Dear Joanna,

I am always working on contracts as an IT consultant for different companies. The nature of the job is working with employees who have all types of personalities. The problem is that I am an introvert who likes to work alone. If I may be so bold as to say that I really don’t like people.

I’d like a career change. Any suggestions of careers where I can work alone most of the time, preferably in a remote office?

Signed: Alone Again Naturally

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Dear Alone,

I’m impressed how self-aware you are of the type of workplace culture and environment you prefer. Finding a job today that does not require people skills is challenging.

Rachel Gillett, in her blog on The 13 Best Jobs for People who Hate People. Gillett also recommends another site, which offers you the option to research jobs based on how much the jobs require to be in contact with others.

However, if you are looking for a long term, meaningful and sustainable career that has minimal contact with people, look for career decision making supports. At JVS Toronto, we offer a range of Career Exploration programs, which include individualized career counselling provided by a professional Career Counsellor, assessment of individual strengths, skills, interests, values, personality factors and areas for development, development of immediate and long-term career action plans and completion of Career Assessment Profiles to examine career options. JVS also offers, as part of Employment Ontario services, a one one week, career exploration program, free to unemployed or underemployed residents of Ontario (unemployed or working under 21 hours).

In the meantime, here are Gillett’s “13 best jobs for people who hate people”:

1. Economists
2. Potters
3. Transportation-equipment painters
4. Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders
5. Fallers
6. Hand-grinding and polishing workers
7. Geological sample-test technicians
8. Moulding, core making, and casting machine setters, operators and tenders
9. Garment or textile pressers
10. Craft artists
11. Poets, lyricists and creative writers
12. Farm workers and crop labourers
13. Hunters

On a side note, it may be worthwhile to try and challenge yourself to work better with people — learning to get along with a diverse group of people would expand your career options and may be rewarding for many aspects of your life.

Consider joining groups through sites such as MeetUp.com where you can meet people near you, with whom you share interests. You might find that volunteer in a meaningful setting would be an enjoyable way to meet people. Also, there are some excellent opportunities to gain certification diplomas or bachelors degrees in adult education, toastmasters, intercultural communication, Personality Dimensions Facilitation, Life Skills Coaching, to name a few.

Best of luck,

Joanna