Ever get that nagging feeling that your career’s just off somehow? Like you’re successful on the surface—maybe even killing it by most standards—but underneath, something isn’t clicking?
It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You work hard, you’re good at what you do…so why does it feel like you’re on the wrong track? The truth is, so many talented, driven people end up stuck in jobs that drain them simply because they lack one thing: clarity.
That’s where the Sparketype® Assessment comes in. This isn’t your typical career test—it digs deep, straight to the root of what actually lights you up and what drags you down. It helps you identify your core motivations—the type of work that energizes you and the stuff that drains you (even if you’re great at it).
Curious yet? Keep reading, because by the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to use this tool to get real about your strengths, align your career with your purpose, and finally feel that sense of meaning you’ve been chasing.
Why Career Clarity Matters for Landing Dream Jobs
Let’s be real—anyone can find a job that pays the bills. But finding a job that excites you, that aligns with who you are at the core? That’s an entirely different game. Career clarity is what bridges the gap between a job that feels like a grind and one that feels like a calling. It helps you zero in on roles that not only match your skills but ignite your deeper motivations. And here’s the thing: when you’re clear about your strengths, values, and passions, you show up differently. You walk into interviews with confidence, and that energy? Employers can feel it.
So, how do you gain this career clarity? It starts by uncovering what really drives you—beyond titles, beyond perks. That’s where the Sparketype® Assessment comes in. It’s a tool that digs deep, helping you pinpoint the work that energizes you and aligns with your purpose. In other words, it’s your fast track to discovering a career that feels made for you.
What is the Sparketype® Assessment?
The Sparketypes originated from the decades-long experience of award-winning author, teacher, founder, and business advisor, Jonathan Fields.
At its core, the Sparketype® Assessment helps you uncover the type of work that energizes you the most. It doesn't just tell you what you're good at—it goes deeper, identifying the kind of work that makes you feel fulfilled and on purpose. You also learn about the kind of work that feels like a heavier lift, your Anti Sparketype, which is equally important to know.
The assessment breaks down into three types:
- Primary Sparketype®: The strongest impulse for work that makes you feel excited, inspired and on-purpose.
- Shadow Sparketype®: Often the work you do in order to be able to do the work of your Primary at a higher level.
- Anti Sparketype®: The type of work that is the heaviest lift for you. It takes the most out of you, and requires the greatest amount of recovery even if, objectively, it's not that hard.
How I Use the Sparketype® to Help My Clients Succeed
In my career coaching program, I combine the Sparketype® Assessment with my custom Career Clarity Formula—a powerful framework that’s helped thousands of job seekers uncover hidden strengths, reignite passions, and pinpoint the skills that make them shine. It’s not just about finding a job; it’s about unlocking your dream career.
Here’s how it works:
- Assessing Strengths & Passions: First, my clients take the Sparketype® Assessment, and then we dive deep into their results. We explore how their Primary and Shadow Sparketypes® align with their current roles and long-term goals, uncovering insights they often didn’t even realize about themselves.
- Creating a Career Strategy: With these insights, we build a tailored action plan designed to align with each client’s unique strengths and desired path. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy; it’s a roadmap built to get you where you actually want to go.
- Implementing Career Changes: Armed with clarity and strategy, my clients start making powerful, strategic shifts—adjusting their current roles, exploring new opportunities, and taking intentional actions that bring them closer to true fulfillment.
This is more than a career pivot; it’s a transformation toward work that finally feels aligned.
Real Client Success: Brenda's Story
Brenda was done. A former Learning and Development Specialist, she was stuck in a career that left her feeling exhausted, unfulfilled, and, frankly, questioning her purpose. She’d sent out job application after job application, only to find herself trapped in roles that didn’t fit who she was. She knew she was capable of more—but had no idea what that “more” even looked like.
When Brenda came to me, we started by getting crystal clear on what truly fueled her. Using the Sparketype® assessment, we dug deep into her motivations, her strengths, and the type of work that actually energized her (no more settling for “just okay” jobs). The results? Brenda’s Primary Sparketype® was the Advisor, a perfect match for her passion for coaching, guiding, and helping others grow. Suddenly, it all clicked.
