Have you ever noticed how Tony Stark’s life as a genius inventor shapes every decision he makes? Or how Sherlock Holmes’ career as a detective perfectly matches his obsession with solving puzzles? The jobs we give our characters do more than fill their time – they are integral parts of our stories.

Think about your favorite character’s job. Now, imagine them doing something completely different. Would Batman be as compelling as a tax accountant? Would Mary Poppins be the same story if she worked as a grocery store clerk? A character’s occupation is a powerful tool in the hands of the writer – one that helps to shape who the characters are and what they can do.

Your character’s job reveals their deepest traits: their values, their skills, and their place in society. These jobs create natural conflicts and opportunities for your character’s personality to grow.

Ready to discover how the right occupation can transform your character from flat to unforgettable? Let’s explore more ideas on how to choose jobs that don’t just employ your characters – they define them.

239+ Character Occupations by Genre

Let’s get right into the list of possible jobs for your story characters!

1. Contemporary Fiction

Stories set in the present day that explore realistic human experiences and relationships.

Teacher: Educates students in a specific subject or general curriculum.
Nurse: Provides medical care and compassion while supporting patients in hospitals or clinics.
Bartender: Prepares and serves drinks – and often forms connections with regular customers.
Software Developer: Designs and builds programs or apps used by people around the world.
Journalist: Investigates and reports on news, chasing deadlines and uncovering hidden truths.
Social Worker: Helps individuals and families overcome challenges like financial struggles or mental health issues.
Personal Trainer: Coaches clients to achieve fitness goals with customized exercise plans and motivational advice.
Freelance Photographer: Captures moments, documents events, or showcases products through creative photography.
Startup Founder: Turns small ideas into big businesses while managing risks and seeking funding.
Barista: Prepares coffee drinks and creates welcoming spaces for customers.
Real Estate Agent: Matches people with homes to buy or sell and negotiates contracts to close deals.
Dog Walker: Provides exercise and care for pets when owners are unavailable.
Life Coach: Guides clients to define and achieve personal or professional goals.
Tattoo Artist: Creates custom art for clients using skill and precision to ensure lasting results.
Delivery Driver: Brings goods to homes or businesses on time and handles busy schedules effectively.

2. Fantasy

Fantasy stories featuring magical elements, mythical creatures, and worlds beyond normal reality.

Blacksmith: Makes weapons, armor, and tools from metal, helping adventurers get ready for battle.
Healer: Cures injuries and illnesses with magic, herbs, or potions to bring people back to health.
Mage-for-Hire: Uses magical skills to solve problems or fight battles for anyone who pays.
Dragon Tamer: Trains dragons and forms bonds with them, using bravery to gain their trust.
Thief: Steals valuable items using clever tricks and stealth, often avoiding dangerous traps.
Alchemist: Mixes ingredients to create potions or magical items that heal, harm, or transform.
Beastmaster: Controls animals and uses them to help in fights or to guard against enemies.
Rune Caster: Draws magical symbols that protect, enhance, or cast powerful spells.
Spellsword: Combines sword fighting and magic to attack enemies or protect allies.
Herbalist: Collects plants and makes remedies or poisons that can heal or harm.
Necromancer: Raises the dead or controls spirits to do their bidding in battles or tasks.
Enchanter: Adds magic to objects like swords or jewelry to give them special powers.
Knight Errant: Travels to complete quests, fights evil, and seeks fame or treasure.
Treasure Hunter: Searches for lost relics or hidden gold, solving puzzles and avoiding traps.
Shadow Dancer: Moves silently and uses magic to stay hidden while striking enemies quickly.

3. Science Fiction

Science fiction stories exploring potential future technologies, scientific advancements, and their impact on society.

