How does Rest Less make money
We make money through advertising and commission from affiliate links, which enable us to offer Rest Less as a free service to our users. The content on this page may use affiliate links, which track traffic from our website to a third party provider and enable us to receive a commission or payment from any traffic we refer.
* Affiliate links on this page have an * next to them. We place enormous importance on our editorial independence and the integrity of our content which means that we will never change how we write about something as a result of an affiliate link.
Work is a four-letter word…or so the saying goes. But the notion that our jobs are something to be endured is outdated, and a fulfilling career shouldn’t be a pipe dream. Still, if you’re considering a career change – especially in later life – finding satisfying and engaging work can feel daunting.
And what if you’re unsure what you’d like to do, or what kind of career would make you happy? Many of us know that nagging feeling – the sense that our dream job is out there somewhere, if only we knew how to find it.
However, despite potential challenges along the way, finding a career that plays to your strengths is key to happiness. When your work has meaning and purpose, that positivity may spill into every area of your life, leaving you feeling more content, successful, and fulfilled.
The benefits aren’t just emotional; they’re financial, too. Research shows that people whose careers align with their personalities can earn, on average, more than an extra month’s salary each year. As one study put it, economic success often depends on “finding the best niche for one’s personality.” When our work reflects who we truly are, we don’t just survive…we thrive.
So, if you’re thinking about a career change but aren’t sure where to start, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to choose a new career to suit your personality.
1. Assess your personality and values
The first step in finding the right career is examining your personality. Defining this can be challenging, but plenty of useful tools can help. Consider taking assessments like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to explore your personality, work style, and motivations. Even if you’ve taken this type of test before, it’s worth revisiting; you might be surprised at how your priorities have shifted over time.
These tests can be expensive, so if you’re currently employed, it’s worth checking whether your workplace offers access to them. If not, you can find other professional personality assessments online for free – The Balance has a few suggestions to get you started.
Once you have your results, avoid filing them away. Instead, take time to review them closely and look for patterns. Which personality traits do you value most? Which ones would you prefer not to rely on professionally? This reflection can offer valuable clues about the careers that will truly suit you.
2. Identify your skills and strengths
The next step is to identify your skills and natural strengths. Start with your transferable skills – abilities you can apply in different roles – such as communication, planning, time management, creativity, or staying calm under pressure. Review your work history and, for each role, note down your responsibilities.
Then, break each responsibility into specific skills. For example, organising a team event could demonstrate project management, communication, and coordination. If a skill consistently delivers strong results, it’s more than something you “can” do – it’s a true strength. For instance, if your pitches or presentations often lead to wins, public speaking is probably one of your key strengths.
It’s also worth asking colleagues, managers, or peers for their perspective – you may be surprised by what they notice.
Finally, take stock of your hard skills. A job might match your personality, but still require specific technical expertise. Hard skills are teachable, measurable abilities such as graphic design, coding, data analysis, bookkeeping, speaking a foreign language, or operating machinery.
3. Practise self-reflection
Now that you’ve identified your personality, core strengths, and skills, it’s time for some self-reflection.
Understanding your values is just as important as understanding your abilities. Take time to think about what truly matters to you in a job. Is it autonomy, helping others, recognition, work-life balance, or financial stability? What kind of environment helps you thrive – a quiet, independent setting, or a collaborative, team-focused one?
Consider asking yourself…
- What are my personal values? Which types of jobs align with them?
- What work draws me in so deeply that I lose track of time? What excites and energises me? What drains or bores me?
- What stands out when I reflect on my career so far? Which achievements make me most proud? When have I felt most confident or successful?
- What’s my dream job? What duties would it involve? Are there other roles with similar responsibilities?
- What kind of impact do I want to make? How would I like to be remembered?
4. Match your personality to career types
Now comes the fun part – matching your personality, values, and skills to potential careers. For example, if you’re naturally creative and excel at seeing the big picture, you might thrive in design, advertising, marketing, or content creation. If you’re empathetic and a strong communicator, teaching or counselling could be a natural fit. And if you enjoy practical, hands-on work, a skilled trade or operations role might suit you perfectly.
You might find the Holland Code (RIASEC), a framework that groups people and jobs into six categories, a helpful starting point…
- R – Realistic: hands-on, practical, technical work
- I – Investigative: research, problem-solving, analysis
- A – Artistic: creative, expressive, design-focused work
- S – Social: helping, teaching, counselling
- E – Enterprising: leadership, sales, persuasion
- C – Conventional: organisation, data, administration
Remember, there’s no single ‘right’ career for your personality. Try to stay open-minded, explore as many ideas as possible, and brainstorm different scenarios you can see yourself enjoying and succeeding in.
