6 answers
Malachi
Student
Santa Barbara, California
2
Questions
Updated
1267 views
How do we know what job will best suit our skillset?
I am still learning what my best skills are, but I am curious about how we can learn to best use those abilities to serve others as best as we can.
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5 answers
Heather MacDonald
Principal Consultant
24
Answers
Salt Lake City, Utah
Updated
Heather’s Answer
I love the answer you got from Roujean so I'll just add that skills on the job can, and will, change over time. If you look at the World Economic Forum's Future of Work report (https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/) they note that employers expect 39% of key skills required in the job market will change by 2030. There are a variety of articles that say that the half life for tech skills is about 2.5 years and other business skills is 5 years. Even things like communications, which you'd think would be relatively steady, change and shift due to things like remote work and global businesses and the need to adapt communications styles across different cultures and languages.
All this being said, the best skill you can develop is your ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn skills. Adam Grant's book Think Again (https://adamgrant.net/book/think-again/) is a great read on this. If you become an effective learner you'll find ways to succeed in whatever role you end up in. Using the ideas Roujean shared, as you build your skills you can start to weed out which skills you really enjoy using and can start to narrow down the roles you want to take on based on what truly lights you up. Non-linear careers will become more and more common as we all have to shift our skillsets to adapt to changing business needs so don't feel like you have to have your whole future decided right away. I honestly know far less people who went to school for one thing and ended up in that field than I know people who worked across a variety of roles, industries, and sectors before settling in to what worked for them.
Best of luck to you on your journey!
All this being said, the best skill you can develop is your ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn skills. Adam Grant's book Think Again (https://adamgrant.net/book/think-again/) is a great read on this. If you become an effective learner you'll find ways to succeed in whatever role you end up in. Using the ideas Roujean shared, as you build your skills you can start to weed out which skills you really enjoy using and can start to narrow down the roles you want to take on based on what truly lights you up. Non-linear careers will become more and more common as we all have to shift our skillsets to adapt to changing business needs so don't feel like you have to have your whole future decided right away. I honestly know far less people who went to school for one thing and ended up in that field than I know people who worked across a variety of roles, industries, and sectors before settling in to what worked for them.
Best of luck to you on your journey!
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
520
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Before you find the right job, it's important to understand yourself first. Take some time to learn about your values, strengths, weaknesses, passions, and interests—this is the key to a rewarding career. Ask yourself: What do I love doing? What truly interests me? Notice what gives you energy and what drains it throughout the day, and jot these moments down in a journal. Trust your inner voice and follow your heart—it often guides you to what truly matters. Tools like the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and the Enneagram can be helpful in this journey. MBTI helps you see how you take in information, make choices, and interact with the world, showing you your best work style and setting. The Enneagram goes deeper into your motivations and feelings, helping you find your strengths and areas to grow. Both tools boost self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and relationships. Also, assessments like CliftonStrengths or VIA Character Strengths can reveal your unique talents and how to use them well.
To dive deeper into your interests and skills, try new experiences through freelancing, volunteering, internships, or personal projects. These low-risk chances can help you find what you love and where you shine. Instead of focusing on specific job titles, think about the problems you want to solve and the impact you wish to make. Books like "Range" by David Epstein and "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries inspire trying new things and learning by doing, which is especially helpful when you're still figuring things out. Get honest feedback from mentors, peers, or teachers to gain new insights and perspectives.
Keep building both your hard and soft skills, and observe how different settings influence your motivation and fulfillment. If something makes you feel alive and purposeful, you’re likely on the right track. Stay curious, open, and kind to yourself. The more you explore and reflect, the more confidently you’ll find a career that matches who you truly are and what you’re meant to contribute.
To dive deeper into your interests and skills, try new experiences through freelancing, volunteering, internships, or personal projects. These low-risk chances can help you find what you love and where you shine. Instead of focusing on specific job titles, think about the problems you want to solve and the impact you wish to make. Books like "Range" by David Epstein and "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries inspire trying new things and learning by doing, which is especially helpful when you're still figuring things out. Get honest feedback from mentors, peers, or teachers to gain new insights and perspectives.
Keep building both your hard and soft skills, and observe how different settings influence your motivation and fulfillment. If something makes you feel alive and purposeful, you’re likely on the right track. Stay curious, open, and kind to yourself. The more you explore and reflect, the more confidently you’ll find a career that matches who you truly are and what you’re meant to contribute.
