Do What You Are

Identify Your Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): Start by taking an official MBTI assessment or a reliable free version online. This will give you a clear understanding of your personality type, which is crucial for the next steps.

Research Careers That Fit Your Personality Type: Once you know your MBTI type, look for resources that suggest careers aligned with your personality. Websites, career counselors, and books on the subject can provide valuable insights.

Reflect on Your Past Experiences: Think about past jobs, volunteer work, or projects where you felt most satisfied and productive. Identify the aspects of those experiences that align with your MBTI type to guide your future career choices.

Set Up Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals in fields you're interested in and ask for informational interviews. This will help you gain firsthand insights into those careers and how well they might suit your personality type.

Develop Skills Aligned With Your Personality Type: Focus on building skills that complement your natural tendencies. For example, if your MBTI type suggests you're good at analyzing data, consider taking courses in data analysis or related areas.

If your MBTI type is INFP, known for creativity and a desire to make the world a better place, you might explore careers in writing, counseling, or nonprofit work. Researching these fields and talking to professionals already working in them can provide practical insights.

For an ESTJ type, who thrives on organization and leadership, looking into project management, administration, or law enforcement careers could be beneficial. Volunteering to lead projects in your current job or community could offer hands-on experience and clarity.

Reflect on Your Values: Take some time to sit down and really think about what matters most to you. Is it the freedom to express yourself creatively? The satisfaction of helping others? Or perhaps the security that comes with financial stability? Make a list of your top values.

Research Careers Aligned with Your Values: Once you have a clear understanding of your values, start looking into careers that align with them. For example, if creativity is a top value, consider careers in design, writing, or the arts. If helping others is paramount, look into healthcare, education, or social work.

Conduct Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals in fields you're interested in and ask if they'd be willing to share their experiences. This can give you insight into how well a career aligns with your values from someone who's living it.

Volunteer or Intern: If possible, gain firsthand experience in a field of interest through volunteering or interning. This can provide a deeper understanding of whether a career truly matches your values.

Evaluate and Adjust: After researching and possibly experiencing different careers, take stock. Does what you've learned align with your values? If not, it might be time to consider other options.

If autonomy is one of your core values, you might explore careers that offer flexibility and independence, such as freelance writing, consulting, or starting your own business.

For someone whose top value is helping others, working as a nurse, counselor, or social worker could provide a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose, aligning their career with their core values.

Identify Your Strengths: Start by taking stock of what you excel at. This could involve reflecting on past successes, asking for feedback from colleagues or friends, or even taking personality or strengths assessments online.

Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter: Once you know your strengths, make sure they're front and center on your resume and in your cover letters. Use specific examples of how you've used these strengths in past roles to achieve success.

Prepare for Interviews: Think of anecdotes that illustrate your strengths in action. Practice explaining these situations clearly and concisely, focusing on your role and the positive outcomes.

Seek Opportunities That Match Your Strengths: Use job search engines with filters that match your skill set, and don't be afraid to reach out to your network. Sometimes the best opportunities come from a friend of a friend who knows exactly what you're good at.

Negotiate Your Role: If you're already employed but feel your strengths aren't being utilized, consider talking to your manager about adjusting your role. Come prepared with examples of how playing to your strengths can benefit the team or company.

If one of your strengths is creative problem-solving, you might highlight in your resume how you developed an innovative solution to streamline a process at your last job, leading to a 20% increase in efficiency.

During an interview, if you're asked about a time you faced a challenge, you could share a story about using your strong communication skills to negotiate a conflict between team members, resulting in a more cohesive team and better project outcomes.

Set aside dedicated learning time each week: Just as you might schedule workouts or social events, make a recurring appointment with yourself for learning. This could be an hour a week spent on an online course, reading industry-related articles, or practicing a new skill.

Join online communities or forums related to your interests or career field: Engaging with others who share your interests can provide new insights, resources, and opportunities for learning that you might not find on your own. It's also a great way to stay motivated and accountable.

Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences: These can be incredibly valuable for gaining new knowledge, learning about the latest trends in your field, and networking with others. Many of these are available virtually, making them more accessible than ever.

Experiment with new projects at work or in your personal life: Applying what you learn in a practical context can significantly enhance your understanding and retention of new information. Don't be afraid to take on a project that pushes you out of your comfort zone.

Reflect regularly on your learning journey: Take time to think about what you've learned, how you've applied it, and what you want to learn next. This reflection can help you see your progress and adjust your learning goals as needed.

If you're interested in digital marketing, you might spend an hour each week learning about SEO through an online course. Then, apply what you've learned by starting a blog or helping a friend improve their business website.

For someone looking to improve their public speaking skills, joining a local Toastmasters club can provide both the knowledge and the practical experience needed to grow. Attend meetings regularly and take advantage of opportunities to speak in front of the group.

Identify Key Players in Your Field: Start by researching who the thought leaders, successful professionals, and influential organizations are within your desired industry. Follow them on social media, subscribe to their blogs or podcasts, and make a note of any recurring events or conferences they attend or speak at.

Engage Actively in Professional Associations and Online Communities: Join relevant associations and actively participate in their events, workshops, and forums. Online, contribute to discussions, share your insights, and ask thoughtful questions. This not only increases your visibility but also demonstrates your commitment and passion for the field.

Create Value in Your Interactions: When networking, focus on how you can help others. Share relevant articles, introduce contacts who might benefit from knowing each other, or offer your skills for a project. Building relationships based on mutual support and respect can lead to more meaningful connections.

Follow Up and Stay in Touch: After meeting someone new, send a brief follow-up message expressing your appreciation for the conversation and mentioning any specific topics you discussed. Periodically check in with your contacts to share updates or interesting findings, keeping the relationship warm and active.

Attending a national conference on renewable energy, where you participate in workshops and panel discussions. You exchange business cards with a few panelists and later connect with them on LinkedIn, sharing an article related to one of the topics discussed.

Joining an online forum dedicated to UX/UI design and regularly contributing to threads by offering advice, sharing resources, and asking insightful questions. Over time, you become a recognized member of the community, leading to invitations to collaborate on projects.