Career matcher

Find careers that fit you

Three quick steps. Pick as many skills and hobbies as you like – there are no wrong answers, and nothing you choose is stored.

Jump to your 47 matches ↓

Step 1 What are you good at?

Choose the skills that sound like you.

Working with your handsYou like making, building and handling tools rather than sitting still.
Fixing thingsWhen something breaks, you want to take it apart and get it working again.
Problem-solvingYou enjoy working out why something has gone wrong and how to put it right.
Maths and measuringYou are comfortable with numbers, measurements, angles and quantities.
Technical know-howYou like understanding how systems and machines work inside.
Computers and techYou are at home with computers, software, networks and gadgets.
ElectronicsCircuits, wiring and components interest you.
Attention to detailYou notice the small things and like a job done precisely.
Creativity and designYou have an eye for colour, shape, style or finish.
Physical fitnessYou are active, have stamina and do not mind lifting and carrying.
Working outdoorsYou would rather be outside in the fresh air than stuck indoors.
Safety-consciousYou follow procedures carefully and look out for yourself and others.
Customer serviceYou are friendly, reliable and good at making people feel looked after.
CommunicationYou explain things clearly and listen well.
TeamworkYou enjoy being part of a crew and pulling together to get a job done.
Working independentlyYou are happy to organise your own day and get on with things alone.
OrganisationYou plan ahead, keep track of materials and manage your time.
PatienceYou stay calm and keep going when a task is fiddly or slow.
Caring for othersYou like looking after people or animals and helping them feel better.
LeadershipYou like taking charge, organising others and making decisions.
DrivingYou enjoy driving and handling vehicles or machinery.
Spatial awarenessYou can picture how things fit together in 3D and judge space and distance.
ScienceYou are curious about how materials, energy and living things behave.

Step 2 What do you enjoy doing?

Hobbies often point to work you'd enjoy. Skip this step if nothing fits.

DIY and home improvementPutting up shelves, decorating or fixing things around the house.
Fixing gadgetsTaking apart phones, consoles or appliances to see what is wrong.
Building PCs and gamingChoosing parts, building rigs and getting the most out of your setup.
CodingWriting programs, websites or scripts for fun.
Cars and motorbikesTinkering with engines, watching motorsport or just loving vehicles.
Cycling and bike repairRiding, maintaining and tuning up bikes.
WoodworkMaking things from wood, from small projects to furniture.
GardeningGrowing plants, looking after a garden or an allotment.
Cooking and bakingTrying out recipes and feeding friends and family.
Drawing and artSketching, painting or designing things.
Photography and videoTaking photos, filming and editing.
Hair and make-upStyling hair, doing make-up or nails for yourself and friends.
Fitness and sportTraining, playing sport or keeping active.
Hiking and the outdoorsWalking, camping and spending time outside in all weathers.
AnimalsLooking after pets, horses or wildlife.
Model making and LEGOBuilding kits, models and LEGO sets with care and precision.
Electronics and ArduinoSoldering, building circuits or programming microcontrollers.
Music and soundPlaying, recording or mixing music and audio.
Sewing and craftsSewing, knitting, upcycling and making things by hand.
VolunteeringHelping out in your community, a club or a charity.
Puzzles and strategy gamesJigsaws, escape rooms, chess and games that make you think.

Step 3 A few preferences (optional)

Where would you rather work? No preference Mostly indoors Mostly outdoors A mix of both

How do you like to work? No preference As part of a team On my own

Anything else? I'd like the option to work for myself one day I'd rather avoid working at height

Pick at least one skill or hobby to see your matches.

Your top matches

47 careers use at least one of your choices. Scores show how closely each fits everything you picked.

Share or save these results

100% match
Great match Hair, beauty and wellbeing

Barber

Cut and style hair with barbering techniques, shape beards and give shaves, working with every hair type in a busy, sociable barbershop.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
- Hair and make-up strong link
£19,000 – £30,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application
100% match
Great match Hair, beauty and wellbeing

Beauty therapist

Give facials, manicures, waxing, lash and brow treatments and more, helping clients look and feel their best in salons, spas or your own business.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
- Hair and make-up strong link
£23,000 – £29,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
100% match
Great match Hair, beauty and wellbeing

Hairdresser

Wash, cut, colour and style hair, talk clients through new looks and build a loyal following in salons, spas or as a freelance stylist.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
- Hair and make-up strong link
£19,000 – £30,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application
80% match
Great match Outdoors, land and animals

Dog groomer

Bathe, dry, brush and trim dogs of every breed, check their skin and coat, and advise owners, in a salon, a vet practice or your own mobile business.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
- Hair and make-up useful background
£15,000 – £23,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
71% match
Good match Food and hospitality

Baker

Make bread, cakes and pastries by hand or on production lines, in craft bakeries, supermarkets and food factories. Early starts come with the job.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£19,000 – £26,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application
71% match
Good match Automotive and transport

