THE ENFP CAREER BOOKLET

Transcription

1 The ENFP Using your Psychological Type Indicator results to think about career options When considering your PTI report (or any other valid Type report), it is important to understand that there are no right or wrong answers, or right or wrong personality types. All types all are valuable and only the individual concerned can decide his or her own Type. Personality Type has been used extensively to improve the way people work together in organizations, and, on a personal level, Type can be used for personal and career development, improving relationships, navigating mid-life crises, and understanding stress. The PTI reports preferred ways of behaving on four scales, each consisting of two opposite poles. Personal preferences govern much of our own behaviour in our lives and in our work. The easiest way to explain what is meant by preference is to sign your name with your usual hand and then do the same thing with the other hand. Writing with your usual hand feels easy and natural, while the other feels awkward and difficult. The same applies to behaviour preferences you can do it the other way, but it feels less natural and you would probably need to practice for a while before you could get the same result. You can imagine how difficult and tiring it would be if you had to use your non-preferred hand all day. Carl Jung believed that preferences are inborn, but that the extent to which we develop them is affected by our environment and experience of life. THE ENFP CAREER BOOKLET

2 How does type affect career choice? People choose occupations for many reasons, such as challenge, money, location, family expectations, desire to serve others, learned skills, and others. The assumption when using the PTI in career coaching is that one of the most important motivations for choosing a career is a desire for work that is interesting and satisfying and that will permit use of your preferred functions and will entail relatively little use of the less-preferred functions. No occupation provides a perfect match, but knowledge of your inner temperamental preferences can help you to avoid major mismatches, understand sources of stress, and help you to find appropriate niches for yourself if you find yourself in the wrong job. When in a job that requires the use of less preferred functions people tend to report feelings of greater fatigue and inadequacy. Using their best functions requires less effort for better performance and gives more satisfaction. If you are in the wrong job (or at least one that has large sections of it that don t interest or motivate you) the PTI can help you understand why it s wrong for you, and you can use your knowledge of Type to assess future options or adapt your job to enable you to use your preferred functions more. By now, things may be starting to fall into place for you in terms of your own career. Perhaps you are an intuitive thinker in a specialty that requires a lot of attention to detail and gives little opportunity for finding creative solutions. Maybe you are a feeling type but never get the opportunity to help people directly. Perhaps you are an introvert and never get the chance to think alone, or an extravert in a job with little human contact. You may be idyllically happy in your job, in which case your Type and your work are likely to be well suited. Or you may have found yourself in a largely unsuitable specialty but have found a niche that allows you to use your preferred functions. If you are at the stage of deciding which career path to follow, some idea of your type will be invaluable not only for matching your personality to jobs but also for understanding your strengths and weaknesses in the career hunting process. It cannot be said too often that generating ideas, gathering information, networking, and careful decision making are essential ingredients of effective career development, but different personality types are better at different stages of this process. Introverts may find networking very hard, while extraverts may rush into things without giving themselves time to think. Sensing types may make decisions based on the here and now, forgetting to look ahead, while intuitives may be so concerned with future possibilities that they forget to consider practical things like travelling and living arrangements. Judging types may make decisions too quickly, while perceivers are in danger of not making a decision at all. And so it goes on. The beauty of Type is that there is something for everyone. Whether you re an INTP and dream of sitting in intellectual solitude, thinking up wonderful complex ideas at a safe distance from the masses, or you re an ESFP and like nothing better than the action, spontaneity, and endless human contact of an accident and emergency department, or if you fall into any of the variations in between, the chances are that there is a career and job that is right for you. The information that we provide about each Psychological Type is intended to be a guide only, and does not constitute a complete analysis of your ideal career. Nor does it guarantee success or failure within any particular occupation, as individuals vary greatly in many other ways. However, we certainly encourage personal selfknowledge and research in your quest to live up to your fullest potential, and for this reason we provide you with this information. 2 WCOD & Career Spotters, All rights reserved.

