By Safdar Mehdi

Understanding your Personality Type can assist your career development in a number of ways. It can help you select a career field that is a good

fit for your personality make-up. It can increase your awareness of your learning

style so you can better benefit from career related education.

Understanding your personality preferences can help you better manage Job Challenges that inevitably rise there ugly heads during the course of our career.

These preferences were extrapolated from the typological theories originated by Carl Gustav Jung, as published in his 1921 book Psychological Types (English edition, 1923).The original developers of the personality inventory were Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers.

"According to type theory, MBTI Types would be distributed in occupations consistent with the characteristics of the work environments of those occupations. Occupations my both require and reward specific ways of perceiving information and making decisions on that information; thus different types would be expected to be attracted to different occupations."

Extrovert (E)Act first, think/reflect laterFeel deprived when cutoff from Interaction with the outside worldUsually open to and motivated by outside world of people and thingsEnjoy wide variety and change in people relationships

Introvert (I)Think/reflect first, then ActRegularly require an amount of “private time” to recharge batteriesMotivated internally, mind is sometimes so active it is “closed” to outside worldPrefer one-to-one communication and relationships

Sensing (S)Mentally live in the Now, attending to present opportunitiesUsing common sense and creating practical solution is automatic-instinctual Memory recall is rich in detail of facts and past eventsBest improvise from past experienceLike clear and concrete information; dislikes guessing when facts are “Fuzzy”

Intuitive (N)Mentally live in the Future, attending to future possibilitiesUsing imagination and creating/inventing new possibilities is automatic-instinctual Memory recall emphasizes patterns, contexts, and connectionsBest improvise from theoretical understanding Comfortable with ambiguous, fuzzy data and with guessing its meaning

Thinking (T)Instinctively search for facts and logic in a decision situationNaturally notices task and work to be accomplishedEasily able to provide an objective and critical analysis.Accept conflict as a natural, normal part of relationships with people

Feelings (F)Instinctively employ personal feelings and impacts on people in decision situationsNaturally sensitive to people needs and reactionsNaturally seek consensus and popular opinions Unsettled by conflict; have almost a toxic reaction to disharmony

Judging (J)Plan many of the details in advance before moving into actionFocus on task-related action; complete meaningful segments before moving onWork best and avoid stress when keep ahead of deadlinesNaturally use targets, dates and standard routines to manage life

Perceiving (P)Comfortable moving into action without a plan; plan on-the-goLike to multitask, have variety, mix work and play Naturally tolerant of time pressure; work best close to deadlinesInstinctively avoid commitments which interface with flexibility freedom and variety

ISTJ Serious, quiet, earn success by

concentration and thoroughness. Practical, orderly, Matter-of-fact, logical, realistic, and dependable. See to it that every thing is well organized. Take responsibility. Make up their own minds as to what should be accomplished and work toward it steadily, regardless of protests or distractions.

Possible Career Paths for the ISTJ: ◦Business Executives, Administrators and Managers ◦Accountants and Financial Officers ◦Police and Detectives ◦ Judges ◦Lawyers ◦Medical Doctors / Dentists ◦Computer Programmers, Systems Analysts, and

Computer Specialists ◦Military Leaders

http://www.personalitypage.com

ISTP Cool onlookers – quiet, reserved, observing

and analyzing life with detached curiosity and unexpected flashes of original humor. Usually interested in cause and effect, how and why mechanical things work, and in organizing facts using logical principles. Excel at getting to the core of a practical problem and finding the solution.

Possible Career Paths for the ISTP: ◦Police and Detective Work ◦Forensic Pathologists ◦Computer Programmers, System Analysts and

Computer Specialists ◦Engineers ◦Carpenters ◦Mechanics ◦Pilots, Drivers, Motorcyclists ◦Athletes ◦Entrepreneurs

ESTP Good at on-the-spot problem solving. Like

action, enjoy what ever comes along. Tend to like mechanical things and sports. Adaptable, tolerant, pragmatic; focused on getting results. Dislike long explanations. Are best with real things that can be worked handled, taken apart or put together.