Bicycle mechanic

Build, service and repair bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters - a friendly way into a trade if you love cycling.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£23,000 – £30,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, other routes
71% match
Good match Construction and trades

Bricklayer

Build homes, walls and chimneys brick by brick – an outdoor, team-based trade where your work stands for generations.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£25,000 – £45,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, other routes
71% match
Good match Food and hospitality

Butcher

Cut, bone and prepare meat and poultry, make sausages, burgers and pies, and help customers choose the right cut in shops and meat plants.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£18,000 – £26,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application
71% match
Good match Construction and trades

Carpenter or joiner

Turn timber into staircases, roofs, doors, kitchens and fitted furniture – on site or at the workshop bench.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£24,000 – £40,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, other routes
71% match
Good match Food and hospitality

Chef

Prepare, cook and present food in restaurants, hotels, hospitals and schools, from commis chef at the start to running your own kitchen.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£22,000 – £40,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, University, Direct application, other routes
71% match
Good match Health and science

Dental technician

Design and make crowns, bridges, dentures and braces to a dentist's prescription in a dental lab. A registered, precise, hands-on health career.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£32,000 – £48,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, University, Direct application
71% match
Good match Outdoors, land and animals

Farrier

Trim horses' hooves and make and fit horseshoes by hand at the forge. A skilled, registered trade reached through a long approved apprenticeship.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
No official salary figureWays in: Apprenticeship, College, other routes

Show 35 more matches

71% match
Good match Creative crafts

Furniture maker

Make chairs, tables, cabinets and fitted furniture from technical drawings, using hand tools, machines and CNC, in workshops and factories.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£23,000 – £32,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, T Level, College, Direct application
71% match
Good match Outdoors, land and animals

Gardener

Grow and care for plants in private gardens, parks, estates and green spaces, from sowing seeds to pruning, weeding and mowing.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£24,000 – £32,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
71% match
Good match Construction and trades

Glazier

Measure, fit and repair windows, doors, rooflights and glass panels in homes and businesses.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£23,000 – £40,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
71% match
Good match Automotive and transport

HGV mechanic

Service and repair lorries, trailers, buses and coaches - big machines, big responsibility and some of the best pay in motor trades.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£26,000 – £55,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
71% match
Good match Construction and trades

Kitchen and bathroom fitter

Rip out the old and install new kitchens and bathrooms – a multi-skilled trade combining joinery, plumbing and tiling.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£24,000 – £45,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application
71% match
Good match Outdoors, land and animals

Landscaper

Build and look after gardens, parks and outdoor spaces: paths, walls, lawns, planting and water features, working outdoors in all weathers.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£26,000 – £38,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, T Level, College, Direct application, other routes
71% match
Good match Automotive and transport

Motor vehicle technician

Service, diagnose and repair cars and vans - including hybrids and EVs - in a busy garage workshop.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£22,000 – £42,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Skills Bootcamp, other routes
71% match
Good match Automotive and transport

Motorcycle mechanic

Service, repair, tune and customise motorbikes, scooters and quad bikes - turn a love of bikes into a trade.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£25,000 – £40,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
71% match
Good match IT and telecoms

Network cabler

Install, terminate and test the copper and fibre cabling that connects offices, hospitals, data centres and homes to the digital world.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
No official salary figureWays in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application
71% match
Good match Construction and trades

Plasterer

Create smooth walls and ceilings, renders and ornate mouldings – a skilled finishing trade that rewards a steady hand.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£21,000 – £38,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, other routes
71% match
Good match Building services and energy

Plumber

Fit, fix and look after the water, heating and drainage systems that keep homes, hospitals and businesses running.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£24,000 – £46,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, T Level, College, Direct application, other routes
71% match
Good match Construction and trades

Roofer

Work at height keeping buildings watertight – slating, tiling, flat roofing, leadwork and even thatching.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£26,000 – £42,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
71% match
Good match Building services and energy

Solar panel installer

Fit, connect and look after solar PV systems on homes and businesses - a hands-on, outdoor role at the heart of the move to clean energy.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£25,000 – £47,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
71% match
Good match Construction and trades

Stonemason

Cut, carve and fix natural stone for new buildings, memorials and historic restoration, working in a workshop or out on site.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£24,000 – £40,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application
71% match
Good match IT and telecoms

Telecoms engineer

Install and repair broadband, phone, fibre, mobile and satellite systems - out on the road, up masts and in customers' homes.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£25,000 – £40,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
71% match
Good match Outdoors, land and animals

Tree surgeon

Climb, prune and fell trees safely, assess tree health and plant new stock in streets, parks, gardens and woodland. Also called an arborist.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£25,000 – £35,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, T Level, College, University, Direct application
71% match
Good match Creative crafts

Upholsterer

Build and restore padded furniture such as chairs and sofas, fitting springs, fillings and fabric using traditional or modern upholstery methods.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£23,000 – £32,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
71% match
Good match Construction and trades

