What Personality Types Suit Which Career

Ever wondered why certain jobs weren't meant for you?

It might be worth looking into finding out what your personality type is to find how your interests, skills and your natural thought process can be best used in a workplace environment.

In this article, we take a look at the famous Myers-Brigger Personality Types, and share which type of jobs is best suited for each personality type.

What is the Myers-Briggs Personality Type

The Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was developed by Katherine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers to determine the psychological preferences of how people perceive the world around them and how they make decisions. The MBTI is essentially a self-reported questionnaire.

There are 16 personality types which are that based on the following four dichotomies:

1. Are you outwardly or inwardly focused?

If you describe yourself as talkative, outgoing, enjoy the company of others and like being the centre of attention then you prefer Extraversion (E).

If you describe yourself as private, reserved, like to think through things and prefer to not be the centre of attention, then you prefer Introversion (I).

2. How you prefer to take in information?

If you like to focus on concrete facts, prefer ideas that have practical applications, like to focus on the reality of how things are, and describe things in a specific literal way then you prefer Sensing (S).
If you like to imagine the possibilities of how things could be, see the bigger picture, absorb ideas for their own sake, and like to describe things in figurative and poetic way, then you prefer Intuition (N).

3. How do you prefer to make decisions?

If you make decisions using logical reasoning, value justice, enjoy finding flaws in argument, and you're described as level-headed, then you prefer Thinking (T).
If you base your decision on personal values, and you're generally described as warm and empathetic then you prefer Feeling (F).

4. How do you prefer to live your outer life?

If you think rules and deadlines should be respected, prefer step-by-step instructions, and like to make plans and know what you're getting into, then you prefer Judging (J).
If you prefer to leave your options open, see rules and deadlines as flexible, like to improvise as you go along, and consider yourself to be spontaneous, then you prefer Perceiving (P).

The 16 Personality Types

From the above, you will have noticed a pair of letters (i.e. E, I) in each dichotomy. Your Myer-Briggs Personality Type is determined by selecting the letter that closely relates to your personality in each dichotomy. The four letters you choose will represent your personality.

The chart below shows the 16 personality combinations along with a brief description of key characteristics.

an image showing different personality types

Possible Careers Type for each Myer-Briggs Personality Type

ISTJ - The Duty Fulfiller

With this personality type, you possess an inner drive for success that comes from a never-give-up attitude. You also possess strong organisational skills and like to have order and structure.

Suitable career paths: administrators, managers and executive.

ISFJ - The Nurturers

You posses very good memory skills and the ability to be in-tune with other. This makes you a perfect fit for service oriented careers. You see yourself as a dependable worker and you also take your responsibilities seriously.

Suitable career paths: health and social care worker, bookkeeping, customer service.

INFJ - The Protectors

You are a rational and logical person that is always looking to seek out the truth. You also consider yourself to be a visionary.

Suitable career paths: psychology, alternative medicine, journalism, counselling.

INTJ - The Scientist

You possess a highly analytical mind that is very good at absorbing complicated ideas and theories. You're also very creative and can see the bigger picture.

Suitable career paths: science, medicine, teaching.

ISTP - The Mechanics

You enjoy applying logic and reasoning to different ideas and you are curious to see how things work.

Suitable career paths: forensics, public services and computer programming.

ISFP- The Artist

You have a keen awareness of your surroundings and your own individuality as well as natural appreciation for aesthetic beauty and originality.

Suitable career paths: music, arts, teaching and social work.

INFP - The Idealist

You have a genuine interest in people and you're also laid-back and very flexible. Roles that require your advance interpersonal skills would suit you well

Suitable career paths: health and social care, child care, teaching and psychology.

INTP - The Thinkers

You tend work alone most of the time and you like to understand complex concepts and theories.

Suitable career paths: Highly specialised scientific career, forensics, programming and mathematics

ESTP - The Doers

You prefer being hands-on and in a problem solving position.

Suitable career paths: construction, computer technical support, engineering, detective work.

ESFP - The Performers

You keep a healthy balance between being spontaneous and being practical and realistic. Even though you are interested in people, you also like to be independent and resourceful.

Suitable career paths: arts and design.

ENFP - The Inspirers

You enjoy taking on a good project. As a service-orientated individual, you like to have variety in your work.

Suitable career paths: consulting, counselling, health and social care, child care, journalism, assessor.

ENTP - The Visionaries

Your are a natural leader that performs well in an energetic position where you can solve problems in a group setting.

Suitable career types: Sales, engineering and medicine.

ESTJ - The Guardians

You enjoying leading people and you also like to follow through on your objectives and goals. You lead by example and like to have a structure.

Suitable career types: business management, administration, law, assessor

ESFJ - The Caregivers

Both loyalty and organisation are your strongest qualities. You love helping others and interacting with people in both work and social environment.

Suitable career types: nurse, health and social care, child care, teacher, administration

ENFJ - The Givers

You're both creative and organised, and you have a unique personality where honesty is appreciated and harmony is desired. Your personality is best suited in diplomatic fields

Suitable career types: politics, sales, teaching, health and social work, child care

ENTJ - The Executives

You always have one eye on the future and you also ooze charisma. Your high levels of confidence makes you perfect for senior positions or even running your own business.

Suitable career types: entrepreneurship, business administration and management

Thanks for reading! What are your thoughts on this? Do you think a particular personality type is suited for a particular career? Please let us know in the comments section below.

Featured image: Burst

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