how to not give a fuckcareer assessment
there's a good chance the career you're in was chosen by a version of you that no longer exists. an 18-year-old who had no idea what they actually wanted but felt pressured to pick something.
the sunk cost trap
the most dangerous phrase in career planning is "but i've already invested so much." sunk cost fallacy will keep you in the wrong career for decades. the time you've already spent is gone regardless. the only question that matters is: given what you know now, would you choose this path again?
if the answer isn't a clear yes, you have a problem worth examining.
take the test
career assessment tests aren't perfect, but they're a useful starting point. options include:
- Myers-Briggs (MBTI) — personality-based career matching
- CliftonStrengths — identifies your top 5 talent themes
- Holland Code (RIASEC) — matches personality to work environments
- 16Personalities — free and comprehensive personality assessment
take at least two of these. look for patterns in the results. when multiple assessments point in the same direction, pay attention.
what to do with the results
the goal isn't to blindly follow a test result. it's to create data points that either confirm or challenge your current trajectory.
if the results align with what you're doing — great, you've got external validation. if they diverge significantly — that's not something to ignore. it's something to explore.
it's never too late
people change careers at 30, 40, 50, and beyond. colonel sanders started KFC at 65. vera wang entered fashion at 40. the "it's too late" narrative is a story you're telling yourself to avoid the discomfort of change.
the question isn't whether you can start over. it's whether you can tolerate another 20 years of something that doesn't fit.
take the assessment. face the results honestly. if a change is needed, start planning. the best time was years ago. the second best time is now.
if this resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it.