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Work How You Are Wired: 12 Data-Driven Steps to Finding a Job You Love
It’s no secret that some people are just better suited to their jobs than others. It's time to find out why and how you can achieve this same success and happiness too.
Remember taking that career test in grade school where you were told you’d make a great federal judge or an exemplary lighthouse keeper? In this book, executive search CEO William Vanderbloemen takes that concept and maps it against hundreds of thousands of data points, forming a roadmap for all of us on how to choose careers that align with our personalities so that we are happy at work.
William has become an unlikely business expert over his long and continuing career. Combining over fifteen years of ministry experience as a Senior Pastor with the best practices of executive search, William created a brand-new executive search for faith-based organizations. Prior to founding his own search company, William studied under a mentor with over twenty-five years of executive search at the highest level. William has surveyed thousands of people in the workforce. He’s asked what their job is and how they feel about them. I’ve also asked them to report their scores on leading personality assessments.
Now, in this groundbreaking guide, William helps you recognize the traits you possess that make you happy and then match those against your possible careers to find the best match.
Remember taking that career test in grade school where you were told you’d make a great federal judge or an exemplary lighthouse keeper? In this book, executive search CEO William Vanderbloemen takes that concept and maps it against hundreds of thousands of data points, forming a roadmap for all of us on how to choose careers that align with our personalities so that we are happy at work.
William has become an unlikely business expert over his long and continuing career. Combining over fifteen years of ministry experience as a Senior Pastor with the best practices of executive search, William created a brand-new executive search for faith-based organizations. Prior to founding his own search company, William studied under a mentor with over twenty-five years of executive search at the highest level. William has surveyed thousands of people in the workforce. He’s asked what their job is and how they feel about them. I’ve also asked them to report their scores on leading personality assessments.
Now, in this groundbreaking guide, William helps you recognize the traits you possess that make you happy and then match those against your possible careers to find the best match.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 13, 2025
There was some good advise and information. However, the reader shouldn't take each word at face value. I'd read it with a pinch of salt and only takes what pertains to me.
Overall, an informative read. Will I recommend it? Yes, perhaps to the younger generation or people who have difficulties figuring out what works for them and need clarity.
Thank you, NetGalley, and HarperCollins for the e-book.
Overall, an informative read. Will I recommend it? Yes, perhaps to the younger generation or people who have difficulties figuring out what works for them and need clarity.
Thank you, NetGalley, and HarperCollins for the e-book.
August 21, 2025
I received an advance reading copy in exchange for a fair review – twice – a digital copy from Netgalley and a hardcopy from the publisher. Work How You Are Wired is similar to other personality-matching job guides like Do What You Are and What Color is Your Parachute? It has very good analysis of the archetypes that Vanderbloemen creates and what sort of careers match up with them. Unfortunately, it suffers from a strong bias that favors the extroverted and live-to-work types. He uses the Enneagram test I applaud this, but am also somewhat disappointed by it. The reason? I’m a 5 (with a 4 Wing) and Vanderbloemen doesn’t use the Wings, and there were only two archetypes that matched 5, nether of which appealed to me. There are nine Enneagram types, so I don’t think the coverage was well distributed, and that always has me wondering about cherry-picking.
Vanderbloemen does suggest that you find out your Enneagram, DiSC, and Vander Index. The last is from his previous book Be the Unicorn, and isn’t available for free (and he references it frequently enough that I debated paying.) I regret that he doesn’t use Myers-Briggs, but that’s where the data-driven subtitle kicks in—As much as it works well for me and others, I’ve met people who felt that their MBTI type was wholly inaccurate and more akin to astrology. He also states explicitly that this book isn’t a personality test, so I’ll switch my foci:
The Good:
• The work is based on data.
• There are plenty of options for each type. Likewise, there are lists of bad career matches. I already knew that any kind of sales job was not for me, but it’s gratifying to see that play out on paper.
• Each Vanderbloemen classification gets sections on what happiness at work will likely mean, from having a good boss to appropriate compensation; there are also sections for micro-traits, areas where the type might struggle, interviews with people of the type, things to do to promote your happiness, the aforementioned bad career matches, “remember who you are” and final takeaways.
The Bad:
• The types are skewed towards what Corporate America tends to look for in job candidates (and, I suspect, was where the majority of data was sourced from.)
• The options are thin for those of us who are introverted, or are in non-business fields (I’m a Librarian in a Public Library with delusions of academia, for example.) He does at least offer creative-types some career options.
• As mentioned, you almost have to buy Be the Unicorn to get the most out of this book.
The Ugly:
• Some of the descriptions of types can veer into stereotyping – which is never the kind of thing you want from this kind of book.
