Identify your personality type to find your ideal career

While some people may know what they want to do career-wise from a young age, others struggle to find a profession they enjoy and have a true passion for. The truth is, choosing a job that you could be doing for many years to come can be quite daunting and challenging. However, there are ways you can discover your perfect role, but have you ever considered identifying your personality type to find out what your ideal career is?

In this article, we explore the different personality types based on the Myers-Briggs Types Indicator (MBTI). We will also look at the strengths and possible career preferences of each one to determine which of our CeMAP and DipFA courses is best suited to the different personalities.

What are personality types?

A personality type is made up of behaviours, preferences and individual traits. It’s often used to describe and understand how a person thinks, feels, and acts. American writer Isabel Myers and her mother Katherine Briggs developed a questionnaire that allows a person to identify their personality type based on these factors. Myers and Briggs believed that by helping people understand their personalities better, people would be able to choose a career that was best suited to them.

According to the MBTI, four categories comprise the personality types:

• Introversion/extraversion
• Thinking/feeling
• Sensing/intuition
• Judging/perceiving

A person has a preference for each category, and these make up 16 personality types which are often used to help personal growth, teamwork, and career counselling.

Extroversion (E) or Introversion (I)

In terms of MBTI, introversion and extraversion is more about how people give and receive energy and interact with others and the world around them. Many extroverts feel energised by others and tend to focus on other people and things, whereas introverts often feel recharged from spending time alone, preferring to have deep and meaningful conversations with others.

Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)

This category focuses on the different ways people gather and perceive information. Those who focus on facts and details are likely to prefer sensing, and what they can learn through their five senses. People who prefer intuition will likely pay more attention to patterns and impressions and enjoy abstract theories and thinking about future possibilities.

Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)

How people come to make decisions will depend on if they are a thinking type or a feeling type. Looking at logic and facts to make a decision is common among thinking types, whereas feeling types will typically consider people and emotions first when it comes to decision-making.

Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)

When it comes to dealing with the outside world, people will either fall into the judging or perceiving category. Those who prefer structure and being more methodical with their decisions will lean towards judging. People who lean towards perceiving are more flexible and adaptable and like to stay open to new options and information.

The 16 Myers-Briggs personality types

ISTJ – Logistician

Individuals with this personality type are traditional, responsible and trustworthy. They pay close attention to detail, are organised and plan things out in advance.

ISTP – Virtuoso

Virtuosos love adventure, new experiences and risk-taking. They are fearless and independent, wanting to understand the cause of practical problems and often finding quick solutions.

ISFJ – Defender

Friendly, dedicated, and reserved, these individuals are always ready to defend the people they care about. They are loyal, considerate, and non-confrontational, preferring a peaceful environment.

ISFP – Adventurer

People with this personality type tend to be quiet, sensitive, easy-going, and artistic. They value a deep connection with friends and family and often need alone time to recharge.

INFJ – Advocate

One of the rarest Myers-Briggs types, Advocates are quiet and mystical with a creative and analytical nature. They are hardworking, compassionate, and sensitive to the needs of others.

INFP – Mediator

Idealistic, creative and kind, people with this personality type have high morals and are family-oriented with a small group of friends. They are loyal and always willing to help others.

INTJ – Architect

Architect personality types are strategic thinkers who have a plan for everything. They are highly independent, creative, analytical and logical, and are often viewed as perfectionists.

INTP – Logician

Described as quiet and introverted with a thirst for knowledge, Logicians are highly focused on problem-solving and more interested in ideas and concepts than socialising with others.

ESTP – Entrepreneur

These individuals are outgoing and energetic. They enjoy spending time with their wide circle of friends and are often spontaneous, charming and tend to focus on the present.

ESTJ – Executive

Responsible, assertive and organised, Executive personality types like to take charge and are results-driven, excelling at implementing plans and tend to be excellent at managing people and things.

ESFP – Entertainer

People with this personality type tend to be friendly, outgoing and impulsive. They enjoy being the centre of attention and like working in new environments, learning through hands-on experiences.

ESFJ – Consul

These individuals are very caring and warm-hearted. They are eager to help others and great at observing people and situations, often wanting to feel appreciated and have their contributions noticed.

ENFP – Campaigner

Enthusiastic, energetic, and imaginative, Campaigners thrive in situations where they can be creative with their work. They have excellent people and communication skills and provide support to others.

ENFJ – Protagonist

These personality types are loyal and good at recognising the emotions of others due to their own sensitive nature. They are friendly, understanding, and generous and make good leaders.

ENTP – Debater

Usually focused on the future rather than the present, Debaters are innovative and outspoken. They enjoy debates and interacting with people and are easy to get along with.

ENTJ – Commander

Commanders are confident, organised and have strong leadership skills. They are excellent at making plans, enjoy interacting with people and setting long-term goals.

Which personality type is better suited for our courses?

At Simply Academy, we offer CeMAP courses – the first step on the road to a career as a mortgage adviser. Meanwhile, our DipFA courses are for those who would like a career in financial advice. So which of the sixteen Myers-Briggs personality types would be best suited to each of those courses?

A good financial adviser needs to be trustworthy, analytical and an excellent listener. They need to be able to take action and be confident in their decision-making.

ISTJ – responsible, trustworthy and planning things out.

INTJ – independent, analytical and have a plan for everything.

ENTJ – confident, organised with great leadership skills.

A good mortgage adviser is a natural leader who pays attention to detail and is someone who has good management and problem-solving skills.

ENFJ – make great leaders, who are understanding and loyal.

ISTJ – responsible, organised, and pays close attention to detail.

ISTP – independent, enjoys finding the cause of problems and quick solutions.

While these personality types could make excellent mortgage or financial advisers, it’s worth noting that one personality type is not better than the other, and each one will have its own strengths and weaknesses. Have you explored your personality type? We’d love to hear your thoughts.