When Personality and Job Expectations Clash: How to Re-calibrate for Career Fit

Saturday, 8:00 p.m.
November 30, 2024

• First: Identify your current personality traits

• Second: Identify the traits needed in your dream job

• Third: Improve your traits to match those required by your dream job.

I. Identify your personality traits

In general, exploring self-personality traits could be done by:

• Professional guidance from a therapist: costly, deeper personality aspects could be demystified such as unconscious motivations and defense mechanisms. But, let’s not use a canon to kill a fly. You won’t need that option to know how to speak about yourself.
• External feedback from family, friends and colleagues: Subject of my next letter.
• Personality assessments from scientifically based tests: like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) which identifies 16 distinct personality types. This could be found online, free of charge and gives fairly reliable results when done appropriately.

You must have guessed it by now. The focus on this letter will be on the latter.

1. How MBTI based personality assessments work?

1.1. The Four Dichotomies

Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I):

Extraverts (E) are energized by interactions with others and the external world.
Introverts (I) are more energized by solitary reflection and their inner thoughts.

Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N):

Sensing (S) types focus on concrete, factual information and details.
Intuitive (N) types focus on patterns, concepts, and the big picture.

Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F):

Thinking (T) types make decisions based on logic and objective analysis.
Feeling (F) types prioritize personal values and the impact on others when making decisions.

Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P):

Judging (J) types prefer structure, planning, and decision-making.
Perceiving (P) types are more adaptable, open-ended, and spontaneous.

Combining these four dichotomies results in 16 personality types:

1. ISTJ – The Inspector: Responsible, organized, and practical.
2. ISFJ – The Protector: Supportive, loyal, and observant.
3. INFJ – The Advocate: Insightful, idealistic, and compassionate.
4. INTJ – The Architect: Strategic, independent, and visionary.
5. ISTP – The Virtuoso: Analytical, realistic, and adaptable.
6. ISFP – The Artist: Gentle, open-minded, and sensitive.
7. INFP – The Mediator: Empathetic, imaginative, and driven by values.
8. INTP – The Thinker: Innovative, logical, and inquisitive.
9. ESTP – The Entrepreneur: Energetic, perceptive, and action-oriented.
10. ESFP – The Entertainer: Outgoing, enthusiastic, and spontaneous.
11. ENFP – The Campaigner: Optimistic, creative, and curious.
12. ENTP – The Debater: Clever, strategic, and open-minded.
13. ESTJ – The Executive: Organized, direct, and dependable.
14. ESFJ – The Consul: Caring, social, and conscientious.
15. ENFJ – The Protagonist: Inspiring, supportive, and charismatic.
16. ENTJ – The Commander: Assertive, strategic, and leadership-focused.

Each type offers unique strengths, preferences, and approaches to life, work, and relationships. The MBTI is a useful tool for self-awareness and understanding how individual differences shape interactions and decision-making.

2. Identify the traits needed in your dream job

Once your personal traits were identified, now it is the turn of your dream job’s optimal traits. Matching Myers-Briggs 16 personality types mentioned above to specific IT roles involves understanding the skills and attributes each role requires, alongside the strengths commonly associated with each MBTI type. Here’s a breakdown of 60 IT roles and the personality types that may be well-suited for each, based on typical strengths and inclinations:

1. Software Engineer / Developer:
ISTJ, INTJ, INTP, ISTP: Analytical, detail-oriented, and logical types excel here. ISTJs and INTJs appreciate structured environments, while INTPs and ISTPs enjoy solving complex technical challenges.

2. DevOps Engineer:
ISTP, ESTJ, ENTJ: ISTPs and ESTJs enjoy optimizing and maintaining systems, and ENTJs thrive in overseeing DevOps workflows that require strategic planning and real-time problem-solving.

3. System Administrator:
ISTJ, ESTJ: Reliable and systematic, ISTJs and ESTJs handle routine system management effectively and pay attention to detail, which is crucial in maintaining system stability and security.

4. Network Engineer:
ISTP, INTJ: Detail-oriented and technically inclined, ISTPs and INTJs excel in maintaining and troubleshooting complex networks, with INTJs particularly suited to network planning and innovation.

5. Database Administrator (DBA):
ISTJ, INTJ: ISTJs are organized and meticulous, while INTJs bring a strategic view to data management, both essential for maintaining database integrity and optimizing performance.