Space Pilot: Flies spaceships across galaxies, navigating dangers like asteroid fields and enemy attacks.
AI Technician: Repairs and programs artificial intelligence systems, ensuring they run smoothly and safely.
Xenobiologist: Studies alien life forms, learning about their biology, habits, and potential dangers.
Scavenger: Searches abandoned ships or planets for valuable technology and supplies to sell or use.
Data Miner: Extracts important information from vast digital networks, often uncovering hidden secrets.
Starship Engineer: Maintains and fixes starships, keeping them running during dangerous missions.
Cyberneticist: Builds and enhances robotic parts to improve human or alien abilities.
Terraformer: Designs ways to make planets livable by creating breathable air or growing plants.
Holographer: Creates lifelike holograms for communication, training, or entertainment.
Drone Operator: Controls drones for exploration, combat, or repairs in space or hostile environments.
Quantum Physicist: Explores the mysteries of time, space, and energy, often leading to groundbreaking discoveries.
Space Explorer: Charts new planets and galaxies, facing unknown dangers along the way.
Asteroid Miner: Extracts precious minerals from asteroids while braving the harshness of space.
Galactic Trader: Buys and sells goods across star systems, forming alliances and avoiding space pirates.
Android Mechanic: Repairs humanoid robots and ensures they function properly in complex environments.

4. Historical Fiction

Stories set in past time periods that blend fictional characters with real historical events.

Merchant: Buys and sells goods like spices, fabrics, or tools, traveling to markets and towns to trade.
Scribe: Copies books, writes letters, and records important events for rulers, priests, or scholars.
Knight: Serves a lord or king by fighting in battles, protecting land, and upholding a code of honor.
Seamstress: Makes or repairs clothing, often creating custom garments for wealthy clients.
Alchemist: Tries to turn metals into gold or discover secret cures, mixing science and magic-like beliefs.
Apothecary: Prepares medicines from herbs and minerals to treat illnesses and injuries.
Blacksmith: Forges tools, weapons, and armor for villagers, soldiers, or nobles.
Shipwright: Builds and repairs ships, helping sailors and merchants navigate rivers and seas.
Innkeeper: Runs a tavern or inn, providing food, drinks, and shelter to travelers.
Midwife: Helps women give birth and cares for newborns using traditional methods.
Cartographer: Draws maps of lands, cities, or seas, aiding explorers and travelers.
Falconer: Trains birds of prey for hunting or delivering messages across distances.
Herbalist: Collects plants to make remedies, teas, and balms for healing or comfort.
Cobbler: Crafts and repairs shoes for people from all walks of life.
Chronicler: Writes detailed accounts of historical events or stories about rulers and battles.

5. Mystery/Thriller

Suspenseful stories focused on solving crimes, uncovering secrets, or navigating high-stakes situations.

Private Investigator: Uncovers secrets and solves cases by following leads, questioning suspects, and staying one step ahead.
Forensic Analyst: Examines evidence like fingerprints or DNA to help solve crimes and identify culprits.
Spy: Gathers confidential information, infiltrates enemy organizations, and works under intense secrecy.
Journalist: Digs into stories to expose truths, sometimes putting themselves in danger to uncover hidden facts.
Hacker: Breaks into computer systems to find information, protect data, or exploit weaknesses.
Criminal Profiler: Studies criminal behavior to predict actions or identify suspects based on patterns.
Interrogator: Questions suspects or witnesses to extract important details that could crack a case.
Codebreaker: Deciphers encrypted messages to reveal critical information or stop threats.
Police Detective: Investigates crimes by collecting clues, interviewing witnesses, and piecing together evidence.
Escape Artist: Uses quick thinking and skills to get out of dangerous situations or locked spaces.
Bodyguard: Protects clients from danger, often facing threats from assassins or kidnappers.
Con Artist: Deceives others to gain money, information, or access, walking a fine line between ally and enemy.
Safecracker: Opens locked safes or vaults, using precision and expertise in high-stakes situations.
Bounty Hunter: Tracks down fugitives or criminals for a reward, often chasing dangerous targets.
Crime Scene Cleaner: Removes evidence and restores order after crimes, working in eerie and tense environments.

6. Horror

a scary scene from an indie horror movie

Horror stories designed to evoke fear, terror, and psychological tension through supernatural or realistic threats.

