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Is your current job one that is recommended for your type?

  • Yes, my current job is recommended for my type, and I like it.

    Votes: 17 21.3%
  • Yes, my current job is recommended for my type, and I feel neutral about it.

    Votes: 7 8.8%
  • Yes, my current job is recommended for my type, but I hate it.

    Votes: 2 2.5%
  • No, my current job is not recommended for my type, but I like it.

    Votes: 24 30.0%
  • No, my current job is not recommended for my type, and I feel neutral about it.

    Votes: 15 18.8%
  • No, my current job is not recommended for my type, and I hate it.

    Votes: 15 18.8%

Is your current job one that is recommended for your type?

15K views 81 replies 61 participants last post by  shameless 
#1 ·
Be it MBTI, socionics, enneagram, or whatever system you favor: Is the job that you are currently employed at one that is recommended for your type? (Example: an INTP working in I.T., an enneagram 2 as a teacher, an ISFP artist, etc.) The obvious follow-up question being: Do you like what you do? And lastly: What is your dream job, and is that recommended for your type?

For the past year and a half, I've been working in a food testing laboratory. My job is to make all the culture media for the main lab and path lab techs--agars, broths, test tubes, etc. It doesn't exactly scream "great ESFJ job!" but I really like it. I'm basically a chef, except none of my food is safe for human consumption. Only foodborne pathogens. Ironically, I'm terrible at actual cooking even though that's basically what I do all day. I don't interact with the general public at all, just my coworkers. And even then, I only have one other person in my department who's with me all day. But the lab isn't very big, so I see my other coworkers regularly throughout the day.

If I could have any job in the world without money, health, or time being issues... Well, my first choice would be not to work at all because I love free time. But after that, I would enjoy being a nature photographer. There is not a lot for me to do with that hobby here in the suburbs. It's all concrete. And I don't have the money or time for travel to places worth taking pictures of. So it's more of a dream job than an potential actuality. I would also enjoy being a novelist. I've written one book that's set up for a sequel, but I haven't attempted to publish it (or even finished editing it). I wrote it for my own enjoyment, and not necessarily for anyone else's, so I don't think I ever will. Still, in an ideal world where I didn't have to worry about time or money, I could potentially enjoy making a career out of it. However, "artsy things" aren't exactly recommended jobs for ESFJs either. While I would make a good caretaker, teacher, and what have you due to my charm, charisma, patience, and attention to detail, I don't think I would enjoy it very much and would ultimately find it extremely stressful. I don't mind taking care of others, but I don't want to feel pressured to do so. I'd rather do it because I want to, because I really care about those people on a personal level. I've worked in customer service before, and while I was amazing at it and customers actually liked me, it was... obviously not something I wanted to do forever. I'm great with people, I make them feel comfortable, I get them to laugh and feel at ease, and I'm very, very patient... but it becomes draining. I would rather pursue some creative endeavors and save my "caretaking" energy for those who are closest to me.
 
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#2 ·
I think mine is so. I am an A-level Student. I think it compliments my type very well.

But I also work as a Volunteer at Charity Shop of British Heart Foundation. I was made to work there so I can boost my confidence.

I also work part-time for Peacocks the retail fashion shop. This so I can earn my own money and try to be independent on my hard work.

I like to work as a passion as I am developing and improving great skills even further. I am proud of myself for it. I feel like I am progressing and achieving great things.

I don't know if it should recommend to a type. I don't think your type has influence in the work you do. I for one have met a lot of people with wide range of types and personality. Even as Student there are people who work in the same environment as I do but have different personalities of each other.

It does not matter what you work as you will have different range of people working in that sector.

I don't know all my colleagues of British Heart Foundation or Peacocks. The manager of BHF is a ENFP. The manager of Peacock is ISFP. My Biology tutor is ENFP, Chemistry tutor is INTP, Psychology tutor is INTJ and Sociology tutor is ISTJ. The principle of my sixth-form is ENTJ.
 