To learn about other 55 IT job roles, including CTO, Artificial intelligence specialist and Game developer, please click here to download the pdf: 60 job roles required personalities.

3. Improve your traits to match those required by your dream job:

Remember that all the personalities in a MBTI test are a combination of 4 dichotomies. Here’s a breakdown of actions that can help a person cultivate each trait in the MBTI dichotomies:

Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I):

Extraverts (E) :

• Join group activities: Participate in team sports, clubs, or social gatherings to build comfort around people.
• Engage in conversations with new people: Practice small talk or initiate discussions to improve social skills.
• Take leadership roles: Volunteer to lead meetings or projects, which often require extroverted behaviors.
• Ask open-ended questions: This encourages dialogue and active listening in social settings.
• Set regular outings with friends: Plan weekly get-togethers to maintain social engagement.

Introverts (I):

• Schedule alone time: Set aside quiet moments for reflection and recharging after social activities.
• Practice deep listening: Focus on listening without interruption to foster thoughtful engagement.
• Engage in solo hobbies: Pursue activities like reading, writing, or art that encourage self-reflection.
• Limit distractions: Create a dedicated space for solitude by reducing noise and other disturbances.
• Reflect through journaling: Write about daily experiences and emotions to deepen self-awareness.

Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N):

Sensing (S):

• Focus on details: Observe small aspects in the environment or tasks, such as color, shape, or texture.
• Practice mindfulness: Engage in present-focused activities to strengthen sensory awareness.
• Use hands-on learning: Practice skills that require a step-by-step approach, like cooking or building.
• Break down projects: Tackle tasks in small, logical steps to hone attention to concrete details.
• Track habits and routines: Keep a daily record of tasks to reinforce attention to practical elements.

Intuitive (N):

• Explore abstract ideas: Study subjects like philosophy or psychology that encourage big-picture thinking.
• Read speculative fiction: Books that explore complex or imaginative themes can nurture abstract thinking.
• Practice brainstorming: Generate multiple ideas without focusing on practicality to spark creativity.
• Visualize the future: Think about long-term goals and how current actions can impact them.
• Ask “what if” questions: Engage in hypothetical thinking to stimulate creativity and flexibility.

Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F):

Thinking (T):

• Analyze decisions objectively: Consider the pros and cons of decisions without emotional influence.
• Practice critical thinking exercises: Engage in logic puzzles or debates to build analytical skills.
• Study basic logic: Learn formal logic concepts to structure arguments and improve rational thinking.
• Take emotion out of feedback: Practice giving feedback based on facts rather than feelings.
• Read analytical literature: Focus on non-fiction books that encourage logical evaluation, like science or history.

Feeling (F):

• Practice empathy: Actively try to understand others’ perspectives and emotions.
• Express appreciation: Share gratitude with others to cultivate warmth and kindness.
• Volunteer in community services: Engaging in acts of service can foster compassion and understanding.
• Listen to others’ feelings: Prioritize emotional concerns in conversations, validating others’ experiences.
• Work on conflict resolution skills: Focus on finding peaceful, empathetic resolutions to disagreements.

Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P):

Judging (J):

• Set clear goals: Outline objectives for both short- and long-term plans to stay organized.
• Prioritize tasks: Use a to-do list or planner to keep track of and manage responsibilities.
• Establish routines: Consistent daily schedules reinforce structure and productivity.
• Avoid procrastination: Complete tasks early to reduce stress and maintain order.
• Limit distractions: Designate specific times for work to maintain focus and efficiency.

Perceiving (P):

• Stay open to change: Embrace flexibility by adjusting plans or exploring new ideas as they arise.
• Take on exploratory projects: Engage in creative tasks with room for improvisation, like writing or art.
• Learn improvisational skills: Try activities like improv acting, which encourage adaptability.
• Set flexible goals: Focus on broad objectives that can adapt to different situations.
• Experiment with diverse hobbies: Try new activities to stay open-minded and spontaneous.

Conclusion:

In order to benefit from this article, you must:

1. Visit 16 personalities website and discover your personality traits.
2. Download the pdf to discover what traits are needed in order to excel in your dream job.
3. Work on the traits that you lack for your dream job in order to be ready when the opportunity presents itself.