With this new clarity, we completely revamped her job search strategy. Brenda stopped wasting time on roles that didn’t align with her purpose and zeroed in only on positions where she could coach, develop, and support others. Just 10 weeks into my Career Clarity Formula, Brenda landed a role that not only matched her skills—it genuinely lit her up.
And the best part? Brenda’s transformation went beyond landing a job. She describes her new role as “life-changing,” offering her the support, growth, and work-life balance she’d been craving for so long.
This wasn’t just a career shift; it was an alignment with her true purpose. Brenda’s journey shows exactly how powerful career clarity can be—and how tools like the Sparketype® Assessment can turn a far-off dream job into an achievable reality.
Another Personal Story of Transformation
On the Career Clarity Unlocked podcast, Victoria Michaels, an Executive Career Coach at Dreampath, described her unforgettable "aha" moment with the Sparketype® assessment. We were at the 2024 Business Mastermind and Retreat in Cancún, surrounded by some of the most accomplished coaches in the industry—women who’ve built seriously successful businesses and tried just about every tool out there.
And yet, as Victoria recalled, “We were there with some of the best of the best in the coaching industry—amazing women who have built very successful businesses—and they were blown away when Theresa introduced us to the Sparketype®.”
Victoria had taken other career assessments before, but this one? This one was different. “It was the first time I took an assessment, and it actually felt like me,” she said.
Her Sparketype® results revealed her Primary as the "Advisor," aligning perfectly with her natural drive to coach, mentor, and develop others. And suddenly, it all made sense. “Absolutely, I’m such an advisor. I want to coach, I want to teach, I want to train. I love developing people—that lights me up.”
For Victoria, this discovery wasn’t just validating—it was transformative. She realized her career wasn’t just about being skilled at something; it was about feeling aligned, fulfilled, and energized by her work. As she looked back on her journey, she saw the pattern clearly: “When I found roles that had that aspect in it, I felt like I’m on the right path.”
The Sparketype® Assessment gave Victoria a clarity she didn’t even know she was missing. It’s one thing to be good at what you do. It’s another to do work that aligns with your true self.
Aligning Your Career with Your True Purpose
Imagine unlocking a hidden door in your life—a door that leads directly to the work you’re meant to do. That’s exactly what understanding your Sparketype® is like. For Victoria, discovering hers was a revelation that shifted everything. She’d always been drawn to coaching, sure, but finally understanding that her core motivation was to guide others? That’s when it all clicked. She realized that it wasn’t just about being good at coaching; it was about the fulfillment, the joy, the pure energy she felt every time she helped someone grow.
Have you ever felt that surge of energy, that yes, this is it feeling, when you’re doing something that just clicks? That’s what your Sparketype® is all about. It reveals the work that doesn’t just fit your skills—it fits your soul. The kind of work that doesn’t drain you but fills you up, that makes Monday mornings something you actually look forward to (imagine that!).
If you’re feeling stuck, lost, or just a little burned out in your career, maybe it’s time to ask yourself: Am I really aligned with my true purpose? Discovering your Sparketype®—especially with the guidance of a Certified Sparketype® Advisor (CSA)—can be the first step in finding work that feels like a natural extension of who you are.
Because here’s the truth: it’s not just about finding a job you’re good at—it’s about finding work that makes you come alive.
The Heaviness of the Anti Sparketype®
Understanding what fuels you is a game-changer. But let’s talk about the other side of that coin—what drains you. Because let’s be honest, no matter how skilled or successful you are, there are tasks that leave you feeling depleted, even defeated. And if those tasks keep stacking up in your day-to-day, burnout isn’t just likely—it’s inevitable.
This is where the Anti Sparketype® comes in. It’s the part of your work that feels like trudging uphill in wet cement. For Victoria, her Anti Sparketype® was the Warrior. Now, the Warrior is someone who thrives in leadership, rallying people, and charging forward. And here’s the thing: Victoria can lead. She’s excellent at it. But here’s the catch—it drains her. Leading in the traditional sense? Standing at the forefront, rallying large groups, constantly putting herself out there? It’s not where her energy comes from.
