The Myers Briggs Type Indicator MBTI is a well proven personality assessment tool which says, a person naturally trends toward one side of these traits:
- Extrovert (E) or Introvert (I)
- Sensing (S) to Intuition (N)
- Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
- Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)
That results in 16 different personality types, who all work, think, act, perceive, sense, and live differently.
Even within a personality type, no two people are the exact same. One ENTP can trend far more extroverted or intuitive than another person of the same personality type.
If you’re not sure what MBTI you are you can take a free test here: https://multitests.org/16-personalities/quiz
FYI, I’ve always been borderline ENTP/ENTJ.
Given that, these career suggestions are merely that – interesting suggestions that might fit well with a certain personality type. Think of this as fun inspiration to investigate different roles and what you’d need to excel at any one of them.
Extroverted Careers
Firstly, we’ll go through the personality types that start with “E” – the ones highlighted by extroversion.
ENTP
ENTPs are known for their engaging conversations and innovative ideas. Because of this, some of the best careers for an ENTP include:
- Civil Engineer
- Sales Manager
- Management Consultant
- Editor/Journalist
- Web Developer
ENTJ
ENTJs are typically problem-solving, objective, enthusiastic leaders at work. Some of the best careers for ENTJs include:
- Project Manager
- Auditor
- Sales Manager
- Physician
- Industrial Engineer
- Sales Manager
ENFP
At work, ENFPs typically love encouraging others on their team and have an innate drive for growth and success. This, paired with their empathy, makes them great for careers such as:
- Data Analyst
- Copywriter
- Sales Manager
- HR Lead
- Designer
- Mediator
ENFJ
ENFJs are sometimes called the “Protagonist”—the main character in the story of life. They often have a knack for motivating and inspiring teams and are rooted in a sense of responsibility. Some careers for an ENFJ could include:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Reporter
- Occupational Therapist
- Training Specialist
- Psychologist
- Customer Service Representative
ESTP
ESTPs are known as the “Entrepreneurs” due to their natural ability to take charge, take on new risks, and face challenges head-on. This could lend itself to success in careers like:
- Emergency Responders
- Sales Manager
- Entrepreneur
- Marketing Executive
- Freelance Creative
ESTJ
ESTJs are usually practical people who have a strong sense of morals and principles, which drive their working and leadership style in the workplace. Some common ESTJ careers include:
- Pharmacist and other healthcare
- Business Administrator
- Lawyer and Attorney
- Auditors and other financial specialist
ESFP
People who have the ESFP personality type tend to prefer careers with higher levels of personal interaction and some level of creative freedom. These can include:
- Public Relations (PR) Manager
- Landscape Architect
- Social Worker
- Paramedic
- Special Education Teacher
ESFJ
Last on this list of extroverts, ESFJs are people-oriented and highly value their relationships with others. At work, they’re usually detail-oriented and have a caring personality that can lead them into careers where they help others. These can include:
- Event Coordinator
- Human Resources (HR) Manager
- Healthcare Receptionist
- Speech Pathologist
- Public Relations (PR) Specialist
Introverted Careers
Now let’s look at potential careers for the personality types that start with “I” – those who tend to be more introverted.
INTP
INTP personality types are known as “Logicians,” according to the MBTI. Some characteristics that define INTPs are that they are innovative, love figuring things out, and have an interest in the theory of things. Some common careers for INTPs are:
- Engineer
- Computer Programmer
- Psychologist
- Accountant
- Professor
- Economist
INTJ
INTJs are reportedly one of the rarer MBTI personality types. Their abilities at work usually include analytical thinking, logic and accuracy, and natural problem solving. Because of this, some great careers for INTJs include:
- Accountant
- Computer System Analyst
- Consultant
- Software Developer
- Architect
INFP
The INFP is known as the “Mediator” of the MBTI personality types. They like working independently, but they are great at problem solving—from analyzing, processing, and solutioning—for groups. An INFP career for this personality type may include:
- Mediator (obviously)
- HR Specialist
- UI/UX Designer
- Physical Therapist
- Content Writer/Editor
INFJ
Like INTJs, INFJs are one of the rarer personality types, making up just 1-3% of the population. They are known to be creative, strong-willed, empathetic, and sensitive individuals who are passionate about making the world a better place. Some careers for INFJs could be:
- Graphic Designer
- Scientist
- Physician
- Writer
- Educator
- Lawyer
ISTP
ISTP are known as the “Crafters.” They usually are independent thinkers who love tinkering with and understanding complex systems. Some of the best careers for ISTPs are:
- Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, etc.)
- Financial Manager
- Paralegal
- Software Developer
- Mechanic
ISTJ
Known for their desire to work with logic and facts, ISTJs typically prefer careers that involve planning, analyzing, and a sense of control. These include:
- Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Medical professions (doctor, nurse, etc.)
- Developers
- Agricultural Technician
- Chemical Engineer
ISFP
Creativity, empathy, and flexibility define an ISFP, according to the MBTI. ISFP careers are headlined by:
- Graphic Designer
- Interior Designer
- Nurse
- Physical Therapist
- Social Worker
ISFJ
ISFJs are known as the “Defenders” on the MBTI. They usually prefer careers where accuracy and attention to detail are core parts of the job. These can include:
- Medical Assistant
- Receptionist
- Pharmacist
- Biomedical Engineer
- Teacher
What about you? Are you in the right job? Let me know if you’re planning a career change?
Taken from various online public domain sources.
Very helpful overview of MBTI. Thank You.
The point about ENTP/ENTJ is helpful because it reminds us that these self perception tools and others (D.I.S.C), help us reflect on ourselves in a structured way, as opposed to locking us into a box that says, “right young man you’re for ever ENTJ!” If we see the categories as tendencies and preferences as opposed to absolutes there is room for us to be comfortable in having preferences for both Judging and perceiving. Many people like to plan ahead, but also want to be spontaneous. They are comfortable following rules and policies. They are also organised. However, they equally like to be flexible and keep their options open. I think seeing oneself as ENTPJ is entirely fine. One of the challenges of using things like the Myers Briggs is that it can tend to lock us into the idea that we can only be in four quadrants and it tends to present the two ideas in each box as opposites. I’m either this or that. My experience convinces me that they are more likes aspects of human life – and we find ourselves shifting comfortably along a spectrum of the styles.
Personally, I enjoy these inventory assessments very much, but knowing that we are unique and fearfully created it seems to me that they are pointers that help us with our self reflection, ways of thinking to help us be more self-aware and they help us ask questions about how we might learn about ourselves.
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