In their career design, people often try to deduce possible job profiles from their strengths. This is why personality tests are used for career guidance. This can make sense in the case of one-sided talent. The path of the mathematical genius, for example, is probably predetermined. In most cases, however, drawing conclusions from strengths to certain professions invites people to fall for useless stereotypes.
To be more specific, I am talking about strengths in the sense of soft skills as natural abilities. These are qualities that are inherent in your personality. As a working hypothesis, I assume that these are partly genetic or were acquired early in life. It is therefore easy for us to apply them. On the other hand, it takes more energy to live qualities that are naturally less familiar to us. By hard skills, I mean the technical and methodological knowledge we acquire through training and professional experience.
Strengths are not about the «WHAT»…
Using strengths as a criterion for choosing a career would mean, for example, advising an empathic person to go into a social field such as nursing, psychotherapy, or social work. To this I say: «If you are empathic, do what you want!» You can go into sales, become a manager, CFO or CEO, a stockbroker, author, dog groomer or rabbit breeder. Strengths say nothing about what you should do professionally; there is no link
between strengths and professions.
However, there is a link between certain professions and certain strengths. Avoid specific professions if you do not have the necessary skills: Being a firefighter without having courage makes little sense. Similarly, you won’t be a good lawyer if you can’t think in a structured way. And someone with my nerves doesn’t belong on the stock exchange. But most professions can be practised one way or another.
…but the «HOW» in your career
So why is there always talk of strengths in connection with careers? Because knowing your strengths is important and they show how you work.
One of my strengths is independence. That’s why I’ve always been successful when I’ve been able to work independently, regardless of the field of activity. For over 25 years, I have worked in jobs where I must generate turnover and therefore sell. Now, sales is often associated with extraversion, self-confidence and a healthy dose of aggression. I, on the other hand, am introverted, self-critical and in need of harmony – and yet I have survived, and not even badly. Many job profiles are stereotyped. Despite their interest, people are put off by this because they believe that their personality does not qualify them for the job. Sales and leadership are particularly susceptible to this way of thinking.
What you want to do professionally depends on your interests and inclinations, how you do it depends on your strengths. Don’t let stereotypes get in the way of your path and always do things your way.