by Rhonda Day

Created on: January 09, 2008   Last Updated: June 30, 2010

Since you spend so much of your time at your job, shouldn't you be in a job that you enjoy? It is important that you have a passion for your work and to make sure you are in the right job, that means making sure that your personality and your job are a good match.

But how do you know if this is the best job for your personality type and that leverages your skills and experience effectively?

There are a few simple things you can evaluate about yourself to help you make a better choice about careers. Whether you are new to the job market or have been in a particular job for a number of years, it is a good idea to self-evaluate to ensure you are leveraging your strengths and spending your time doing something you truly enjoy.

INTROVERTS AND EXTROVERTS

We all know that there are introverts and extroverts. Some people naturally have an outgoing personality and love being with other people. They find it easy to initiate conversations and take the lead in discussions. They most likely enjoy the limelight and do well in sales or customer service type jobs.

But we also realize that some people avoid the spotlight and prefer to stand back from the crowd. If your personality is more introverted, then sales jobs are most likely not the best career choice for you. You can't force your personality to change with your job, but you can make career choices that optimize your personal style.

Neither personality type is better than the other they just provide individuals with different career choices to leverage their abilities and play to their strengths.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Think about your skills and how they can be applied to various jobs. Whether you are outgoing or more introverted, your skills are important to your job. Do you prefer to work with people, or would you prefer work that requires less interaction with people such as computer programming, woodworking, or other technical jobs? Many skills come naturally while others require training and education. Decide what skills you need to perform well in a job that fits your personality type.

COMMUNICATION STYLE AND CREATIVITY

Think about your communication style and evaluate yourself honestly. Do you want to be in the lead or do you want to be part of a team? Imagine yourself as CEO of a company is this where you want to be or would you prefer to be an auditor? There are advantages to both types of jobs, but you have to be honest with yourself. If leadership is not something you are passionate about, you may want to

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