How to Choose a Career Aligned With Strengths

7 Questions To Ask Yourself (When You Don’t Know Which Career Path Is Right For You): 1. What Energizes Me? Grab a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. Label one side “Energy Creators” and the other “Energy Drainers.” Now reflect on all the projects, initiatives, etc. you’ve worked on over the past few years. Label and categorize each one. Now look out for roles where the majority of the work is focused on energy creation. 2. What Do People Come To Me For? Everyone has a specific skill or strength that other people look to them for. If you’re not sure what it is? Ask 5 friends and 5 colleagues this question and see what they say. That can help you identify a skill that’s in demand that you’re also recognized for being good at. 3. What Problems Do I Enjoy Solving? Every job has problems. In fact, work and business are really the process of identifying and solving problems. So if you’re going to be spending your life solving problems, it’s important to know which ones you like to solve. Reflecting on this will help you see which challenges you enjoy taking on. 4. If Money Wasn’t An Issue What Work Would I Do? Most of us work to make a living. But it can be helpful to start from a place of what you love to do, and then work backward into the overlap between that and making an income. You’d be surprised at how many jobs exist where people are able to work on things they’re passionate about while also earning. 5. What Does My Ideal Workday Look Like? Some people love traveling for work, some hate it. Some people love sitting at a desk all day, some don’t. Some people love combing through spreadsheets, and…you get it. Painting a picture of the ideal day will help you dial into jobs that align with that schedule, workflow, and balance. 6. What Am I Willing To Struggle For? Most things that are truly worth doing are hard. If you’re not willing to take on some big challenges, to do hard work, and to deal with some uncertainty? You’re limiting your potential. So think about paths and outcomes that you feel are worth struggling for, then aim to align your work and career with that. 7. Whose Career Do I Admire? Finally, think about someone whose career you admire. A friend, a former colleague, etc. Reach out to them and ask them if they’d be willing to chat more about their journey and their job. This will give you a ton of insight into what they do and how they got there so you can see if it’s a good fit for you!

The hardest person to manage is ourselves. In 2005, Peter Drucker wrote an Harvard Business Review article that feels like it was written for today’s world. He emphasized something powerful: the ability to manage ourselves. In a time when career paths are no longer linear and change is constant, his insights are more relevant than ever. Drucker challenged us to ask three big questions about ourselves: - What are my strengths? - How do I perform best? - What are my values? These questions aren’t just for the Napoléons and Mozarts of the world—they’re for anyone navigating the complexities of the workplace. Here’s how to reflect on these ideas and manage yourself more effectively: 1. Discover Your Strengths Most people think they know what they’re good at—but many are wrong. Drucker proposed a simple solution: feedback analysis. Write down your expectations every time you make a key decision. A year later (or maybe a few months later), compare the actual results with what you expected. Patterns will emerge, showing you where you truly shine—and where you don’t. Tip: Focus on your strengths. Instead of trying to fix every weakness, double down on what you naturally excel at to achieve excellence. 2. Understand How You Perform People work and learn differently. Are you a reader or a listener? Do you learn by doing, writing, or talking? For example, Eisenhower excelled as a Supreme Commander because he prepared with written questions but struggled as President because he had to answer spontaneously in press conferences. Tip: Align your work style with what suits you best. If you’re a listener, seek discussions; if you’re a writer, carve out time to process through writing. 3. Live by Your Values Values are your internal compass. They define not just what you do but how you want to show up. Drucker shared the story of a diplomat who resigned rather than compromise his values. Knowing your values ensures your work aligns with who you are at the core. Tip: Periodically ask yourself: Does my work align with my values? If not, it may be time to pivot. As work evolves, so must we. By understanding our strengths, adapting how we perform, and living by our values, we can chart fulfilling, impactful careers. For me, this is a reminder to pause and reflect—not just on WHAT I’m doing but HOW and WHY I’m doing it. The hardest person to manage truly is ourselves, but when we embrace that challenge, we create opportunities to grow, contribute, and thrive in ways that feel deeply aligned with who we are. #reflection #learning #clarity #growth #improvement #leadership #humanBehavior #curiosity #values https://lnkd.in/enjcH4VJ