“When I learned that my Anti was the Warrior, I was like, ‘I failed at life,’” Victoria admitted with a laugh. “I’m a marathon runner, I do all these things—I’m a Warrior, right? But the truth is, I don’t need to be in the spotlight to make things happen.”
This is huge. Your Anti Sparketype® isn’t about what you’re capable of; it’s about what drains you. You might be great at tasks in your Anti Sparketype®, but the energy cost is sky-high. For Victoria, recognizing that traditional leadership roles felt like a “heavy lift” was liberating. She didn’t need to push herself to fit that mold. Instead, she could manage her energy, focus on coaching, guiding, and mentoring—work that actually left her feeling energized.
Imagine the relief of knowing that it’s okay not to love every single aspect of your work, even the parts you’re good at. Recognizing your Anti Sparketype® allows you to protect your energy and redirect it toward work that truly makes you come alive. Because sometimes, the key to career satisfaction isn’t doing more—it’s knowing what you can do less of.
How Knowing Your Anti Sparketype® Can Help You Avoid Burnout
Burnout doesn’t just come from overwork—it often comes from doing the wrong kind of work. Spending too much time on tasks that fall into your Anti Sparketype®—tasks you can do but that leave you feeling drained—can wear you down, little by little. It’s the kind of work that, no matter how skilled you are, leaves you feeling exhausted rather than fulfilled.
For Victoria, discovering that her Anti Sparketype® was the "Warrior" helped her understand why traditional leadership roles, like constantly rallying and gathering people, felt so heavy. She didn’t need to stop leading; she just needed to do it differently. Instead of forcing herself into the spotlight, she found ways to lead from behind the scenes, preserving her energy and making leadership work for her, not against her. As she put it, “It’s about finding ways to do these things in a way that doesn’t drain me.”
If you’re feeling overwhelmed in your role, ask yourself: Am I spending too much time on my Anti Sparketype®? Recognizing these energy-draining tasks can be a game-changer. Once you know what they are, you can adjust—take breaks, delegate, or approach them from a different angle. Sometimes, avoiding burnout isn’t about working less. It’s about working smarter—and making sure your energy goes where it truly counts.
Shifting Your Mindset for Success
The magic of the Sparketype® assessment? It doesn’t waste time telling you what you’re bad at (because who needs that?). Instead, it digs into what fuels you and what drains you. This insight is your blueprint for making strategic shifts in your career—whether that means exploring a new role, rethinking how you approach your current job, or simply unlocking a deeper understanding of your own strengths.
As Victoria put it, “When you learn the things you naturally gravitate towards, it’s incredibly helpful because it gives you clarity. But when you see where things feel a bit more challenging, that’s where real change starts.”
This is the power of true clarity. It’s not about starting from scratch or overhauling your career. It’s about fine-tuning—aligning what you do every day with what makes you feel fulfilled, energized, and truly alive in your work.
2 Ways to Use Your Sparketype® Insights for Career Success
You’ve unlocked the insights from your Sparketype® Assessment—now it’s time to use them. Knowing what fuels you (and what drains you) is just the beginning; the real transformation happens when you take action. Here’s how to leverage these insights to carve a clear path toward the career you’ve been dreaming of.
Step 1: Understand & Apply Your Sparketype® Results
- Take the Sparketype® Assessment
Your journey starts with a simple step: taking the Sparketype® assessment. It’s quick, it’s free, and it’s your key to uncovering your Primary, Shadow, and Anti Sparketype®. This isn’t just another quiz—it’s a roadmap to understanding what actually lights you up and what drags you down. - Reflect on Your Results
Once you have your results, take a good, hard look at your current role. Are you spending most of your time doing work that aligns with your Primary and Shadow Sparketypes®, or are you bogged down by the energy-sapping tasks of your Anti Sparketype®? Reflect on this: If your day-to-day feels heavy or unfulfilling, it might be because you’re doing too much of the wrong kind of work. - Identify the Gaps
Feeling stuck or uninspired? Check the gaps. Are you doing enough of what energizes you, or is your time eaten up by tasks that drain you? Recognizing where your energy dips can pinpoint exactly where you need to make a change. - Make Small Adjustments
Start with the small stuff. Could you delegate tasks that fall into your Anti Sparketype®? Or maybe tweak your role just enough to bring more of what lights you up into your day? Sometimes, even slight shifts can make a huge difference in how you feel at work. - Think Long-Term
If your current role still doesn’t feel aligned with what makes you come alive, it may be time to think big. Your Sparketype® insights are the guideposts toward a career that plays to your strengths and taps into what energizes you. Consider asking for more projects that reflect your Primary Sparketype® or setting boundaries around tasks that drain you. The goal? Build a career that leaves you feeling fulfilled, not depleted
Use your Sparketype® insights to make simple, impactful adjustments in your current role. Start by requesting more projects that align with your Primary Sparketype®—work that naturally energizes you. These projects don’t just make the day go faster; they keep you engaged and fulfilled.