• Since this is an advance copy, I don’t know if the cover will change or not; however, aside from the clever transformation of the D in Wired into a plug & cord, the cover is very, very basic business, and thus a hair away from boring.
Very “librarian” last words: This not the book for me, but it is definitely the book for someone. Your collection will be enhanced, even if suggesting it in-hand with another personality-driven career guide would be a better option for some patrons.
Vanderbloemen does suggest that you find out your Enneagram, DiSC, and Vander Index. The last is from his previous book Be the Unicorn, and isn’t available for free (and he references it frequently enough that I debated paying.) I regret that he doesn’t use Myers-Briggs, but that’s where the data-driven subtitle kicks in—As much as it works well for me and others, I’ve met people who felt that their MBTI type was wholly inaccurate and more akin to astrology. He also states explicitly that this book isn’t a personality test, so I’ll switch my foci:
The Good:
• The work is based on data.
• There are plenty of options for each type. Likewise, there are lists of bad career matches. I already knew that any kind of sales job was not for me, but it’s gratifying to see that play out on paper.
• Each Vanderbloemen classification gets sections on what happiness at work will likely mean, from having a good boss to appropriate compensation; there are also sections for micro-traits, areas where the type might struggle, interviews with people of the type, things to do to promote your happiness, the aforementioned bad career matches, “remember who you are” and final takeaways.
The Bad:
• The types are skewed towards what Corporate America tends to look for in job candidates (and, I suspect, was where the majority of data was sourced from.)
• The options are thin for those of us who are introverted, or are in non-business fields (I’m a Librarian in a Public Library with delusions of academia, for example.) He does at least offer creative-types some career options.
• As mentioned, you almost have to buy Be the Unicorn to get the most out of this book.
The Ugly:
• Some of the descriptions of types can veer into stereotyping – which is never the kind of thing you want from this kind of book.
• Since this is an advance copy, I don’t know if the cover will change or not; however, aside from the clever transformation of the D in Wired into a plug & cord, the cover is very, very basic business, and thus a hair away from boring.
Very “librarian” last words: This not the book for me, but it is definitely the book for someone. Your collection will be enhanced, even if suggesting it in-hand with another personality-driven career guide would be a better option for some patrons.
August 6, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Leadership, and William Vanderbloemen for providing me with a digital advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
I requested "Work How You Are Wired" because I'm always interested in books about career development, leadership, and workplace communication. After decades in the workforce, I'm still looking for ideas that help people build meaningful careers and navigate change. Unfortunately, this book wasn't the right fit for me, although I think it will resonate with a different audience.
The ideal reader is probably someone who is just entering the workforce, early in their career, or considering a career change and feeling unsure where to begin. In many ways, this book feels like it's trying to be a modern version of "What Color Is Your Parachute?" For readers in that situation, I'd actually recommend reading "What Color Is Your Parachute?" instead.
From the introduction, I found the writing surprisingly dated. It reminded me of the business books I was reading in the late 1980s and early 1990s as I was trying to advance my own career—very dry and very much written from a traditional male business perspective. The first chapter opens with a scene from "Mad Men" before quickly launching into page after page of statistics presented in long paragraphs. I enjoy data when it's used well, but leading with dense statistics made the book feel more like a lecture than an engaging conversation.
To the author's credit, I did agree with his discussion of why people hate their jobs. However, from my own experience, I would place poor leadership and unhealthy or unsafe workplace cultures at the very top of that list. A great manager can completely change your work experience, while a bad one can make even your dream job miserable. Over the course of my career, I've learned that if you find yourself working for a consistently poor manager, it's often better to move on than to hope the situation improves.
The book also relies heavily on personality assessments. While I know many people enjoy these tools, I've never found them particularly useful. They may help someone who is new to the workforce or genuinely unsure of their direction, but I don't believe they can tell someone what career they should pursue. Experience, good mentors, supportive leadership, and opportunities for growth have had a far greater impact on my career than any personality profile.
I also noticed a subtle faith-based perspective throughout the book, which makes sense given the author's educational and professional background. Readers who appreciate messages about purpose, calling, and the idea that "everything happens for a reason" may connect with this approach more than I did.
Finally, I wish nonfiction authors would retire the word "unicorn." It has become so overused in nonfiction writing that it no longer feels fresh or meaningful.
This wasn't the right book for me, but that doesn't mean it won't help someone else. If you're just starting your career, feeling stuck, or looking for encouragement as you explore new possibilities, you may find value here. For readers with decades of professional experience, however, much of the advice may feel familiar, oversimplified, or disconnected from the realities that often determine workplace satisfaction—namely, the quality of leadership and organizational culture.