Paranormal Investigator: Explores haunted locations, using equipment to detect ghosts, spirits, or other supernatural entities.
Mortician: Prepares bodies for funerals, working closely with the dead and their grieving families.
Cult Leader: Leads a secretive group, often driven by dark beliefs or sinister motives that create fear and danger.
Cryptozoologist: Studies mythical creatures like Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster, searching for proof of their existence.
Gravedigger: Digs and maintains graves, spending long hours in cemeteries surrounded by silence and death.
Occultist: Practices rituals and studies ancient texts to harness mysterious and forbidden powers.
Demonologist: Researches and confronts demons, often risking their life to banish dark forces.
Exorcist: Removes evil spirits from possessed people or places, battling unseen and terrifying forces.
Medium: Communicates with spirits or the dead, helping the living find answers—or stirring up danger.
Haunted Tour Guide: Leads groups through eerie locations, sharing ghost stories while encountering the unexpected.
Monster Hunter: Tracks and kills dangerous creatures lurking in the shadows, protecting others from harm.
Cursed Artifact Collector: Finds and studies objects with dark histories, often facing the dangers tied to them.
Funeral Director: Oversees funerals and burials, ensuring everything is respectful while hiding personal fears.
Urban Legend Debunker: Investigates scary local myths, often uncovering truths more frightening than the stories.
Night Watchman: Guards eerie locations during the night, encountering strange noises and unexplained events.

RELATED: Check out these great lists of vampire story ideas, ghost story ideas, zombie story ideas and haunted house story prompts!

7. Romance

Stories centered on emotional connections and romantic relationships between characters.

Wedding Planner: Organizes every detail of weddings, from venues to decorations, ensuring couples have their dream day.
Matchmaker: Pairs people together based on their personalities and desires, helping them find love.
Florist: Creates beautiful flower arrangements for romantic occasions like weddings, anniversaries, and first dates.
Chocolatier: Crafts delicious and elegant chocolates, often adding sweetness to romantic gestures.
Romance Novelist: Writes stories about love and relationships, capturing the ups and downs of passion.
Jeweler: Designs and sells engagement rings, necklaces, and other meaningful tokens of love.
Love Letter Ghostwriter: Writes heartfelt letters for people who struggle to express their emotions.
Dating App Creator: Builds platforms to connect people, using technology to spark modern romance.
Boudoir Photographer: Captures intimate and artistic photos, often helping clients feel confident and beautiful.
Couples Therapist: Works with partners to solve conflicts and strengthen their relationships.
Perfumer: Creates custom fragrances that evoke romance, memories, and deep emotions.
Event Designer: Designs romantic settings for proposals, anniversaries, and other special moments.
Singer/Songwriter: Writes love songs that touch hearts and set the mood for romantic occasions.
Cake Designer: Crafts intricate cakes for weddings and other celebrations of love.
Love Historian: Studies the history of romance and relationships, bringing fascinating stories of love to life.

8. Crime/Noir

Dark, gritty stories exploring criminal underworlds, moral ambiguity, and complex legal or ethical scenarios.

Detective: Solves crimes by piecing together clues, questioning suspects, and uncovering hidden truths.
Mob Boss: Leads an organized crime group, managing illegal activities and maintaining loyalty through power and fear.
Hitman: Carries out assassinations for money, working in secrecy and avoiding law enforcement.
Corrupt Politician: Uses their power to manipulate laws, take bribes, and protect criminal operations.
Crime Scene Cleaner: Cleans up after violent crimes, removing all traces of what happened.
Con Artist: Deceives people to gain money, trust, or access, always staying one step ahead of their victims.
Safecracker: Opens locked safes or vaults using skill, precision, and patience, often during high-risk heists.
Fence: Buys and sells stolen goods, acting as a middleman between thieves and buyers.
Blackmailer: Threatens to reveal secrets unless their victim pays or complies with demands.
Forger: Creates fake documents, money, or art to help criminals avoid detection or gain wealth.
Undercover Agent: Infiltrates criminal organizations to gather evidence while risking exposure.
Pickpocket: Steals wallets, jewelry, or other valuables from unsuspecting victims in crowded areas.
Illegal Arms Dealer: Sells weapons to criminals, often involving dangerous and secretive deals.
Drug Kingpin: Controls a drug empire, managing production, distribution, and ruthless enforcement.
Private Security Enforcer: Protects shady clients or property, often bending the law to get results.

