Identifying Your Work Interests

Many of us are restricted in our career planning by our limited knowledge of the jobs that exist. There are occupations that we may not even consider pursuing, just because we don't know anything about them. So how do we start thinking about jobs?

Job Families

A useful starting point is to look at jobs in terms of what they primarily involve working with: people, things, data or ideas. Of course, many types of work combine these four elements in varying proportions. They can be grouped together into the following six broad families of jobs:

1. Practical: Dealing with Things

This includes activities found in technical and practical work, such as:

• Developing practical skills
• Good hand-eye coordination
• Repairing and fixing things
• Working with tools and machinery
• Working outside

Jobs may include: occupations which work with different materials and technologies and at a wide range of levels, from labourers to nuclear engineers, jobs in construction, building trades and surveyors.

2. Social: Dealing with People

This includes activities found in social and personal services work, such as:

• Helping people with their problems
• Looking after and caring for people
• Building relationships with people
• Meeting and talking to people
• Teaching people

Jobs may include: social worker, counsellor, prison officer, lecturer, teacher, hotel receptionist, air steward and beauty therapist.

3. Entrepreneurial: Dealing with People and Data

This includes activities found in business and management work, such as:

• Leading and managing people
• Getting people interested and involved in a project
• Making business decisions
• Taking financial and business risks
• Influencing and persuading other people

Jobs may include: jobs in marketing and selling, business and management, retail manager, estate agent, marketing manager, buyer and personnel manager.

4. Administrative: Dealing with Things and Data

This includes activities found in administrative and organisational work, such as:

• Organising a filing system
• Clear structure and routine
• Getting all the details right
• Working with figures
• Using a computer

Jobs may include: clerical, secretarial and administrative jobs, jobs in finance, tax consultants, management accountants and actuaries.

5. Intellectual: Dealing with Things and Ideas

This includes activities found in scientific and research work, such as:

• Researching and analysing information
• Asking questions
• Learning about things
• Understanding and being curious
• Solving problems

Jobs may include: medicine and social sciences, laboratory technician, geologist, research, science, radiographer, nutritionist, surgeon, statistician and economist.

6. Creative: Dealing with Ideas and People

This includes activities found in artistic and creative work, such as:

• Using your imagination and expressing your ideas
• Designing and making things
• Performing or taking part in artistic activ...

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