Depending on how the assessment is undertaken, the Myers Briggs can give you insights into how you are energised, how you acquire information, how you prefer to make decisions, which lifestyle you prefer and ultimately, how your personality preferences relate to specific career options and why.
If you know your MBTI profile, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® can help you:
- Identify job families, or broad occupational categories to help you get started in your career search.
- Choose a specific job or career.
- Identify strengths and potential weaknesses of your type for the career search process.
- Increase your job satisfaction.
- Make a career transition or shift.
- Plan your career development strategy and action steps.
Ultimately of course it is you who decides your personality type. However, a better understanding of your preferences will help you in the choices you will need to make about career objective and subsequent career position.
One of the key benefits of taking a Myers Briggs assessment is that it will give you an indication of your inherent ability, rather than learned knowledge. Getting to know your true preferences is a task that can last as little as a few hours, or several months, or even longer.
The following gives an overview of the personality types defined by Myers Briggs Type Indicators.
WHERE, PRIMARILY, DO YOU DIRECT YOUR ENERGY?
To the outer world of activity, and spoken words
OR
To the inner world of thoughts and emotions
If it is toward the outer world of activity or words, it is called Extroversion, denoted by the letter E. If it is toward the inner world of ideas, information, or thoughts, it is called Introversion, denoted by the letter I. Extro- is a prefix meaning ‘without’ and Intro- is a prefix meaning ‘within’.
During each day you will undoubtedly spend time spontaneously doing or saying things, as well as retreating into the inner world of contemplation and thought. If your working day has involved much interaction with the world, even the clearest Extrovert may feel at the end of the day that he wants to be left alone with his thoughts. Conversely, if an Introvert has been working in isolation all day, she may feel that she needs to ‘party’ in the evening to restore some balance.
You, like every other individual, need a particular balance of both introversion and extroversion. However, laying aside special circumstances like those in the previous paragraph, one of Extroversion or Introversion will normally increase your level of energy, whilst the other will decrease it. The following table lists words and expressions that are often associated with extroversion and introversion:
Extroversion | Introversion |
social | private |
expressive | quiet |
many | few |
broad | deep |
interaction | concentration |
outward | inward |
action before thought | thought before action |
Which is your preference (i.e., what is your personality type)? How are you actually behaving most of the time? Sometimes it can be difficult to tell. Every individual exhibits all of the above characteristics at some time or other, and one source of difficulty can be in distinguishing which behaviours are ‘learned’, or a response to current demands, and which reflect true preference.
Preference, Role, or Learned Behaviour
One feature differentiating Es from Is is whether action or thought comes first. In situations that demand action, such as the sounding of a fire alarm, both types will act. Most people are trained to evacuate the building immediately in an emergency, or to take other appropriate action. So, the fire alarm results in most people doing something, and very few people decide to sit and think. They will adopt a team role that is extroverted. But their underlying preference is still the same.
In situations that demand thought, such as solving a crossword puzzle, both types will think. Most crossword puzzles cannot be solved by taking action or by talking. Both extroverts and introverts need to spend time in thought first, to make some progress towards a solution. Their team roles are introverted, but their underlying preference remains the same.
Team roles therefore reflect how we respond to particular circumstances. Finding your true, inner preferences is therefore more difficult, because everyone adapts to some degree to each situation. However, the difference between people who have a preference for extroversion and introversion becomes more apparent when there is a free choice. In these situations, the extrovert will tend to act, and the introvert tends to think. However, very few situations involve a truly free choice, as your behaviour (at work, for example) may be influenced by factors such as:
- the culture of the organisation (some employers expect action-oriented behaviour, others expect considered responses)
- your training or upbringing
- a range of environmental factors, such as whether the situation is a new or familiar one, whether recognition or reward is given, and the effects of stress or illness. The need to restore balance may also be a factor (e.g.: an extrovert may need some time alone after a busy week).
Nevertheless, your innate preferences will still influence the way that you behave, as well as those factors listed above. In a situation demanding action, an introvert may nevertheless bring a more thoughtful approach, or delay the taking of action. In a situation demanding thought, the extrovert may tend to talk the problem through, or move to action more quickly.
