I f you aren’t happy with your job, maybe you don’t have the right personality for it. The more you work at a job that meshes with who you are, the greater your chances of long-term career success and satisfaction.
My methodology can help you determine your personality type and guide you to the careers for which you are best suited.
LAYING THE GROUNDWORK
In the broadest terms, we are all either introverts or extroverts -- with roughly half the population falling into each category.
Introverts tend to focus their energy internally by watching and reflecting. They often work best by themselves.
Extroverts focus their energy externally by talking and acting. They usually work best in groups or teams.
The introvert/extrovert division is just the first step to pinning down your personality type. Based on the research used to develop the popular Myers-Briggs personality-type indicator, I have broken down each basic personality type into four subtypes.
INTROVERTS
Here are the four personality subtypes among introverts -- and the careers at which they are most likely to excel...
Assimilators like to take detailed information and integrate it into their experience and knowledge. Assimilators follow procedures. They are reliable and practical.
Biggest challenge: Assimilators have trouble with change and balancing their professional and personal lives.
Good jobs for assimilators: Accountant, auditor, counselor, engineer, geologist, insurance underwriter, judge, management consultant.
Visionaries like to take in ideas and mold them into new mental frameworks. They like to create and revise models to help them understand and interpret the world. They are comfortable thinking about the future and often have a great desire to change the world.
Visionaries see the big picture and then create a way to turn their visions into reality.
Biggest challenge: They may find it difficult to complete routine tasks.
Good jobs for visionaries: Architect, artist, attorney, designer, organizational development specialist, psychologist, publicist, writer.
Analyzers like to take the time to examine information and make logical decisions. They challenge assumptions and evaluate ideas and conclusions.
Biggest challenge: Analyzers may communicate in a brisk, impersonal manner.
Good jobs for analyzers: Data researcher, financial planner, physical therapist, securities analyst, software developer, skilled craftsman.
Enhancers are often attracted to opportunities to help others. They get satisfaction from enhancing the lives of others directly by assisting them... or indirectly by making products that will be helpful, beautiful or interesting.
Biggest challenge: Enhancers may sacrifice their personal needs to meet the needs of others.
Good jobs for enhancers: Graphic designer, human resources specialist, interior designer, interpreter, legal assistant, personal coach/trainer, youth counselor.
EXTROVERTS
Here are the four personality subtypes among extroverts -- and the careers at which they are most likely to excel...
Responders are eager to act. They are observant and quick to see problems and opportunities. Responders enjoy improvising. They are good at fixing things or getting things done right away. They often enjoy handling emergencies or solving practical problems.
Biggest challenge: Because they tend to focus on the present, responders have difficulty with long-term planning and goal setting.
Good jobs for responders: Computer programmer, emergency response worker, firefighter, lifeguard, mediator, negotiator, pilot, promoter, stockbroker.
Explorers look for patterns. They naturally link ideas together and see connections and possibilities. Explorers see every situation as an opportunity to try something different. They are drawn to work that requires them to anticipate the future and create new ideas.
Biggest challenge: Theories and possibilities are more exciting to explorers than reality, so focusing on facts and details may be hard.
Good jobs for explorers: Actor, biologist, entertainer, entrepreneur, executive, human resources specialist, inventor, investigator, marketer, newscaster, psychologist, salesperson.
Expeditors like logical analysis that leads to quick and efficient decision making. They critique situations, spot flaws, decide on the best course of action and take immediate steps to mobilize people to get the job done.
Biggest challenge: Because expeditors are time- and task-focused, they miss opportunities to enjoy the moment. It is sometimes difficult for them to relax.
Good jobs for expeditors: Administrator, banker, computer analyst, franchise owner, manager, military officer, purchasing agent.
Contributors want to connect with others, cooperate and create harmony. They are strong team players who are especially interested in organizing and coordinating events and activities.
Biggest challenge: Contributors define themselves by their performance and rely on others for positive feedback. Accepting negative feedback can be difficult for them.
Good jobs for contributors: Communications director, community health worker, physical therapist, receptionist, social services worker, teacher.
MAKING THE FIT PERFECT
Don’t try to reach too far out of your personality type.
An introverted enhancer, for example, might choose to teach or speak in front of a group in order to share his/her information and values with others. However, he will likely find this tiring and will be more energized by one-on-one interactions.