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#3 ·
I'm an ISFJ type 2. My job is basically keeping vulnerable people in their own homes by helping them with bills, mail correspondence, benefit check, benefit appointments etc. Basically trying to keep someone's life together, so I'd say it fits very well with the ISFJ/Type 2 stereotype. My colleagues are mostly 2s or ESFJs and there's one ENFP.

I do like the job and I do feel satisfied mentally but I want to do something more in-depth and can help people long-term like counselling. I know my job is important, especially where I live as there are many people living in poverty and the consequential mental health problems, but I want to feel more fulfilled in my self.
 
#9 ·
Yes, but it was a fluke.

When I chose a major in college, I did so by looking only at typical starting salaries and the time required to complete the degree. Engineering Technology started in the $45k range and only took two years to complete. Sounded good to me at the time. After graduation, I got a job as a technical engineer. I wonder where the last eight years of my life went some days.
 
#10 ·
I'm an INFP manager. I'm pretty sure that goes against type recommendations. I genuinely enjoy it.

My dream job would be hybrid-ing across being both an artist (illustrations for children's books and video games) and working hands-on with people. Essentially if I could do the job I'm doing now or something similar part-time and also do art, that'd be fantastic. I sometimes dream about owning/running a little cafe.
 
#11 ·
I commonly type as INFP. I currently work as a caregiver in a residential home, it's the best job I've ever had. I love caring for people. My Fi is soooo rewarded through constant instances of joy, sorrow and compassion. And I still use my preferred communication Ne to entertain the residents there.

My dream job used to be a composer or musician, but I really struggled with finding meaning when I tried that alone. I need people around me to care for and to care for me. I've connected with the humanity deep within that longs to be part of a caring tribe and family.
 
#13 ·
I had 2 choices in 1993. Medical field or techie field. I'm an INFP who hates being in hospitals. So I did the techie route 20 years & retired. Didn't enjoy a minute of it but I enjoyed a few of the people I worked with. Glad it's behind me. Lots of ESTJ & ISTJ there. Some nice, some assholes.
 
#14 ·
I'm ISFJ and was in counselling for 11 years - that's a recommended job for my type, so yes. I'm now into something more administrative - also considered a good fit for detail-oriented ISFJ types. But too much admin work bores me - I need to have people interaction or creative work to be truly fulfilled.

My dream job would be working in a zoo or as a vet, probably. Working with animals, or children...
 
#15 ·
There are recommendations of jobs suitable for my type, however, I don't even like the idea of being employed.

Currently, I am employed, yes, but my job is bearable, sometimes I even like it.
 
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#16 · (Edited)
2/4 of my job is a fit

ESTP

I work with mental and physical health.
I have worked the industry in different arenas and capacities

I am really good with processing, implementation/procedures, operations, training, scheduling, etc as far as that capacity

I am also really good at redirecting many mental health situations and applying recreational and occupational therapies, applying incentive based scenarios, and decent about inspiring results through motivation. I am often disturbed and bothered outside the call of my duty, by those seeking assistance for crisis response navigation whether be medical physical or mental health crisis.

Yes all those things I am damn good at, apply to my strengths and I like

Now things I suck at: I cannot stand the more tedious shit where it applies. The more hum drum maintenance. Also while I tend to fair well on navigating a lot of it, I don’t love the part of my job which entails strict black and white policy. I definitely like more grey areas to operate.

Also in the industry of healthcare emotions can come into play ALOT. I usually find the level of emotional enabling from fragile ego’d workers, who exploit this very inappropriate but subtle and manipulative method to be a turn off to work around. And frankly my industry just has a lot of people who really confuse empathy or sympathy and professional boundaries and appropriate ways to navigate this and not feed the beast. It can be extremely emotionally draining for me at times. These kinds of coworkers really piss me off just not a fan of that kind of method in action. Also ya gotta think as I said I am very much damage control right, so of course I find it fucken annoying as hell when someone who wants to be good cop gives someone too much candy then calls me hysterically after I said don’t hand out too much candy, well shit oh did that back fire and now ya have someone in a sugar high and you want to act all confused. Fucken people :rollseyes: This is when coworkers get my very brash side. I don’t mince the fact they contributed to the problem. So then you have people who are butt hurt because they had no business pandering to a significant mental behavior or didn’t heed my advice on how to avoid a urinary tract infection. And then they want me to be bad cop. (PUSSIES) Way too many people in the industry think all they need is the quality of wanting to help people. Well that is fucken useless if it cannot actually be translated into a useful working action.

