How To Identify Your Career Interests

The process of exploring and identifying career interests can quickly lead to feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes that is because the mind goes blank, struggling to think of anything. Other times, it can become flooded with ideas and hard to narrow the thoughts into practical or feasible options.

Our brains tend to shift into protection-mode when we feel overwhelmed and begin to shut down. However, if we can lean into the discomfort and begin breaking the thought process into smaller, bite-sized parts, we start to think more clearly.

We also find that physically writing things down (with pen and paper), whether in bullet-point form or long-form journaling, is more effective than simply turning thoughts over in our mind. Knowing what you enjoy gives you a good basis to start with when searching for an ideal career.

If you are trying to navigate career interests, consider these questions:

Childhood Clues

What did you love to do when you were little? Childhood interests often hold clues to our passions. Were you frequently building things, climbing trees, or exploring outdoors? Did you love drawing, creating, or experimenting? Were you into reading—and if so, what kinds of books? Did you enjoy being surrounded by friends or did you prefer solo time or smaller groups? Reflect on these early patterns. Ask family members or childhood friends for their memories too.

Learning Preferences

What were your favorite subjects in school?
What topics do you naturally gravitate toward now—whether in podcasts, articles, or conversations?
Noticing what you enjoy learning about can provide insight into areas of potential career interest.

Flow States & Joy

When are you the happiest and what are you doing in those moments?
Think about times when you enter a “flow state”—fully immersed, present, and engaged. What types of activities or environments help you feel this way?

Lifestyle & Practical Considerations

What kind of lifestyle do you want your career to support?
Do you want a flexible schedule or a predictable routine? Would you enjoy travel or do you prefer staying local?
If you envision having children or other commitments, how might that shape your career choices?

Personal Preferences

What are your likes and dislikes—both in life and in work?
Try listing them out to identify patterns or preferences that can guide your career direction.

Inspiration & Curiosity

Have you ever seen a job on TV, in a movie, or known someone with a career that fascinated you?
Even if it seemed out of reach, what aspects of that role appealed to you? Consider the elements that sparked your curiosity.

Use Assessments as Tools

Career and personality assessments can help clarify your strengths, interests, and values.
While they’re not definitive answers, they can offer a helpful starting point. Ideally, review your results with a coach or consultant to gain objective insight and avoid over-interpreting results.

Keep in mind, our interests can change over time, given the season of life, significant life experiences, personal growth, etc. However, spending time in self-reflection every so often can be recalibrating and crucial to avoid spending years on auto pilot. Reflection isn’t just for the time around a New Year, it can and should happen with any changing season.

At the Know You Project, we love partnering with clients to help them navigate these potentially tricky and confusing thoughts. Through our experience and certifications in the tools we use, as well as our expertise in these areas, let us help you untangle the web of thoughts and options into a format and plan that makes sense for you.