatre office, making $25,000 a year working for a drama queen, when they could make twice as much doing the same job functions in a different industry. Think function first, industry second.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:33 PM on June 1, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:33 PM on June 1, 2007 [1 favorite]
I think personality is overused for job matching. Think more about who/what you're ok with becoming. The work culture/atomsphere has a lot of influence as time goes on your personality. Usually both for better and for worse.
What can't you do very well? (e.g., if you absolutely suck at scheduling maybe you shouldn't take a job that's 90% project management). You'll likely have to do some of it, just don't aim for it being the core duties.
Any hobbies /almost hobbies that might gain you skills that you can apply to this? Free time is limited and if you can do some fun stuff and call it professional development can be a plus.
Try not to typecast yourself too much.
posted by ejaned8 at 1:52 PM on June 1, 2007
What can't you do very well? (e.g., if you absolutely suck at scheduling maybe you shouldn't take a job that's 90% project management). You'll likely have to do some of it, just don't aim for it being the core duties.
Any hobbies /almost hobbies that might gain you skills that you can apply to this? Free time is limited and if you can do some fun stuff and call it professional development can be a plus.
Try not to typecast yourself too much.
posted by ejaned8 at 1:52 PM on June 1, 2007
You could look into something like the myers briggs type indicator. Some of those test results pages that generalize about your personality type will mention jobs that you might be well suited for.
posted by willnot at 2:02 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by willnot at 2:02 PM on June 1, 2007
Response by poster: At this point that is the least of my worries. And to use your words 'function' was precisely what I had in mind. Maybe I was far too vague.
For example I am adept at problem solving and naturally artistic , have a memory for useless facts, hold a deep love for gardening and have perfect pitch hearing does any combination of these things or other abilities I have, including aspects of my personality translate into a job?
Or another line of thought I had was, for example, I'm good with spatial tasks. Like 3D tetris or measuring exact distances by eye. When I'm packing or hanging a picture these tasks are executed to perfection. So without a doubt I'd also be good at... (What)?
Where can I find the answers for these types of questions?
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 2:10 PM on June 1, 2007
For example I am adept at problem solving and naturally artistic , have a memory for useless facts, hold a deep love for gardening and have perfect pitch hearing does any combination of these things or other abilities I have, including aspects of my personality translate into a job?
Or another line of thought I had was, for example, I'm good with spatial tasks. Like 3D tetris or measuring exact distances by eye. When I'm packing or hanging a picture these tasks are executed to perfection. So without a doubt I'd also be good at... (What)?
Where can I find the answers for these types of questions?
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 2:10 PM on June 1, 2007
What do you do?
When you can get a moment away from things you have to do. When you find that the time disappears and isn't enough. When you start doing it and look up and it's 3 hours later.
What is that?
Find out what that is, then we can figure out how you can do that and make money. Chances are if you love something, that you can somehow get someone to pay you for that.
Why? Because if you love it , if you're all up in it, if you know the ins and outs of it, if you were there when it first started, or know it from top to bottom, you can help someone who doesn't.
And the great thing is that once you do, it's like nothing has changed in your life, because you were doing that stuff anyway!
posted by cashman at 2:14 PM on June 1, 2007 [1 favorite]
When you can get a moment away from things you have to do. When you find that the time disappears and isn't enough. When you start doing it and look up and it's 3 hours later.
What is that?
Find out what that is, then we can figure out how you can do that and make money. Chances are if you love something, that you can somehow get someone to pay you for that.
Why? Because if you love it , if you're all up in it, if you know the ins and outs of it, if you were there when it first started, or know it from top to bottom, you can help someone who doesn't.
And the great thing is that once you do, it's like nothing has changed in your life, because you were doing that stuff anyway!
posted by cashman at 2:14 PM on June 1, 2007 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks ejaned8 (and some others too) that hadn't even crossed my mind (and it may be a better and easier way to go about it too).
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 2:16 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 2:16 PM on June 1, 2007
And now that you've posted that addendum, I'd say post what you do. Not what you have the ability to do, but what you actually do. What you find yourself doing, returning to, loving, repeating, that consumes a considerable portion of your time.
This might not be easy to figure out. You might have to ....eh... go meta. Think in generic terms (this would be the 'function' part) - but think about something you actually do, not have the ability to do.
posted by cashman at 2:17 PM on June 1, 2007
This might not be easy to figure out. You might have to ....eh... go meta. Think in generic terms (this would be the 'function' part) - but think about something you actually do, not have the ability to do.
posted by cashman at 2:17 PM on June 1, 2007
Artistic, gardening and spatial tasks. How about landscaping?
People could pay you to design the front of their house.
Make a little bridge with water under, add some flowers, fishies, etc. I'm sure you could enjoy that!
posted by PowerCat at 2:19 PM on June 1, 2007
People could pay you to design the front of their house.
Make a little bridge with water under, add some flowers, fishies, etc. I'm sure you could enjoy that!
posted by PowerCat at 2:19 PM on June 1, 2007
Response by poster: Ha ha that's funny I posted that but then saw what you had written.
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 2:20 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 2:20 PM on June 1, 2007
Go to the bookstore and look at What Color is Your Parachute by Nelson Bolles. It helped me immensely when I was in a similar spot...
posted by UncleHornHead at 2:29 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by UncleHornHead at 2:29 PM on June 1, 2007
What PowerCat said. Landscaping covers gardening and drawing, and also memory of useless facts + problem solving: you need to know how much water/sunlight different plants need, how they interact, how much maintenance they require. Gotta make sure the gardeners can reach the plants that require lots of trimming, gotta work out the drainage and sprinkler systems, etc. Sounds like a good match.
posted by equalpants at 2:32 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by equalpants at 2:32 PM on June 1, 2007
Landscaping/Design does indeed sound like a good match. What do you think?
posted by cashman at 2:38 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by cashman at 2:38 PM on June 1, 2007
I agree with the landscape career. Here's a link to the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers & Managers, which hopefully has some good info for you.
posted by minda25 at 2:39 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by minda25 at 2:39 PM on June 1, 2007
Response by poster: I'm definitely not opposed to the idea, maybe even a little scared that this could be the answer?
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 3:23 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 3:23 PM on June 1, 2007
I second cashman.
1. Figure out what you love, and what you like to do (not necessarily an easy step).
2. Figure out how to do it in a career (this is where other people are very helpful).
3. Realize that #1 may change, and that's ok.
I think a successful career is more about what you learn to do and less about what you are intrinsically able to do. There is no magic glove that fits you, because you are more complex than a career. Rather you are a project, with an evolving set of skills, and you have some control over what skills you develop to fit whatever kind of job you decide you want. A match to your motivations and interests is, in my mind, a better match than a match of skills. You can pick up skills and training, but you can't take a course that teaches you to love your work.
I really distrust those "you will be good at X" criteria for career choices. I highly recommend Zen and the Art of Making a Practical Living. For me, it was a soothing voice of reason to counter what was for me useless information provided by "career counselors" who just wanted to know my "type" so they could tell me which shaped box I should wedge myself into.
posted by Tehanu at 3:43 PM on June 1, 2007
1. Figure out what you love, and what you like to do (not necessarily an easy step).
2. Figure out how to do it in a career (this is where other people are very helpful).
3. Realize that #1 may change, and that's ok.
I think a successful career is more about what you learn to do and less about what you are intrinsically able to do. There is no magic glove that fits you, because you are more complex than a career. Rather you are a project, with an evolving set of skills, and you have some control over what skills you develop to fit whatever kind of job you decide you want. A match to your motivations and interests is, in my mind, a better match than a match of skills. You can pick up skills and training, but you can't take a course that teaches you to love your work.
I really distrust those "you will be good at X" criteria for career choices. I highly recommend Zen and the Art of Making a Practical Living. For me, it was a soothing voice of reason to counter what was for me useless information provided by "career counselors" who just wanted to know my "type" so they could tell me which shaped box I should wedge myself into.
posted by Tehanu at 3:43 PM on June 1, 2007
Cashman is talking about the concept of Flow, which is the title of a book by Mihaly Czernyasjdfgfhiperigeijg something, I can't remember right now.
But essentially it's figuring out the thing that gets you to the state he described- where time loses all meaning, you get lost in what you are doing and it's 4 hours later and you aren't tired, you're exhilarated. The more of that your job has, the closer to perfection it is.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 4:34 PM on June 1, 2007
But essentially it's figuring out the thing that gets you to the state he described- where time loses all meaning, you get lost in what you are doing and it's 4 hours later and you aren't tired, you're exhilarated. The more of that your job has, the closer to perfection it is.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 4:34 PM on June 1, 2007
Here it is:
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
"In work, sport, conversation or hobby, you have experienced, yourself, the suspension of time, the freedom of complete absorption in activity. This is 'flow,' an experience that is at once demanding and rewarding--an experience that Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi demonstrates is one of the most enjoyable and valuable experiences a person can have."
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 4:39 PM on June 1, 2007
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
"In work, sport, conversation or hobby, you have experienced, yourself, the suspension of time, the freedom of complete absorption in activity. This is 'flow,' an experience that is at once demanding and rewarding--an experience that Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi demonstrates is one of the most enjoyable and valuable experiences a person can have."
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 4:39 PM on June 1, 2007
In my experience it is less about what type of field suits your personality than it is about what type of company suits your personality. I love my field but I have worked for some companies that make me hate it. If you are in that position, it is time to hit Monster.com.
posted by JJ86 at 4:53 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by JJ86 at 4:53 PM on June 1, 2007
What Color is Your Parachute is in something like its 20th edition now, for a reason. It's the classic book about exactly this question.
posted by selfmedicating at 5:44 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by selfmedicating at 5:44 PM on June 1, 2007
I second "I could do anything if only I knew what it was" - it has great exercises for helping you get in touch with what you love and then guidance for turning it into reality.
If you just want a list of job titles to start you thinking, see if you can take the Strong Interest Inventory (used to be the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory) - it looks at what you like to do (not what you are good at) and matches with the kinds of things that people in certain jobs also like. I found one site where you can take it on-line for $65.
Finally, once you have an idea that appeals to you - go talk to people who are actually doing that job!! Ask them what they like best, what they hate, how to get into the field, what they wish they knew when they were starting out. Most people like to talk about their jobs so once you get the nerve up it is pretty easy to do and will reduce the chance that you will make a major mistake.
posted by metahawk at 5:55 PM on June 1, 2007
If you just want a list of job titles to start you thinking, see if you can take the Strong Interest Inventory (used to be the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory) - it looks at what you like to do (not what you are good at) and matches with the kinds of things that people in certain jobs also like. I found one site where you can take it on-line for $65.
Finally, once you have an idea that appeals to you - go talk to people who are actually doing that job!! Ask them what they like best, what they hate, how to get into the field, what they wish they knew when they were starting out. Most people like to talk about their jobs so once you get the nerve up it is pretty easy to do and will reduce the chance that you will make a major mistake.
posted by metahawk at 5:55 PM on June 1, 2007
I think the Myers-Briggs type indicator tests have much to offer; however, it has to be combined with some realistic career advice that so many posts here refer to. Every career will have its downside, and even if you love what you do, who you work for sometimes sucks. JJ86 has it absolutely right.
And then sometimes what you're really good at doesn't pay enough.
Barron-Tieger's Do What You Are book is good for some specifics, and there are a ton of sites on the web for online personality type tests. But, if you already think you know the answer, why don't you start investigating that career?
posted by SMP at 5:57 PM on June 1, 2007
And then sometimes what you're really good at doesn't pay enough.
Barron-Tieger's Do What You Are book is good for some specifics, and there are a ton of sites on the web for online personality type tests. But, if you already think you know the answer, why don't you start investigating that career?
posted by SMP at 5:57 PM on June 1, 2007
To echo what has been said before: check out some personality tests. MBTI can be done online, and something like the Strong Interest Inventory might also be helpful, and you can find someone to 'proctor' it by telephone if you are interested.
When I went through the same process, I thought tests were helpful, but I also went through and exhaustive process of mind-mapping. Mostly thinking and making lists of what I have done and enjoyed, what I value, what I have interest in.
Don't ignore your financial and lifestyle needs, you can find big lists of what various jobs pay, and get some idea about how satisfying people find them.
Once you get some idea of a direction to go in, head off on the path. You will inevitably end up somewhere unexpected, but the thing is to get started rather than weighed down in the mental work.
posted by objdoc at 5:33 AM on June 2, 2007
When I went through the same process, I thought tests were helpful, but I also went through and exhaustive process of mind-mapping. Mostly thinking and making lists of what I have done and enjoyed, what I value, what I have interest in.
Don't ignore your financial and lifestyle needs, you can find big lists of what various jobs pay, and get some idea about how satisfying people find them.
Once you get some idea of a direction to go in, head off on the path. You will inevitably end up somewhere unexpected, but the thing is to get started rather than weighed down in the mental work.
posted by objdoc at 5:33 AM on June 2, 2007
I can truly sympathize with your frustration.
Divining what sort of work would best suit you can be far harder than many people realize. Many of us simply don't have those internal tools for self-analysis. It's quite frustrating, especially when you are seemingly surrounded by people who know exactly who and what they are. Lucky bastards.
