Personality Profiles

The knowledge of Personality Profiles blended with proper career lays the foundation of a sound and happy life

We have discussed some of the important profiles and associated personality profiles in the previous section, now we should understand the various classifications of personality.

Carl Gustav Jung (1971) concluded that people can be characterized on the basis of the following:

1. Their preference of general attitude i.e. Extraverted (E) vs. Introverted (I)
2. Their preference of one of the two functions of perception i.e. Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N), and
3. Their preference of one of the two functions of judging i.e. Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F).

These areas of individual preferences are called dichotomies. Isabel Briggs Myers (1980) proposed the fourth dichotomy that influences personality type i.e. Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P).

The personality determines the set of motivations that generally remain stable throughout a person’s life. It is sometimes felt that the career decisions are best suited with the values and interests. However, these change with age and experience. Hence knowing one’s personality helps to understand the career needs. This helps to explore the colleges and future course of actions for careers.

The knowledge of personality traits blended with proper career lays the foundation of a sound and happy life. This is because personality helps in understanding human behaviour. It is believed that there are distinct personality types and each individual is defined by at least one type that best describes him or her. The personality type doesn’t change with age. Each of the personalities has its own inherent strengths and weaknesses, and no personality is good or bad.

The knowledge of personality traits blended with proper career lays the foundation of a sound and happy life.

The personality has four dimensions and it is based on following four aspects:

1. How people interact with the world and where they direct their energy? – Extraversion (E) ~ Introversion (I)
2. What kind of information they naturally notice and remember? – Sensing (S) ~ Intuition (N)
3. How they make decisions? – Thinking (T) ~ Feeling (F)
4. Whether they make structured or spontaneous decisions? –  Judging (J) ~ Perceiving (P)

One’s personality falls on one side or the other of the midpoint of each of these four scales. For example, if a person scores on the extraverted side, it means that they have a preference for extraversion. Same is the case with introversion aspect as well. It is crucial to note here is that everyone uses both sides of each dimension – for instance, people are primarily extraverts or introverts, but they are not exclusively one or the other. People use both sides of all four scales in their daily lives, but they have an inborn preference for one side or the other. Now, let us ponder upon the eight preferences and career implications:

• Extraversion (E) ~ Introversion (I)

1. 1. EXTRAVERTS have outward attention and they enjoy a variety of tasks. They seek out and need other people and work at a rapid pace. They are vocal about their ideas and thoughts.
   2. INTROVERTS have inward focused attention and they tend to analyse things in details before responding. They enjoy tasks that require concentration and work best on one project at a time. They don’t go fast rather work at a careful and steady pace.

• Sensing (S) ~Intuition (N)

1. SENSORS focus on the current scenario and status and love to work with real things. They learn from previous experiences and apply them while solving. They require specific and practical directions.
2. INTUITIVES use their imagination and enjoy speculations. They focus on possibilities of the current situations.

The preferences from the four dimensions are compiled to form a four-letter code that describes different preferences. Each preference type denotes important aspects of a person. For instance, one is just not introvert. He is either of an INTJ, an ISFP or one of six other introverted types. This makes the personality detailing so interesting.

To make a person work and develop in a work-environment the experts and the organisation must get ready to take certain steps vis-a-vis preferences code. Let us take it preference-type wise.

1. Extraverts need to go slow so that they think before acting.
2. Introverts need to be given enough information so that they get going from the thinking phase.
3. Sensors should be helped to see beyond horizon and find the long-range consequences.
4. Intuitive people must get assistance to evaluate career options and plans in a realistic manner. They need to be encouraged to take care of details how small it may appear.
5. Thinkers must be made aware of the results of their decisions not only for themselves but for others as well.
6. Feelers should be helped in judging the alternatives before taking decisions and should not be made to feel hurt or otherwise for any setbacks.
7. Judgers need to be counselled to look for more and latest information and also to delay in taking decisions so that it is not a premature decision.
8. Perceivers must be engaged in tasks and pushed to take decisions as and when required.

It is important to accurately assess the personality of the candidate. This will give the confidence to assessor and the candidate as well. Hence one must not hesitate to devote extra time if warranted so that the right personality type is assessed. This should be followed by the identification of the interests of the candidate.

Care must be taken that the students must not be counselled for a particular job or education just because their personality profiling says so. The element of interest is a vital factor as well. The students must be encouraged to explore the career fields in conjunction to their interests and personality type. Can artistic person work in a manufacturing unit? Yes, his services and creativity may be used in advertisement designing. So, there should not be a single line approach while planning for the career.

The possible permutations of preferences in the 4 dichotomies that we discussed earlier, give a total of 16 different combinations. These combinations can be termed as personality types. Thus, there are 16 different types of personality. A four-letter acronym is used to denote a personality type and is discussed in the following section:

1. ENFJ (Extravert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)

The basic qualities of ENFJ are that they make friends in a click and are warm and talkative. They are caring, enthusiastic and fun-loving. They are good in expressing their sentiments and feelings with their language and actions. The situations of conflicts disturb them hence they try to maintain harmony with people around.