I requested "Work How You Are Wired" because I'm always interested in books about career development, leadership, and workplace communication. After decades in the workforce, I'm still looking for ideas that help people build meaningful careers and navigate change. Unfortunately, this book wasn't the right fit for me, although I think it will resonate with a different audience.
The ideal reader is probably someone who is just entering the workforce, early in their career, or considering a career change and feeling unsure where to begin. In many ways, this book feels like it's trying to be a modern version of "What Color Is Your Parachute?" For readers in that situation, I'd actually recommend reading "What Color Is Your Parachute?" instead.
From the introduction, I found the writing surprisingly dated. It reminded me of the business books I was reading in the late 1980s and early 1990s as I was trying to advance my own career—very dry and very much written from a traditional male business perspective. The first chapter opens with a scene from "Mad Men" before quickly launching into page after page of statistics presented in long paragraphs. I enjoy data when it's used well, but leading with dense statistics made the book feel more like a lecture than an engaging conversation.
To the author's credit, I did agree with his discussion of why people hate their jobs. However, from my own experience, I would place poor leadership and unhealthy or unsafe workplace cultures at the very top of that list. A great manager can completely change your work experience, while a bad one can make even your dream job miserable. Over the course of my career, I've learned that if you find yourself working for a consistently poor manager, it's often better to move on than to hope the situation improves.
The book also relies heavily on personality assessments. While I know many people enjoy these tools, I've never found them particularly useful. They may help someone who is new to the workforce or genuinely unsure of their direction, but I don't believe they can tell someone what career they should pursue. Experience, good mentors, supportive leadership, and opportunities for growth have had a far greater impact on my career than any personality profile.
I also noticed a subtle faith-based perspective throughout the book, which makes sense given the author's educational and professional background. Readers who appreciate messages about purpose, calling, and the idea that "everything happens for a reason" may connect with this approach more than I did.
Finally, I wish nonfiction authors would retire the word "unicorn." It has become so overused in nonfiction writing that it no longer feels fresh or meaningful.
This wasn't the right book for me, but that doesn't mean it won't help someone else. If you're just starting your career, feeling stuck, or looking for encouragement as you explore new possibilities, you may find value here. For readers with decades of professional experience, however, much of the advice may feel familiar, oversimplified, or disconnected from the realities that often determine workplace satisfaction—namely, the quality of leadership and organizational culture.
July 4, 2025
Book Review: Work How You Are Wired: 12 Data-Driven Steps to Finding a Job You Love by William Vanderbloemen
Rating: 4.3/5
Reactions & Emotional Impact
Vanderbloemen’s Work How You Are Wired is a refreshing antidote to generic career advice, blending data-driven rigor with empathetic storytelling. As someone skeptical of personality tests (remember those grade-school career quizzes?), I was pleasantly surprised by the book’s nuanced approach. Vanderbloemen’s use of real-world data—drawn from thousands of professionals—made me feel like my career struggles weren’t just personal failings but systemic mismatches. The chapter on aligning personality traits with job satisfaction sparked several “aha!” moments, leaving me both introspective and motivated.
Strengths
-Data-Backed Insights: Unlike vague self-help guides, Vanderbloemen grounds his advice in tangible research, offering credibility and actionable steps.
-Faith-Based & Secular Balance: While his background in faith-based executive search shines, the book avoids dogma, making it accessible to broader audiences.
-Practical Roadmap: The 12-step framework is clear and methodical, with exercises that prompt genuine self-reflection (e.g., mapping traits to career paths).
Constructive Criticism
-Niche Bias: Some case studies lean heavily toward leadership/ministry roles, which may not resonate with readers in creative or technical fields.
-Personality Test Reliance: While Vanderbloemen critiques simplistic assessments, the book still hinges on them—more alternatives (e.g., aptitude-based models) could strengthen its universality.
-Diversity Gaps: The data pool could benefit from deeper intersectional analysis (e.g., how race/gender impact career satisfaction).
Final Thoughts
This book is a game-changer for anyone feeling stuck in their career. Vanderbloemen’s blend of empathy and analytics transforms abstract aspirations into a concrete plan. Minor biases aside, it’s a compelling call to “work how you’re wired”—not how society expects.
Gratitude:
Thank you to HarperCollins Focus and Edelweiss for the gifted copy—this book arrived at the perfect time in my professional journey!
Why 4.3?
Docked slightly for narrow case studies, but its innovative approach earns a high recommendation. A must-read for career pivoters and planners alike.