9. Comedy

Lighthearted stories intended to entertain and provoke laughter through humorous situations and characters.

Stand-Up Comedian: Performs jokes and stories on stage, using humor to entertain audiences.
Clown: Brings laughter through silly antics, costumes, and exaggerated performances at parties.
Reality Show Producer: Creates outrageous scenarios for television.
Mall Santa: Poses as Santa Claus to listen to children’s wishes while handling quirky holiday chaos.
Escape Room Designer: Builds puzzling challenges and immersive scenarios for people to solve.
Improv Actor: Performs spontaneous comedy sketches without a script, relying on quick thinking and creativity.
Prank YouTuber: Creates elaborate pranks and captures people’s reactions, often facing unexpected consequences.
Party Magician: Performs tricks at parties, balancing awe and laughter with their sleight of hand.
Balloon Artist: Twists balloons into funny shapes or characters, delighting kids and adults alike.
Pet Costume Designer: Creates funny costumes for pets.
Food Critic: Writes overly dramatic or funny reviews about local restaurants and unusual dishes.
Street Performer: Amuses crowds with acts like juggling, mimicry, or slapstick routines in public spaces.
Game Show Host: Guides contestants through funny challenges while delivering witty one-liners.
Comedy Podcast Host: Shares humorous takes on everyday life or bizarre topics, building a loyal audience.
Meme Creator: Crafts viral internet memes – using humor to connect with people around the world.

10. Adventure

Adventure stories are action-packed narratives featuring exciting journeys, challenges, and personal growth for the characters.

Treasure Hunter: Searches for hidden riches, ancient artifacts, or lost relics in dangerous and exotic locations.
Wilderness Guide: Leads adventurers through forests, mountains, or deserts, ensuring they survive the wild.
Archaeologist: Uncovers ancient ruins and artifacts, piecing together stories of past civilizations.
Explorer: Charts unknown lands or territories, facing challenges like harsh weather and unfamiliar terrain.
Storm Chaser: Tracks severe weather like tornadoes or hurricanes to study and document their power.
Big Game Tracker: Follows elusive animals across rugged landscapes, using skill and patience to find them.
Deep-Sea Diver: Explores shipwrecks, underwater caves, and marine life in the depths of the ocean.
Desert Nomad: Travels across vast deserts, relying on knowledge of the land to find food, water, and shelter.
Expedition Leader: Organizes and leads large-scale adventures to remote and uncharted places.
Mountain Climber: Scales the highest peaks, risking life and limb to conquer nature’s toughest challenges.
Cartographer: Maps unexplored regions, often venturing into dangerous and unfamiliar areas.
Jungle Scout: Navigates dense and treacherous jungles, clearing paths and spotting dangers ahead.
Relic Smuggler: Finds and secretly transports valuable artifacts from restricted or forbidden zones.
Survivalist: Lives off the land in harsh environments, using resourcefulness and expert knowledge to endure.
Volcanologist: Studies active volcanoes, venturing close to fiery danger to understand their mysteries.

11. Dystopian

Dystopian stories with oppressive societies with severe social control and limited individual freedoms.