Possible Career Paths for the ESTP: ◦Sales Representatives ◦Marketing Personnel ◦Police / Detective Work ◦Paramedic / Emergency Medical Technician ◦PC Technicians or Network Cablers ◦Computer Technical Support ◦Entrepreneurs

ESTJ Practical, realistic, matter-of-fact, with a

natural head for business or mechanics. Not interested in abstract theories; want learning to have direct and immediate application. Like to organize and run activities. Often make good administrators; are decisive, quickly move to implement decisions; Take care of routine details.

Possible Career Paths for the ESTJ: ◦Military leaders ◦Business Administrators and Managers ◦Police / Detective work ◦ Judges ◦Financial Officers ◦Teachers ◦Sales Representatives

ISFJ Quiet, friendly, responsible, and

conscientious. Work devotedly to meet their obligations. Lend stability to any project or group. Thorough, painstaking, accurate. Their interests are usually not technical. Can be patient with necessary details. Loyal, considerate, perceptive, concerned with how other people feel.

Possible Career Paths for the ISFJ: ◦ Interior Decorators ◦Designers ◦Nurses ◦Administrators and Managers ◦Administrative Assistants ◦Child Care / Early Childhood Development ◦Social Work / Counselors ◦Paralegals ◦Clergy / Religious Workers ◦Office Managers ◦Shopkeepers ◦Bookkeepers ◦Home Economics

ISFP Retiring, quietly friendly, sensitive, kind,

modest about their abilities. Shun disagreements do not force their opinions or values on others. Usually do not care to lead but are often loyal followers. Often relaxed about getting things done because they enjoy the present moment and do not want to spoil it by undue haste or exertion.

Possible Career Paths for the ISFP: ◦Artist ◦Musician / Composer ◦Designer ◦Child Care / Early Childhood Development ◦Social Worker / Counselor ◦Teacher ◦Psychologist ◦Veterinarian ◦Forest Ranger ◦Pediatrician

ESFP Outgoing, accepting, friendly, enjoy

everything and make things more fun for others by their enjoyment. Like action and making things happen. Know what’s going on and join in eagerly. Find remembering facts easier than mastering theories. Are best in situations that need sound common sense and practical ability with people.

Possible Career Paths for the ESFP: ◦Artists, Performers and Actors ◦Sales Representatives ◦Counselors / Social Work ◦Child Care ◦Fashion Designers ◦ Interior Decorators ◦Consultants ◦Photographers

ESFJ Warm-hearted, talkative, popular

conscientious, born cooperators, active committee members. Need harmony and may be good at creating it. Always doing something nice for someone. Work best with encouragement and praise. Main interest is in things that directly and visibly affect people’s lives.

Possible Career Paths for the ESFJ: ◦Home Economics ◦Nursing ◦Teaching ◦Administrators ◦Child Care ◦Family Practice Physician ◦Clergy or other religious work ◦Office Managers ◦Counselors / Social Work ◦Bookkeeping / Accounting ◦Administrative Assistants

INFJ Succeed by perseverance, originality, and

desire to do whatever is needed or wanted. Put their best efforts into their work. Quietly forceful, conscientious, concerned for others. Respected for their firm principles. Likely to be honored and followed for their clear visions as to how best to serve the common good.

Possible Career Paths for the INFJ: ◦Clergy / Religious Work ◦Teachers ◦Medical Doctors / Dentists ◦Alternative Health Care Practitioners, i.e.

Chiropractor, Reflexologist ◦Psychologists ◦Psychiatrists ◦Counselors and Social Workers ◦Musicians and Artists ◦Photographers ◦Child Care / Early Childhood Development

INFP Quiet observers, idealistic, loyal. Important

that outer life be congruent with inner values. Curious, quick to see possibilities, often serve as catalysts to implement ideas. Adaptable, flexible, and accepting unless a value is threatened. Want to understand people and ways of fulfilling human potential. Little concern with possession or surroundings.