Wall and floor tiler

Lay precise, beautiful tiling in kitchens, bathrooms, shops and restaurants using ceramics, stone, slate and marble.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£21,000 – £38,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, other routes
71% match
Good match Engineering and manufacturing

Welder

Cut, join and shape metal for everything from buildings and pipelines to wind turbines - a skilled, practical trade.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands key skill
£25,000 – £45,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
47% match
Worth a look Engineering and manufacturing

Aircraft maintenance engineer

Inspect, service and repair aircraft systems to exacting safety standards - a licensed, highly skilled engineering career.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£27,000 – £50,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, University, other routes
47% match
Worth a look Automotive and transport

Auto electrician

Trace and fix the wiring, sensors and electronic systems in modern vehicles, from lights and alarms to hybrid and EV systems.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£23,000 – £38,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application
47% match
Worth a look IT and telecoms

Data centre technician

Keep the servers behind the internet running: install racks and hardware, fix faults and monitor systems in secure data centres.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
No official salary figureWays in: Apprenticeship, College, Skills Bootcamp
47% match
Worth a look Building services and energy

Electrician

Install, test and repair wiring, lighting, controls and low-carbon tech in homes, workplaces and new buildings.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£26,000 – £45,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, T Level, College, other routes
47% match
Worth a look Building services and energy

Electricity distribution worker

Maintain and repair the overhead lines, underground cables and substations that carry power to homes and businesses.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£23,000 – £42,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
47% match
Worth a look Engineering and manufacturing

Electronics engineering technician

Design, build, test and fix electronic systems and circuit boards, from factory controls to medical and aerospace tech.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£26,000 – £42,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, University, other routes
47% match
Worth a look Engineering and manufacturing

Engineering maintenance technician

Keep factory, production and transport equipment running by servicing and repairing motors, pumps, gearboxes and controls.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£27,000 – £48,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, University, other routes
47% match
Worth a look Building services and energy

Gas engineer

Install, service and repair boilers and gas appliances safely – a trusted, legally registered trade with steady demand.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£25,000 – £45,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, T Level, College, other routes
47% match
Worth a look Building services and energy

Heat pump installer

Help homes and businesses switch to low-carbon heating by installing, commissioning and servicing heat pumps.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£24,000 – £46,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, T Level, Skills Bootcamp, other routes
47% match
Worth a look Building services and energy

Heating and ventilation engineer

Keep big buildings comfortable – installing and maintaining heating, ductwork, ventilation and controls in offices, schools and hospitals.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£20,000 – £40,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, T Level, College, Direct application
47% match
Worth a look Construction and trades

Locksmith

Fit, repair and open locks, safes and security systems – a problem-solving trade for calm, trustworthy people.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£23,000 – £30,000Ways in: Direct application, other routes
47% match
Worth a look Construction and trades

Painter and decorator

Transform rooms and buildings with paint, wallpaper and specialist finishes – ideal if you have an eye for colour and detail.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£21,000 – £32,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, other routes
47% match
Worth a look Automotive and transport

Rail engineering technician

Service, test and repair trains, carriages and other rolling stock to keep the railway running safely.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£30,000 – £45,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Direct application, other routes
47% match
Worth a look Construction and trades

Scaffolder

Build the safe working platforms every other trade relies on – a fit, outdoor, team trade with strong earning potential.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£25,000 – £51,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, Skills Bootcamp, other routes
47% match
Worth a look Outdoors, land and animals

Veterinary nurse

Care for sick and injured animals and support vets in surgery, X-ray and treatment. A registered profession you can train for through an apprenticeship.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands used a lot
£24,000 – £32,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, College, University
24% match
Worth a look Health and science

Laboratory technician

Run tests on samples, prepare experiments and keep lab equipment working, supporting research, product development and medical diagnosis.

Why it suits you
- Working with your hands handy
£24,000 – £31,000Ways in: Apprenticeship, T Level, College, University, Direct application

Salary ranges are average starter to experienced pay from the National Careers Service (checked September 2026); open a career for the source and details. A match is a starting point – check the official links on each career before deciding.

How the matching works

Every career on this site lists the skills and hobbies that help, each weighted 1 to 3 (3 = a key skill for the job). We wrote those weights from the official job profiles' lists of skills and tasks – they are our judgement, not an official rating.

Skills (60% of the score): we add up the weights of the skills you picked and compare that with the best possible total. Picking lots of skills doesn't count against you – anything beyond five is ignored in the comparison.
Hobbies (25%): worked out the same way, capped at three hobbies.
Preferences (15%): indoors or outdoors, team or solo, self-employment and working at height. Each one scores full, half or nothing, and anything you leave as "no preference" is ignored.

If you skip hobbies or preferences, the other parts are scaled up so the score is still out of 100. Careers only appear if at least one of your skills or hobbies applies. The results are for exploring ideas – they can't know everything about you.