They may not like positive criticism just for the simple reason this may get their feelings hurt. They love to learn and use their learning to amuse others. They are able to put their ideas in a quick manner. Since they are energetic and organised they are able to finish off the projects in time and in a satisfactory fashion. Nothing seems difficult for them. However, they tend to hate any kind of alterations in the plans or execution.

They care about others and wish to know about the other’s feelings for them. It has to be remembered that they are sensitive so at times they are good for the organisation and at other moment they need to be tackled in a wit full manner as they are hard to be managed when upset.

2. INFJ (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)

The people falling in this category are generally having a close and small friend circle. This denotes that they like privacy and hence don’t make acquaintances easily. They are creative and sensitive. They love to imagine. They are considered to be empathetic and have strong feelings and opinions. They expect that people should appreciate their views and dislike any kind of compromises when it comes to their feelings and expectations. They tend to be idealistic sometimes. However, they love to contemplate the future.

They are good to appreciate the work of art be it music, writing or music or even reading. They get respect from people as they work in an organised and innovative manner. Any change gets them annoyed and they need time to adjust to changes. They are good listeners and have a sense of bringing out deeper and a new meaning to their experiences. They love to spend time alone and generally don’t initiate social gatherings etc.

3. ENFP (Extravert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)

Such people love to go social and hence have a long list of friends and people they know. They are outspoken and enthusiastic. They are energetic and curious and have lots of questions and queries in their box. They appreciate extraordinary things and activities. They love to fun around and find solutions with their wit and imaginations.

Although they are proud of themselves yet they are equally sensitive and have empathy for others. Hence, they might take things personally but they hide their feelings when hurt. They are considered to be committed but a long list of tasks makes them uneasy. And the most critical thing is that the nature of being curious often distracts them from their routine tasks. This makes them to switch jobs as often as a lucrative option comes in front.  

4. INFP (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)

These people are unique and creative yet very quiet and socially cautious. Only a few people around them know about their expressive side. They take time to be comfortable with strangers and hence considered to be of reserved nature. Still they have a caring attitude for their near and dear ones. They dislike to compromise and wish that their relationship is cordial without any tensions.

They are imaginative and have an artistic taste. They are sort of perfectionist and therefore any kind of criticism shaken them up. They don’t like to be bound by rules and disciplines. They react in a spontaneous manner. They should be supported enough to find their career path as they take decisions from their heart and therefore may move all alone on it as they find it right for them.

5. ENTJ (Extravert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)

The people falling into this category are highly confident and have strong opinion set. They open their heart and convince people with ease. They are the apple of any gathering as they are friendly and assertive at the same time.

They seek new and newer challenges and avoid any kind of repetition. They have zeal to learn and are imaginative and creative. They are disturbed in the situations where there is inefficiency or illogical rules prevail. They like to show their efficiency and dislike if people wish to improvise them. They are in born leaders and get the recognition as they make feel people comfortable.

6. INTJ (Introvert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)

Such people are very imaginative and have brains. They are serious and creative. They love to have logical details of the circumstances. They are choosy when it comes to meeting new people or even social kind of activities. Their friend circle is limited and like to spend time all alone with the kind of activities they love to do. They share their feelings with their friends sparingly. They love to read and generally browse books related to lifestyles. They are able to understand the seemingly tough theories with ease.

However, they don’t like any kind of artificial behaviour. They don’t like to change their positions and hence considered stubborn at times. They don’t like to hang around with people who just show-off or overreact. They have their own standards of living and love to live it even if it means ignoring people.

7. ENTP (Extravert, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving)

Such people do have a big friend circle as they are friendly and love to talk. They are witty and love to enjoy. They are adaptive and creative. They explore possibilities and take new ideas.  However, they tend to be distracted when they don’t face challenges.

Their eagerness often makes it difficult for them to stick to a single plan for a long. They are appreciated for their enthusiasm. They like to start projects but have problems in living up to their commitments. They are good negotiators and are able to convince people in an easy manner. They love to improvise.

8. INTP (Introvert, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving)

Such people take time to analyse the issues. They are creative and love to be alone and independent. They hardly engage in social arena and have selected friends only. They avoid being crowded and hate any kind of superficial behaviour. They love to imagine and innovate. They give solutions to problems with their insights. They dislike any kind of repetitiveness as this brings boredom to them. Although they have logical mind and generally remain cool still they face problems in putting their views in front of others. But they are honest speakers and hence are blunt at times. They have their own set of standards and don’t wish to pacify anyone. They are hardly influenced by the opinions of others and don’t share their feelings with others. They have an eye to see all the aspects of any issue and are good debaters therefore.