“I don’t know what I want to do with my career…” Let’s just go ahead and normalize this. Because more people are here than you think. And not just once, sometimes multiple times throughout their lives. (I know I’ve been here. More than once.) But the part we don’t talk about enough? The HOW. → How do you figure out what you actually want? → What fits? → What makes sense for your life now? So here’s what I’ve learned from being that person and helping other people work through this same exact thing: 1. Stop trying to force yourself to pick a job title. - Scrolling job boards hoping something clicks? - That usually leads to frustration. - Truth is, most of us don’t even know how to name what we’re looking for. Start by asking: → What kinds of problems do I enjoy solving? → What work has felt most like me, even if the title didn’t reflect it? → What do people always ask me for help with? 2. Look at the why behind your past roles (and other parts of your life). → What were you brought in to do? → What made you feel useful or alive? → What did you outgrow, and what did that teach you? Your career has patterns. You just haven’t been taught how to read them yet. 3. Use this filter: Pay. Power. Peace. → Can you live off it? → Do your strengths actually matter here? → Can you breathe? If it doesn’t hit at least 2 of the 3, it’s probably not it. 4. Don’t just run to quit your job, run small experiments. You don’t need to burn it all down. You need data. → Try a course. → Join a project outside your usual lane. → Ask someone, “What do you actually do in your role?” Clarity is built in motion—not in your head. 5. Keep a “Could-Be-Me” list. Every time something lights you up, write it down. Then ask: → Why does this resonate? → What strengths do I already have? → What would I need to build? No pressure. Just explore. 6. Create a Career Criteria list. Think beyond the job. Ask: → What kind of life do I want? → Flexibility or structure? → Am I best front-and-center or behind the scenes? → What are my absolute no’s? You’re not trying to fit into a job, you’re building a career that fits you. Let me say this: If you’re in the “I have no clue what I want to do” season… -You’re not broken. -You’re not late. -You’re just being honest with yourself. And that’s where real clarity begins. If you want support figuring it out with guidance, strategy, and real community, I got you. Drop “PATH” in the comments or DM me and I’ll send you the info to join the P.A.T.H. Forward™ Community. You’re not behind. You’re in the middle of realignment. And that’s brave as hell. 💥 _______________ Join the P.A.T.H. Forward Community: https://lnkd.in/gDMj8V5r Hi, I’m Erica Rivera, CPCC, CPRW. 👋 Voice-finder. Story-shaper. Career strategist. I help you untangle the career story you were handed — and rewrite it in a way that aligns with your values, your vision, and your next chapter.

I see so many posts each day of educators venting their frustrations about applying to tons of jobs with no luck. Job hunting is hard on a good day, and making a career pivot is even more difficult. I get it, I've been there more than once. If what you're doing isn't working, here are some ideas: 1️⃣ Take a step back, stop applying, step away from your resume, and get intentional. 2️⃣ Make a list of all of the skills you've acquired in your current career. Not tasks, skills. Then, narrow that down to the 3-5 skills you want to use and develop regularly in your new career. 3️⃣ Identity a professional and/or personal value that aligns to each skill. Don't skip this part! This is the 'why.' 4️⃣ Research careers and job roles based on your skills and values. Network with people in those roles. 5️⃣ Pick your top 3 role types based on your research. Take your resume and make 3 digital copies. Start aligning your resume to each role type. (For example, I had a content marketing resume, an instructional design resume, and a corporate training resume.) 6️⃣ As you read job descriptions, look for your skills and values in them. If a job description doesn't match at least 3 of the 5 skill/value sets you've identified, it's not for you--don't apply. Stay focused. I transitioned out of the classroom in just 3 months back in 2022 using this method. Then, I changed industries in 2024 in under 3 months using the same process. I can't guarantee what your timeline will be, but this technique works. When you're clear about what you want and what you bring to the table and can communicate it succinctly, it's easier for others to see how your personality and former experience make you a great candidate. Try it. What have you got to lose? 👇🏿👇🏻👇🏼👇🏽👇🏾👇🏿👇🏻👇🏼👇🏽👇🏾👇🏿 Hi, I'm Lauren and I'm a #formerteacher turned Creative Marketing Manager. Follow me for more content related to #education, #mentalhealth, and #transitioningteachers!

