One of the most unconventional personality types, the INFJ personality type possess strong intuitive power. Individuals of this personality usually prefer a fulfilling career which satisfies their creativity and high principles. CareerStint has enlisted 7 best careers that may suit individuals with an INFJ personality.
“Conventional measures of mental ability, such as intelligence tests and scholarship, show some of the very highest records belong to INFP and INFJ types, who relegate thinking to last place or next to last. The preference for thinking appears to have far less intellectual effect than the preference for intuition, even in some technical fields, such as scientific research, where its influence was expected to be most important.”
― Isabel Briggs Myers
Individuals with an INFJ personality are known to follow their intuitions; they try to discover deeper meaning in life. Considering their highly complex behavior, their approach is that of a dreamer, and generally, look for a meaningful career that will quench their thirst for creativity.
The four major character traits exhibited by INFJ personalities are:
➊ Introverted: They usually build their world with their own ideas and are very reserved in nature. They cannot connect to any other person easily, due to their deep, intense thoughts.
➋ Intuitive: A very strong trait of this personalty type―they trust their intuitions more than anything else.
➌ Sensitive: Most of their decisions are based on what they ‘feel’.
➍ Opinionated: They’re strong in their opinions, and will exert them when required. They can judge a situation and people easily, all thanks to their strong intuitions.
Considering their interest in creativity, and how they yearn to know about life, they’re usually the protectors, i.e., they lay more emphasis on people’s emotions and are compassionate towards others. This makes them ideal candidates to work in the service industry and also excel in the field of art. With this brief background, let us try to gain more insight into the various careers that are best suited for an individual with an INFJ personality.
Suitable Careers in Art
Writers
They are good in analyzing emotions and expressing them, which makes them adept at words. Thus, they can have a good career as writers and artists. Well, needless to say, their intuitive and passionate nature means they have free-flowing thoughts and are good with words. They are obviously, highly principled and will entirely devote themselves to their work. They can be a great inspiration; however, their highly complex nature makes it difficult for other personality types to comprehend their ways and means.
Musicians/Artists/Photographers/Actors
Their imagination and thinking knows no bounds, which makes them appropriate as artists―music, acting, designing, etc. Overtly passionate, their invariant need to find the significance of things around them makes them more receptive to new thoughts and ideas.
Suitable Careers in Religion
Priests/Clergy/Religious Worker
Their compassion and love for people, and of course, strong intuitions, which nature has blessed them with, may encourage them to take up occupations in the field of religion. Visionary nature and natural leadership qualities also enhance their ability for this career type.
Suitable Careers in Education
Teachers
Again, owing to their leadership quality and good convincing abilities, they can be good teachers―especially, art, drama, or literature. They value their relationships highly, are natural protectors and good in convincing others, which helps in developing a healthy student-teacher relationship.
Suitable Careers in Counseling and Health Care
Psychologists/Counselors
They can empathize with others, and probably, are blessed with an insight which aids them to relate to it and help their patients. They’re themselves sensitive and encouraging towards others. Of course, someone who will patiently hear you out is always sought after, especially by ailing individuals or those in need.
Nutritionist/ Chiropractor/Therapist/Child Care and Development
Nothing can be more fulfilling for an INFJ personality than to protect and take care; which make them well-suited to the health care profession. Their ability to protect and feel makes them ideal to work in the areas of child care and development.
Social Activist
Needless to say, all those above-mentioned personality traits―leadership, sympathy, and high commitment―are highly desirable in an individual who intends to work for the social good. They’re out to change the world, with their high values and passion, and hence, can make good social activists and proponents of social causes.
Many noted poets, writers, and actors are known to be INFJ personalities. Some famous names are Robert Burns, George Harrison, Carl Jung, Jimmy Carter, Nicole Kidman, Adam Sandler, etc. While the individuals named in this list are included purely on the basis of observation; there is no scientific evidence available to prove their personality type. INFJ personality types constitute approximately 1-3% of the entire population. However, credit to them for making their mark and standing out in the crowd. They listen to their intuitions, which many of us turn a deaf ear to.