Job satisfaction is hard to find no matter who you are — in the United States, barely 50 percent of workers report being satisfied in their jobs (and that’s considered a landmark high). But there’s no question that it can be even more elusive for highly sensitive people, who generally want to feel some sense of meaning and purpose in their work.
Ok, let’s get down to business. Which careers and jobs will best fit your traits as a Highly Sensitive Person?
There’s a good reason HSPs (Exceptionally Sensitive People) feel this way. As an HSP, a day at work involves more than just doing the job itself. It also means:
Being aware of, and often managing, the emotions of everyone else you work with
Noticing all the subtle sounds, scents, and details that most people view as background
Deeply processing every part of your day — and giving it far more of your mental energy than other people would
Let’s talk about opportunities for those who need to work in a somewhat traditional workplace. I’m talking about the ideal low stress jobs for introverts, empaths, and HSPs.
In other words, work can be far more draining for highly sensitive people than it is for others. Even on a good day, you may be overstimulated and out of energy by the time you get home. It’s no wonder HSPs want their job to be meaningful: It might be the only thing they get to do most days.
Unfortunately, meaningful jobs can be particularly hard to find. Partly, this is just the nature of the economy; our modern way of life demands a certain amount of repetitive work, and most of it is ultimately drive by profit, not mission. But even within fields that are considered creative or “meaningful” (like nonprofit work), any given job may or may not scratch that itch — the personalities of those you work with play just as big a role in your job satisfaction as the work itself.
For the ideal highly sensitive person career, you may want to avoid jobs that:
Include a lot of confrontation
Deal with people non-stop
Are “risky”
Are primarily sales-focused and only about making money, and don’t jibe with your principles or interests. (HSPs like jobs that are more than a paycheck.)
Are strictly measured, timed, or controlled
Are cutthroat or competitive
Take place in a loud, hectic environment
Are comprised of ongoing, monotonous work, rather than discernible projects
Consist of primarily collaborative group work versus individual work (for introverted HSPs)
Include “cold-calling” (for introverted HSPs)
But don’t forget that Highly Sensitive People have a lot of great traits that are helpful in the workplace! HSPs are:
Loyal and dedicated
Independent, need little supervision
Able to deeply process and think about problems
Great listeners
Detail-oriented
Organized
Fair
Sensitive to the needs and emotions of people around them
Observant to nuances, like the body language and tone of clients (therefore, intuitive)
The caring professions. This broad category includes careers such as nurse, doctor, and physical therapist, as well as social workers, psychotherapists, and personal coaches. These fields play to HSP strengths, including empathy, compassion, and intuitive awareness of others’ needs. Of course, you’ll deal with a lot of emotions from other people, but HSPs in general seem drawn to these fields and often find them extremely fulfilling. (Check out recent advice from HSP therapists on how to manage emotions through self-care and set boundaries.)
Creative professional. This includes roles such as graphic designer, copywriter, animator, movie set designer… anyone who puts their artistic talents to work as a day job. These professions can be a nice way to build professional experience and earn money while developing your talents as an artist. As a bonus, these jobs tend to be very easy to do on a freelance basis, which gives HSPs the flexibility and autonomy they crave in their schedules.
Clergy. Many HSPs are deeply spiritual, and often take their beliefs more seriously than those around them. At the same time, HSPs are likely to be encouraging and open-minded. This makes for a potent combination in any clergy person. Of course, HSPs tend to be more intuitive than dogmatic about their spirituality, and may have to put up with a certain amount of structure to work as clergy. But that could be well worth it, especially to serve in one of the few professions where sensitivity and intuition are still valued.
Academia. Academia can be competitive, but it also tends to move at a thoughtful pace that allows HSPs to use their strengths. You get to spend part of your time doing careful, focused work where deep insights are valued. You also get to spend time teaching and helping students, but only for part of your day — and not even every day. Perhaps most importantly, you get to do meaningful work related to a topic you truly care about.
Business owner. As an employee, many HSPs feel unfairly passed over for promotions, as if they aren’t “leadership material.” But that’s simply not true — an HSP can be a powerful force at the head of a company. Many of the most successful small businesses, such as boutiques, galleries, and coffee shops, can flourish when headed by a sensitive person. An HSP will create a welcoming, calming atmosphere; design a space that truly stands out; and build a loyal team of staff who enjoy their jobs and like helping customers. If you have a vision for a business, it’s a good way to go.
Non-profit professional. This one comes with a big caveat: Non-profit work can be just as stressful as private sector work. Many non-profits aren’t as well organized as traditional businesses, and some use their good mission to justify long hours or below-average wages. But don’t let that deter you. There are just as many non-profits where the culture is healthy, cooperative, and focused on truly creating good in the world. Non-profit professions that are especially good for HSPs include administrative roles, executive director, marketing, membership manager, grant researcher/writer, and potentially even major fundraising jobs (depending on how aggressive the funding goals are and how supportive the culture is).
IT professional. Coding is very much a creative process, and one that’s best done by someone with an eye for detail and strong intuition. That means that HSPs have a distinct edge as a software engineer, website developer, or in any role that requires tech savvy. Many technology jobs also sport a more relaxed work atmosphere and a focus on remote work, which are also boons for highly sensitive people.