3 The list shown on the right is a quick summary of the most popular career choices that are made by each of the 16 Types identified within the PTI (based on Jungian theory). In the last 2 pages of this booklet, we will look specifically at your own Type as far as career options are concerned. Summary descriptors ISTJ Business executives, administrators and managers, accountants, police, detectives, judges, lawyers, medical doctors, dentists, computer programmers, systems analysts, computer specialists, auditors, electricians, math teachers, mechanical engineers, steelworkers, technicians, militia members. Similar to the ESTJ, ISTJ s have a talent for detail and memorization, but work more behind the scenes instead of up front as a leader. ESTJ Military, business administrators, managers, police/detective work, judges, financial officers, teachers, sales representatives, government workers, insurance agents, underwriters, nursing administrators, trade and technical teachers. Natural leaders, ESTJ s often work best when they are in charge and enforcing the rules. ISFJ Interior decorators, designers, nurses, administrators, managers, secretaries, child care/early childhood development, social work, counsellors, paralegals, clergy, office managers, shopkeepers, bookkeepers, homemakers, gardeners, clerical supervisors, curators, family practice physicians, health service workers, librarians, medical technologists, typists. Tradition-oriented and down-toearth, ISFJ s do best in jobs in which they can help people achieve their goals, or where structure is needed. ESFJ Home economics, nursing, teaching, administrators, child care, family practice physician, clergy, office managers, counsellors, social workers, bookkeeping, accounting, secretaries, organization leaders, dental assistants, homemakers, radiological technologists, receptionists, religious educators, speech pathologists. ESFJ s often do best in jobs where they can apply their natural warmth at building relationships with other people. ISTP Police, detectives, forensic pathologists, computer programmers, system analysts, computer specialists, engineers, carpenters, mechanics, pilots, drivers, athletes, entrepreneurs, fire-fighters, paramedics, construction workers, dental hygienists, electrical engineers, farmers, military, probation officers, steelworkers, transportation operatives. With the ability to stay calm under pressure, ISTP s often excel in any job which requires immediate action. ESTP Sales representatives, marketers, police, detectives, paramedics, medical technicians, computer technicians, computer technical support, entrepreneurs, comedians, agents, race car drivers, fire-fighters, military, loan sharks, con men, auditors, carpenters, craft workers, farmers, labourers, service workers, transportation operatives. ESTP s often have a gift for reacting to and solving immediate problems, and persuading other people. ISFP Artists, musicians, composers, designers, child care workers, social workers, counsellors, teachers, veterinarians, forest rangers, naturalists, bookkeepers, carpenters, personal service workers, clerical supervisors, secretaries, dental and medical staffers, waiters and waitresses, chefs, nurses, mechanics, physical therapists, x-ray technicians. ISFP s often do well in the arts, as well as helping others and working with people. ESFP Actors, painters, comedians, adult entertainers, sales representatives, teachers, counsellors, social workers, child care, fashion designers, interior decorators, consultants, photographers, musicians, human resources managers, clerical supervisors, coaches, factory supervisors, food service workers, receptionists, recreation workers, religious educators, respiratory therapists. Optimistic and fun-loving, ESFP s enthusiasm is often great for motivating others. WCOD & Career Spotters, All rights reserved. 3

4 INFJ Counsellors, clergy, missionaries, teachers, medical doctors, dentists, chiropractors, psychologists, psychiatrists, writers, musicians, artists, psychics, photographers, child care workers, education consultants, librarians, marketeers, scientists, social workers. Blessed with an idealistic vision, INFJ s do best when they seek to make that vision a reality. ENFJ Teachers, consultants, psychiatrists, social workers, counsellors, clergy, sales representative, human resources, managers, events coordinators, politicians, diplomats, writers, actors, designers, homemakers, musicians, religious workers, writers. ENFJ s often have a talent for encouraging others to actualise themselves, and provide excellent leadership. INFP Writers, artists, counsellors, social workers, English teachers, fine arts teachers, child care workers, clergy, missionaries, psychologists, psychiatrists, scientists, political activists, editors, education consultants, journalists, religious educators, social scientists. Driven by a strong sense of personal values, INFP s are often also highly creative and can offer support from behind the scenes. ENFP Actors, journalists, writers, musicians, painters, consultants, psychologists, psychiatrists, entrepreneurs, teachers, counsellors, politicians, diplomats, television reporters, marketers, scientists, sales representatives, artists, clergy, public relations, social scientists, social workers. Very creative and fun-loving, ENFP s often excel at careers which allow them to express their ideas and spontaneity. INTJ Scientists, engineers, professors, teachers, medical doctors, dentists, corporate strategists, organization founders, business administrators, managers, military, lawyers, judges, computer programmers, system analysts, computer specialists, psychologists, photographers, research department managers, researchers, university instructors, chess players. INTJ s often They have a particular talent for grasping difficult, complex concepts and building strategies. ENTJ Business executives, CEOs, organization founders, business administrators, managers, entrepreneurs, judges, lawyers, computer consultants, university professors, politicians, credit investigators, labour relations worker, marketing department manager, mortgage banker, systems analysts, scientists. ENTJ s are often born to lead and can steer the organization towards their vision, using their excellent organising ability and understanding of what needs to get done. INTP Physicists, chemists, biologists, photographers, strategic planners, mathematicians, university professors, computer programmers, computer animators, technical writers, engineers, lawyers, forensic researchers, writers, artists, psychologists, social scientists, systems analysts, researchers, surveyors. Highly analytical, INTP s can often discover connections between two seemingly unrelated issues, concepts or factors, and work best when allowed to use their imagination and critical thinking skills. ENTP Entrepreneurs, lawyers, psychologists, photographers, consultants, sales representatives, actors, engineers, scientists, inventors, marketers, computer programmers, comedians, computer analysts, credit investigators, journalists, psychiatrists, public relations, designers, writers, artists, musicians, politicians. Very freedom-oriented, ENTP s often need a career which allows them to act independently and express their creativity and insight. 4 WCOD & Career Spotters, All rights reserved.

