When you are starting your career, understanding the strengths of your personality type is a good start. The same stands if you are thinking about changing career paths. One of the popular personality tests used by employers and careers advisors is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The Myers-Brigg test looks at how you behave. It also evaluates how you prefer to make decisions and your preferences for interacting and communicating with others. The test identifies 16 personality types such as INTJ Personality. Knowing your own type indicator can help with making career choices. If you identify as an INFP, stay tuned for the best careers for an INFP!
What is INFP Personality Type
INFP personality types are usually about making the world a better place. What does INFP stand for? The letters in each of the 16 MBTI types relate to the four types of behaviors and traits you score highest in. An INFP personality is one that scores highly in Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, and Perception.
If you are an INFP personality type, you are among the ninth most common personality type. Slightly more women than men tend to be INFP personality, but the balance is fairly equal. Ironically, this is just how an INFP personality just likes all things in life to be. The characteristics of the INFP indicators are:
- Introversion: As a personality trait, an INFP person feels more energized when they are alone or with a few close people. They are not comfortable being the center of attention in a large group or crowd. Introverts may outwardly seem quiet, reserved, and introverted, but they are often deep thinkers.
- Intuition: The intuitive personality trait in an INFP presents as being able to see and reflect on possibilities and look to the future. They have an understanding of the bigger picture. They see how everything else fits for people as individuals and within a system and where to adjust if needed.
- Feeling: INFP people value the social impact and implications of any decision. They will tend to go with and place a lot of value on personal or “gut” introverted feelings when making decisions. They will usually always consider other people’s points of view.
- Perception: INFP people are very open to possibilities and new information. This personality type is flexible and if they feel they need to, they will consider and explore different options. They are very aware of non-verbal cues.
INFP Personality Traits
Some of the personality traits and strengths and weaknesses of INFP personality types are:
- Values-Driven: Core personal values and beliefs are the drivers for INFP people. They seek meaning in situations and their personal and professional relationships. They prefer working for or towards achieving something that means something helps people or a situation than for a profit driven organization.
- Empathy: INFPs have an innate ability to understand what is going on with and for other people. They are able to put themselves in the shoes of another person, so to speak, in order to find ways to help and support them. They are gentle, sensitive, and caring.
- Curiosity: This personality type likes to understand who they are, and how everyone fits in the world. They like to explore all their options in life and have the independence and freedom to do so.
- Individuality: INFPs need to be able to express and present themselves as individuals. They like to be original and do not necessarily feel the need to conform to the norm. They are accepting and encouraging of difference and individuality in others too. They tend to be non-judgmental and able to understand different perspectives and points of view.
- Creativity: INFPs are creative and like to express themselves creatively and passionately. They often have a way with words, and an ability to write beautifully. They can also be very artistic and musical.
- Cooperative: INFPs like to keep the peace and have a hands-on approach to working with others. Although they prefer working autonomously or with a small group of people, they are flexible and supportive of others in a team.
- Relationships: INFPs like to have equality in all types of relationships. They communicate well with others and will usually adapt their style to whom they are interacting with. They can be quiet and reserved with people they do not know well, but are open to other people and take time to listen to others.
INFP-T vs. INFP-A
Within the each of the Myers Briggs personality types, subsequent researchers suggest there are two possible subtypes that underpin our overall identity. These are Assertive (A) and Turbulent (T).
- People with Assertive subtypes lean towards being confident and self-assured. They tend to live more “in the moment”. While they are less resistant to stress, they may not focus too much on how they can improve past outcomes.
- Those with Turbulent subtypes tend to be driven by success, but self-conscious and reflective. They are more susceptible to stress but will reflect on ways to achieve results and make improvements.
What Job is Right For Me? INFP Careers List
Are you looking for INFP careers? INFPs often change their careers as they explore who they are and what fits them best. It means a great deal to INFPs to find something they are passionate about and love. So, their job search and decision-making process can take time and exploration. Because they are often driving to contributing to a better future for humanity, they often enjoy working within the human service-oriented careers or creative arts. For those with an inferior function, they may prefer to work behind the scenes rather than on the front line. The types of careers or jobs for INFP personality include:
- Human Services: INFPs suit roles in the human services such as counselors, therapists, and social workers of all types. This includes these the mental health sector, or the wider community. Their ability to listen and show empathy, together with a desire to help others and improve lives and social conditions are a good match for this type of work.
- Education: Teaching roles at any stage of the lifespan can be a good fit for the INFP person and their ability to communicate with others. This includes right from early childhood, to elementary and high school, to tertiary and university level education. Their ability to understand others can also suit working in special education.
- Creative Arts: The creative streak in INFPs means they often do well in many of the creative arts. This may include working as graphic designers and artists, musicians, or writers. Or using their analytical and writing skills as critics in these areas.
- Sciences: Within the scientific fields, INFPs enjoy disciplines that investigate and ultimately look for ways to understand and improve the world. Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s Degrees, and INFP majors include disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, geography, archaeology, and veterinary or biological sciences can be attractive.
INFP Careers to Avoid
We all, of course, bring many personality traits to different careers and occupations that we do. Even so, there are some careers for INFPs that are usually best to avoid. INFPs are best to avoid any organization or job role that is solely profit or sales driven, they really need to have meaning in their work activities. As people who like to express their individuality and uniqueness and appreciate the same in others, they do not feel comfortable in hierarchical institutions where people hold power over others. Their individualistic streak does not go well in bureaucratic environments or the police or military.
Final Thoughts
Finding a role where you can shine and utilize your natural strengths is going to be fulfilling for any Myers-Briggs personality type. INFP types thrive in jobs where they can contribute to caring for and helping others in some way. It can take this personality type time to find the right type of work that matches their values. They need their own independence and autonomy. However, they are idealists. They can apply their creative problem-solving skills when working with other people so everyone else can strive to be their best also.
Sources
https://www.truity.com/personality-type/INFP/careers
https://personalityjunkie.com/infp-careers-jobs-majors/
https://www.invincibleinfp.com/list-of-infp-careers/
