The number one thing people search for on this site is finding the best career or job for a highly sensitive person, introvert, or empath.
Many of us want to change our career to something more fulfilling. A low stress job is the dream! Or at least finding a job that you enjoy most of the time would be great, right?
There are loads of success stories out there from other people who have learned to leverage their skills to make money working for themselves, freelancing, or by starting an online business.
But how do you get started?
I have created a list of online courses, webinars, and videos — some free but most at a cost — from reputable folks who have been successful themselves. Some of these are geared specifically toward introverts, but some are not.
These resources are a starting point. They can help you learn how to start an online business or just make extra money on the side, which can grow and turn into a full-time income. Of course, working for oneself isn’t a simple process–it takes lots of time and work. But it can be worth it!
Stuck in a typical office? Read these tips on how to survive the workplace.
Also check out my post about why working for yourself is the best job and, if you can’t work for yourself, what are the best jobs for introverted Highly Sensitive Persons.
This is an evolving list–let me know about any other resources that should be included.
Changing jobs for sensitive people: Resources
Creativity, Spirituality, and Making a Buck online course
Some HSPs find it difficult to stay true to themselves while also running their own business. The two things can clash.
This course from renowned Buddhist teacher David Nichtern teaches you how to sharpen creative and professional skills and integrate them with mindfulness meditation. You’ll learn how to support your professional and creative endeavors, define clear goals, and create a solid foundation for a balanced and thriving existence.
“Create Your Dream Career” online course
Does your work feel soul-sucking instead of fulfilling? Are you ready to transition into a career that excites you? Join Michelle Ward in a CreateLive online course for an exploration in uncovering the skills, passions, and strengths that will help you create the life you’ve always aspired to live.
We Work Remotely
Job opportunities that you can perform anywhere in the world. Includes: programming, customer support, marketing, design, and more.
Upwork
This is a huge marketplace for finding (and posting) freelance jobs. I’ve personally used it to hire someone to format an eBook and to work on my website! If you’re a writer, voiceover artist, or have any technical ability, you can begin finding small jobs here, build a reputation, and eventually get more and better paying jobs.
The Freelancer, by Contently
This publication covers trends, advice, and stories that freelancers care about. You can also sign up for a free Contently portfolio to display your work to potential clients and be matched to appropriate clients.
Visit the Small Business, Entrepreneur, or Startup subreddits for communities where you can learn from others and ask questions.
The Introvert’s Edge course
Learn how to use introversion as a strength and key advantage in the corporate workplace.
Smart Passive Income Blog
This site has lots of free resources to learn how to create sources of passive income. Pat Flynn is super successful and has been doing this for years.
Side Hustle School Podcast
Chris Guillebeau is an interesting guy. He visited every country in the world by age 35 and has written several books (I’ve read a few.) This fun, great podcast has topics like: “Create a new source of income without quitting your job”.
Read Next: The Best Jobs and Careers for Highly Sensitive Persons
photo credit: Will Scullin via photopin cc
You. are. amazing.
I can’t believe there aren’t any comments from this post – this could possibly be the most important thing any of us come across!
so a huge THANK YOU – this is so very helpful and I am so appreciative of you posting all of these resources! Wow, can’t wait to watch some of this stuff 😀 Thanks again, I feel like it’s Christmas!
I just stumbled upon this today. This is amazing resource material for an introverted person like me.
Love this and your podcasts. Thank you for not only sharing resources but providing clarity and affirmation to those of us newly discovered HSPeeps. I would also add the Freelancer by Contently for resources on freelance writing.
Thanks Nora!! I will check that out!
Since I started learning more about being an HSP, I have realized the empathy that makes other people see me as good at my social service job, is also what makes the job so difficult for me. I sometimes feel so overwhelmed with the problems of others and many times there isn’t much I can do to change their situation.
I’m so glad to find resources to help me find different work and a site that helps me to understand myself.
Hi Laura, thanks for your comment. A social service job could lead to compassion fatigue! But as you said, this can also be what makes you so good at it.
As an HSP and and INFJ, I spent 20+ years (successfully BUT stressfully) climbing the corporate ladder. In 2001 I discovered my calling, left the corporate world and launched my own business. I have been offering Career & Life Coaching programs ever since. My passion is to help others, especially HSP/Introverts, find fulfilling, well-paid careers and/or redesign their lives to reflect their authentic selves. There are options!
Awesome, thanks Julie!
