Right now this is a work in progress.
First, the personas and traits.
Personas: (I'm not sure how these affect the game)
Jack of all trades:
This sim is well rounded, good at everything but excels at nothing.
Nice guy:
Need to create and maintain friendships with everyone in the neighborhood
Jerk:
Excell by annoying every sim in the neighborhood
Sleaze:
Requires generous amounts of woohoo
Power Seeker:
This sim loves money and power
Maniac:
This sim is just crazy!
Class clown:
Learned your ABCs and made others laugh while doing it.
Virtuoso:
Music flows from your fingers.
Michelin star:
You live to cook for yourself and others
Protector:
Keeping other safe is your top priority
Top achiever:
This sim aims for the top and doesn't settle for less
Old master:
Beautiful colors and appreciation of art are your reason to be.
Ambitious:
This sim wants to try a little bit of everything.
Traits: (these definitely affect the game)
Expressive, Brave, Encouraging, Gastronome, Competitive, Contemplative, Explorer, Shy, Conversationalist, Good Sense of Humor, No Sense of Humor, Easily Impressed, Easily Bored, Vain, Modest, Mean Spirited, Friendly, Couch Potato, Active, Slob, Neat, Genius, Absent Minded, Neurotic.
If you are going to have your sim make friends, the best traits are Conversationalist (like charismatic I believe), friendly, and good sense of humor.
I'll add to this in a bit with a start of a careers list.