Picking A Profession For Your Personality
While some personality tests are just for fun (like “Which Disney Character Are You?” or “What Animal Would Your Patronus Be?”), some can actually give you guidance on more important aspects of your life and career!
Are you currently feeling overwhelmed by the limitless types of jobs out there to choose from? Have you heard a lot about “company culture” and “brand persona”, and are unsure where someone like you will really fit in? You’re not alone.
That’s why so many jobseekers and employment counselors are getting the inside scoop on the psyche by using personality tests to hone in on the best matches when it comes to finding a profession. In this article, we’ll cover some of the popular tests out there, and break down the most common personality categories — and what they mean for you!
Personality Tests
Here’s a short list of some great starting points for discovering your personality type!
Remember, every test is different and may focus on different aspects or philosophies. No one test can completely define you, so try a few to get a clearer, bigger picture of where you stand. And feel free to look up your own as well!
The Myers-Briggs Test
This test applies theory by famed psychologist, Carl Jung. The essence of the theory is that much seemingly random variation in the behavior is actually quite orderly and consistent, being due to basic differences in the ways individuals prefer to use their perception and judgment.
The Big Five Personality Test
This test is based on the Five Factor theory of personality, which describes five broad personality dimensions that compose human personality – These are: Extraversion; Agreeableness; Conscientiousness; Neuroticism; Openness
Career Personality Profiler
This free 15-minute career test measures key personality factors to show you the exact careers that suit your strengths. Based on the powerful Holland Code and Big Five systems
TestColor
An interesting alternative to word-based tests, this one has you select colours from a grid in order to determine surprising results about your emotional intelligence, your creativity and imagination, your social skills, and your work style, including organization and management styles.
The DiSC Test
This test is commonly used by employers during the recruitment process! Based on the work of psychologist William Moulton Marston, the DISC model centers on four DISC factors known as Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C).
Matching Jobs To Your Results
Now, since there are a multitude of test types out there, each with their own vocabulary when it comes to categorizing individuals, it’s hard to compile a list of career matches that’s one-size-fits-all.
So we’re going to lay out a list based on common dividing characteristics, but bear in mind that the personality type described in each section may go by a different name, depending on which tests you’ve taken. Fortunately, most professional personality tests provide you with a breakdown of what your results mean, and can even offer specific career paths like we’ve outlined below! We recommend using this guide in tandem with those specific test results.
So, which personality type here best describes you?
The Introvert
More shy than outgoing, the introvert succeeds at tasks which are assigned on an individual basis, rather than group projects. Because of this, they are often very reliable, independent, and have a strong attention to detail. Ability to focus is a strong trait for them.
Ideal Industries Include:
- animal care
- museum work
- information technology
- the sciences
Specific Job Examples:
- veterinarian
- archivist
- social media manager
- computer programmer
- researcher, bookkeeper
- accountant
- paralegal
The Extrovert
More outgoing than private, they prefer team-based work and social settings. Great with public-facing roles and delegating responsibilities. They also have innate skills with multi-tasking.
Ideal Industries Include:
- human resources
- public relations
- sales
- health
- wellness
Specific Job Examples:
- HR representative
- PR representative
- sales manager
- real estate agent
- physical therapist
- EMT
- dental hygienist
- actor
The Organizer
Detail-oriented and practical, they can approach every problem from an organizational point of view. They enjoy routine and structure in both their working and personal life. Great at following rules and instructions, with a natural desire for perfection in the bigger picture.
Ideal Industries Include:
- publishing
- administration
- finance
- hospitality
- tourism
Specific Job Examples:
- editor
- copy editor
- office manager
- administrative assistant
- accountant
- payroll clerk
The Artist
They feel at home with a sense of chaos. Passionate and strong-willed, they thrive in creative projects and likely have many creative outlets in their personal life. They prefer unconventional over traditional, and don’t do well with strict supervision or inflexible schedules.
Ideal Industries Include:
- design
- writing
- marketing
- public relations
- theater
- music
- naturalist
- environmentalist
Specific Job Examples:
- interior designer
- product designer
- graphic designer
- writer
- marketing/advertising executive
- public relations representative
- actor
- composer
- musician
- chef
The Caregiver
Caring and generous, they always put the needs of others first and get pleasure from helping those in need. They are patient and dependable, putting as much stock in projects for others as they do in those for themselves. They thrive in service-oriented environments, and are great with teamwork.
Ideal Industries Include:
- medicine
- education
- social services
- administration
- human resources
- sales
Specific Job Examples:
- doctor
- nurse
- nutritionist
- speech pathologist
- physical therapist
- nanny
- teacher
- social worker
- administrative assistant
- office manager
- human resources professional
- retail worker
- spiritual leader
- event planner
The Enterpriser
Leaders in their field, and inspiring to others. They enjoy mentoring, as well as managing groups of people. They have a strong sense of responsibility, and powerful work ethic, but they know how and when to delegate. Confidence and ambition allows them to forge new opportunities for themselves and their teams.
Ideal Industries Include:
- academia
- business
- finance
- law
- government
- entrepreneurship
Specific Job Examples:
- entrepreneur
- professor
- corporate executive officer
- business coach
- mortgage banker
- lawyer
- judge
- politician
- teaching
The Analyst
They love problem-solving and high-level thinking. Sometimes better at the theory versus the application. Always dedicated to finding a solution, no matter how complex the problem. They prefer solo work, in which they hold themselves to exceptionally high standards.
Ideal Industries Include:
- science
- medicine
- military
- law/law enforcement
- business
- IT
- finance
- academia
Specific Job Examples:
- engineer
- doctor
- researcher
- military leader
- lawyer
- detective
- judge
- corporate strategist
- business manager
- computer programmer
- accountant
- professor
The Idealist
Their mission is to enact positive change in the world, whether at the grassroots or in big industry. They are driven to accomplish any specific task because of their dedication to the higher cause, meaning they always put in their strongest effort. Working with others, especially those who share their vision, is a strong suit.
Ideal Industries Include:
- social work
- human resources
- education
- health and wellness
- government
- art
Specific Job Examples:
- social worker
- counselor
- teacher
- speech pathologist
- holistic health practitioner
- physical therapist
- massage therapist
- politician
- photographer
- designer
- filmmaker
- spiritual leader/activist
The Realist
They keep their feet on the ground and focus on the application over theory. They love to do work that is hands on (or that uses tools), messy, and creative. They have a cool head and remain practical about providing tangible results. Very hard workers.
Ideal Industries Include:
- sports and fitness
- trades
- manufacturing
- construction
- transportation
- science
- business
- law enforcement
- agriculture
Specific Job Examples:
- athlete
- personal trainer
- carpenter
- plumber
- mechanic
- electrician
- pilot
- driver
- forensic pathologist
- business analyst
- policeman
- detective
- firefighter
- EMT
- farmer