Hi Julie , I spoted your comment and I felt like I wanna ask you something , i almost never comment on the Internet as a personal rule , but recently am trying to break some of my negative patterns , am 24 ,i discovered in the last two months that am an HSP and an INFJ , it is such a huge step for me to even accept those facts about myself , I made that discovery after a stressful period of graduating then getting drafted in the army then getting my first job then having a total meltdown (depression , demolished confidence and self worth , social anxiety, simply wanted nothing from this world ) , in the last 2 months Ive been trying to take back control over my life , and well , since you mentioned you are an HSP and an INFJ , I believe you could offer me advice that others couldnt , in the last two months my primary focus is to heal and undertand myself , heal past wounds , rediscover my values and ideals and beliefs , try to reduce internal conflicts and self demoralization , rediscover and regrow atrophied skills that were ignored since childhood , I honestly have no expectations out of this comment but I just felt like I had to share this(p.s. Am from Egypt)
Kareem, I just saw your post to Julie, but it touched me so much I just wanted to say first I hope you are doing and feeling better. Secondly you are so young and have probably been through a lot of trauma, not just with the military which is a trauma most people will never understand, not truly. But coming from Egypt or most patriarchal societies, being male and HSP, I can’t even begin to say that I understand.
But this is what I do understand you have worth for simply being this beautiful soul on the planet and you can not wait on others to let you know, you must say it to yourself. You appear to be this quiet strength much like the wind. You are quite expressive in your writing,
I think it took great courage for you to go outside your comfort zone to even post your comment, I would like to encourage you to write(i suspect you already do this quietly), and if that is true please keep doing it.
If you do not please begin to just write for yourself…..Anything and Everything. Begin anywhere, but write. Write about your life, what you see, what you here, what you do. Write about your boyhood, write about being a young man……please write. You will find self discovery, a healing outlet, and perhaps a new journey. I simply feel that it will help put things in perspective. Just start with a journal and committ to 10mins a day, no matter. You are worthwhile in every way and no matter the trauma you have experienced my son you are capable of coming out on the other side much stronger and much more loving towards yourself. Only share your writing when you are ready and only with safe people.
Kareem I have this feeling that you are one of our brightest stars hidden away and I only pray that we will see your brilliance some day, because so many could use the brilliance of that light to perhaps light their paths, but most importantly you could use that light to shine on your own path,
Be well my son and know that someone across the world will remember your post and pray that you realize your dream, whatever it is, but dream big, and believe in its possibilities, and writing is a valuable tool in any journey.
Namaste
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What a beautiful comment…this brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your beautiful helping hand reaching across the internet. 🙂 It is pure love and caring….. wonderful. 🙂
Hey Julie, saw your post and am a HSP who needs a career change at 54! Can you help?
Hi Julie! I was wondering if you could help me.
I have a “gift” I don’t know how to use. As a Highly sensitive INFP I have found retail to be the worst possible choice as I have never had success in this field but keep going back to it for lack of better resources to help me figure out how to change my career path! I’m 60 years old so going back to college for another 4-year degree is impractical. I had a very traumatic childhood with a mother who had terminal cancer and highly addicted to Demerol and God knows what else. I’m at my wit’s end trying to figure out how to move forward with trying to find a job that doesn’t shred my nervous system! Being am Empath makes me feel very vulnerable to people’s “energies” and working at a retail mall is torture! My husband and many others think I’m just weak and incompetent, which hurts me greatly! I’m an excellent employee but can’t take much more of this. Where do I turn for practical help??
Hi Courtney – first of all, those qualities that make you sensitive and empathic are not weaknesses. Being sensitive and vulnerable means that you are tuned in at a wider bandwidth to what takes place around you, and that creates an extra challenge for both navigating but also caring for your own wellbeing. You obviously have the innate desire to be out in the world and to not run away and hide, but the intensity of certain environments can make you feel like that’s your best option for survival. It’s too bad that those immediately surrounding you are unable to understand that this is what makes you special, but also what makes the world itself more of a challenge. People that are on the other end of the spectrum have a hard time understanding people like yourselves exactly because they are not as empathic, but instead intellectual and judgment oriented.
I deeply and enthusiastically encourage you to to seek out counseling to help you with what sounds like a traumatic and difficult childhood. Look online for a list of local therapists/counsellors (the word just depends on where you live) and make your best guess based on how the provide their specialty focus and description of practice.
You obviously know that this plays a big part in your life, having shaped so much of your view of daily safety and survival, and certainly a sense of your own self. It might take a few tries to find the right match, but it’s very much worth it. This doesn’t immediately solve your question about employment, but it will lead there by helping you to feel more centred and empowered.
Take care, and best of luck, from a fellow traveler in Vancouver.
Thanks so much Kelly for all the info you are sharing.
I’ve just discovered your blog and I love it.
I am a HSP and introvert and haven’t found a job that I truly enjoy so far. I’m currently working on finding out what changes I need to do.
I found the information you are giving us so helpful. And the resources are great too.
Thanks for being generous and sharing with other HSP’s 🙂