It is convenient to stay on the appropriate path if you have chosen a career of interest. But, on the other hand, if you select a career based on your suitability, you will get some additional advantages. This is why most of the time, people are in a dilemma whether to go after interest or choose suitability. Hence the question – career interests v/s suitability: what to choose?
Don’t worry! We aim to answer this question today! In this blog, we will discuss what career interests are, the significance it holds, and why it matters. We will further delve deep into the concept of career suitability and, of course, the most vital question: career interests v/s suitability – which is more important?
So, make sure you read the article till the end!
What are Career Interests?
Career interests are your preferences regarding work activities and environment. Therefore, identifying career interests helps you make well-informed and strategic decisions. Moreover, following your career interests means that you are pursuing a career wherein your talent aligns with your values and preferences. Simply put, you are finding joy and satisfaction in your work.
Career interests might change over time. This is why it is vital to keep identifying your career assets often. This way, you may find hidden interests you may have had. Thus, the more you explore, the more you find your different career interests!
Significance of Career Interests
Career interests are crucial because they reflect your preferences in a work environment. Aligning your career with your interests can offer numerous benefits like:
- Job Satisfaction
When you align your career with your interests, you essentially increase your job satisfaction. In other words, you tend to find more contentment towards your work and feel happy about carrying out your work-related duties.
- Strategic Career Decisions
Aligning your interests with your career means you don’t feel you have wasted time following the wrong career path. Thus, when you consider your interests, you will likely make a wise career choice, leading to job satisfaction.
- Successful Career
Following your career interests increases your chances of achieving success in your career. Doing something you enjoy can help you stay motivated and increase your productivity in the workplace. Thus, career interests are ultimately connected to a successful career.
- Motivation
When you feel like you are doing a job you are passionate about, you may put more effort into acquiring new skills and giving your 100% in the job. In addition, you will also be motivated to achieve your career goals. Thus, once you do a job you like, you will stay encouraged.
- Personal Identity
On a personal level, knowing your career interests can help you become more self-aware and may help you determine your values, strength, and where the motivation lies. In addition, knowing this information can help you act on it more often in your chosen profession.
Types of Career Interests
Since many people have different preferences regarding their work duties and environment, career interests can take many shapes and forms. Understanding different career interests may help you identify where your career interest lies. Here is a list of numerous kinds and areas of career interests:
- Conventional Career Interests
This type of career interest deals with organization and structure. People with conventional career interests enjoy stability, routine, and attention to detail in all other matters of work. Careers in this category include accountants, legal secretaries, etc.
- Investigative Career Interests
Investigative career interests involve solving complex issues and abstract ideas. For instance, careers in science and math are a part of investigative career interests. People who have such interests are often rational, intelligent, and curious!
- Social Career Interests
People with social career interests find themselves in a profession where they help others. Nurses, teachers, doctors, etc., fall under this category. Such people enjoy communicating and helping others.
- Artistic Career Interests
As the name suggests, this type of career interest involves a great deal of creativity. But at the same time, this career interest lacks rules, regulations, and structure. As a result, people with artistic career interests are often idealistic and follow an unconventional path. Some of the top careers include graphic designers, copywriters, animators, content writers, photographers, etc.
- Realistic Career Interests
People with realistic career interests enjoy working outside. They perform hands-on duties and often use tools, equipment, machinery, and much more. These people are hard-working and have stable personalities. Careers in this profession include civil engineers, plumbers, firefighters, etc.
Significance of Career Suitability
Before we go on discussing career interests v/s suitability, the next step is to know why career suitability matters. Here are the reasons:
- Determining Strengths & Shortcomings
While looking for a career you are passionate about, it is best to consider your personal qualities first. It will help you recognize your strengths and shortcomings. For instance, you can take note of your current technical skills, how you interact with others, how you conduct yourself, etc.
Your strengths can help you establish the routes you are best suited for. This way, you will know about your shortcomings and try to function as per your strengths.
- Better Culture Fit
Sensitive individuals who showcase kindness and compassion are likely to go for jobs that allow them to help others. For example, people with such characteristics are employed in community services like counseling, support for mental health, disability care, etc.
- Higher Job Contentment
Unsurprisingly, having a quality job increases career satisfaction for many people because it leads to more productivity and better relationships with colleagues. The trust you have in your talent increases as you are given assignments and evaluations that best fit your capabilities and character traits. This will help you have an optimistic outlook towards your profession, and as a result, you will experience higher job contentment.
Career Interests v/s Suitability
A profession is a career for a lifetime. Therefore, one must aspire to more than just getting rich.
You might face financial challenges, but a career is one thing where one shouldn’t compromise. So, when you consider every aspect of career interest v/s suitability, you won’t make any wrong decisions.
Try to mentally stabilize yourself and have clarity about career interests vs suitability; you’ll be joyful and satisfied. On the contrary, if a person does not have clarity between the two and picks up a higher-paying job against his dream job, he/ she might regret it later.
Doing what you love and getting paid for it will be ideal.
Thus, it is vital to maintain a balance between career interests and career suitability so that you don’t feel pressured or troubled by the work you do!
Conclusion
Career interests v/s suitability – choosing between the two would require a lot of brainstorming. Therefore, it is vital to give your decision a lot of thought before selecting.
You can also take help from your peers and family or go for some counseling sessions as they will help unfold potential and unexplored career paths.
Thus, knowing how to assess your career interests can ensure you find a job that meets all your requirements.
Tell us in the comments below what would you choose – career interests or suitability?