The advice to "follow your passion" sounds inspiring, but it often leads professionals down challenging paths with limited opportunities and significant financial constraints.   A more practical approach? Follow where your natural talents intersect with market demand.   Your passions are simply what you enjoy doing.   Your talents, however, are capabilities where you consistently outperform others with less effort.   These natural strengths: • Come more easily to you than to most people • Allow you to progress faster than peers in the same field • Consistently receive positive recognition from others • Tend to energize rather than deplete you   Building a career around your innate talents creates several powerful advantages:   First, you'll advance more rapidly because you're leveraging abilities that others find more difficult.   Second, you'll face less competition because you're operating in an area where you have natural advantages.   Third, you'll likely achieve greater financial success with less struggle, as markets tend to reward exceptional ability.   Finally, and perhaps most surprisingly, you'll likely develop genuine passion through the process of mastery and success in your field.   Many of the most successful professionals I've worked with didn't begin with burning passion for their industry.   They recognized their natural strengths, applied them to valuable problems, and developed deep engagement through excellence and recognition.   Passion without talent often leads to frustration.   Talent applied consistently almost always leads to some form of passion.   What natural abilities have consistently set you apart from others?   Check out my newsletter for more insights here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   CC: JAMES SCOTT GALLOWAY   #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #jobmarket2025 #profoliosai #resume #jobstrategy #careerplanning #talentdevelopment #strengthsbased #careeradvancement #passion #talent

Unhappy at work? Hold off on quitting—for now. Here’s what to do instead 👇 Leaving your role is a big move. Use these 5 steps to land a position that feels right: 1️⃣ Run an honest self-assessment: ↳ Reflect on your strengths, values, and long-term goals. ↳ Clarify what you must have in your next role. ↳ Keep a journal tracking what energizes and drains you each day. 2️⃣ Explore fresh career paths: ↳ Search for roles that align with your skills and passions. ↳ Tap online tools to uncover options you hadn’t considered. ↳ Check out sectors and jobs that resonate with your core values. 3️⃣ Sharpen your skill set: ↳ Spot the gaps between where you are and where you want to be. ↳ Enroll in courses, earn certifications, or volunteer for stretch projects. ↳ Added expertise makes you stand out in the market. 4️⃣ Network with intention: ↳ Grow relationships inside your target field. ↳ Attend meetups, join associations, and schedule informational chats. ↳ Warm connections often open hidden doors. 5️⃣ Refresh your personal brand: ↳ Update your résumé and LinkedIn to mirror your new direction. ↳ Showcase transferable wins and measurable results. ↳ Craft a clear narrative that explains your pivot. Career transitions require patience and grit. Stay positive, stay curious, and lean on mentors or coaches for guidance. Follow these steps and your next move will be a confident one. ♻️ Repost so others can rest easy tonight. 👋 New insights drop daily at 9:30 AM EST—follow me (Dr. Chris Mullen) so you never miss a tip.

After sharing 6 privacy career paths, one question keeps coming up: “How do I actually choose?” But here’s what I observed: For many people, the moment they saw the paths clearly framed… They already knew. This past week, I’ve received: → Hundreds of comments → Dozens of deeply personal career stories → Countless DMs from people on the edge of a shift or finally feeling seen where they are The most common comments and questions weren’t about salaries or skill sets. They were about something more personal:  -“Why does this one feel so right?”  - “What’s the deeper pattern in my choices?” After 20+ years watching privacy careers unfold, and having hundreds of conversations about what truly fits, I keep coming back to one thing: The people who thrive in this field aren’t always the most credentialed or traditionally experienced. They’re the ones who’ve found alignment between their natural energy, their skills and their daily work. And, when all of that also aligns with your values - many have found purpose as well. Years ago, a mentor gave me a practice I’ve carried ever since: Track what energizes you vs. what drains you across your whole life. Work, conversations, side projects, even what you Google late at night. The pattern doesn’t lie. That insight changed how I make major decisions. And over time, I’ve shared it in different ways with youth I’ve mentored, with professionals I’ve supported, and with myself during big transitions. This week, I outlined  it into a 6-step framework. It’s simple and I know there are so many other ways to approach this. But I’m sharing in case it resonates with you and in the spirit of “take what you like and leave the rest!” It is not meant to be a prescription and I am far from a career coach. Rather, I think this can be useful as a mirror. If it resonates, think of it as something you can hold up to your own experience and see what clicks. Swipe through ↓ Then tell me: ✨ Which path does this framework point you toward? This is the final post in the series but the conversation is far from over. What career questions are still unfolding for you? Let’s keep learning from each other.