My practical dream jobs while working for a company is:
General Operations/Managing: Basically just promoted further on what I already do
It’s the most action packed combo of things I like

Or I think just expanding on my recreational, occupational, and physical therapy strengths. Like as far as outside general operations, if I were to pick more specialty strengths of mine I would really enjoy running this specific operation

Or 3rd would be working directly even further expanding on Crisis Response

(I know I am currently being considered for both General Operations Manager & Crisis Response right now.) While I am good at both I think they are leaning towards me specializing in the expansions and development of Emergency Crisis Response. This is literally because by volume I have a very successful track record just by number of fewer incidents and following the right procedures and de escalation of emergency situations and intervention, with the clinical understanding from the medical end and the training capacity. Both apples really, just two different kinds of apples.

Outside those it would be to start my own business and format it the way I want and work for myself:
Unfortunately I found out my state has moratorium in effect so until that is lifted the only way to hold a corporate license in my state is to have enough money to purchase a pre existing company which already holds the licensing required. So unless I can raise 1.5 million minimum pretty much SOLz. Now just to be clear here that moratorium will eventually HAVE to get lifted because the state will not be able to sustain the needs and housing further out when more baby boomers hit peak needs mixed with persons younger with mental health needs. So sorta just waiting for that to turn. When the moratorium lifts than I will be able to set up from ground zero and apply for a license but until then, whelp I will stick to my next best options.
 
#82 · (Edited)
2/4 of my job is a fit

ESTP

I work with mental and physical health.
I have worked the industry in different arenas and capacities

I am really good with processing, implementation/procedures, operations, training, scheduling, etc as far as that capacity

I am also really good at redirecting many mental health situations and applying recreational and occupational therapies, applying incentive based scenarios, and decent about inspiring results through motivation. I am often disturbed and bothered outside the call of my duty, by those seeking assistance for crisis response navigation whether be medical physical or mental health crisis.

Yes all those things I am damn good at, apply to my strengths and I like

Now things I suck at: I cannot stand the more tedious shit where it applies. The more hum drum maintenance. Also while I tend to fair well on navigating a lot of it, I don’t love the part of my job which entails strict black and white policy. I definitely like more grey areas to operate.

Also in the industry of healthcare emotions can come into play ALOT. I usually find the level of emotional enabling from fragile ego’d workers, who exploit this very inappropriate but subtle and manipulative method to be a turn off to work around. And frankly my industry just has a lot of people who really confuse empathy or sympathy and professional boundaries and appropriate ways to navigate this and not feed the beast. It can be extremely emotionally draining for me at times. These kinds of coworkers really piss me off just not a fan of that kind of method in action. Also ya gotta think as I said I am very much damage control right, so of course I find it fucken annoying as hell when someone who wants to be good cop gives someone too much candy then calls me hysterically after I said don’t hand out too much candy, well shit oh did that back fire and now ya have someone in a sugar high and you want to act all confused. Fucken people :rollseyes: This is when coworkers get my very brash side. I don’t mince the fact they contributed to the problem. So then you have people who are butt hurt because they had no business pandering to a significant mental behavior or didn’t heed my advice on how to avoid a urinary tract infection. And then they want me to be bad cop. (PUSSIES) Way too many people in the industry think all they need is the quality of wanting to help people. Well that is fucken useless if it cannot actually be translated into a useful working action.

My practical dream jobs while working for a company is:
General Operations/Managing: Basically just promoted further on what I already do
It’s the most action packed combo of things I like

Or I think just expanding on my recreational, occupational, and physical therapy strengths. Like as far as outside general operations, if I were to pick more specialty strengths of mine I would really enjoy running this specific operation

Or 3rd would be working directly even further expanding on Crisis Response

(I know I am currently being considered for both General Operations Manager & Crisis Response right now.) While I am good at both I think they are leaning towards me specializing in the expansions and development of Emergency Crisis Response. This is literally because by volume I have a very successful track record just by number of fewer incidents and following the right procedures and de escalation of emergency situations and intervention, with the clinical understanding from the medical end and the training capacity. Both apples really, just two different kinds of apples.

