Virgo Astrology Career Profile

Top Careers

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Virgo

August 23 - September 22

By Jane Hodges

Virgos are often other-focused and more comfortable helping others than they are basking in the spotlight.

Top Career Programs for Virgos

What Motivates Virgo

Virgo, ruled by communication planet Mercury, craves clarity of thought and intent—and enjoys serving by organizing, refining, correcting, and adjusting the people and thinking around them. Because all Virgos bring to their careers the careful eyes of a problem-solver, they are able to spot and avert trouble before it arises.

They're not necessarily persnickety (though some are), as much as they are interested in finding the right way to get the job done so time, energy and resources aren't wasted. Because Virgos are a sign of service—rather than self-service—their gentle corrections and criticisms are easy to swallow. Who can argue with this reasonable, practical person whose suggestions would only improve things?

A True Friend In Deeds

They genuinely enjoy helping. Indeed, these shy people reveal their character by working on yours—so if a Virgo wants to take a crack at organizing your inbox, developing a new software for your business, arranging your bookshelf into a library, doing your taxes, or helping you buy a cute outfit on lunch break, by all means accept.

As the Zodiac's problem solvers and refiners, Virgos create work that is solidly constructed, but just as often they end up in roles where they are refining the work of others. The editor is a prime example of a Virgo job: Working behind the scenes, the editor nudges the writer to revise, correct, and clarify copy until it is publication-ready—under the writer's name.

Polite, Practical and Precise

Virgos are generally mild-mannered and polite, correct about etiquette and conscious of doing things the right way socially as well as professionally. This can cause downfall in their romantic lives, as few mates can match this sign's high expectations. But they're always blessed with appreciative friends and family. Virgo folks send thank you notes and think ahead when guests visit.

They are organized, to a humorous degree. They alphabetize book and CD collections, and may own stock in California Closets. They are always learning, but with a practical, techniques-oriented focus: Their learning, no matter how esoteric, is either applied in their day-to-day life or taught to others.

Being a Virgo isn't easy. This sign's penchant for sweating the small stuff may give them nerve-related health conditions and means these folks need extra sleep to let their minds settle. But if Virgos can find a Virgo friend to give them sage advice—slow down, relax, you need a vacation—they'll gain the support they always provide others.

How to Spot a Virgo at Work

Virgo career manual: Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
Colors: Beige, brown, and earth tones
Virgo success symbol: Books, books, and more books
Spare time pursuits: Personal training, serving on a board, organizing friends' lives

Virgo in Action

Virgo Rachael Ray exemplifies her sign's talent for serving others by simplifying and systematizing America's kitchens. As with many Virgos, Ray fell into her career as a TV cooking show host when she began advising customers in a gourmet store on how to cook with different ingredients and plan meals. Eventually, Ray's local oeuvre of practical ideas catapulted her into an arena where she can proffer advice to the masses.

True to Virgo style, Ray demystifies and simplifies the art of cooking. Virgos like to create "systems" and "techniques" for doing things, and Ray is straightforward about the do's and don'ts in her kitchen. She has also created her own shorthand language for common ingredients: sandwiches are "Sammies"; extra virgin olive oil goes by her term "EVOO." Foodies scoff at her lack of formal training, but Ray's very practical (and very Virgo) goal is to solve the day-to-day problems of cooking—such as what to cook in half an hour, using normal ingredients—rather than offer foodies more pricey ideas for going gourmet. Modest like most Virgos, she seems to enjoy sharing her methods more than basking in the celebrity this work has brought her.

Virgos: Counsels to the World

Like Ray, most Virgos serve by instructing and advising (Dr. Joyce Brothers). Many Virgos serve by improving and optimizing the use of words (NPRs "Puzzlemaster" Will Shortz), functioning well as writers, editors or consultants. Rather than cultivate mystery around their work, they democratize it by sharing how it's done. For example, celeb mystery writer Stephen King pens books for other writers about his narrative technique, while supermodel Twiggy advises up-and-coming models on "America's Next Top Model."

Virgos like using the special language and precise organizational systems of fields such as library science, software development, math and even accounting. They also don't mind navigating the bureaucracy of civil service positions and detail required of engineering or translation and transcription work.

Never Too Perfect

One danger for this sign is their perfectionism. It makes some Virgos unapproachable, impatient and sharp-tongued (Dr. Phil, H.L. Mencken), unable to fathom how others can't see what, to them, is the obvious. Virgos have incredibly high standards (Lance Armstrong, Mother Teresa, Elvis Costello) and expect the same of others. They see with clarity—and as evidence often have clear, sparkling eyes (Cameron Diaz).

As financiers, their analytical skills help with precise stock picks (Warren Buffett, Peter Lynch). When Virgos do let loose with their humor, it has a nervous, nerdy quality (Jimmy Fallon, Pee Wee Herman, Lily Tomlin) or a biting, bitter wit (Martin Amis). As the Zodiac's problem-solvers, these folks find plenty of head-shaking humor—not to mention system errors and sloppy logic—in everyday circumstances, and they bring earnest energy and pragmatism to any task.