You may want to investigate an actual career counselor. They can be pricey, but they will administer a battery of tests and provide some real, tangible insight into your talents, proclivities and interests. They can't, however, actually hook you up with a job.
While I agree that one should "work at what you love", unless you are capable of establishing yourself as an independent entity (being your own boss), you will likely have to find work with an employer. Here it gets trickier. Often, it doesn't matter how much you love the work, or how much of an expert you may be, there always seems to be certain hurdles in place that can thwart you. For example, you must be an expert with a certain selection of software packages. Or you must have 5 or more years experience in the field with a degree. Or there are ancillary job requirements that seem far-afield of the main job.
And, while you could probably wow them with your expertise, if given the chance, if your resume doesn't include the pertinent requirements, you probably won't get so much as a first interview.
I hope you can find your niche.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:09 AM on June 2, 2007
Divining what sort of work would best suit you can be far harder than many people realize. Many of us simply don't have those internal tools for self-analysis. It's quite frustrating, especially when you are seemingly surrounded by people who know exactly who and what they are. Lucky bastards.
You may want to investigate an actual career counselor. They can be pricey, but they will administer a battery of tests and provide some real, tangible insight into your talents, proclivities and interests. They can't, however, actually hook you up with a job.
While I agree that one should "work at what you love", unless you are capable of establishing yourself as an independent entity (being your own boss), you will likely have to find work with an employer. Here it gets trickier. Often, it doesn't matter how much you love the work, or how much of an expert you may be, there always seems to be certain hurdles in place that can thwart you. For example, you must be an expert with a certain selection of software packages. Or you must have 5 or more years experience in the field with a degree. Or there are ancillary job requirements that seem far-afield of the main job.
And, while you could probably wow them with your expertise, if given the chance, if your resume doesn't include the pertinent requirements, you probably won't get so much as a first interview.
I hope you can find your niche.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:09 AM on June 2, 2007
I had this same dilemma. I think you're right, you surely already have some idea of what you're good at and what you may really want to do, but fear/lack of info/lack of support/whatever is keeping you from consciously acknowledging and pursuing it.
This is what helped me. Studying personality type. I was professionally tested for MBTI, but there are reliable tests online. There's a new one, the MBTIcomplete. A link to it here:http://typeinsights.com/IntroTypeInsights.html
I then read "Do What You Are", already mentioned here. It also helps you figure out how your personality strengths can match up with a career. It also includes several real-life examples of each personality type and their experiences with different careers. For example, I am an INFP. A lot of interesting careers go well with my strengths, but one in particular caught my eye: mediator. I didn't do anything about it though, not for a couple of years.
Then I hired a life coach. Now, you could start with this step. A life coach helps you discover what you really want and helps you figure out how to achieve it, considering your strengths and weaknesses. After a short period of time, mediation just kept coming up and coming up and the coach helped me get over the hurdles that were keeping me from pursuing my passion. You don't have to waste years of your life trying to figure out what you know is locked inside of you. I applied for mediation training at a center in my area and will be a professional mediator by next month.
posted by Danila at 1:19 PM on June 2, 2007
This is what helped me. Studying personality type. I was professionally tested for MBTI, but there are reliable tests online. There's a new one, the MBTIcomplete. A link to it here:http://typeinsights.com/IntroTypeInsights.html
I then read "Do What You Are", already mentioned here. It also helps you figure out how your personality strengths can match up with a career. It also includes several real-life examples of each personality type and their experiences with different careers. For example, I am an INFP. A lot of interesting careers go well with my strengths, but one in particular caught my eye: mediator. I didn't do anything about it though, not for a couple of years.
Then I hired a life coach. Now, you could start with this step. A life coach helps you discover what you really want and helps you figure out how to achieve it, considering your strengths and weaknesses. After a short period of time, mediation just kept coming up and coming up and the coach helped me get over the hurdles that were keeping me from pursuing my passion. You don't have to waste years of your life trying to figure out what you know is locked inside of you. I applied for mediation training at a center in my area and will be a professional mediator by next month.
posted by Danila at 1:19 PM on June 2, 2007
Response by poster: Warm fuzzies guys Mwah!! The piercing pain in my face has subsided and I am now filled with another odd, but pleasant sensation. I think it might be optimism. I feel like a bunch of rambunctious kitties in a pet shop window! Thank-you!!
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 2:03 AM on June 9, 2007
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 2:03 AM on June 9, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
look up your old career tests from high school.
get hypnotized.
profit.
posted by Stynxno at 12:51 PM on June 1, 2007