Another indicator or your true preference may be the level of stress or enjoyment in a situation. Where your preferences coincide with the demands of the situation, you may find it quite enjoyable. An extrovert may find it frustrating or stressful if required to work in an introvert style, but enjoyable or energising if required to work in an extrovert style, and vice versa for an introvert.
HOW DO YOU PREFER TO PROCESS INFORMATION?
In the form of known facts and familiar terms
OR
In the form of possibilities or new potential
If it is in the form of facts or familiar terms, it is called Sensing, denoted by the letter S. If it is in the form of possibilities or new potential, it is called iNtuition, denoted by the letter N (N is used rather than I, to avoid confusion with Introversion). The term Sensing is used because information is taken in primarily by way of the senses. The term iNtuition is used because information is perceived primarily in an intuitive fashion.
Sensing tends to be interested in tangible reality, focusing on the present, and seeing what is, rather than what might be. At an extreme, Sensing can have its feet so well and truly on the ground that it misses out on possibilities for the future.
The preference for iNtuition gives a greater emphasis on insight and the future, focusing on what might be, rather than what is. At an extreme, iNtuition can focus so much on possibilities that it loses touch with current realities.
Sensing tends to communicate in direct ways, whilst iNtuition prefers to communicate in creative ways. The following table shows words that are normally associated with each of these two preferences.
Sensing | Intuition |
facts | possibilities |
experience | novelty |
present | future |
practicality | aspiration |
enjoyment | development |
realism | idealism |
using | changing |
HOW DO YOU PREFER TO MAKE DECISIONS
On the basis of logic and objective considerations
OR
On the basis of personal values
If it is on the basis of logic and objective considerations, it is called Thinking, denoted by the letter T. If it is on the basis of personal values, it is called Feeling, denoted by the letter F. The following table lists words often associated with each of the two preferences.
Thinking | Feeling |
analysing | sympathising |
objective | subjective |
logical | personal |
criticism | appreciation |
onlooker | participant |
decides on principle | decides using values |
long term view | immediate views |
HOW DO YOU PREFER TO ORGANISE YOUR LIFE?
In a structured way, making decisions and knowing where you stand
OR
In a flexible way, discovering life as you go along
If it is in a structured way, making decisions and knowing where you stand, then it is called Judgement denoted by the letter J. If it is in a flexible way, discovering life as you go along – this is called Perception denoted by the letter P
Someone whose preference is Judgement prefers, in their lifestyle, to make decisions. This means that they prefer to make decisions about what to do, where to go, what to say, and so on. As a result of these decisions, their lifestyle appears organised. That is, someone whose preference is Judgement, prefers to make decisions in the world of actions and spoken words, and therefore appears organised.
Someone whose preference is Perception prefers, in their lifestyle, to learn or experience new things. This means that they prefer to find out more, rather than making decisions, and are more comfortable when they keep their options open. As a result of this openness, they can appear flexible. That is, someone whose preference is Perception, prefers to perceive new things in the world of actions and spoken words, and therefore appears flexible. Some words often associated with Judgement and Perception are:
Judgement | Perception |
close | open |
decide | explore |
structure | meander |
organise | inquire |
firmness | flexibility |
control | spontaneity |
Everyone’s personality reflects all aspects of the Myers Briggs model. You use Extroversion as well as Introversion, Sensing as well as iNtuition, Thinking as well as Feeling, and Judgement as well as Perception. However, your type is a permanent influence in your personality, which influences your choice, where the opportunity allows, of which preference or team role to perform. The letters that represent your preferences are combined to produce your Myers Briggs Type, such as ENTJ. An ENTJ prefers Extroversion, iNtuition, Thinking and Judgement. The ENTJ is likely to feel energised by having lots of things going on (E), will tend to interpret events by seeing patterns or overviews (N) will tend to make decisions on the basis of logic (T) and organises life on a logical basis (J).
A psychometric assessment is only one source of information. When choosing a career or contemplating a career change, you must also consider your abilities and skills, your occupational and leisure interests, and your values and goals.
Further information:
If you would like to find out more about this topic, contact us to book your free 90 minute personal 1:1 career consultation: