Which Profession Best Suits Your Personality Type?
Personality and aptitude tests have been incredibly popular for years and years. People are always looking for labels and ways to explain their habits, whether it’s through a horoscope, Meyers-Briggs testing, or an Enneagram test. For the purpose of this blog, we’re using is the 16 Personalities test where one of 16 different personalities are assigned after series of questions. This site is extremely popular amongst psychologists and is a test that changes as you do - While at 18 years old, you may test as an INFJ, by the time you’re 25, you could totally change to an ENTJ depending on your life experiences. In the business world, it’s extremely important to consider your personality and temperament when choosing a job. Occupations such as sales, require a very specific type of individual to execute that specific job’s duties. So, without further ado, check out all of the personality types and which jobs best suit each personality.
About the Personalities
Before we delve into the career paths, it’s important to first understand each personality type. All of the types are labelled by a title such as Architect, Commander, Protagonist, etc. These names are NOT the job descriptions, they’re just further definitive points per personality type along with the lettering (INTJ, INFJ, ESFJ, etc).
The Analysts
The Architect-INTJ: The Architect is the first personality type on the list and one of the rarest. They are Introverted (I), Intuitive (N), Thinking (T), and Judgmental (J). Depending on how you test, behind the “INTJ” lettering follows either an “A” or “T”. These are further variations of the same personality type with A standing for Assertive and T standing for Turbulent. The site refers to Architects as incredibly capable people who only make up 2% of the population with female INTJs only taking up 0.8% of that percentage.
Strengths: imaginative, confidence, independence, decisive, hard-working, motivated, and open-minded.
Weaknesses: arrogance, judgmental tendencies, overly analytical, and romantically aloof.
Popular Architects include Friedrich Nietzsche, Michelle Obama, Elon Musk, Christopher Nolan, and more!
The Logician-INTP: The Logician is the second Analyst on the list coming in as another incredibly rare type making up only 3% of the population. Logicians are Introverted (I), Intuitive (N), Thinking (T), and Perceptive (P). Logicians are the creatives - the uncommon, the unique.
Strengths: abstract thinking, imagination, open-minds, enthusiasm, honesty, and more.
Weaknesses: private, insensitive, absent-minded, condescending, and indecisive.
Popular Logicians include Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, and Bruce Banner from the Avengers!
The Commander- ENTJ: The third on the list of analysts is The Commander. ENTJ stands for Extraversion (E), Intuition (N), Thinking (T), and Judgment (J). This type thrives in leadership positions and “embody charisma and confidence”.
Strengths: efficiency, confidence, a strong will, and charisma.
Weaknesses: stubbornness, dominance, intolerance, impatience, arrogance, emotional, and coldness.
Popular Commanders include Steve Jobs, Gordon Ramsey, Margaret Thatcher, and FDR.
The Debater- ENTP: The fourth and final analyst is the Debater. ENTP stands for Extraversion (E), Intuition (N), Thinking (T), and Perception (P). The Debater is best known as the devil’s advocate - always playing both sides of the fence and always up for, well, a debate! They enjoy the process of a debate and typically have no other goal besides enjoyment.
Strengths: knowledge, quick thinking, originality, charisma, and energy.
Weaknesses: argumentative, insensitive, intolerance, and difficulty focusing.
Popular Debaters include Weird Al Yankovic, Adam Savage, Mark Twain, and Tom Hanks.
The Diplomats
The Advocate- INFJ: The first on the list of Diplomats is The Advocate. INFJ stands for Introversion (I), Intuition (N), Feeling (F), and Judgment (J). This personality is another super rare one to have as it makes up only 1% of the population. The Advocate is an idealist - someone who realizes their aspirations, and then takes the proper steps to achieve those goals, leaving an impact.
Strengths: creativity, insight, decisiveness, determination, and altruism.
Weaknesses: sensitivity, privacy, perfectionistic tendencies, and need for a cause.
Popular Advocates include Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and Morgan Freeman.
The Mediator- INFP: The Mediator is the next personality down the Diplomat line. INFP stands for Introversion (I), Intuition (N), Feeling (F), and Perception (P). Mediators are always looking for the good in everyone and are always trying to make their surroundings better. Mediators are big on finding like-minded individuals for whom they enjoy spending their time.
