What Is the Myers-Briggs Personality Test?
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a career personality test that gives insight into your behaviour, strengths, and weaknesses. The exam is based on the personality types theory developed by Carl Jung and places the test-taker into four archetypes that define your overall personality. The questions on the test will cover four main areas to identify your archetypes:
->Taking in information
->Directing and receiving energy
->Approaching the outside world
->Making decisions
MTBI Test Format
The exam consists of 93 questions in total. Each question will present two statements, and you must choose which best describes you. For example, a) I prefer to work alone and b) I prefer to work in a team. The test is not timed, but it should only take 20 to 30 minutes.
Why Take the Myers Briggs Personality Test?
The Myers-Briggs test is commonly used as a pre-employment assessment for employers to learn more about candidates.
Knowing your MBTI is excellent for understanding how you may behave in certain situations, what strengths you have that can be leveraged at a company, and the weaknesses you may need to work on. From a candidate’s perspective, having this knowledge about yourself is a great tool to market yourself.
From an employer’s perspective, the results can give insight into gaps the candidate can fill on their team and how well they would fit culturally with the company. This information will help the manager build a strong team and give insights into how to best lead that team, assign tasks, and give feedback.
MBTI Psychological Preferences
The MBTI places each test-taker into four overarching categories, each with two contrasting preferences. Ultimately, each test taker will be placed in one of 16 distinct personality types.
Introversion (I) or Extroversion (E)
The first archetype will determine if you are more introverted or extroverted. This is based on how you present yourself to others and direct and receive energy. Those who are more introverted recharge alone and often feel drained in social situations. An extravert will receive energy from groups and may feel more tired when they spend extended time alone.
Intuition (N) or Sensing (S)
The second archetype will place you in either the Intuition or Sensing category. This is based on how you take in information from your surroundings. Those who are an Intuition type focus on possibilities, have great imaginations, often think about abstract ideas, and focus on the big picture.
Those in the Sensing category are more interested in real, tangible, and practical information. They base their experiences on facts and hands-on experiences.
Feeling (F) or Thinking (T)
The third archetype describes how you approach decision-making and will place you into either the Thinking or Feeling category.
Those classified as Feelers make decisions from their heart. They think primarily about values, other people involved, and focus on emotions. Those classified as Thinkers tend to make decisions based on facts and will make impersonal decisions based on logic and reason.
Perceiving (P) or Judging (J)
The last archetype is based on how you approach the world. Those who are Judging will prefer structure and order in their lives. They make firm decisions, stick to routines, and are likely to follow and enjoy traditions. Those who are Perceiving are more open and flexible in their approach. They are adaptable to change, aren’t as task-oriented, and enjoy spontaneity.
Myer Briggs Personality Types
ISTJ (Logistician)
In the workplace, the ISTJ is responsible, organized, honest, strong-willed, and acts with integrity. They have an eye for detail and are excellent with time management. However, their coworkers may perceive them as too stubborn, judgmental, and rigid.
Some great career paths for an ISTJ are:
->Lawyer
->Auditor
->Business Administrator
->Government Employee
->Finance
->Engineering
->Technology
->Accountant
->Doctor
->Data Analyst
ESTJ (Executive)
ESTJs create order, follow the rules, and are great at managing things and people. They are straight talkers, great organizers, loyal, and dedicated in the workplace. They can provide direction amidst chaos and believe in tradition and order. However, coworkers may find them judgmental, stubborn, emotionless, and high-strung.
Some good career ideas for the ESTJ are:
->CEO
->Judge
->Financial Officer
->Project Manager
->Lawyer
->Military
->Hospital Worker
->Law Enforcement
ISTP (Virtuoso)
ISTPs are bold but practical and need unpredictability and excitement in their lives. They enjoy working with their hands and solving problems and do not want to do the same thing every day.
