The Best Career Paths Based on Your Myers-Briggs Personality Type

In recent years there has been a lot of talk about how to choose a career path if you’re an introvert, yet according to the Myers-Briggs personality scale there are still many other personality types, so what about those? Well, today we will be talking about all the personality types and which career paths might be best for each one. First, let’s talk about the Myers-Briggs scale.

There are eight components to the personality types on the Myers-Briggs scale:

• Extroverts: Skilled with multitasking and fast-paced work environments. Extroverts gather their energy while in groups of people.
• Introverts: Works well in smaller groups or alone, and prefers to take on tasks one at a time.
• Intuitives: Skilled with identifying patterns and thinking creatively to solve problems. Thinks broadly and sees the big picture.
• Sensors: Detail oriented and focuses on facts and data. Applies common sense and past experiences to problem solving.
• Thinkers: Prefers to think logically, while maintaining consistency across all processes.
• Feelers: Cooperative and often sensitive, they make decisions based on the feelings of others.
• Judgers: Values order and preparation, prefers to stick to the rules and always works with a plan.
• Perceivers: A little on the spontaneous side, they prefer to have many options and are flexible when carrying out tasks.

Using these components, the Myers-Briggs system then assigns one of sixteen personality types to the individual taking its test. Overall, the system provides greater depth when compared to the more simplistic extrovert or introvert approach. For example, your outcome could be “INTP,” which is comprised of introvert, intuitive, thinker, and perceiver. You read that right – intuitive is marked as “N” in order to avoid confusion, so we’ll keep that in mind as we move forward. Be sure you know your Myers-Briggs type before reading on!

ESFJ

This personality type tends to prefer working in groups, especially in roles where they care for the well-being of others. Good careers for those with the ESFJ personality type are social worker, nurse or healthcare worker, sales representative, or in public relations.

ESTJ

This group often seeks leadership roles or roles that otherwise require them to make important decisions. Suitable career paths include lawyer, project manager, pharmacist, or insurance agent.

ESFP

Those who fall under the ESFP group tend to prefer roles in which they can interact with others on a regular basis. Some good career choices for the ESFP group include primary care physician, interior designer, actor, or child welfare counselor.

ENTP

This group likes taking chances and enjoys a good challenge. Those who received an ENTP on their test prefer to not conform to certain norms and can be persistent in their goals. They would be a great fit in roles such as marketing director, politician, creative director, or as an entrepreneur.

ESTP

This personality type craves excitement and shows their true potential while under stress. They prefer high-stakes roles in which they can be resourceful, such as detective, investor, sports coach, or entertainment agent.

ENTJ

These individuals prefer to have a well thought out strategy, and think logically and analytically. Roles in which they can create order and maximize efficiency are their favorite types, and their best career choices could be as a lawyer, a market research analyst, an executive, or a venture capitalist.

ENFP

This group is creative and likes to keep an open mind. They prefer roles in which they can be expressive while communicating with others, such as journalist, creative director, event planner, or consultant.

ENFJ

Those who fall under this category are social butterflies, tend to be very energetic, and prefer roles in which they work cooperatively with others. Some potential career paths for those who received ENFJ are sales manager, HR specialist, advertising executive, or in public relations.

INTP

This personality type prefers to work independently, and solves problems that require precision, as well as some creativity. Good career paths include programmer, software engineer, architect, or college professor.

ISTP

This individual prefers to take on roles in which they master the tools of their trade. Those with the ISTP personality type tend to prefer taking action, and good career paths for them are pilot, emergency room physician, data communications analyst, or civil engineer.

ISTJ

This group is dedicated to their responsibilities and works best in roles that highlight their ability to be reliable to others. Career options include accountant, government employee, auditor, or CFO (chief financial officer).

ISFJ

This personality type enjoys helping others, and prefers to work in roles in which they can provide a service, such as dentist, elementary school teacher, customer service representative, or librarian.

INTJ

Those who fall under the INTJ category are perfectionists, and prefer to work in roles where they don’t have to interact with others quite as much. Some good career paths for this personality type are software developer, executive, personal finance advisor, or investment banker.

ISFP

This group uses their sensitivity and strong empathetic nature to help others. Roles in which they can show their strengths best are physical therapist, massage therapist, fashion designer, or landscape architect.

INFP

This individual is a deep thinker. They like to use their compassion and adaptability in roles such as graphic designer, psychologist, writer, or physical therapist.

INFJ

Those who received the INFJ type on the Myers-Briggs test are typically creative people who are motivated by their values and integrity. Good career choices for this personality type are social worker, customer service manager, or school counselor.

That was long winded! Keep in mind that like all personality tests, the Myer’s-Briggs test is not 100% perfectly accurate, and is far from the end-all-be-all to how you should choose your career path. Still, it can be a fun exercise and may open your mind to other possibilities you hadn’t previously considered.