Possible Career Paths for the INFP: ◦Writers ◦Counselors / Social Workers ◦Teachers / Professors ◦Psychologists ◦Psychiatrists ◦Musicians ◦Clergy / Religious Workers

ENFP Warm enthusiastic, high-spirited,

ingenious, and imaginative. Able to do almost anything that interests them. Quick with a solution for any difficulty and ready to help any one with a problem. Often rely on their ability to improvise instead of preparing in advance. Can usually find compelling reasons for whatever they want.

Possible Career Paths for the ENFP: ◦ Consultant ◦ Psychologist ◦ Entrepreneur ◦ Actor ◦ Teacher ◦ Counselor ◦ Politician / Diplomat ◦ Writer / Journalist ◦ Television Reporter ◦ Computer Programmer, Systems Analyst, or

Computer Specialist ◦ Scientist ◦ Engineer

ENFJ Feel real concern for what others think or

want, and try to handle things with due regard for the other’s feelings. Can present a proposal or lead a group discussion with ease and tact. Sociable, Popular, sympathetic. Responsive to praise and criticism. Like to facilitate others and enable people to achieve their potential.

Possible Career Paths for the ENFJ: ◦ Facilitator ◦ Consultant ◦ Psychologist ◦ Social Worker / Counselor ◦ Teacher ◦ Clergy ◦ Sales Representative ◦ Human Resources ◦ Manager ◦ Events Coordinator ◦ Politicians / Diplomats ◦ Writers

INTJ Have original minds and great drive for

their own ideas and purposes. Have long-range vision and quickly find meaningful pattern in external events. In fields that appeal to them they have a fine power to organize a job carry it through. Skeptical, critical, independent, determined have high standard of competence and performance.

Possible Career Paths for the INTJ: ◦Scientists ◦Engineers ◦Professors and Teachers ◦Medical Doctors / Dentists ◦Corporate Strategists and Organization Builders ◦Business Administrators / Managers ◦Military Leaders ◦Lawyers / Attorneys ◦ Judges ◦Computer Programmers, Systems Analysts and

Computer Specialists

INTP Quiet and reserved. Especially enjoy

theoretical or scientific pursuits. Like solving problems with logic and analysis. Interested mainly in ideas, with little liking for parties or small talk. Tend to have sharply defined interests. Need careers where strong interest can be use and useful.

Possible Career Paths for the INTP: ◦ Scientists - especially Physics, Chemistry ◦ Photographers ◦ Strategic Planners ◦ Mathematicians ◦ University Professors ◦ Computer Programmers, Systems Analysts, Computer

Animation and Computer Specialists ◦ Technical Writers ◦ Engineers ◦ Lawyers / Attorneys ◦ Judges ◦ Forensic Research ◦ Forestry and Park Rangers

ENTP Quick, ingenious, good at many things.

Stimulating company, alert and outspoken. May argue for fun on either side of a question. Resourceful in solving new and challenging problems, but may neglect routine assignments. Apt to turn to one new interest after another. Skillful in finding logical reasons for what they want.

Possible Career Paths for the ENTP: ◦ Lawyers ◦ Psychologists ◦ Entrepreneurs ◦ Photographers ◦ Consultants ◦ Engineers ◦ Scientists ◦ Actors ◦ Sales Representatives ◦ Marketing Personnel ◦ Computer Programmer, Systems Analyst, or

Computer Specialist

ENTJ Frank, decisive, leaders in activities.

Develop and implement comprehensive systems to solve organizational problems. Good in anything that requires reasoning and intelligent talk, such as public speaking. Are usually well informed and enjoy adding to their fund of knowledge.

Possible Career Paths for the ENTJ: ◦Corporate Executive Officer; Organization

Builder ◦Entrepreneur ◦Computer Consultant ◦Lawyer ◦ Judge ◦Business Administrators and Managers ◦University Professors and Administrators