Choosing the best job for your personality
June 4, 2012
Many people want to pursue a college degree in order to start a new career. While some people know exactly what they want to study as well as what they want to do when they graduate, others have a hard time narrowing down their options.
Those who need help figuring out what they might enjoy doing - and what they are likely to be good at - may consider taking a career skill assessment test online. There are dozens of tools available that help people evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and match them to a college major and a possible career.
A new book, 150 Best Jobs for Your Skills, written by Dr. Laurence Shatkin, is another tool that may help give job-seekers some focus. First, readers take a self-assessment test to discover their top three career skills. Then, they browse the best jobs for their particular skills. Finally, the book includes research on each specific job such as earnings, growth, job tasks, education and training needed.
According to Forbes, Shatkin says that accurately matching your skills to your job will radically boost your chances of both career success and satisfaction.
The publication discusses some of the careers recommended in the book for those with great social skills such as negotiating, persuading, social perceptiveness, instructing others, coordinating efforts and service orientation. They include marketing manager, sales manager, operation manager, construction manager, administrative service manager, social/community service manager, lawyer, sales representative, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist, dental hygienist and registered nurse.
While good social skills are important to be successful in these jobs, Shatkin says that being able to communicate effectively is important in most jobs.
"Social skills are a big part of what’s being evaluated in today's interview," he told Forbes.
Regardless of what major you choose, it's important to remember that getting a college degree is likely to help your job marketability and boost your earning potential.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2011, individuals with a bachelor's degree made an average of $1,053 per week, compared to $768 per week for those with an associate degree, $719 per week for those with some college (but no degree) and $638 per week for those with a high school diploma.