Roujean Sabouri
Director of Sales Enablement
16
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Roujean’s Answer
This is such a great and important question—especially because the answer isn’t always as simple as “do what you’re good at.”
Here’s something to keep in mind: You can be great at something and still not enjoy doing it.
For example, I’m really strong at project management, building processes, testing workflows, building websites, and marketing. I can do those things well—but they don’t light me up. They don’t give me energy to keep going when things get tough. So while I have those skills, I intentionally chose to lean into other strengths that also bring me fulfillment: coaching, strategy, communication, and leadership.
Here's the process I’d recommend:
1. First, identify your strong skills. You’re already starting to do this—great job!
2. Then, ask yourself:
"When I use this skill, do I feel energized or drained?"
"Can I see myself doing this most days and still feel motivated?
3. Next, try jobs or projects that allow you to use those skills. However, be ready for an important reality check: sometimes, you won’t know if you actually like it until you’re doing it. And that’s okay!
Just because you’re skilled in an area doesn’t mean it’s where you have to build your whole career. The best career path comes from finding the intersection between:
A. What you're good at
B. What gives you energy and meaning
C. How you want to serve others and make an impact
It’s a journey—not a decision you have to get "perfect" right away. Best of luck!
Here’s something to keep in mind: You can be great at something and still not enjoy doing it.
For example, I’m really strong at project management, building processes, testing workflows, building websites, and marketing. I can do those things well—but they don’t light me up. They don’t give me energy to keep going when things get tough. So while I have those skills, I intentionally chose to lean into other strengths that also bring me fulfillment: coaching, strategy, communication, and leadership.
Here's the process I’d recommend:
1. First, identify your strong skills. You’re already starting to do this—great job!
2. Then, ask yourself:
"When I use this skill, do I feel energized or drained?"
"Can I see myself doing this most days and still feel motivated?
3. Next, try jobs or projects that allow you to use those skills. However, be ready for an important reality check: sometimes, you won’t know if you actually like it until you’re doing it. And that’s okay!
Just because you’re skilled in an area doesn’t mean it’s where you have to build your whole career. The best career path comes from finding the intersection between:
A. What you're good at
B. What gives you energy and meaning
C. How you want to serve others and make an impact
It’s a journey—not a decision you have to get "perfect" right away. Best of luck!
Jennifer Caldwell
2
Answers
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Finding a job that matches is a great way to help with career satisfaction and your success! Here’s a few tips to help you identify roles that align with your skills and interests:
Figure out your strengths: Think about both your technical abilities and your people skills. Look back at your experiences to see what you’re best at and what you enjoy doing.
Look into different jobs and industries: Check out job sites and career pages to see what kinds of roles are out there that use your skills. Read through job descriptions to find positions that seem like a good match.
Use career tools: Take online quizzes or assessments (like O*NET or StrengthsFinder) to get ideas about jobs that might suit you. You can also use LinkedIn’s job search to filter by skills.
Network: Reach out to people working in fields you’re interested in. Go to events or join online groups to hear about job openings and get advice.
Customize your applications: Make sure your resume and cover letter highlight the skills that are most relevant to each job you apply for. Use the same keywords you see in job postings.
Get real-world experience: Try internships, volunteering, or freelance work to see what you like and build up your resume.
Ask for advice: Talk to mentors and friends
Be open-minded: Be willing to explore new roles or industries—you might find something you love that you wouldn't have expected it.
Figure out your strengths: Think about both your technical abilities and your people skills. Look back at your experiences to see what you’re best at and what you enjoy doing.
Look into different jobs and industries: Check out job sites and career pages to see what kinds of roles are out there that use your skills. Read through job descriptions to find positions that seem like a good match.
Use career tools: Take online quizzes or assessments (like O*NET or StrengthsFinder) to get ideas about jobs that might suit you. You can also use LinkedIn’s job search to filter by skills.
Network: Reach out to people working in fields you’re interested in. Go to events or join online groups to hear about job openings and get advice.
Customize your applications: Make sure your resume and cover letter highlight the skills that are most relevant to each job you apply for. Use the same keywords you see in job postings.
