Some jobs require you to follow strict routines and protocols. In these jobs, there is often one right way of doing things if you want to be successful. 

Other jobs require you to constantly think out of the box and come up with your own ideas. In these jobs, there is no one right way to succeed. There may still be some loose rules, but otherwise there are hundreds of different ways of successfully approaching these jobs - and you get to choose which solution to take. 

These latter jobs are typically referred to as creative careers. This post can help you to decide whether a creative career is right for you. 

What are some creative careers?

There are many examples of creative careers. A few examples of creative careers include:

• Writers
• Graphic designers
• Animators
• Illustrators
• Architects
• Interior designers
• Photographers
• Videographers
• Actors
• Choreographers
• Musicians
• Web developers
• Marketers
• Curators
• Therapists

This is just a handful of the creative careers that exist. By getting ‘creative’, you may be able to think up all kinds of other niche creative careers ranging from ice cream making to quiz hosting. 

Should you pursue a creative career?

While many of us like to think we are creative, not everyone is suited to a creative career. Some people thrive better at structured tasks. Others are creative, but are more stimulated when their creativity is reserved to a hobby. Below are some of the important requirements to consider when deciding whether a creative career is right for you.

You have an artistic personality type

People with an artistic personality type are constantly thinking of new ideas and looking for ways to express them. They find too much structure suffocating and prefer to solve problems independently through research and experimentation. Several personality type indicators can tell you if you have an artistic personality. The strong interest inventory assessments is one of the more trusted personality indicators. There are guides that can inform you where to take the Strong Interest Inventory online if you are uncertain about your personality type. 

You actively pursue creative hobbies in your free time

People who are creative don’t just want to be creative at work. They pursue creative hobbies at home such as writing stories/poems/blogs, drawing, painting, decorating, making custom crafts, taking photos, composing songs, cooking or creating online content. Of course, everyone gravitates to a different creative hobby. The important thing is that you have a passion for creating things that drives you to do it in your free time.

You are not afraid of competition

Creative industries are very competitive. Attractive job vacancies in these industries often get huge amounts of applicants. In order to stand out, you need to be willing to go above and beyond to show that you are the perfect candidate. This generally involves honing your creative skills and building evidence of your abilities - often by creating things in your free time. Qualifications and voluntary work can be beneficial in some industries, but generally speaking you need to prove that you can create things to a high quality. Once you get a job, there will still be competition to deal with, so you need to keep developing your talents. Don’t fear your competitors, but use them as inspiration and motivation. 

You have confidence in your abilities

A creative job requires you to be confident in your abilities. After all, if you doubt yourself, it may put doubts in employers and clients. Confidence comes with practising your art and learning all the techniques used by pros. You do not have to be perfect at your chosen art - no-one is perfect and realising this is also part of developing self-confidence. Generally speaking, by asking for the opinions of others - including strangers and people you know - you can get an accurate idea as to how good you are, and instil the confidence that is necessary to go forward.

You realise money won’t come straight away

Sadly, creative jobs don’t always pay well. This is certainly the case with entry-level jobs where you may have to work minimum wage or even volunteer to get your foot in the door. However, once you’re in these jobs, there is often room for progression. By focusing on a niche and constantly honing your skills, you can build your way up to better paid jobs. And at the top, such jobs can be extremely well paid. Just look at the net worth of some of the biggest artists, authors, designers and actors. 

You understand that there will be limits to your creative freedom

When working a creative job, there will always be a client or a target audience. They will have expectations and demands that you need to cater to if you want to make them happy. Some jobs allow more personal expression than others, but you will still need to be willing to do tasks you may not want to do to succeed. Most jobs come with a certain level of admin, which requires following rules and routines. For example, even successful Youtubers need to consider accounting, following content guidelines and maintaining a brand consistency. You can outsource admin tasks like accounting, but this often requires money first. 

How to achieve the perfect creative career

To find the perfect creative career, start by identifying your creative passion - whether it’s jewellery making or drawing. Then consider the careers where you can put these creative skills to use. Spend time building up your creative skills and developing a knowledge of your chosen career field. This will help you when appealing to employers and clients (depending on whether you decide to work for an employer or go self-employed).

Learn to be confident in your ability, but also be prepared for failure. Getting into a creative industry can require several attempts. From each attempt, make sure to learn from your mistakes. What could you have done better to secure that job or secure that client? This will help you to eventually break into your chosen industry.

Once you are in, keep developing your skills. Find your niche and aim to be the best in your field. Eventually you will not only find that niche that you love and are good at - but that also makes you money.