Does My Personality Match My Career Choice?

The beauty of diversity in the workplace is to encounter amazing teams full of distinct people, who are yet aiming towards the same direction. Have you ever wondered how someone could know for certain what they wanted to do for a living? Or if their characteristics played an important role in deciding which path to take?

Well, it is easier to answer those questions when understanding that our personality and therefore psychological types deeply influence our decision-making. This being said, you must be wondering, Does My Personality Match My Career Choice?

It is indeed an interesting question to ask yourself, and if you have never taken the Myers-Briggs® Type Indicator (MBTI) test or the Hartman Personality Color Test, this might be your cue to do so. Not sure what these assessments are all about? Keep reading.

First of all, what is the MBTI? 

It is a theory of the existence of different psychological/personality types.

What are all the MBTI’s psychological types?

There are 16 psychological/personality types. They all vary between a person who is an introvert or extrovert, someone who is moved by intuition or sensing, thinking or feeling, and judging or perceiving. 

All MBTI types have a specific title assigned to it, in order to represent it:

• ISTJ - The Inspector
• ISTP - The Crafter
• ISFJ - The Protector
• ISFP - The Artist
• INFJ - The Advocate
• INFP - The Mediator
• INTJ - The Architect
• INTP - The Thinker
• ESTP - The Persuader
• ESTJ - The Director
• ESFP - The Performer
• ESFJ - The Caregiver
• ENFP - The Champion
• ENFJ - The Giver
• ENTP - The Debater
• ENTJ - The Commander

Feel free to dive in deeply into each and every single one of them. You might even be able to identify some people you already know through them.

Second of all, what is the Hartman Personality Color Test?

It is a 45 question test built to adjudicate a person’s personality. At the end of the assessment, you will be given a color that represents you: white, red, yellow, or blue. 

What are all the Hartman’s personality types?

There are 4 types of personalities according to this exam. They represent:

After understanding what these two tests are all about, you might still be wondering: “Does My Personality Match My Career Choice?”

1. Make sure to take the psychological/personality tests.

Although the original tests are paid, you'll be able to find versions for free:

• MBTI: The online exam costs around 12 to 32 EUR, takes up to 15 minutes, and consists of 130 questions.

• Hartman: Although the basic version is free, the deeper analysis costs around 32 EUR, takes up to 7 minutes, and consists of 45 questions as mentioned above. 

Taking either one of those tests is highly advisable as their results will give you a better idea of your inner self. It will highlight traits you might not have noticed you had, and might help you make sense of your career choices and where you might want to head to in the future in terms of work. 

Knowing yourself is power! Understanding your own strengths & weaknesses, comprehending what motivates you, and what things are naturally enjoyable will guide you towards the right direction. Remembering we've only got one life, will encourage you to seek what you want from your personal and professional journey. 

2. Take some time for self-reflection. 

After taking the test, or just trying to find out who you truly are and what moves you, it is time for some deep self-reflection. 

You can either speak with a friend, a psychologist, or yourself if that helps. If you’re more of a visual person, grab a piece of paper and draw a line in the middle. Write down on one side your personality traits stated in the test results, and on the other side, write down the characteristics someone must have to be successful in your career of choice.

Here is an example:

Analysing this illustration (the red words are the characteristics that don’t match, while the green ones represent the ones that match), we can notice that this person isn't aligned with what their occupation choice is requiring. Note that this person's personality does not mean they are inferior, it just means that there is a better position waiting for them. And now that they are aware of it, they can seek for a more suitable role. 

Doing this exercise will assist you in interpreting if your personality matches your career choice. Although it might be somewhat scary to find out such an important and impactful part of your life, such as your vocation -- it is always better to know as soon as possible if you're heading towards the right road. 

3. How does your current job make you feel?

Not necessarily the job you’re pursuing right now is your finish line, but still, how does it make you feel? Do your tasks satisfy you, or do they seem uninteresting to you? Does the idea of advancing in your company excite you, or you don't feel so connected to your role? 

If you are constantly angry, stressed, and anxious during your work days then your personality might not be fitting into this profession. However, before coming to this conclusion, be careful - it might be the company itself that doesn’t value employer branding, or perhaps you don't feel comfortable inside of your own team. Don’t give up on an entire sector/career field just because of one particular case. Try to understand the root of the problem. 

On another hand, if you feel like everything flows naturally within yourself and your occupation, then you’ve got the answer. Your personality matches your career! This doesn’t mean you need to settle, it means you are in the right direction.

4. What are other careers that might match my personality?

Once you’ve got your test results, conduct some research to understand if there are other types of careers that you’d be successful in. Who knows... You might be surprised by the outcome and other infinite job opportunities out there for you. Humans aren't destined for one thing only, so keep your eyes and mind open to new occasions. 

Examples of careers based on colors

 White (peace): 

1. Education (tutoring, university teaching, etc.)

2. Research 

3. Copywriting, content writing, and copy editing

4. Engineering

5. IT and web development

Red (power): 

1. Sales

2. Lawyer

3. Finance

4. Accounting

5. Competitive sports

Yellow (fun):

1. Communications, social media/community manager, customer service.

2. Marketing

3. Au Pair

4. Graphic design

5. Artist

Blue (intimacy):

1. Journalist

2. Mediator

3. Diplomacy

4. Psychology

5. Human Resources

5. Does My Personality Match My Career Choice?

If your personality doesn’t match your profession, take a deep breath! It does not mean you are not going to be successful in pursuing it, it only means you’ll have an easier time fitting into it. 

If you don’t fully agree with your test results, try other ones. There are endless assessments you could take to find out your psychological type. I can’t stress how crucial it is to know and develop yourself, and trust me when I say that doing so will make your life easier and lighter.

You will understand where you’re coming from, why you react in a specific way depending on the situation, and how to motivate yourself in the hardest times. 

Hopefully when you ask yourself from now on “Does My Personality Match My Career Choice?”, you won't feel as lost and confused as before. Let us know what you found out after taking either one of the tests we stated above. Are you in the right vocation path? Let us know in the comments below. 

Feeling inspired? Visit our blog for more career advice! How can you be sure the information we provide is top-notch? We are a group of professionals working with recruiters, career coaches, and HR specialists from all over the world! 

Trust our experience and let us help you find a new job in Europe!