For tasks that drain you? Set clear boundaries. Look for opportunities to delegate or approach these tasks differently, so they take less of your energy. With a few strategic tweaks, you’ll find yourself closer to a role that feels aligned and truly satisfying.
Step 2: Get Support for Career Clarity & Job Search Strategy
Knowing your Sparketype® is powerful, but insights alone won’t create change. You need a strategic plan to make it real—and that’s where career clarity coaching comes in. Here’s how working with a coach can turn your Sparketype® insights into real progress:
- Create a Career Roadmap: A Career Clarity Coach helps you turn your Sparketype® results into a personalized job search strategy. From identifying the roles that align with your strengths to updating your resume and prepping for interviews, a coach helps you present yourself with clarity and confidence.
- Strategize for Faster Results: When your job search is laser-focused on roles that truly motivate you, you’re more likely to find the right fit, faster. Clients who work with a Certified Sparketype® Advisor (like me!) often land ideal roles sooner by honing in on jobs that perfectly match their core strengths.
- Receive Ongoing Support: Transitioning into a new role can feel overwhelming. Having a coach by your side ensures that you’re making decisions with confidence, staying motivated, and adjusting your approach when necessary.
With Sparketype® insights and a solid strategy, you’re equipped to navigate your career path with purpose and land a role that truly lights you up.
FAQs About How To Find Career Clarity:
How do I refocus my career?
Refocusing your career starts with a clear understanding of two essential things: what you're good at and what genuinely energizes you. After years in the workforce, it’s easy to drift into autopilot, losing sight of what truly drives and fulfills you. Take a step back and assess your strengths, then dig deeper to identify which of those activities actually light you up versus those that, while you may be skilled in, ultimately leave you feeling drained. The sweet spot for career fulfillment lies at the intersection of your talents and your passions. Imagine what your career could look like if it prioritized the tasks that energize you and minimized the ones that deplete you. This vision becomes your compass, guiding you to a career that not only aligns with your abilities but also invigorates you daily.
About Author: Career Clarity Coach
After years of feeling unfulfilled in my career and not knowing what I’m meant to do or how to find it without starting over... I finally figured out what I'm here to do! And found a career that makes me excited to wake up and go to work every day. And I know that one day, I'll look back on my career with joy and satisfaction, knowing that I did something that truly mattered.
How did I find it?
By getting crystal clear on what I'm meant to do.
Getting this clarity is easier than you think, and I love guiding my clients through the discovery process... and empowering them to find their ideal career.
Connect with me on LinkedIn, listen to the Career Clarity Unlocked Podcast, or schedule your free 30-minute career clarity consultation.
Conclusion: The Road to Career Fulfillment
The Sparketype® assessment isn’t just another career tool—it’s a gateway to deeper self-awareness and, ultimately, to a life that feels like yours. Imagine work that doesn’t just pay the bills but actually fills you with energy and purpose. That’s what aligning with your Sparketype® can bring. Just like Victoria’s story, it’s proof that finding true clarity in your career is possible.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just…lost, know that you don’t have to stay there. Understanding what fuels you and what drains you is the first step to building a life that feels aligned—to making changes, big or small, that move you closer to the work that lights you up from the inside.
It’s never too late to realign with your true purpose. It’s never too late to reclaim joy in your work and life. You’ve got this.
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