Does Your Career Fit Your Personality?

By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer Everyone knows how hard it is to get along with others when there's a personality clash -so imagine how hard it is to be happy in career that does the same thing. Similar to when you're looking for a mate, you want to find a career that complements your character, not conflicts with it. For example, if you're active and outgoing, you might not do well sitting behind a desk all day. On the same token, if you're shy and softspoken, you might not do well in a job that requires a lot of social interaction, and if you like working alone, you wouldn't thrive in a team setting. Find a Job Search by Company | Search by Industry Here we have six personality groups which seem to encompass the majority of people. From there, we've listed what jobs might be suited to best fit your needs. Here are several vocations that are sure to complement your temperament. Please note that each requires different education, training and qualification requirements. Personality: Artistic What you're like: Artistic personalities are creative by nature, with imaginations that stretch further than others can conceive. These people like to express themselves through their work versus completing structured tasks. They like to work without rules, and enjoy working with forms, designs, colors, words and patterns. Job matches: Editor ... $47,811* Graphic designer ... $48,891 High school drama teacher ... $52,856 Landscape architect ... $53,241 Perfumer ... $21,791 Producer ... $79,310 Personality: Conventional What you're like: Conventional people like conventional things: Rules, procedures,

schedules and instructions are all things that appeal to them. They prefer working with details and data versus ideas; they are practical and like routine and order. Job matches: Accountant ... $46,171 Actuary ... $97,354 Building inspector ... $47,735 Cost estimator ... $53,413 Financial planner ... $63,837 Technical writer ... $55,747 Personality: Enterprising What you're like: Enterprise people are leaders. They like to see projects through from start to finish, business ventures in particular. They are doers more than thinkers and are more interested in the "big picture" than the small pieces that make it up. Job matches: Advertising sales agent ... $39,103 Financial officer ... $77,019 Management analyst ... $63,610 Program director ... $48,382 Sales representative ... $44,784 Sales manager ... $85,091 Personality: Investigative What you're like: Investigative people prefer to work alone. They like using logic over imagination, solving problems and mysteries, putting together pieces of a puzzle, precision, science and they pay extreme attention to detail. Job matches: Computer systems analyst ... $61,549 Librarian ... $48,025 Optometrist ... $95,058 Science professor ... $73,532

Software engineer ... $75,850 Statistician ... $59,830 Personality: Realistic What you're like: True to their name, realists are ... well, realistic. They are resultsdriven, hands-on people who like problems and solutions. They like working outdoors, as well as with machines, tools and jewelry. Job matches: Diagnostic medical sonographer ... $56,603 Electricians ... $35,158 Highway patrol pilots ... $69,098 Locksmiths ... $34,148 Nuclear engineer ... $84,044 Orthodontist ... $271,373 Personality: Social What you're like: Social people like helping others and working with teams. They communicate well, thrive on human interaction and they'd rather talk than work with machines or data. The best jobs for them are ones that let them be with other people. Job matches: Family practitioner ... $160,264 Personal coach ... $64,523 Personal trainer ... $24,881 School psychologist ... $49,622 Student affairs director ... $71,093 Teacher ... $44,137 Next: Jobs That Pay $60/Hour >> Find a Job Search by Company | Search by Industry *Salaries according to CBSalary.com

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Copyright 2009 CareerBuilder.com.