Rating: 4.3/5
Reactions & Emotional Impact
Vanderbloemen’s Work How You Are Wired is a refreshing antidote to generic career advice, blending data-driven rigor with empathetic storytelling. As someone skeptical of personality tests (remember those grade-school career quizzes?), I was pleasantly surprised by the book’s nuanced approach. Vanderbloemen’s use of real-world data—drawn from thousands of professionals—made me feel like my career struggles weren’t just personal failings but systemic mismatches. The chapter on aligning personality traits with job satisfaction sparked several “aha!” moments, leaving me both introspective and motivated.
Strengths
-Data-Backed Insights: Unlike vague self-help guides, Vanderbloemen grounds his advice in tangible research, offering credibility and actionable steps.
-Faith-Based & Secular Balance: While his background in faith-based executive search shines, the book avoids dogma, making it accessible to broader audiences.
-Practical Roadmap: The 12-step framework is clear and methodical, with exercises that prompt genuine self-reflection (e.g., mapping traits to career paths).
Constructive Criticism
-Niche Bias: Some case studies lean heavily toward leadership/ministry roles, which may not resonate with readers in creative or technical fields.
-Personality Test Reliance: While Vanderbloemen critiques simplistic assessments, the book still hinges on them—more alternatives (e.g., aptitude-based models) could strengthen its universality.
-Diversity Gaps: The data pool could benefit from deeper intersectional analysis (e.g., how race/gender impact career satisfaction).
Final Thoughts
This book is a game-changer for anyone feeling stuck in their career. Vanderbloemen’s blend of empathy and analytics transforms abstract aspirations into a concrete plan. Minor biases aside, it’s a compelling call to “work how you’re wired”—not how society expects.
Gratitude:
Thank you to HarperCollins Focus and Edelweiss for the gifted copy—this book arrived at the perfect time in my professional journey!
Why 4.3?
Docked slightly for narrow case studies, but its innovative approach earns a high recommendation. A must-read for career pivoters and planners alike.
dnf-shelf
November 15, 2025Got this as an arc but can't bring myself to keep reading. I began this one with so much optimism that fizzled out as quickly as it came. The author's attitude in the beginning had a great vibe, but all of the references to his other book left me feeling like I was missing something. Then, the author urges you to take tests for your enneagram type, DiSC type, and something called the Vander Index...? I looked this up and it's a personality test invented by the author for his last book. Which would be fine, welcome even, if the cheapest option wasn't TWENTY-NINE DOLLARS. Which, might I remind you, is the cost of this entire book if you purchased it. On top of that, I struggled to find a free DiSC test as well, but at least those are all one or two dollars. The cost of the Vander Index put such a sour taste in my mouth I lost my appetite for this book. The beginning was encouraging, at least.
October 9, 2025
If you’ve ever taken a personality test, nodded along, and then promptly gone back to doing the opposite, (me usually) this book is your gentle wake-up call. "Work How You’re Wired" is part friend speak, part leadership coaching, and part “finally someone said it out loud.”
It’s insightful without being preachy, practical without being corporate, and even made me laugh out loud a few times (which is not normal for a book about work). The author manages to help you understand yourself and your team in a way that makes you actually want to show up Monday morning.
Highly recommend for anyone leading people, joining teams, or just trying to figure out why they love some parts of their job but dread others.
It’s insightful without being preachy, practical without being corporate, and even made me laugh out loud a few times (which is not normal for a book about work). The author manages to help you understand yourself and your team in a way that makes you actually want to show up Monday morning.
Highly recommend for anyone leading people, joining teams, or just trying to figure out why they love some parts of their job but dread others.
March 23, 2026
A relatively straightforward book, organised by chapters according to your personality.
If you know what's your personality, zoom straight to the relevant chapters to read up. The author gives helpful recommendations on jobs to explore and to avoid.
One thing I learnt is that as a Likeable personality, I might thrive in an interior designer role. Never thought of it, but I might explore that.
Overall an easy read.
If you know what's your personality, zoom straight to the relevant chapters to read up. The author gives helpful recommendations on jobs to explore and to avoid.
One thing I learnt is that as a Likeable personality, I might thrive in an interior designer role. Never thought of it, but I might explore that.
Overall an easy read.
October 9, 2025
This is a worthwhile read if you're looking for a serious, non-fluffy framework to make intentional career choices. It’s a grounded, step-by-step manual for aligning your professional life with your personal identity, making work feel less like a grind and more like a calling.
November 30, 2025
Not helpful at all but I shouldn’t have expected a book to help me find my career lol. The book was like reading taro cards—general statements applicable to everyone.
Read
January 4, 2026Picked up on a whim at the library; skimmed and my biggest takeaway: we need better leaders for anyone to be happy at work 🤪🫣🧘
February 5, 2026
Read like a hodge podge of corporate personality tests
March 18, 2026
Will be more helpful once the testing discussed/used in the book has been completed
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews