personality and matching career

Before you begin searching for a new career, take some time to learn about your personality type and which professions might suit you best. Many studies have explored how personality can help guide people toward careers that fit them well. 

We will introduce two well-known ways to connect personality types with careers: the Myers-Briggs (MBTI®) and the Enneagram. Consider looking into which career paths might fit your goals. 

The guide is for your reference, and you have to consider various other requirements (technical or management training, professional certification requirements, etc.) to decide which career is most appropriate for you. Once you choose to add new skills based on your plan, you can go through our Changing career post to find options available for updating your skills. 

In this post, we will focus on the MBTI®. You can use it to identify your personality type and see which careers might align with your personal, professional, and financial goals. Myers and Briggs developed 16 personality types to help people understand their strengths and how they make decisions in different situations. 

Personality traits

What are the sixteen different personality types, and which one fits you? We recommend writing down the traits you see in yourself from the following eight groups. This can help you assess which careers might be a good fit. 

This system has eight personality traits: E for Extraversion, I for Introversion, S for Sensing, N for Intuition, T for Thinking, F for Feeling, J for Judging, and P for Perceiving. 

Extraversion (E) nature is characterized by being talkative and outgoing, liking fast-paced environments, working out ideas with others, and thinking out loud; they enjoy being the center of attention. 

Introversion (I) nature is described as reserved and private, prefers a slow pace with time for contemplation, tends to think things through inside their head, and would rather observe than be the center of attention. 

Sensing (S) nature is to focus on the reality of how things are, pay attention to the concrete facts and details, prefer teas that have practical applications, and like to describe things in a specific and literal way. 

Intuition (N) nature is someone who imagines the possibilities of how things could be, notices the big picture, sees how everything connects, enjoys ideas and concepts for their own sake, and likes to describe things in a figurative and poetic way. 

Thinking (T) nature is someone who makes decisions in an impersonal way by using logical reasoning, values justice and fairness, enjoys finding the flaws in an argument, and could be described as reasonable and level-headed. 

Feeling (F) nature indicates the person based her decision on the personal values and how their actions affect others, values harmony and forgiveness, likes to please others, and points out the best in people, and could be described as warm and empathetic. 

Judging (J) nature is associated with the person who prefers to have matters settled, thinks rules and deadlines should be respected, prefers to have detailed step-by-step instructions, makes plans, and wants to know what others are getting into. 

Perceiving (P) nature is associated with people who prefer to keep their options open, see rules and deadlines as flexible, like to improvise and make things as they go, are spontaneous, and enjoy surprises and new situations. 

personality type

A personality is defined by the combinations of four different letters from above as pair and MBTI® has created sixteen such pairs as unique personalities.

INTJ: The intellectual. This is the combination of Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, and Judging nature. They are vision-oriented, quietly innovative, Insightful, Logical, seek understanding, Critical, Decisive, Independent, determined, pursue competence, and seek improvements. INTJ personalities are skeptical and independent; they set high standards of competence and performance. Some suitable careers include Strategic Masterminds, Software Developers, Technical Writers, Judges, Surgeons, and Microbiologists.

ENTJ: The Director. This is a combination of Extraversion, Intuition, Thinking, and Judging. They are driving, organized, Planner, vision-focused, Decisive, initiating, conceptual, strategic, systematic, Assertive, Critical, logical, and organized, and They Pursue improvement and achievement. ENTJ personalities are strategic leaders and self-driven to bring changes in their own efforts. They are good at logical reasoning and have good presentation skills. They can enjoy careers such as Driven Director, Executive, Engineer, Attorney, Architect, and Physician.

ENTP: The Designer. This is a combination of Extraversion, Intuition, Thinking, and Perceiving. They are energetic, Inventive, Enthusiastic, Abstract, Logical, Theoretical, Analytical, Complex, Ingenious, Verbal, Novelty Seeking, Change Oriented, Global, Independent, and Adaptable. Inspired Inventors, Urban Planner, Entrepreneur, Producer/ Director, Real Estate Agent, Reporter.

ESFP: The Entertainer. They are a combination of Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving. They are Energetic, Sociable, Practical, Friendly, Caring, Expressive, Open, Enthusiastic, Excitement Seeking, Spontaneous, Resourceful, Adaptable, Observant, Hands-on, Generous, and Fun-loving. They can flourish in careers as Recreation Directors, Customer Service professionals, front office executives, Dental Assistants, and Bartenders.

INTP: The Architect. This is a combination of Introversion, Institution, Thinking, and Perceiving.

They are logical, Conceptual, Analytical, Objective, Detached, critical, Ingenious, Complex, intellectually curious, love ideas, pursue understanding, Questioning, Adaptable, and Independent. They will have fulfilling careers as an Independent Scientist, Software Engineer, Medical Scientist, Mathematician, Psychiatrist, or College Professor.