In the workplace, ISTPs are optimistic, practical, creative, and energetic. They are great at prioritizing and are calm and relaxed in most situations. However, others may think that the ISTP is quickly bored, has problems with commitment, and needs to be more patient and sensitive. ISTPs are true introverts, so their coworkers may have trouble getting to know them.
ISTPs would be great in the following career paths:
->Police Officer
->Firefighter
->Mechanic
->Engineering
->Graphic Designer
->Forensic Scientist
ESTP (Entrepreneur)
ESTPs are intelligent, energetic, curious, and like to take action. They are passionate, like to act in the moment, and are natural leaders.
ESTPs are sociable, direct, tolerant, and flexible in the workplace. They work hard, like being adventurous, and do not thrive in structured environments. They like pushing boundaries and tackling big challenges. However, this can come off as defiant, risk-prone, and impatient. ESTPs may have trouble focusing on a task they aren’t excited about and may break rules they disagree with.
Excellent career paths for the ESTP are:
->Sales
->Marketing
->Sports
->Acting
->Coach
->Detectives
ISFJ (Defender)
ISFJs are natural caregivers who are dedicated, loyal, warm, and always ready to defend their loved ones. They are hard workers, and they enjoy day-to-day challenges.
In the workplace, ISFJs are supportive, enthusiastic, and have good practical skills. They are very reliable and methodical in how they approach challenges and situations. However, they can sometimes be too altruistic, overload themselves by taking on too much responsibility, and are reluctant to change.
Good jobs for an ISFJ include:
->Teacher
->Interior Designer
->Customer Service Representative
->Nurse
->Manager
->Office Management
->Bookkeeping
ESFJ (Consul)
ESFJs are incredibly caring and social people who are popular with their peers and always eager to help others. They are extremely loyal and connect with others easily. They feel a sense of duty to serve their fellow humans using practical skills and structure.
However, ESFJs can sometimes be inflexible, needy, vulnerable to criticism, and too selfless. They are occasionally oversensitive and can become emotional or too invested in social status.
ESFJs thrive in careers that involve organizing and helping people. Great career paths for the ESFJ include:
->Teacher
->Accountant
->Nurse
->Social Work
->Counselling
->Religious Work
ISFP (Adventurer)
ISFPs are always ready to have new experiences and try new things. They work well in positions where they can do things their own way and at their own pace and explore their creative freedom.
ISFPs are very spontaneous, artistic, and curious people. They are also charming, fun-loving, and sensitive to others. However, they can be easily stressed, unpredictable, and competitive.
Those with an ISFP personality enjoy working hands-on jobs in fast-paced environments where they can develop genuine human connections. Great careers for ISFPs include:
->Designer
->Photographer
->Artist
->Fashion Designer
->Chef
->Athletes
->Freelancer
ESFP (Entertainer)
Those with an ESFP personality type are very energetic and spontaneous people who love to find joy and fun in life. Working with an ESFP is often fun and enjoyable because they are social and have a relaxed demeanour in most situations.
ESFPs are practical, observant, original people with excellent interpersonal skills. They are also excellent problem solvers and great at coming up with creative and novel solutions. However, their spontaneity can mean they have trouble creating long-term plans, become bored easily, and often have difficulty focusing.
Excellent career paths for ESFPs include:
->Sales Representative
->Event Planner
->Nurse
->Photographer
->Interior Designer
->Hospitality
->Tour Guides
->Trip Planners
INFJ (Advocate)
INFJ personality types are quiet yet inspiring. They are creative and insightful and strive to find meaning in their work. In the workplace, INFJs are decisive and determined but can also be perfectionists who are easily bored. Additionally, people with this personality are often private and sensitive, which can make bonding with coworkers difficult.
Great jobs for INFJs include:
->Human Resources
->Customer Relations
->Social Work
->Doctor
->Writer
->Healthcare Worker
->Service Industry
->Occupational Therapist
ENFJ (Protagonist)
Those with an ENFJ personality are charismatic, inspiring, natural leaders who are incredibly genuine, social, and intelligent.