5. Research career options
Once you’ve identified some specific jobs or career paths, it’s time to dig into research. You could start by exploring online resources – websites like the National Careers Service or our own career change advice section provide career profiles, detailing required skills, typical responsibilities, and common entry routes. You can also use our jobs board to review job postings and spot recurring skills, tools, and responsibilities. Look for patterns or common themes that might guide your next steps.
Try going beyond job listings by exploring career-focused podcasts, “Day in the Life of a [Career]” videos on YouTube, and TED Talks from industry professionals. Speaking directly with people already in the role can be especially insightful, so why not try arranging informational interviews? If you don’t have contacts in your chosen field, you could reach out through LinkedIn or community groups. Ask about career paths and entry points, essential skills, and the most rewarding and challenging aspects of a role.
To test whether a role is a good fit, consider job shadowing or volunteering in your chosen field to experience the pace and culture firsthand. Short courses or freelance projects offer a low-risk way to test the waters, while attending conferences, seminars, and networking events can broaden your understanding and connect you with people who may help.
6. Consider lifestyle alignment
Now that you’ve identified a potential career, it’s time to assess whether it aligns with your personal, financial, and professional needs. A job might seem perfect for your personality, but if it doesn’t meet your income requirements, support a healthy work-life balance, or offer long-term stability and growth, it’s unlikely to be a good fit.
Start by identifying the essentials in your life and the compromises you’re unwilling to make. How much personal time or flexibility do you need? Are you open to travel or relocation for the right role? Will the career provide the salary and benefits necessary to support your lifestyle?
Next, consider whether the career or industry aligns with your personal values and ethics. Will you be able to contribute meaningfully? Does the typical workload, environment, and pace seem like something you’d be comfortable with? Can you manage the pressure of deadlines, and will the role offer enough creativity, variety, or autonomy to keep you engaged?
If you’re confident your chosen career aligns with your lifestyle, you’re ready for the next stage: developing an action plan.
7. Plan your transition
Planning a move into a new career is a lot like planning a road trip; having a clear destination is great, but you also need a well-mapped route. Once you know the entry points available to you and have defined your non-negotiables, the next step is to identify your skills gap. Review job descriptions for your target role, compare them with your own skills and experience, and ask yourself honestly: are you qualified?
If not, pinpoint what you need to learn or improve. Skill gaps usually fall into two categories…
- Quick wins: Short courses, certifications, or small projects you can complete in weeks or months.
- Long-term development: Degrees, substantial industry experience, or building a strong portfolio.
Use job postings as a guide to see exactly what employers are asking for, then work on demonstrating those skills. You could also showcase your work through platforms like GitHub, online portfolios, or your own website. Remember to update your CV so it highlights relevant skills and reframes previous experiences to support your new direction.
If you haven’t already, start building your professional network. Follow and engage with industry thought leaders, attend events, join relevant professional groups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You might also benefit from speaking with a career counsellor for tailored advice and insights
Final thoughts…
Plan your transitionIf you’re feeling unhappy, bored, or uninspired in your work, you don’t have to “stick it out.” Around two-thirds of people worldwide enjoy their jobs, and if you’re not one of them, it may be time to make a change. Work shouldn’t be something you simply tolerate; it should leave you feeling engaged, confident, and fulfilled.
It can be helpful to think of your personality as a compass, guiding you towards a career that feels natural, exciting, and meaningful. The ideal role lies at the intersection of your personality, skills, values, and lifestyle, and while finding it might take time, effort, and research, the payoff is worth it.
If you’re still unsure of your direction, why not challenge yourself to experiment? If you can, consider exploring via volunteering, internships, or part-time roles before making a final commitment. Taking time to find a role that’s the right fit is an investment in your happiness and well-being, and testing different paths is all part of the process.
For more ideas, check out our article: 14 career change ideas for the over 50s. Alternatively, head over to the career advice section of our website to find our career change guides. Or, browse job roles available through our website below.
Do you enjoy your career, or are you looking to make a change? If you’d like to find a new direction, do you know the industry you want to work in, or will you be utilising our guide to help you find the right fit? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Read our full commenting terms and guidelines