Strengths: idealism, harmony, an open-mind, creativity, passion, and dedication.
Weaknesses: idealism (yes a strength and weakness), too much altruism, impractical, sensitivity, and hard to get to know.
Popular Mediators include J.R.R Tolkein, William Shakespeare, Julia Roberts, and William Wordsworth.
The Protagonist- ENFJ: The Protagonist is next on the list! This personality holds another group of natural-born leaders who take great pride and joy in not only self improvement, but the improvement of others and their communities. ENFJ stands for Extraversion (E), Intuition (N), Feeling (F), and Judgment (J).
Strengths: tolerance, reliability, charisma, altruism, and leadership.
Weaknesses: overly idealistic, too selfless, sensitivity, tumultuous self esteem, and indecision.
Popular Protagonists include Barack Obama, Oprah, Sean Connery, and Maya Angelou.
The Campaigner- ENFP: The fourth and final Diplomat is The Campaigner or the ENFP personality type. ENFP stands for Extraversion (E), Intuition (N), Feeling (F), and Perception (P). These people are more of a free spirit that are often the life of the party. They thrive in social connections with others and socialize strictly for those connective moments.
Strengths: curiosity, observant, enthusiasm, communication, relaxation, and popularity.
Weaknesses: impracticality, difficulty focusing, overthinking, easily stressed, emotional, and a stubborn independence.
Popular Campaigners include Robert Downey Jr, Robin Williams, Quentin Tarantino, and Will Smith.
The Sentinels
The Logician - ISTJ: Logicians are extremely popular personalities making up to %13 of the population. Their lettering stands for Introversion (I), Sensing (S), Thinking (T), and Judgment (J). They stand for integrity, logic, and dedication.
Strengths: honesty, duty, responsibility, practicality, and creativity.
Weaknesses: stubbornness, insensitivity, judgmental, and unnecessarily taking the blame.
Popular Logicians include Sting, Denzel Washington, Anthony Hopkins, and George Washington.
The Defender - ISFJ: Second on the Sentinels list is The Defender. These individuals are unique and highly sensitive with top notch analytical abilities. Their lettering stands for Introversion (I), Sensing (S), Feeling (F), and Judgment (J).
Strengths: supportive, reliable, imaginative, enthusiastic, loyal, and practicality.
Weaknesses: shyness, repression, self-overloading, and too much altruism.
Popular Defenders include Beyonce, Queen Elizabeth II, Aretha Franklin, and Kate Middleton.
The Executive - ESTJ: The Executive, or ESTJ are classically traditional and orderly and heavily focus on what’s right and wrong. ESTJ stands for Extraversion (E), Sensing (S), Thinking (T), and Judgment (J).
Strengths: dedication, a strong will, honesty, patience, order, and organization.
Weaknesses: stubbornness, discomfort with the unfamiliar, judgement, difficulty unwinding and expressing emotion.
Popular Executives include John D. Rockefeller, Judge Judy, Frank Sinatra, and Lyndon B. Johnson.
The Consul - ESFJ: The final personality on the list of Sentinels is The Consul. This person can be easily defined as popular, which makes sense given they take up 12% of the population. Consuls are incredibly social and enjoy involvement in any and all activities. ESFJ stands for Extraversion (E), Sensing (S), Feeling (F), and Judgment (J).
Strengths: practicality, duty, loyalty, and connects well with others.
Weaknesses: worry about social status, inflexibility, reluctance to change, neediness, and an abundance of selflessness.
Popular Consuls include Steve Harvey, Taylor Swift, Sally Field, and Tyra Banks.
The Explorers
The Virtuoso- ISTP: Virtuosos are natural born explorers and view the world with a newfound sense of curiosity. Their lettering, ISTP stands for Introversion (I), Sensing (S), Thinking (T), and Perception (P).
Strengths: curiosity, optimism, spontaneity, relaxation, and more.
Weaknesses: stubbornness, insensitivity, boredom, non-committal, and occasionally prone to risky behavior.
Popular Virtuosos include Bear Grylls, Clint Eastwood, Daniel Craig, and Olivia Wilde.
The Adventurer- ISFP: Despite what you may already believe about adventurers, they’re actually extremely artistic in a totally unique sense. They’re design oriented and focus heavily on aesthetic rather than literal art such as painting or sculpting. They tend to break tradition and dislike societal confines, which is reflective in their ISFP lettering which stands for Introversion (I), Sensing (S), Feeling (F), and Perception (P).
