Job Hunt for Today: Job Types

Lesson 4: Job Types

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The Gig Economy

For most of us full-time or part-time jobs have been the type of employment that we’re most used to. You work a set number of hours in a week and perform the same set of tasks from day to day.

In recent years, however, the workforce has shifted toward a gig economy, where many people take on a variety of short-term jobs and projects, or gigs. These jobs can include freelance work, temp jobs, and jobs in the sharing economy, such as delivering food or transporting passengers.

Working in the gig economy also has its challenges. No benefits, inconsistent work hours, and low pay are just a few of the many issues facing this new emerging work option.

Learn more in our Gig Economy lesson.

Jobs for a "People Person"

Sometimes finding the perfect job has more to do with your personality. Do you enjoy meeting and interacting with people? There are many types of jobs that are perfect for people who enjoy talking and working with customers and co-workers.

Here are a few examples:

Pharmacy Technician

Optician

Translator

Real Estate Agent

Learn more about these and other jobs in our "People Person" Jobs tutorial.

Working with your Hands

If you like building, creating, or repairing things, you may find a better match in a job where you work with your hands. These jobs typically don’t require a four-year degree, and you can usually get started with relatively little experience.

Here are a few examples:

Carpenter

Floral Designer

Plumber

Tile Setter

Power Plant Operator

Learn more in our "Working With Your Hands" Jobs tutorial.

Handbook of Jobs

The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Department of Labor is a very comprehensive resource for understanding the details of any job. If you are looking to research job types, you'll be able to learn about the nature of the work, normal working conditions, average salaries, and much more.

CareerOneStop

A central resource in the new American Job Center Network, CareerOneStop is another great website that allows you to browse careers that are in demand, compare different occupations, create a career plan, and learn valuable resume writing and interviewing skills.

Learn more about these resources in our Explore Careers tutorial.

Other Job Examples

If you’re still trying to narrow down what exactly you want to do, take a look at these videos featuring a variety of different jobs. You may find something you’ve never considered before.

Cartoonist