Outside those it would be to start my own business and format it the way I want and work for myself:
Unfortunately I found out my state has moratorium in effect so until that is lifted the only way to hold a corporate license in my state is to have enough money to purchase a pre existing company which already holds the licensing required. So unless I can raise 1.5 million minimum pretty much SOLz. Now just to be clear here that moratorium will eventually HAVE to get lifted because the state will not be able to sustain the needs and housing further out when more baby boomers hit peak needs mixed with persons younger with mental health needs. So sorta just waiting for that to turn. When the moratorium lifts than I will be able to set up from ground zero and apply for a license but until then, whelp I will stick to my next best options.
Haha

starting my own business 4 years later

Also interviewing for 2 jobs next weekI listed 4 years ago in my strength area.

1. operations director for corporate childrens home. I already was a program manager and director after my original post 4 years ago, in 2021 & 2023

2. Activity/Rec supervisor. I already was an activity director after my original post 4 years ago. Back in 2021

But those are just to save money toward main goal. I have two other jobs rights now

I just left my job with licensing compliance consulting to focus on formatting and saving toward my own business
 
#17 ·
Yes, I write environmental education curriculum for children, occasionally work directly with kids, and also work in a low-key part-time cannabis industry job packaging (hold up, in California, these two things are not incompatible, I am a wholesome person who supports farming families and my local economy, whilst the legalization of the plant in question protects the environment and frees people of color from unfair jail sentences).

I'm pretty sure writing, natural sciences, working with children, working with plants or food, and working in small groups are all recommended jobs for ISFPs.

I got to draw a watershed yesterday, the fun thing about working with kids is that you get to be a kid.

Honestly though I'm "underemployed" (one of the Millennial many!) since I left LA and no longer compromise my values. I won't work in a restaurant that serves meat, and won't do anything that exploits my own body anymore (my young adulthood was filled with such fascinating, lucrative exploits) and so especially living in a hippie tree town, I've probably got to figure something else out.

Public schools are OUT for me. I have two sets of people contacting me, wanting me to apply to their private science and enviro ed schools in San Francisco - but I don't want to live in San Francisco.

I may have to move to the Bay Area or Portland, or back to LA. Maybe somewhere like Santa Barbara or Santa Cruz. It's disappointing but I think if I want to make any sort of money I'll only be able to stay here through:

1) Public school teaching
2) Working for a government agency, or
3) Gold digging

I'm happy-ish. I don't like worrying about bills, I kind of miss the sort of money I had in LA. I think maybe if I shared life responsibilities with a partner I would care a lot less, but being single intensifies personal responsibility.

Summer camp jobs prolly aren't gonna cut it.
 
#18 ·
I'm not really sure.

I'm a Salesforce Admin, which basically an software development type job. I manage the Salesforce soft, build on it, create automation, so on. However, the role is very creative, and it's high collaborative with the company, meaning it's as much a social job as it is a technical job. It's unique in that way, and that's why I love it.
 
#19 ·
INTP and I work in an I.T based role. I build business processes and occasionally integrate robotics into those processes.

I like the job and seem to be good at it, but it's not my dream job. I'm not quite sure what my dream job is.
Whatever job combines the study of the following into one: Philosophy, literature, history, and archaeology.

Probably some kind of museum curator.
 
