4 Types of Career Fit
Dreading work? Here’s how to figure out what’s off.
Ever found yourself staring at your laptop, dreading the next meeting, wondering why your job—on paper—should be fine, but something just feels off?
You’re not alone.
I talk to so many smart, driven professionals who aren’t miserable at work, but they’re not thriving either. They can’t quite put their finger on what’s wrong…so they default to thinking they need a whole new job. (Spoiler: that’s not always true.)
Before you throw in the towel (or rage-apply to a dozen jobs that might have the exact same problems), let’s break it down.
The Four Types of Career Fit
There are four key areas that determine whether a job works for you. If even one of them is misaligned, it can feel like you're swimming upstream every day. But once you know what’s out of sync, you can actually do something about it.
1️⃣ Job Activities – The Work Itself
2️⃣ Relationships – The People You Work With
3️⃣ Culture – The Company’s Values & Vibe
4️⃣ Structure – The Setup, Rules & Flexibility
Let’s dig into each one.
1. Job Activities: Do You Enjoy the Work?
This is about what you actually do every day. Not the title. Not the prestige. The tasks you spend your time on.
💭 Ask yourself:
What parts of my job give me energy? What drains me?
When do I completely lose track of time?
What do I avoid like the plague?
If I could design my perfect workday, what would I spend less time on?
🔥 If this is the issue:
Look for ways to shift your workload—can you delegate, trade, or adjust your role?
Talk to your boss about projects that better fit your strengths.
Consider a lateral move—sometimes the right company, wrong role is an easy fix.
2. Relationships: Do You Like the People?
Even if you love the work, your experience is shaped by who you work with. A bad boss, draining coworkers, or just a lack of connection can make every day feel harder than it needs to be.
💭 Ask yourself:
Do I feel supported and valued by my boss?
Do I enjoy collaborating with my team? Or do I feel isolated or micromanaged?
Am I getting enough (or too much) social interaction?
If I could change one thing about my work relationships, what would it be?
🔥 If this is the issue:
Set boundaries—if someone drains you, find ways to minimize interactions.
Expand your network—mentors and allies make a huge difference.
Change teams—sometimes a new manager or project can completely change your experience.
(And if your boss is the problem? That’s a whole other conversation.)
3. Culture: Does the Company Align with Your Values?
This is about how work gets done and whether it feels right to you. Because let’s be real: You can work for a company that says they value innovation, flexibility, and inclusion—but if you don’t see it in action, that misalignment can wear you down.
💭 Ask yourself:
Do I believe in what this company is trying to do?
Are the company’s values actually reflected in daily work?
Do I feel like I belong here?
What gets rewarded? Hard work? Politics? Something else?
🔥 If this is the issue:
Find ways to align your work with what matters to you.
Look for internal teams or leaders that do match your values.
If the culture is totally off? It might be time to start exploring new opportunities elsewhere.
4. Structure: Does the Work Setup Work for You?
Some people thrive in a structured, process-driven environment. Others feel stifled. Some love remote work. Others crave in-person collaboration. This is all about the "how" of work.
💭 Ask yourself:
Do I have enough flexibility in my schedule and work location?
Is the level of structure (rules, approvals, processes) working for me?
Am I micromanaged, or do I have autonomy?
Is there room for growth, or do I feel stuck?
🔥 If this is the issue:
Negotiate for flexibility (hours, remote work, autonomy).
Talk to your boss about process improvements.
Look for roles that match your work style—not just your skills.
So, What’s Your Next Move?
Now that you’ve gone through these four areas, here’s your next step:
✅ Rank them in order of importance. What matters most for you to feel happy at work?
✅ Assess your current job. Where are you aligned? Where are you way off?
✅ Decide what needs to change. Can you fix this where you are, or is it time to move on?
This is exactly what my Career Alignment Audit is designed to help with—so you can figure out what’s working, what’s not, and what to do about it.
Because here’s the thing:
You don’t have to love every part of your job. But if the majority of your work is sucking the life out of you? It’s time to make a change.
What’s Feeling Off for You Right Now?
Drop a comment and let me know—what’s the biggest misalignment for you? (And if you’re not sure? Stay tuned for the Career Alignment Audit, coming soon!)