Although they are highly adaptable, still they go casual when it comes to meet the deadlines and fulfil their commitments.

9. ESTJ (Extravert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)

These kinds of people are outspoken and are friendly. They are confident and committed. They are good event organisers. They dislike people who break the rules and are vocal about right or wrong. Since they are honest, they go blunt while airing their views without any concerns for other’s feelings.

They love to work in an organised manner and take fast decisions. They take any other project only when they finish the earlier one in a successful manner. They are humble yet realistic and take only relevant projects. They have good memories but dislike too much of theoretical discussions which is far from any practical approach. They love to be engaged all around and are appreciated for their ethical values. This makes them inflexible at times. However, they try to finish all their tasks and commitments on time.

10. ISTJ (Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)

The people falling in this category are cautious before speaking and are considered to be serious. They are silence loving people and hardly share their feelings. They are selective and careful while dealing with money matters and remember their details.

They are considered as polite and logical people. They act in a cool and responsible manner in tough situations. They are organised and therefore are comfortable with predetermined schedules. They seek appreciations for their contributions.

They dislike changes in the plans and schedules. They prefer practical applications over theoretical discussions. They have the logical base for their decisions hence they dislike any changes therein. This makes them inflexible at times.

11. ESFJ (Extravert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)

These are the kind of people who are enthusiastic, energetic and friendly. They like to hang around with active people and are expressive. They are warm with their close ones and love to share their feelings. They are actively caring and helping by nature. They prefer relationships over things and go extra miles to save it.

Although they are very good with their behaviours but at times tend to enforce their ideas and beliefs on others. They are very sensitive for criticism. They are humble people and often feel uncomfortable while sharing their thoughts when upset.

They tend to avoid people who hurt them. They are in love with nature and carry various sports and other such games. They plan in advance and therefore dislike any changes thereafter. They complete their projects very smoothly as they are well-organised.

12. ISFJ (Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)

People who fall in this category are cool and caring. They are bit hesitant to befriend someone. They are watchful for social affairs. They have a very small friend list and are very warm and enjoy spending time with them.  They are considerate and sensitive enough to judge the right and wrong. They feel uncomfortable when they are offended.

They are humble yet speak their expectations in a clear manner. They are choosy and careful when it comes for foods, apparels and possessions. Although they have good memory yet are unable to draw meanings from the stuffs.

They are good decision makers but dislike any subsequent changes once the plan is decided. They love to work in a predefined manner and don’t go easy while dealing with critical issues.

13. ESTP (Extravert, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)

These are the people who are energetic, friendly and talkative. Hence, they have a fairly high friend list. They love to fun around and are spontaneous. They love to adventure and generally don’t plan in advance. They don’t like to sit idle for long and avoid theoretical sessions. They are curious and vigilant and hence notice minute details. They have a logical blend for issues and rarely allow anyone to control them.

They are non-serious people and easily adapt to changes. However, they disallow anyone to take charge of them. They don’t put their heads for irrelevant rules. They tend to jump to new projects and hence occasionally ignore the completion of previous projects. They are natural problem solvers. Sometimes they unintentionally hurt the feelings of others as they free when it comes to express their emotions.

14. ISTP (Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)

They are curious and quiet. They speak with honesty and love to be independent. They keep their thoughts to themselves but once they open up they tend to speak for long. They are good at hiding their feelings.They are honestly vocal and sometimes go blunt. They escape from social gatherings and like to be with their close friends. They love adventurous sports. They tend to avoid rules and structures as they take it as a curb on their liberty but love to improvise.

They don’t take the expectations of others and don’t impose themselves as well. They are highly adaptive which in turn makes them vulnerable enough not to complete the projects on time. Sometimes they get distracted and forget their commitments.

15. ESFP (Extravert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving)

These folks are fun-loving, talkative, friendly and curious. They are modest and hence are appreciated. They have good number of friends. They love to sport and can’t sit for long. They appreciate beauty and love nature. They are sensitive & affectionate. They are dedicated to their friends and family. They hunt for positives in the people around and when they fail in this, they are unhappy. They don’t like to be bound in the rules as they take it as a hurdle in their liberty. They love even if they don’t show it.

They lag on projects as they are not organised and casual at times. They have great personal values and therefore never resist saying sorry.

16. ISFP (Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving)

These are very caring and sensitive, dedicated and loving. They support their close ones and resist hurting anyone. They are thoughtful and engage themselves in social activities still love to steal time for themselves. They are likely to take criticism in a constructive manner and forgive people easily.

They are honest speakers hence are likely to hurt others. They are humble and are artistic. They are keen observers and have a great sense of aesthetics. They are playful and rarely organised. They are burdened when given a big project. They are not able to take decisions hence fail to take the projects to its desired destiny.