Promising Self-Employment Ideas and Self-Employment Careers
To help you generate self-employment ideas, we compiled a list of self-employment careers with a bright job outlook. We recommend narrowing your choices to those promising careers that match your strongest Holland personality types best.
Start by taking the Career Key Self-Employment test. It accurately measures which Holland personality types you are most like, in addition to two personality dimensions research shows are related to entrepreneurial success.
During the test, you'll see longer lists of careers with significant numbers of self-employed people working in them.Return to this page to explore self-employment careers that have a promising job outlook by personality type and Career Key work groups (by worker traits, skills, and abilities).
Realistic
Businesses to Watch: Construction, Landscaping Services
Construction Crafts Support
Painters, Construction & Maintenance
Plumbers, Pipe Fitters & Steamfitters
Crafts-Mechanical
Automotive Mechanic and Service Technicians Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics and Installers
Investigative
Businesses to Watch: Specialized medical professions, Scientific and technical consulting
Health Sciences
Specialty Physicians, like Allergists and Immunologists, Dermatologists,
Neurologists, and Optometrists
Computer Science and Technology
Computer Network Support Specialists
Social Sciences
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Artistic
Businesses to Watch: Graphic design, Professional translation services
Visual Arts
Communication
Social
Businesses to Watch: Healthcare, Adult and child care
Nursing, Therapy and Health Promotion
Child and Adult Care
Education
Sports
Enterprising
Businesses to Watch: Sales, Construction management, Legal profession, Financial services and consulting
Sales and Purchasing
Sales Agents in Insurance, Financial Services, Securities & Commodities
Hospitality, Beauty &
Customer Services
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, Cosmetologists
Legal Practice and Support
Business Administration
Finance
Regulations Enforcement
Conventional
Businesses to Watch: Financial services and consulting
Mathematical Detail
Administrative Detail
Occupational Health and Safety Technician
Sources: O*NET My Next Move, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.