You could be good at what you do and not really like your job; or you can love your work but for some reason not be able to make much progress within the field. To find the ideal gig, you need to have the right mix of natural inclination toward the subject, intrinsic motivation for the cause, and a work structure and colleagues that mesh with your personality. Think about your reserved, Type A friend who landed her dream job working as a publicist for a fancy fashion brand, and ended up hating the chaotic nature of the business and constant rotation of networking events. Poor job placement happens to the best of us, but the Myers-Briggs personality assessment could be the key to avoiding falling for something that looks good on paper. The test has such a great rep that 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies have used it to help decide if someone is the right fit. Before you sign that contract, lock into your MBTI personality and scroll down to see what kind of career could set you up for success.
1. INTJ “The Architect”: You’re introverted, intuitive, and analytical. Any employer would be lucky to have you — so long as they get you. Although you can solve complex problems, think big-picture, and break down complicated issues, you’re not much of a people person. You have a hard time relating to those who aren’t at your level. Look for a job as a surgeon, writer, or investment banker, so you can go your own way without being questioned much.
2. INTP “The Logician”: You tend to be a lone wolf and aren’t big on traditions or bureaucracy. You’ll thrive most in a career where you can activate your brilliant, innovative mind to come up with ideas, then delegate the details to someone else. Go work at Apple or Google — or, heck, just start your own tech company.
3. ENTJ “The Commander”: Oh, hey boss! You are all about people and getting them to work at their peak level. You’re a master problem solver and good at analyzing systems; you can spot inefficiencies and optimize how everything flows. Follow in the steps of Olivia Pope, or consider corporate consulting or social media managing.
4. ENTP “The Debater”: You’re that rare bird who loves change and risk. Nothing really scares you, and people trust you to lead them in the right direction. You love working with others, especially those in high positions who can recognize your genius and get you closer to the top — and that’s not a bad thing. You’d make a kickass creative director, headhunter, politician, or urban planner.
5. INFJ “The Counselor”: Although you’re low-key and prefer to work behind the scenes, you’re empathetic and good with people. You are driven by a strong moral compass and happiest when you’re achieving for the good of others. You’ll do well in health care jobs, as well as other areas where you’re working one-on-one with people, such as interior design, counseling, and sustainability.
6. INFP “The Mediator”: You’re an idealist to the core. You make decisions based on what you feel is right and want to work toward causes that you find meaningful. People love your sunny outlook, but if you spread yourself too thin you’ll run out of fumes, so leadership roles aren’t ideal. Your ability to dream is perfectly suited for a life as a novelist or artist, a midwife, or even a career counselor.
7. ENFJ “The Protagonist”: You are the best kind of boss. You recognize people’s strengths and want to help them excel. You’re optimistic, enthusiastic, and good at solving problems, which makes your the perfect cheerleader in any situation. People are drawn to you, and you hardly ever have a problem expressing yourself, so anything that requires sales or a high degree of networking is right up your alley. Start your own company or become a life coach.
8. ENFP “The Campaigner”: Hyper-creative and energetic, you love to use your imagination to help others and like to be involved in projects that call for innovative solutions. Monotony is the death of you; you’d rather set your own schedule, and you deflate when your creativity is stifled. You see possibilities in any situation, so you would make a great journalist, conservationist, brand strategist, or teacher.
9. ISTJ “The Logistician”: Reliability is your middle name. If you say you’re going to get something done, you do it… and find the best way to get it done well and efficiently. You like to create detailed plans of action and stick to them, and you take deadlines seriously. You’d thrive in detail-oriented gigs such as a data scientist, mobile developer, or CFO.
10. ISFJ “The Defender”: You’re all about helping others, so long as you don’t have to be front-and-center. In an ideal work world, you know exactly what is expected of you, and you have the resources needed to get your job done well. If you can help others through your efforts, even better! You’d make a good dentist, director of influencer marketing, or nurse.
11. ESTJ “The Executive”: You have no problem making decisions, and you evaluate everything through a realistic lens. Although you have little tolerance for laziness and disorganization, people you manage like that you work just as hard as the rest of the team (if not harder) and communicate plans and expectations clearly. Look for a job within an organization with a clear path to the top, like at a prestigious law firm or advertising agency or within the sales team at a major corporation.
12. ESFJ “The Consul”: Nothing motivates you more than helping others. You like to work within organizations with clear goals and procedures. Once you’re there, you’ll use your interpersonal skills and knack for details to fine-tune processes and make life better for everyone. Ideal jobs include social worker, HR director for a startup, or corporate nutritionist.
13. ISTP “The Virtuoso”: You’re all action, little talk. Your greatest joy is to know you’ve mastered your craft, and you prefer to work with your hands to build tangible masterpieces. Office life terrifies you; you’d prefer a high-risk physical job over being chained to a desk. You’d be the ideal candidate for an agrarian job like farming or beekeeping, working with your hands as an athletic trainer, or starting your own accessories line.
14. ISFP “The Adventurer”: Your work needs to have meaning, and though you are driven to use your creative talents in the field, you need to see tangible results. Social environment and aesthetics are important to you, so your workplace needs to be beautiful and everyone needs to vibe. You make a great fashion designer, shopkeeper, or travel photographer.
15. ESTP “The Entrepreneur”: High-energy settings excite you. And because you’re pragmatic and decisive, you thrive in a crisis. You’re willing to try new things, so long as they makes sense. As far as you’re concerned, work should be fun and a little unpredictable. If you don’t have to sit still, you’re good. No one could ask for a better influencer or brand manager, firefighter, or coach.
16. ESFP “The Entertainer”: As an entertainer who’s personable and gregarious, you have an artistic streak — but at work, you excel most when you are of service to others and can see tangible results for your efforts, rather than actually entertaining. You like social, active environments where people work together on of-the-minute campaigns. Go for a job as a producer at a branded content agency, environmental scientist, political strategist, or set designer.
How do your recommended jobs match up with your current career plans? Tell us @BritandCo!
(Photos via Getty)
