How Career Compatibility Evolves As Your Passions Change

Finding career compatibility is not a static milestone but an ongoing journey. Life’s twists and turns mean that aligning your passions and skills with your work often requires revisiting and refining your path. Harvard Business Review reports that according to a recent Deloitte survey of 3,000 full-time U.S. workers, across job levels and industries, only 20% say they are truly passionate about their work.

It all starts with you. Figuring out what you are good at and enjoy is a vital step towards finding continued career compatibility. This process may not be linear as you may have to initially try things out to see what you like and what works for you, and pivot as you learn more about what you are passionate about.

“Finding the best career for someone, to me, is like solving a complex personal puzzle,” said Theresa White, career coach and Founder of Career Bloom. “Every person comes with unique ‘puzzle pieces,’ and my role as a career coach is to help them uncover and fit those pieces together to create a clear, fulfilling picture of their professional path.”

“If you’re trying to identify your career path, the first step is to make a list of what’s most important to you in your next position and company,” said Dr. Kyle Elliott, certified career coach and mental health advocate. “For instance, is salary a driving factor? Are there certain work environments where you envision yourself thriving or struggling? How do you want to spend your day? Spend ample time getting clear on what you need and want in your job before you start looking for a new career.”

This step may be easier said than done: identifying details of what will work for you as a career move is an important step in finding your path to success.

Careers are born from consistency. Being realistic about career roles means you are weighing your options and understanding all it takes to efficiently do that role.

“Assess how well the roles align with your desires for a career and consider how well your background, experience, knowledge, and skills match the position requirements,” Kyle said.

If you have a skill or talent that comes easy to you, brings joy to your heart, or is something you would do for free, this is a clear sign of a new career role that will work.

As your passions evolve, Theresa suggests taking the Sparketype® assessment, created by Jonathan Fields.  She believes that this free, 15-minute tool is incredibly helpful in pinpointing what makes you come alive.

The test won’t make all of your questions or feelings of being unsure dissipate, but it will give you a place to start. 

“Once you’ve identified your passion and skills, you want to gain clarity in what ways you want them to be part of your career,” she said. “For example, let’s say you’re passionate about mental health. Becoming a therapist might seem like the obvious path, but it’s not the only one. You could take your existing skills—and align them with your passion in a way that makes sense for your life.”

Careers often evolve with the help of others — be it mentors, professional networks, or friends who offer perspective. Embracing this collaborative mindset can take the pressure off trying to figure everything out alone.

Remember, career compatibility isn’t about achieving a perfect match overnight but about making decisions that feel aligned with your goals, values, and the life you want to build.