#20 · (Edited)
Sorry for going a tad off the cuff here, but just wanted to say that I think the ESFJ/caretaker stereotype is pretty hollow in my experience. What I've found more true is that ESFJ tend to excel in areas that require someone to be able to show enthusiasm. In the professional services area I see a lot of ESFJ and ISFJ, especially in change management/human capital consulting. They tend to come in when there's a new IT system being implemented, to make sure end users understand upcoming changes to how they do their day jobs and essentially to get their buy-in. One thing that SJ's do really, really well that I struggle with is presentations - they make amazing slides, with visuals and wording that flow well together when you present. In general I find them to be extremely professional in their work. (cue, end SJ love fest XD)

Personally - I'm also in management (IT) consulting. We help clients with strategy, which often means building IT systems. In my job I sit down with clients to understand and map out how they do their job, then coordinate with development teams to make sure whatever we're building will facilitate their work and also simplify it and/or speed it up. A lot of what I do involves digitizing paper-based processes.

What I'm doing now is pretty much ideal, at least content-wise. Tech is an INTJ thing, though my particular role is much more client-facing/outwardly accountable and visible than I think most INTJ would prefer. The INTJ in me is great at understanding the steps of complicated systems and processes, and where they snag or could be made more efficient. Intuition gives me a constant intrigue with new tech, which is a must in our field since tech is constantly morphing. The Enneagram 1 in me creates a vision and standard of how these things "should" work, optimally, and what actions need done to get there. There's also the 2-ish side of wanting what we do to influence/impact the client, wanting what we do to make them happy, and wanting to "be it all" for them. Of course I'd be a bit disingenuous to not mention the long hours, over-extending, over-ambitious timelines, and constant travel. But I see these as being a trade-off that has to be made.
 
#21 ·
I'm pursuing a degree in marketing with a focus on communication studies. I feel like my business-related classes are a bad fit for me as an introvert with poor social skills, but I do well in both my creative and technical writing classes.

I currently have an internship in marketing research and copywriting. I don't love it, and I find myself submitting lazy work. I don't hate it, though. Mainly because it's online-based and I don't really have to talk to anyone. If I got paid enough for this, I wouldn't mind making a living this way.

I type as ISTP and enneagram 4 (yeah it seems contradictory but I swear they both fit). I don't think this degree or job are top recommendations for either type, and I can see why.

Honestly, my dream job is to become a famous writer.
 
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#23 ·
No. I'm my mother's home healthcare worker and I also take remote calls for a business as their secretary. The first seems appropriate, the second I don't know but I do really enjoy the freedom and I'm great at customer service, years of experience. It's very low stress. My dream job would be working for an organization that studies consciousness or NDEs, which definitely seems more of an INF- thing.
 
#24 ·
I'm an INFP, type 9. I work as an administrator in the HR department of a large company and I feel mixed about the role. I don't like my job because I work in a very fast paced, competitive environment that has a lot of demand with little recognition, as is the way with big companies. I don't mind the work (constantly being interrupted by phonecalls is the one thing I despise and I spend all day being jumpy that someone will ring me to yell at me) as it's a 'leave it at the office' kinda position where outside work I don't think about anything work related.

I have no idea what kind of job I do want (nothing in HR though) hence why I've ended up in the job I'm in. My very vague criteria is something fairly slow paced where if I work with people, it's in a more intimate way (like how a PT or nutritionist works with a client rather than loads of different people all asking a million questions).
 
#25 ·
Don't let this be you after years on the job only to be made redundant from ptsd or some other major issue.

 
#26 ·
INFP and trades.
It's not really a career that ever comes up under "recommended" for us, from what little I've looked into, but it's not a bad place to be for any INFP just because it's Introvert-friendly (you can work almost the whole day without saying a word if you have to) and Perceiver-friendly, though it seems the ISTP is more the ideal for the job. But it turned out to be "my thing" so here I am.
 
#27 ·
Be it MBTI, socionics, enneagram, or whatever system you favor: Is the job that you are currently employed at one that is recommended for your type? (Example: an INTP working in I.T., an enneagram 2 as a teacher, an ISFP artist, etc.) The obvious follow-up question being: Do you like what you do? And lastly: What is your dream job, and is that recommended for your type?

I'm an ISFP who is a spiritual director. Such a job is not usually recommended for people of my type. It is usually seen as an N kind of thing, often for INFJs.

I'm also an English teacher. Education is somerimes recommended for my type, but it's usually suggested as primary education. I teach everyone from 8 year olds up.
 
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