5 Detailed career description information for ENFP s ENFP s are estimated to be around 8% of the overall population Whether you re a new entrant to the world of work or a mature adult looking for the best possible onward career path, there are two foundational factors that have a major role to play in your choices (and the enjoyment that you are likely to gain from the job that you do). These are your personality temperament or Type (or what is often described to be your inner nature) and your skills or competencies, or what you have learned to do relatively well (or what is often described as the nurture side of the equation). The more that we can better understand both of these factors, the more informed our career choices can be. While we usually have a reasonably good appreciation of what we have learned to do well (or not so well), our inner temperament or Type is not as easy to determine. The following information therefore relates to the inner temperamental preferences and traits associated with your particular Type out of the 16 that are available (as these have been derived from completing the questionnaire). ENFPs generally have the following preferences or traits: Project-oriented Bright and capable Warmly, genuinely interested in people; great people skills Extremely intuitive and perceptive about people Able to relate to people on their own level Service-oriented; likely to put the needs of others above their own Future-oriented Dislike performing routine tasks Need approval and appreciation from others Cooperative and friendly Creative and energetic Well-developed verbal and written communication skills Natural leaders, but do not like to control people Resist being controlled by others Can work logically and rationally use their intuition to understand the goal and work backwards towards it Usually able to grasp difficult concepts and theories ENFPs are lucky in that they re good a quite a lot of different things. An ENFP can generally achieve a good degree of success at anything which has interested them. However, ENFPs get bored rather easily and are not naturally good at following things through to completion. Accordingly, they should avoid jobs which require performing a lot of detailed, routine-oriented tasks. They will do best in professions which allow them to creatively generate new ideas and deal closely with people. They will not be happy in positions which are confining and regimented. WCOD & Career Spotters, All rights reserved. 5

6 The following list of professions that are often occupied by people with ENFP preferences. It is meant to be a starting place, rather than an exhaustive list. There are no guarantees that any or all of the careers or industries listed here would be appropriate for you, or that your best career match is among those listed. Possible career paths for ENFP s It is important to recognise that any of the 16 Types can successfully perform any job that exists in the world of work. However, each of the Types will go about doing a particular job quite differently. In fact, international occupational choice evidence suggests that each Type is likely to undertake a specific range of careers that tend to be more suited to their temperament (left to their own devices to choose of course). The following list should therefore be used as a general guide to what other ENFP s have elected to do most often by way of jobs in the general world of work. You can then use this list to explore one or more of these options to determine degree of fit to your own interests or elect to look elsewhere if you think that none of these options seem to be a good fit for you. The first list is a general list of job types which are often occupied by people with an ENFP preference. Underneath these jobs are the industries which are often attractive in practice and the functions which are often most attractive in a commercial enterprise (both tables being in priority order). Counsellors and social workers Psychologist Teacher Consultant Clergy/religious worker Entrepreneur Writer/journalist Actor/performance/artist Social scientist Musician Industries most attractive tend to be: Social services Education/schools/college Church/religion Healthcare/medical Hospitality/accommodation/ entertainment Airlines/aerospace/travel Voluntary/non-profit Retail Art/theatre/drama Commercial functions most attractive are: Human resources/training Customer service Public relations/communication Project management Sales Operations Purchasing/contracts 6 WCOD & Career Spotters, All rights reserved.