Get real-world experience: Try internships, volunteering, or freelance work to see what you like and build up your resume.
Ask for advice: Talk to mentors and friends
Be open-minded: Be willing to explore new roles or industries—you might find something you love that you wouldn't have expected it.
Jerry Bires
career coach
71
Answers
Carbondale, Illinois
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
Malachi,
First, there are many fine answers here for you to review and I hope to not offer repetitive advice.
Truly, you are experiencing what I, the other folks who answered you, and about 50 million others on planet Earth also have gone through at your age in their lives. And your "search" may last decades, if I offer my own path as an example.
I'm currently 75. When I was 43, an employer looked at my resume and said my career progression didn't make sense to him because it appeared I had worked across multiple, and seemingly unrelated, jobs. In truth, he was right. I'd moved from Ohio to Los Angeles to the SF Bay area, which meant new employers at each stop. My interests and skills/abilities changed; not only my geographic location. Truly, only I could link together why the shifts in employment had been made. Bottom line, while he kindly took a gamble when he hired me in 2003; I worked for him as an employee and then a contractor for 15 years. My point is that life and career decision-making is not cookie-cutter and uncertainty and life situations tend to be fluid.
That all said, factor this into your decision-making. We're living in rapidly changing times. Our weather, technology and our ability to work globally are in flux and evolving. E.g., who knows where artificial intelligence is headed and how will it affect your future work opportunities? One thing will remain consistent and valuable. Your ability to communicate effectively. And what can assist you in communicating more easily and therefore become even more employable? Language. Make an effort to learn to speak, write and read a second language. Or two. Your worth will increase dramatically. Get a college degree or higher in courses to which your interests gravitate. Determine how well you perform activities about which you are passionate. Because if you are not good to great at something, why should someone hire you to perform that function?
Conduct this Google search: what professions will be in demand in ten years
Then substitute another/related job title or profession to see if that provides a different or expanded list. The results, because of our changing world, may or may not be entirely on target but you'll get an idea. AND you may find out that a certain country may be where that opportunity is most likely to be...hence, my advice about learning multiple languages.
Be sure to go to LinkedIn and search by job title for individuals who now or previously held the job title in which you’re interested. Their profiles should contain valuable information about their duties, work history, career progression, associations/organizations of value to research and more.
Good fortune to you moving forward.
First, there are many fine answers here for you to review and I hope to not offer repetitive advice.
Truly, you are experiencing what I, the other folks who answered you, and about 50 million others on planet Earth also have gone through at your age in their lives. And your "search" may last decades, if I offer my own path as an example.
I'm currently 75. When I was 43, an employer looked at my resume and said my career progression didn't make sense to him because it appeared I had worked across multiple, and seemingly unrelated, jobs. In truth, he was right. I'd moved from Ohio to Los Angeles to the SF Bay area, which meant new employers at each stop. My interests and skills/abilities changed; not only my geographic location. Truly, only I could link together why the shifts in employment had been made. Bottom line, while he kindly took a gamble when he hired me in 2003; I worked for him as an employee and then a contractor for 15 years. My point is that life and career decision-making is not cookie-cutter and uncertainty and life situations tend to be fluid.
That all said, factor this into your decision-making. We're living in rapidly changing times. Our weather, technology and our ability to work globally are in flux and evolving. E.g., who knows where artificial intelligence is headed and how will it affect your future work opportunities? One thing will remain consistent and valuable. Your ability to communicate effectively. And what can assist you in communicating more easily and therefore become even more employable? Language. Make an effort to learn to speak, write and read a second language. Or two. Your worth will increase dramatically. Get a college degree or higher in courses to which your interests gravitate. Determine how well you perform activities about which you are passionate. Because if you are not good to great at something, why should someone hire you to perform that function?
Conduct this Google search: what professions will be in demand in ten years
Then substitute another/related job title or profession to see if that provides a different or expanded list. The results, because of our changing world, may or may not be entirely on target but you'll get an idea. AND you may find out that a certain country may be where that opportunity is most likely to be...hence, my advice about learning multiple languages.
Be sure to go to LinkedIn and search by job title for individuals who now or previously held the job title in which you’re interested. Their profiles should contain valuable information about their duties, work history, career progression, associations/organizations of value to research and more.
Good fortune to you moving forward.