If you’re considering a career change, you might not know what direction you want to take with your next role. Knowing what you don’t want to do (your current job) is different than having a clear goal of what you do want to pursue.
One fun and helpful way to narrow down the options is to consider what jobs are a great fit for your personality. While this shouldn’t be the only deciding factor in determining your career path, you can use the Myers-Briggs career test to gain a little insight into which roles you might enjoy the most.
What Is the Myers-Briggs Personality Test?
First published in 1962, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was created by a mother-daughter team looking for ways to help people understand themselves and each other better. The test has grown to have a massive following in the corporate world, with more than 88% of Fortune 500 companies utilizing the insights.
How to Take the Myers-Briggs Test
Are you wondering how your personality would stack up against different job postings? Trying to figure out what your dream job is? You don’t have to wait for a corporate recruiter to send you a link. Taking the Myers-Briggs test can provide you with a new way of assessing compatible roles and might be valuable as a launching point for new job research.
Find the test online at MBTIonline for a small fee or through a certified practitioner who administers the test. The assessment should take around 45 minutes, and you’ll be quickly provided with feedback that many professionals believe you can use to help shape your personal development and well-being.
What Are the Traits Assessed?
After completing the assessment, you’ll be provided with results showing where you land in the following four categories.
- Extroversion (E) or Introversion (I)
- Sensing (S) or Intuitive (N)
- Feeling (F) or Thinking (T)
- Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)
Most of us will have characteristics that fall across the entire spectrum, but our unique personalities and perspectives will lean more toward one side of each category.
Broken down into eight subcategories, they combine to create 16 different personality types, as defined by Myers-Briggs. We’ve listed them below, along with some careers that are considered an excellent fit for each personality.
More: How to Answer “What Makes You Unique?” In a Job Interview
Great Career Matches for Myers-Briggs Personality Types
ISTJ
ISTJ personality types are often organized and thorough. They’ll thrive in analytical roles with consistent outcomes and expectations.
Careers for ISTJ personality types:
- Accountant
- Bookkeeper
ISFJ
Often considered considerate and conscientious, ISFJ personalities thrive in orderly environments where they can embrace their social desire to bring value to others.
Careers for ISFJ personality types:
- Photographer
- Administrative Assistant
INTJ
Organized and decisive, the INTJ personality seeks to find connections and will thrive in analytical roles.
Careers for INTJ personality types:
- Supply Chain Manager
- Advertising Executive
INFJ
Job seekers who identify as INFJ will often be those who seek insight into others, what motivates them, and long to create a better community and individual relationships.
Careers for INFJ personality types:
- Counselor
- Therapist
ISTP
More likely to be natural introverts, the ISTP characteristics lean toward big-picture thinking. They are often the ones analyzing cause and effect and finding efficient solutions.
Careers for ISTP personality types:
- Engineer
- Computer Technician
ISFP
Those with an ISFP personality can quickly push through their natural tendency to be introverted. Being social, they enjoy harmony and avoid conflict.
Careers for ISFP personality types:
- Social Media Manager
- Physical Therapist
INFP
Frequently idealistic and loyal, INFP types tend to be fantastic coaches, as they enjoy working one-on-one with others to help them fulfill their potential.
Careers for INFP personality types:
- Career Coach
- Graphic Designer
INTP
Highly introverted, INTP types shy away from team roles, preferring to analyze and tackle problems methodically by themselves.
Careers for INTP personality types:
- Architect
- Science Professor
ESTP
Thought of as a persuader, the ESTP personality type is often very outgoing and very detail-oriented but struggles with seeing the bigger picture. Tending toward practicality, they aren’t planners but can achieve results quickly.
Careers for ESTP personality types:
- Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Sales
- Customer Service
ESFP
Considered highly adaptable, the ESFP personality type is often outgoing and fun in their day-to-day work life and not afraid to be in the spotlight.
Careers for ESFP personality types:
- Event Planner
- Interior Designer
ENFP
Many entrepreneurs fall under the umbrella of the ENFP personality type. They rely more on intuition rather than traditional rules. You can frequently find them following their passions.
Careers for ENFP personality types:
- Arts Director
- Consultant
ENTP
Also prone to entrepreneurial roles, the ENTP personality is more likely to carefully do market research and develop a solid business plan before starting their venture.
Careers for ENTP personality types:
- Real Estate Agent
- Marketing
ESTJ
Extroverts that land on the higher thinking (T) side of the spectrum, ESTJ types often excel in social roles requiring big-picture thinking. They’re more matter-of-fact than their counterparts with high feeling (F).
Careers for ESTJ personality types:
- Project Manager
- Account Executive
ESFJ
Highly extroverted, the ESFJ personality trait gravitates toward social roles. Generally, this personality will work well in a team environment.
Careers for ESFJ personality types:
- Sales Representative
- Account Manager
ENFJ
Considered high-energy, ENFJ team members are fun to be around and often the catalyst for getting momentum going for projects and new ideas.
Careers for ENFJ personality types:
- Human Resources Manager
- Trainer
ENTJ
Organized, efficient, outgoing, and not afraid to take charge or embrace the spotlight, the ENTJ personality is often seen as a natural-born leader who can rally the team around an organized and efficient approach.
Careers for ENTJ personality types:
- Lawyer
- Executive
How to Use Your Results
If you recently took the test yourself, or have a copy from a previous employer, you can use the information from your Myers-Briggs career test to help you brainstorm your next career goal. It’s essential to remember that this is simply one aspect of your career story. Your experiences, training, and work history will also guide you toward roles you love.
However, if you’re at a crossroads and trying to determine what career path to follow next, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can help jump-start your career explorations.
For more information, check out FlexJobs ultimate guide to changing careers.
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