Associated Press ISFJs could make great teachers.
- The Myers-Briggs test isn't perfect, but your personality type could help guide you to a great career.
- If you're an ESFP, you may make a good bartender.
- ISFJs may make great kindergarten teachers.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
When thinking about your career, it's important to take your personality into consideration. Do you like working with a team, or flying solo? Are you charismatic or a little more reserved?
There are 16 personality types according to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, one of the most popular personality tests. It sorts people based on eight characteristics: extraversion (E) or introversion (I), sensing (S) or intuitive (N), feeling (F) or thinking (T), judging (J) or perceiving (P).
We used two different infographics, our own and another from Career Assessment Site, as well as spoke with a career coach, Leah Lambert of Relaunch Me, to learn more about finding the right job for your personality.
Even though the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test is controversial, it's still extremely popular in today's business world. The jobs listed also aren't meant to be definitive, but rather serve as a helpful way to see how certain occupations attract a particular kind of person and vice versa.
INTJs might be best suited as microbiologists
Personality traits of INTJ types include being imaginative and strategic. INTJs may have studied biochemistry, law, or architecture in school. Microbiology is a perfect fit for this personality type because it involves working on your own.
"An introvert tends to get their energy from themselves and can find dealing with people all day to be terribly draining," Lambert explained to INSIDER. "Therefore, although they may have learned to do this quite successfully, at the end of the day they might be drained of energy."
An ENTJ might make a good lawyer
ENTJ personality types are bold and are energized by spending time with others. They are leaders and have big imaginations. A lawyer is a good fit for this personality type because it involves solving problems and being a leader. These people might also be driven by statistics, logic, and reason.
ENTPs could be detail-oriented reporters
This personality type is characteristic of being clever, curious, and intellectual. They balance the scale of being thinkers, but also extroverts. A reporter makes a perfect fit for ENTP because it involves being detail oriented and full of ideas. A person who identifies with this personality type might have studied arts and entertainment or information technology in school. ENTPs are motivated to finding new solutions.
An ESFP might make a good bartender or a charismatic entertainer
Getty Images ESFPs are great with people.
ESFP personality types are all about being entertainers or the center of attention. They might make a good bartender or actor because they are spontaneous, energetic, and enthusiastic. An ESFP personality type might be restless in an isolating environment, such as sitting in a cubicle.
"Extroverts may struggle in an environment that is very quiet or doesn't have enough people interaction," Lambert told INSIDER. "They may start their own business from home in order to meet family needs, but then find that working from home is very de-motivating."
INFJs might be best suited for being veterinarians
The MBTI test identifies these personality types as quiet, mystical, and inspiring. INFJs are idealists. A veterinarian is a good fit for this personality type because it means they can work independently and in an organized environment.
An INTP might make a great college professor
People who resonate with INTP are innovative, curious, and philosophical innovators and are often compared to people like Albert Einstein. A college professor is a good fit for this personality type, as both posts agreed, because it involves a non-traditional setting with room for working on creative ideas. INTPs might have studied chemistry, economics, or physics in school.
ESTPs could be in the ranks as military officers
Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/USMC ESTPs are great leaders.
Personality traits of an ESTP personality type are that of a thrill-seeker - perceptive and risky. They're smart, energetic, and make great leaders. ESTPs make good military officers because it involves being hands-on and working with others to solve problems.
INFPs might be fine artists
This personality type makes decisions based on feelings and values. They're helpers. INFPs have sympathetic and kind qualities. An artist makes a perfect fit for this personality type because it allows them to express their individuality to others. Lambert explained that people who have "helper" qualities tend to be very relationship-focused.
"They [INFP] thrive when working in a supportive, harmonious environment where people are friendly and helpful," Lambert told INSIDER. "They also get much of their satisfaction from helping people or giving back to society in a positive way."
When thinking of a future career, it's important to consider personality and aptitude. Leah explains that a helper who chooses a career based on aptitude might find themselves in a competitive environment where the focus might be meeting goals rather than actually helping.
An ISFP could be a small business owner
Personality traits of ISFP are like that of a chameleon. They're flexible, charming, and ready to discover new things. This person is willing and able to complete tasks across many different functions, just like a small business owner.
"There are certain jobs that require some flexibility in terms of certain personality traits," said Lambert. "An example of this might be a sole business owner who needs to be able to perform many functions across their business, requiring a whole range of skills and strengths."
"A small business owner may be an introvert who loves working from home, beavering away at the kitchen table without any interruptions," Lambert continued. "But on the other hand, they need to develop more extrovert qualities in order to market their business to bring in additional revenue."
An ENFJ might make a good PR specialist
ENFJ personality types are inspiring and charismatic. They're focused on ideas and big concepts. People who resonate with this personality type might make a good PR specialist because they dream big and think even bigger.
ISTPs could be police officers
This personality type is bold, practical, and handy. ISTPs are reserved but not withdrawn as they are responsive and look for practical solutions. A police officer makes a good fit for this personality type because it involves jumping into certain situations without much planning.
"It is important to consider what types of work tasks utilize your natural strengths, the type of work environment that motivates you most, and the type of organization that you wish to work for," Lambert explained to INSIDER.
An ESTJ is more suited to be a chef
Pressmaster/Flickr
ESTJs take the lead to keep things in order.
ESTJ personality types are organized and particular. ESTJs act as managers and are generally traditionalists in their values. They like to take the lead and have an orderly system of doing things, such as a project manager, restaurant manager, or chef.
ENFPs might make good restaurateur
ENFPs are enthusiastic, creative, and sociable people. They're imaginative and great communicators. Famous ENFPs, according to the MBTI test, are Ellen DeGeneres, Walt Disney, and Mark Twain. A restauranteur makes a good fit for this personality type because it involves challenging work, rather than something routine.
An ESFJ could be a registered nurse
James Bridle - Southampton FC / Contributor / Getty Images ESFJs are caring.
ESFJs are popular, caring, and sociable. Both posts agree a nurse is a good fit for this personality type because it involves being sensitive to the needs of others as they have provider or contributor personalities. ESFJs might have studied psychology, criminal justice, or history.
An ISFJ might make a good kindergarten teacher
Personality traits of ISFJs are warm and dedicated. They're recognized as having defender or protector qualities as they aim to keep others safe. A kindergarten teacher is a good fit for ISFJs because it involves being a caretaker. ISFJs are the most common personality type within the US population, according to the MBTI test.
An ISTJ is more suited toward being an auditor
ISTJs are a fact-first type of people. Yes, they're introverted, but know where they belong in life and enjoy being a part of organizations or groups, according to Truity.com. An auditor is a perfect fit for ISTJs because it involves being practical and reliable - they aim to do things correctly.