In the workplace, ENFJs are reliable, tolerant, and excellent communicators. However, their helpful nature can lead to them being too selfless and sensitive. They can also struggle with making decisions and have low self-esteem.
They enjoy helping others and will seek a career that allows them to do so. Great career paths for an ENFJ include:
->Teacher
->Human Resources
->Public Relations
->Sales Representative
->Event Management
INFP (Mediator)
INFPs are kind, poetic, and always happy to help others. At work, they are creative, flexible, passionate, and hardworking. However, their positive outlook and helpful nature can mean they are too altruistic and idealistic. They can also be impractical and have trouble standing up for their needs.
INFPs prefer in-person positions that are fulfilling and aren’t overly stressful. Some great career paths for them include:
->Psychologist/Therapist
->Writer/Editor
->Graphic Designer
->Social Work
->Human Resources
->Artist
->Freelance
->Communications
->Dancer/Choreographer
ENFP (Campaigner)
ENFP personalities are sociable free spirits who are creative and enthusiastic. They are “glass half full” type of people and can always find the silver lining. ENFPs are energetic, observant, and curious. They have excellent communication skills but poor practical skills. Their free-spirited nature can also lead to overthinking, difficulty focusing, and cause them to become easily stressed.
Those with an ENFP personality seek careers where they can push boundaries and explore new ideas. Some great career paths for an ENFP include:
->Engineer
->Journalist
->Event Planner
->Brand Manager
->Sales
->Nonprofit Work
->Hospitality
->Public Relations
->Social Media
INTJ (Architect)
Those with INTJ personalities are strategic and imaginative thinkers. They prefer working alone with little to no interruption and like to do things their own way. At work, they are independent, hardworking, and open-minded. However, others may perceive them as arrogant, judgmental, insensitive, and overly analytical.
INTJs thrive in careers that challenge their intellect and allow them to develop creative ideas. Great job paths for an INTJ include:
->Lawyer
->Project Manager
->Software Engineer
->Mechanic
->Economist
->Accountant
->Systems Engineer
->Marketing Strategist
->Management Consultant
ENTJ (Commander)
ENTJs are strong-willed, bold, imaginative, natural leaders. They prefer to work with others, enjoy having leadership and responsibility, and thrive under pressure. In the workplace, they are energetic, self-confident, and efficient. However, others may perceive them as impatient, arrogant, stubborn, or intolerant.
Some great career paths for ENTJs include:
->Business Administrator
->Professor
->Lawyer
->Leadership Roles
->Politics
->Management Consultant
->Armed Forces
INTP (Logician)
INTP personality types are innovative inventors who are always hungry for knowledge. INTPs are self-driven problem solvers who prefer to work alone. They are great analysts, enthusiastic, open-minded, and objective at work. They can develop unique views and thrive in creative situations. However, some may view them as absent-minded, condescending, insensitive, and private.
INTPs crave mental stimulation and would be good in career paths such as:
->Economist
->Data Analyst
->Mechanic
->Professor
->Architect
->Engineer
->Computer Programmer
ENTP (Debater)
ENTPs are intelligent and curious thinkers who thrive when their intellect is challenged. ENTPs are great communicators and apply themselves fully to solve any problems that interest them. They are knowledgeable, energetic, quick thinkers, and brainstormers at work. However, some may see them as intolerant or argumentative, and they can have poor follow-up skills and become bored quickly.
Great careers for the ENTP personality type are:
->Lawyer
->Engineer
->Photographer
->Sales Representative
->Stock Trader
->Film Producer
->Public Relations
How to Prepare for the Myer Briggs Personality Test?
Practice tests are a great way to prepare for the MTBI assessment. While there are no right or wrong answers on the test, it is a good idea to understand what questions will be on the exam and how you should approach them. Understanding your personality type will help you discover what career field you will be best suited for.
