Different personality types are suited to different job roles, and most people thrive best in a role that works in favour of their base instincts and preferred environment.
A common example is that an ‘Introvert’ would not (generally speaking) excel in a role where they had to interact with lots of people all the time and speak publicly.
Some people are able to adapt to work roles that traditionally aren’t suited to their personality types. However, when put under pressure, people will usually always default back to their most natural state.
There are a wide range of different online quizzes and tests you can take to determine your personality type. You can use questions similar to the type from personality quizzes during the interviewing process, to get an idea of the personality type of the candidate and therefore how they would suit the role. Just be careful to not be discriminatory.
One of the most popular personality tests is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality test. The MBTI test is based on the following attributes:
- Extraverts (E) Vs Introverts (I): Do you prefer to focus on the outer world or on your own inner world? .
- Sensors (S) Vs Intuitives (N): Do you prefer to focus on the basic information you take in, or do you prefer to interpret and add meaning?
- Thinkers (T) Vs Feelers (F): When making decisions, do you prefer to first look at logic and consistency or first look at the people and special circumstances
- Judgers (J) Vs Perceivers (P): In dealing with the outside world, do you prefer to get things decided or do you prefer to stay open to new information and options?
Each person is one out of each pair (or at least, more one than the other). The MBTI test assigns each personality type a 4-letter acronym based on which of the above categories best fit the person. This means according to this method there are 16 different personality types.
Personality types (according to the MBTI) and jobs that suit them:
You’ll notice some jobs are suited to several personality types…
ESTJ: Chef, Stock Broker, Engineer, Lawyer, Pharmacist, Judge, Proect manager, insurance sales agent.
ESTP: Military officer, banker, detective, investor, sports coach, entertainment agent.
ESFJ: Nurse, Social worker, PR account executive, loan officer, sales representative.
ESFP: Bartender, actor, interior designer, environmental scientist, child welfare counsellor, physician.
ISTJ: Systems administrator, Auditor, accountant, web development engineer, government employee.
ISTP: Police Officer, civil engineer, economist, pilot, data communications analyst, emergency room physician.
ISFJ: Kindergarten or Primary School teacher, Dentist, librarian, franchise owner, customer service representative.
ISFP: Jeweller, fashion designer, physical therapist, message therapist, storekeeper, landscape architect.
ENTJ: Physician, Lawyer, Management consultant, Market research analyst.
ENTP: Reporter, Entrepreneur, marketing director, real estate developer, politician.
ENFJ: Minister, Sales manager, HR specialist, PR specialist, Advertising executive, corporate coach.
ENFP: Landscape architect, Journalist, creative director, event planner, restaurateur.
INTJ: Microbiologist, Software developer, Economist, Investment Banker, Personal Financial Advisor.
INTP: Professor, Architect, Economist, Financial Analyst, Software designer.
INFJ: Vet, Social worker, therapist, customer relations manager, organisation development consultant, HR trainer.
INFP: Artist, graphic designer, physical therapist, writer, HR trainer.
You can take the test here: http://www.mbtionline.com/
Need some advice on hiring the right people for your workplace? Get in touch!
Sources: Myers Briggs, Workopolis, CNBC