John Edward began to start his psychic readings telling people that he would be happy to give them a psychic reading, but first he "had" to give them some messages. People kept returning to talk to their loved ones. One woman, who found John Edward after she had come from a funeral, came back the very next day with the entire family.

John Edward's mother was always quite supportive of his psychic abilities. Sadly, she passed from cancer just before John turned twenty-one. They promised to communicate with each other, and to have three signs that would "prove" that connection took place. In his books, John Edward does chronicle that having these signs is exactly the wrong thing for someone to do, but that he did receive each of the three signs within about a ten year period following her death. Many people have approached him saying they have "a sign" from his mother.

As an adult, John Edward worked in health care, as a phlebotomist. John Edward was also studying for a degree in Health Care Administration at Long Island University. At this time his spirit guides, who John Edward calls "the Boys," told him that he was to work full-time as a medium. John left his position and gave psychic readings and lectures full time.

John Edward published his first book One Last Time in 1998. In 1999, John Edward had his own television show, Crossing Over with John Edward. Crossing Over with John Edward was televised from 1999 to 2004 in the U.S.A. on the Sci-Fi Network and the U.K. on LIVINGtv. On his television show, Edward gives free psychic readings to audience members, often talking to the dead, and audience members share feedback about the readings and information about the loved one's life.

In 2006, John Edward's new television show first appeared on WE, the Women's Entertainment Channel. In the first season of the show, John Edward was shown giving readings to large audiences at public venues. The second season was similar to the Crossing Over with John Edward television show.

John Edward has written a number of best-selling books, including his first book called One Last Time, Crossing Over: The Stories Behind the Stories and After Life: Answers From the Other Side. He has also created audio programs including Developing Your Own Psychic Powers and Understanding Your Angels and Meeting Your Guides.