Rebel Leader: Organizes and inspires a group fighting against an oppressive government or regime, often risking their life for freedom.
Black Market Trader: Deals in forbidden or rare items, helping people survive in a world where basic supplies are hard to find.
Drone Operator: Controls drones for spying, delivering supplies, or defending against threats in a high-tech dystopia.
Underground Doctor: Treats injuries and illnesses in secret, offering help to those who can’t access the corrupt or controlled healthcare system.
Propaganda Artist: Creates posters, videos, or art to manipulate the public’s beliefs, either for the government or against it.
Tech Scavenger: Searches for old gadgets and electronics, repairing or repurposing them for survival or trade.
Freedom Broadcaster: Runs an illegal radio or video channel, sharing news and hope with oppressed communities.
Resource Thief: Steals water, food, or energy from the powerful to distribute it to those in need—or to survive themselves.
Cyber Rebel: Hacks into government systems, exposing secrets or sabotaging oppressive technology.
Memory Eraser: Wipes people’s memories for those desperate to forget or as part of the system’s control.
Rogue Scientist: Conducts experiments or builds devices in secret, often trying to fix what the dystopia has destroyed.
Outpost Guard: Protects isolated communities from raiders, government forces, or wild threats.
Food Forager: Searches dangerous areas for edible plants, insects, or scraps to feed a starving population.
Urban Smuggler: Moves people or goods through heavily controlled zones, dodging surveillance and patrols.
Cult Survivor: Escapes a dangerous faction or group and uses their knowledge to help others avoid falling victim.

12. Western

Western stories set in the American frontier, typically featuring cowboys, settlers, and conflicts in the post-Civil War era.

Sheriff: Keeps the peace in a wild and lawless town, balancing justice with the constant threat of danger.
Outlaw: Lives outside the law, robbing banks or trains, always on the run from bounty hunters and the law.
Ranch Hand: Works on a cattle ranch, herding livestock, mending fences, and enduring tough, dusty days.
Saloon Owner: Runs the local watering hole, serves drinks, hosts poker games, and hears all the town’s gossip.
Gold Prospector: Searches rivers and mines for gold, hoping to strike it rich while surviving harsh conditions.
Bounty Hunter: Tracks down criminals and fugitives, bringing them in dead or alive for a reward.
Stagecoach Driver: Drives passengers and goods across dangerous territory, dodging bandits and harsh weather.
Blacksmith: Forges horseshoes, tools, and weapons for the townsfolk, often hearing their troubles along the way.
Schoolmarm: Teaches children in a one-room schoolhouse, bringing order and education to a rough frontier.
Homesteader: Builds a life on untamed land, farming, and raising a family while facing nature’s challenges.
Snake Oil Salesman: Sells fake remedies and tonics, charming gullible townsfolk, and always ready to skip town.
Train Conductor: Manages passengers and cargo on the railroad, connecting distant towns and facing risks on the rails.
Cattle Rustler: Steals livestock from ranches, living a dangerous life filled with chases and shootouts.
Frontier Doctor: Travels from homestead to homestead, treating injuries and illness with limited tools and medicine.
Deputy: Assists the sheriff in enforcing the law, often caught between duty and the lure of an easier life.

13. Steampunk

Steampunk stories blend Victorian-era aesthetics with advanced steam-powered technology and machinery.

Airship Captain: Commands a floating vessel powered by steam, navigating through the skies and facing sky pirates or storms.
Clockwork Engineer: Designs and builds intricate machines with gears and cogs, crafting gadgets or automata.
Steam Mechanic: Repairs steam engines, boilers, and other machinery, keeping the gears of the city or airships running.
Inventor: Creates bizarre and innovative devices, blending science and imagination to push the limits of technology.
Antiquarian: Collects and studies rare artifacts, uncovering the secrets and stories behind forgotten relics.
Sky Pirate: Raids airships and cities from above, living a life of adventure and constant danger.
Chimney Sweep: Climbs through towering industrial chimneys, clearing soot and smoke while uncovering secrets of the city.
Tinkerer: Fixes or enhances broken gadgets, always experimenting with new ways to improve everyday items.
Rail Baron: Oversees the expansion of railways, battling rivals and ensuring control over valuable routes.
Corset Maker: Crafts elaborate and stylish garments, blending fashion with the era’s mechanical aesthetic.
Balloon Navigator: Charts courses through the skies using hot air balloons, taking explorers to unreachable places.
Chronologist: Studies and tinkers with devices that manipulate time, seeking to harness or repair temporal anomalies.
Lensmaker: Creates precision optics for telescopes, goggles, and devices used by adventurers and scientists.
Steam Organist: Plays haunting tunes on massive, steam-powered organs that fill grand halls with music.
Gear Artisan: Carves and decorates gears for practical use or as beautiful art, combining function with elegance.

14. Dark Fantasy

Dark fantasy stories incorporate darker themes, gothic elements, and more mature or violent story elements.

Curse Breaker: Removes dangerous spells from people or objects, facing deadly traps or magical backlash that could harm them permanently.
Doomsayer: Warns about apocalyptic events or disasters, often shunned by society for their unsettling predictions, yet they hold valuable knowledge.
Demon Broker: Facilitates deals between humans and demons, ensuring both sides follow the contract while managing the risks of betrayal.
Grim Warden: Guards those who use forbidden magic, patrolling shadowy dungeons where prisoners may try to escape using dark powers.
Nightmare Weaver: Crafts terrifying dreams to torment enemies or deliver cryptic warnings, often at the cost of their own sanity.
Shadow Assassin: Hunts down targets with the help of dark magic, blending into shadows and striking without a trace.
Soul Harvester: Collects souls for ancient entities or as payment for magical favors, walking a moral tightrope.
Blood Mage: Uses their own blood—or that of others—to fuel powerful but dangerous spells.
Bone Sculptor: Creates weapons, armor, or constructs from the bones of the dead, channeling magic through their macabre creations.
Dark Prophet: Foretells the rise of evil or the downfall of kingdoms, using visions that others fear or misunderstand.
Forbidden Librarian: Guards ancient tomes filled with deadly knowledge, deciding who is worthy—or foolish—enough to access them.
Ghoul Tamer: Commands undead creatures, using them for protection, labor, or combat while trying to avoid their corruption.
Relic Hunter: Searches for cursed or forbidden artifacts, risking encounters with deadly traps or protective spells.
Witch Hunter: Tracks and confronts rogue witches or warlocks, often wielding magical countermeasures of their own.
Void Speaker: Communicates with entities from the void, channeling their power while risking madness or possession.

15. Urban Fantasy

Urban fantasy stories set in contemporary city environments, often featuring supernatural beings living alongside humans.

Occult Detective: Solves crimes tied to magic or the supernatural, using both investigative skills and mystical tools to uncover the truth.
Rune Engraver: Creates magical symbols that protect people, amplify powers, or trap dangerous forces, often working in secret to avoid exposure.
Shapeshifter Tracker: Tracks shapeshifters who have gone rogue or offers guidance to those struggling to balance their human and animal sides.
Magic Librarian: Guards books of ancient spells, forbidden rituals, or enchanted knowledge, ensuring they don’t fall into the wrong hands.
Potion Dealer: Brews and sells potions for love, strength, or healing, often operating in the shadows to avoid legal or magical consequences.
Urban Sorcerer: Casts spells to fix modern problems like cursed elevators or haunted subways, blending magic with the urban landscape.
Werewolf Liaison: Mediates between werewolves and human communities, helping both sides avoid conflict or misunderstanding.
Cursed Object Appraiser: Identifies and evaluates magical objects, determining their value while dodging the dangers they might carry.
Supernatural Mediator: Negotiates disputes between magical factions, ensuring balance while staying neutral amidst intense rivalries.
Spirit Medium: Communicates with ghosts in bustling cities, helping the dead find peace—or aiding them in delivering warnings.
Arcane Tattoo Artist: Designs tattoos infused with protective or empowering magic, giving clients both style and supernatural advantages.
Magic Crime Forensic Expert: Analyzes magical residues at crime scenes, piecing together clues about the spells or entities involved.
Portal Runner: Delivers messages or goods by jumping between magical gateways and navigating urban and otherworldly dangers.
Fae Broker: Handles deals between humans and the fae, ensuring contracts are followed while trying to avoid tricks or traps.
Street Oracle: Offers cryptic guidance to passersby, blending ancient wisdom with the pulse of the modern city.

16. Medieval Historical Fiction

Medieval historical fiction stories set in the Middle Ages that explore social, political, and personal experiences of that historical period.

Blacksmith: Crafts tools, weapons, and horseshoes, shaping hot metal to meet the daily needs of villages and warriors. Blacksmiths repair farm equipment and outfit soldiers.
Cooper: Makes barrels, casks, and wooden containers used to store and transport goods like wine, beer, and salted fish. Their skill keeps products fresh and portable.
Miller: Operates mills to grind grains into flour, providing the foundation for bread, a staple of medieval diets. Millers often work near rivers to harness water power.
Tanner: Processes animal hides into leather, working with chemicals and enduring foul odors to supply material for clothing, shoes, and armor.
Chandler: Produces candles from tallow or beeswax, supplying light to homes, churches, and castles in a world without electricity.
Fletcher: Crafts arrows for hunting and warfare, combining wood, feathers, and arrowheads to create tools essential for survival and combat.
Bowyer: Makes longbows and crossbows, equipping soldiers and hunters with precision-crafted weapons.
Herbalist: Gathers and prepares plants for medicinal purposes, treating illnesses and injuries when formal doctors are unavailable.
Baker: Prepares bread and other baked goods in communal ovens, often rising early to ensure fresh loaves for the day’s meals.
Weaver: Weaves textiles on looms, creating fabric for clothing, blankets, and trade. Weaving is a common and essential craft, often done in cottage industries.
Scribe: Copies books and documents by hand, preserving knowledge and writing letters or records for the illiterate. Scribes often work for monasteries or nobles.
Stonemason: Builds cathedrals, castles, and bridges, shaping stones with precision to create structures that endure for centuries.
Falconer: Trains and cares for birds of prey used in hunting, a pastime of nobles and royalty. Falconers earn respect for their skills.
Armorer: Designs and forges armor for knights and soldiers, crafting protection for battle while balancing weight and mobility.
Spicer: Sells exotic spices and herbs imported from distant lands, adding flavor and prestige to medieval feasts and kitchens.

How Occupations Shape Characters

A character’s job does more than just pay their bills – it helps tell their story. Like real people, characters are shaped by the work they do every day. Their jobs affect how they think, who they meet, and what problems they face.

Influence Personality and Skills

Think about how different professions mold people in real life:

A teacher might develop patience and a knack for explaining things clearly.
A lawyer is likely skilled at arguing, negotiating, and public speaking.
A detective needs sharp observation skills and persistence.

When you assign a job to your character, you’re giving them traits, habits, and strengths that fit their role. Their profession can even hint at how they handle problems or interact with others.

Reveal Backstory

A character’s job speaks volumes about their past:

Education: Did they attend college, learn their trade from family, or start at the bottom and work their way up?
Upbringing: Were they born into wealth and connections, or did they scrape by to achieve success?

These details help readers understand your character’s background, values, and the struggles or privileges that shaped them.

Build Connections

Occupations naturally link characters to others in your story:

A restaurant owner interacts with suppliers, employees, and customers, creating opportunities for conflict or collaboration.
A police officer deals with colleagues, victims, and criminals, tying them to multiple plot threads.
A scientist might work with a team, share breakthroughs, or face opposition from rivals.

These workplace relationships help build your story’s social web and introduce secondary characters naturally.

Help to Define the World

A character’s job also gives readers a peek into your story’s world:

A robot repair technician shows that robots are common in this society.
A magic potion seller suggests that magic is a normal part of daily life.
A space pilot tells us your story includes interplanetary travel.

Each occupation paints part of the bigger picture, helping readers understand the rules and setting of your story.

How to Choose the Right Job

Ever wonder why Spider-Man became a photographer or why John Wick was a former assassin? These jobs weren’t random choices – they fit perfectly with who these characters are and the stories they tell. Let’s explore how to make the same magic happen with your characters.

Match Their Personality

Your character’s job should feel natural for who they are. A shy, quiet person might struggle as a stage performer but excel as a library archivist. A thrill-seeker probably won’t be happy pushing papers in an office – they might be better suited as a wilderness guide or emergency responder.

Think about your character’s core traits:

Does your character love helping others? Consider jobs like teaching, nursing, or counseling.
Are they detail-oriented? They might be great as an engineer, jeweler, or forensic analyst.
Do they crave excitement? Emergency services, journalism, or extreme sports coaching could be perfect fits.

Consider Your Story’s World

Your character’s job needs to make sense in your story’s setting. A computer programmer wouldn’t fit in a medieval fantasy novel, just like a swordsmith might seem out of place in a modern romantic comedy.

In different settings, you might find:

Modern day: Social media manager, app developer, drone pilot
Historical: Cooper, scrivener, lamplighter
Fantasy: Potion maker, dragon trainer, spell scribe
Science fiction: Asteroid miner, memory technician, AI relationship counselor

See the sections above for more!

Make It Matter to the Plot

The best character occupations drive the overall story forward. A defense lawyer’s job naturally creates drama in a legal thriller. A deep-sea explorer’s work makes sense in an underwater adventure.

Your character’s job should:

Create natural reasons for them to get involved in the main conflict
Give them useful skills or knowledge for solving problems
Put them in contact with important people in your story

Build in Challenges

Good stories need conflict, and jobs are perfect for creating it. Think about what could go wrong or what difficult choices your character might face because of their work.

For example:

A small-town doctor might have to choose between keeping a patient’s secret and protecting the community
A rookie firefighter could struggle to prove themselves to veteran team members
An undercover agent might battle between completing their mission and protecting innocent people

The perfect job for your character isn’t just about what they do – it’s about how their work helps tell your story. Choose an occupation that creates opportunities for growth, conflict, and connection with other characters.

What challenges could your character’s job create? How might their work push your story in exciting new directions?

How to Research Jobs

Ever notice how some TV shows get jobs completely wrong? Like hackers who solve everything with random keyboard smashing or doctors who never do paperwork?

Let’s make sure your characters’ jobs feel genuine. Here’s how to research occupations the right way.

Talk to Real People

Nothing beats first-hand experience. Find people who actually do the job you’re writing about:

Join professional groups on social media
Read “day in the life” posts on Reddit
Watch career interviews on YouTube
Listen to industry-specific podcasts
Check out job-related blogs and forums

For example, if you’re writing about a chef, you might discover they spend more time managing staff and ordering supplies than actually cooking.

Learn the Daily Routine

Job descriptions only tell part of the story. Dig deeper to understand:

What time does their workday really start?
What problems come up every day?
Who do they work with?
What tools or equipment do they use?
What do they complain about most?

Watching “behind the scenes” videos or workplace documentaries can show you these details that job listings don’t mention.

Get the Language Right

Every job has its own special words and phrases. Learn them by:

Reading professional magazines and websites
Looking at training materials
Checking industry blogs and forums
Following professionals on social media
Reading job listings for similar positions

A real lawyer doesn’t just say “I object” – they cite specific legal precedents and use precise legal terminology.

Understand the Challenges

Real jobs have real problems. Research:

Common workplace conflicts
Industry changes and challenges
Typical career paths
Work-life balance issues
Professional ethics dilemmas

These challenges can create natural drama in your story. A nurse might struggle with long shifts affecting their family life, or a small business owner might face tough choices during an economic downturn.

Don’t Forget the Details

Small details make jobs feel real:

What do they wear?
Where do they eat lunch?
How do they handle overtime?
What software or tools do they use?
What certificates or licenses do they need?

These little touches help readers believe in your character’s work life.

You don’t need to include everything you learn – just enough to make the job feel authentic. Use these details to enrich your story without overwhelming it with unnecessary information.

Create Characters That Work

Occupations bring layers of conflict, connection, and growth into the pages of your stories. Now it’s time to bring those insights to your protagonist!

What unique strengths does their job reveal?
What challenges or conflicts arise because of their work?

The right career can unlock your character’s full potential and improve your whole story. Download my Character Development Workbook today and discover how the perfect occupation can transform your story!