INFJ: The Confidant. This is a combination of Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Judging. They are quietly intense, Insightful, creative, Sensitive, seek harmony, growth, serious, Love Languages, Symbols, persevering, and Inspiring. They can enjoy fulfilling careers as Compassionate Counselors, School Counselors, Writers, Interior Designers, Pediatricians, and Veterinarians.

ESTP:  The Showman. They are a combination of Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving. They are excitement-seeking, Active, Pragmatic, Direct, Easygoing, observant, concrete, realistic, Adaptable, efficient, Analytical, trouble-shooters, Spontaneous, Adventurous, and experiential. They can enjoy careers as Sales Managers, Financial Advisors, Police Detectives, Building Contractors, and Military Officers.

INFP: The Helper. This is the combination of Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Perceiving. They have deep-felt values, quietly care, are compassionate, pursue meaning and harmony, are creative, Are Idealistic, Are Empathetic Helpers, Are Inquisitive, enjoy ideas, Language, and writing, Are Independent, and are adaptable. Creative Individuals, Poet, Animator, Psychologist, Librarian, Author, Fine Artist.

ISFP: The Chameleon. This is a combination of Introversion, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving.  They are gentle, quietly caring, compassionate, Adoptable, Modest, Aesthetic, Idealistic, Observant, Loyal, Helpful, Realistic, Patient with details, Spontaneous, and find joy in action. They enjoy their own space, work within their own time frame, and do not want to force their opinions or values on others. They can enjoy careers as Attentive Artisans, Veterinary Technicians, Equipment Repairers, Surveyors, Home Health Aides, and Jewelers.

ENFJ: The Educator. They are a combination of Extraversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Judging. They are actively sociable, Enthusiastic, harmonious, Expressive, Warm, Idealistic, Empathetic, possibility-oriented, Insightful, Cooperative, Imaginative, conscientious, Appreciative, and Tactful. Charismatic, Inspiring. Some suitable careers for ENFJ personalities include Non-Profit Director and Teacher. Health Educator, PR Specialist, and Minister.

ISTP: The Innovator. This is the combination of Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving. They are logical, quietly Analytical, Practical, Adaptable, Curious, Cool, observant, problem-solvers, Exact, Realistic, Trouble-Shooters, Hands-on, Adventurous, and independent. They are good at analyzing data from multiple sources and identifying the root causes of problems. Some suitable careers include Adaptable Technicians. Carpenter, Mechanic, Computer Hardware Engineer, Operations Analyst.

ESTJ: The Manager. This is a combination of Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging. They are active organizers, Logical, Assertive, fact-minded, Decisive, Practical, Results-oriented, Analytical, Systematic, Concrete, Critical, Responsible, take-charge, and common-sense. Some suitable careers include Practical Supervisor, General Manager, Insurance Agent, Loan Officer, School Administrator, and Chef.

ENFP: The Advocates. This is a combination of Extraversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Perceiving. They are Enthusiastic, Imaginative, Energetic, Creative, Warm, Future-oriented, Individualistic, Insightful, Caring, Optimistic, possibility-focused, Open, novelty-seeking, spontaneous, and playful.  Some suitable careers include recreational therapist, restaurateur, preschool teacher, travel writer, and landscape architect.

ESFJ: The Contributor. This is a combination of Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling, and Judging. They are actively sociable, Warm, harmonious, caring, Enthusiastic, Empathetic, People-Oriented, Practical, Responsible, Concrete, orderly, conscientious, cooperative, appreciative, and Loyal.  Some of the suitable careers are as a Caring Provider, Elementary Teacher, Child Care Director, Nutritionist, and Cosmetologist

ISFJ:  The defender. This is the combination of Introversion, sensing, Feeling, and Judging.  They are Quiet, friendly, responsible, and conscientious. Committed and steady in meeting their obligations.  They are thorough, painstaking, and accurate. Loyal, considerate, notice, and remember specifics about people who are important to them, concerned with how others feel. Strive to create an orderly and harmonious environment at work and at home. They are best suited for careers as Sensible Helpers, Social Workers, Bookkeepers, Medical Secretaries, Executive Assistants, and Kindergarten Teachers.

ISTJ: The Auditor. This is the combination of Introversion, sensing, Thinking, and Judging. They are responsible for the realist personality. The responsible realist type of personality is responsible, sincere, analytical, reserved, realistic, systematic, Hardworking, and trustworthy with sound practical judgment. Some suitable careers include Accountant, Office Manager, Probation Officer, Logistics, and Systems Administrator.

personality type and best matching professions

The following infographic presents the above combinations and some known faces to provide better insight into personality types and best-matching professions. Additionally, you can obtain additional information to decide which job will give you greater satisfaction.