7 Possible areas for development for the ENFP Enthusiasm and insight gives ENFPs the ability to meet people on their own terms and start interesting new projects. ENFPs may need to beware that in their quest for the ideal and harmony at all costs, they do not exhaust themselves and others. ENFP s may become more effective through: learning to discipline the tendency to go off at tangents accepting that the grass is not necessarily greener elsewhere accepting that some of their inspirations may need detailed work before they can be realised realising that criticisms are not necessarily personal slights working on their ability to listen remembering to consider the facts before coming to a conclusion regarding people who counsel caution as being helpful rather than irritating following through on one project before starting another allowing enough time for rest and exercise Works best Works least well As team member Leads by Ideal organization Ideal boss Relating to others Makes mistakes Decides Regards change Thinks Communicates when feels warm liking and approval from others; allowed to be creative when involved in power struggles, being bullied or asked to carry out plans which, in the ENFP s view, may harm people contributes strong feeling of identity with team; builds bridges creating trust, openness; walking the talk ; inspiring belief that the impossible is possible; believes in the value of what each individual can contribute; sees self as a leader of leaders; shares tasks on informal collegiate basis rather than through command and control; may promise more than can be delivered makes a difference on important global concerns; emphasises values; is democratic, encourages discussion on all important concerns is sensitive, flexible and shares the same sense of humour; gives large measure of trust and never micro-manages is unpretentious and genuine, establishing rapport quickly, showing that he or she accepts the other person unconditionally; is constantly searching for the flawless relationship and may think the grass is greener elsewhere; tolerant with lapses from good behaviour in others but if really pushed may become surprisingly acerbic with work that demands attention to routine detail by involving others; can tolerate high degree of ambiguity as long as core values are not under attack; looks at the facts last as a way to bring about the dreams and ideals of the future; insists on the people implications being discussed; if this is not possible, may see change as unmitigated disaster at the macro level about how ideas will affect people; may look for the Big Idea that will unlock human behaviour; may be attracted to gurus fluently and impressively; explains through story-telling; able to improvise using humour and creativity; likes to see and be seen; loves networking WCOD & Career Spotters, All rights reserved. 7

8 Industries and functions In this booklet we have described a number of Industries and functions. Although this is not an exhaustive list, the 36 most common Industry and 20 most common Commercial classifications are shown as a whole below: For 15 years the Worldwide Centre for Organizational Development has been offering its clients best-practice people-based research, consulting services and on-line tools to help maximise human potential. WCOD and (the main web site for the business) are located at 8938 S. Sepulveda Blvd, Suite , in Los Angeles, California. Telephone: Fax: The Psychological Type Indicator (PTI) can be found at the web site Industries: 1. Advertising/media/print/publishing 2. Agriculture/farming 3. Airlines/aerospace/travel 4. Armed services 5. Arts/theatre/drama 6. Automotive/mechanical 7. Call centre/telemarketing/telesales 8. Church/religion 9. Computing/electronics 10. Construction/building 11. Craft/trades 12. Education/schools/college 13. Energy (oil, gas, chemicals, water) 14. Engineering/technical 15. Entrepreneurial business 16. Financial services (banking, insurance etc) 17. Healthcare/medical 18. Hospitality/accommodation/ entertainment 19. IT/technology 20. Logistics/transport/warehousing 21. Manufacturing 22. Mining/extraction 23. Police/fire/security services 24. Professional services (accounting, legal etc) 25. Public sector/government-local 26. Public sector/government-national 27. Retail 28. Restaurant/food distribution 29. Schools and education 30. Science/research 31. Small business/entrepreneurial 32. Social services 33. Telecommunications 34. Transport/logistics/distribution 35. Voluntary/non-profit 36. Other Commercial functions: 1. Administration 2. Audit/risk/regulatory 3. Customer service 4. Finance/accounting 5. Human resources/training 6. Engineering/maintenance 7. Executive/board 8. Information technology 9. Legal services 10. Logistics/distribution/transport 11. Marketing 12. Operations 13. Project management 14. Public relations/communication 15. Purchasing/contracts 16. Project management 17. Quality assurance services 18. Research/development/design 19. Sales 20. Other WCOD & Career Spotters, All rights reserved.