Strengths: charm, sensitivity, imagination, passion, curiosity, and of course, their artistic traits.
Weaknesses: unbridled independence, unpredictability, easily stressed, overly competitive, and a wavering self-esteem.
Popular Adventurers include Kevin Costner, Frida Kahlo, Michael Jackson, and Britney Spears.
The Entrepreneur- ESTP: As we near the end of our list, we meet the Entrepreneur. This person is incredibly impactful, intentional, and entertaining. They love the spotlight as well as any and all attention. When speaking to an entrepreneur, keep the conversation upbeat and exciting as opposed to anything too technical or serious. Entrepreneur’s lettering stands for Extraversion (E), Sensing (S), Thinking (T), and Perception (P).
Strengths: boldness, rationality, originality, perception, directness, and sociability.
Weaknesses: insensitivity, impatience, risky behavior, and defiance.
Popular Entrepreneurs include Ernest Hemingway, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Willis, and Madonna.
The Entertainer- ESFP: The 16th and final personality is the Entertainer. Expect this individual to break out into song or dance at anytime and always expect an upbeat excitement. The Entertainers are the stars of the party and never back down from the spotlight. Their lettering, ESFP, stands for Extraversion (E) ,Sensing (S), Feeling (F), and Perception (P).
Strengths: boldness, originality, showmanship, practicality, observance, and people skills.
Weaknesses: sensitivity, boredom, poor planning, and a lack of focus.
Popular Entertainers include Elton John, Marilyn Monroe, Jamie Foxx, and Steve Irwin.
The Best Jobs per Personality
Finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for--which job is ideal for my personality? We’ve scoured the web looking for the best jobs per each personality and we’ve found a few suggestions! *Of course, this does not mean you won’t succeed at another job not listed, it’s just based on potential.*
The Architect-INTJ
Microbiologist, Investment Banker, Personal Finance advisor, Software Developer, Economist, or Executive. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Logician-INTP
College Professor, Computer Programmer, Financial Analyst, Architect, or Economist. (Careers.Workopolis)
The Commander- ENTJ
Physician, Executive, Lawyer, Market Research Analyst, Management Consultant, or Venture Capitalist. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Debater- ENTP
Reporter, Entrepreneur, Real Estate Developer, Advertising Creative Director, Marketing Director, or Politician. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Advocate- INFJ
Veterinarian, Therapist/Counselor, Social Worker, HR Diversity Manager, Organization Development Consultant, Customer Relations Manager. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Mediator- INFP
Fine Artist, Graphic Designer, Psychologist/Therapist, Writer/Editor, Physical Therapist, HR Development Trainer. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Protagonist- ENFJ
Minister, Advertising Executive, PR Specialist, Corporate Coach, Sales Manager, Employment/HR Specialist. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Campaigner- ENFP
Landscape Architect, Journalist, Advertising Creative Director, Consultant, Restaurateur, Event Planner. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Logician - ISTJ
Systems Administrator, Auditor, Accountant, CFO, Web Development Engineer, Government Employee. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Defender - ISFJ
Elementary School Teacher, Dentist, Librarian, Franchise Owner, Customer Service Rep. (Careers.Workopolis)
The Executive - ESTJ
Chef, Insurance Sales Agent, Pharmacist, Lawyer, Judge, Project Manager. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Consul - ESFJ
RN, Sales Rep, Social Worker, PR Executive, Loan Officer. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Virtuoso - ISTP
Police Officer, Civil Engineer, Pilot, Economist, Data Comm Analyst, ER Physician. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Adventurer - ISFP
Jeweler, Fashion Designer, Physical Therapist, Massage Therapist, Landscape Architect, Storekeeper. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Entrepreneur - ESTP
Military Officer, Detective, Banker, Investor, Entertainment Agent, Sports Coach. (CNBC & Careers.Workopolis)
The Entertainer - ESFP
Bartender, Actor, Child Welfare Counselor, Primary Care Physician, Interior Designer, Environmental Scientist.
Be sure to take the test to see which personality you resonate with! Let us know your results.
Want to read more professions for your personality type? Click here.