Using Myers-Briggs to Explore and Understand Career Interests
If you are endeavoring to choose a career or assess your preferred work activities the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI can be a valuable tool in your research. At The Career Centre all staff members have taken the MBTI and two are certified to help you find your best fit.
The MBTI is a tool for self-awareness and gives us a common language to use when we talk about preferences. We each have a preferred way for how we gain energy, gather information, make decisions and show up in the world. Together this information forms a 4 letter code like the ones below.
Type does not measure skills, abilities, training, or motivation or any other reason someone might choose a particular occupation. But there do tend to be trends for people with certain preferences being drawn to certain professions. According to Isabel Briggs Myers in Introduction to Type one of the ways to explore these trends is to look at the middle two letters of your preferences or the columns of the type table.
ST’s Focus on: Facts
Handle these by applying: objective analysis and experience
Tend to Become: Practical and analytical
Find Scope for these interests using: Technical Skills with objects and facts
ST’s are attracted to careers in:
- Applied science
- Business
- Administration
- Banking
- Law enforcement
- Production
- Construction
SF’s Focus on: Facts
Handle these by applying: personal warmth, concern for others
Tend to Become: Sympathetic and friendly
Find Scope for these interests using: Practical help and services for people
SF’s are attracted to careers in:
- Health care
- Community service
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Religious service
- Support services
- Sales
NF’s focus on: Possibilities
Handle these by applying: Attention to people’s potential
Tend to Become: Insightful and enthusiastic
Find Scope for these interests using: Understanding and encouraging people
NF’s are attracted to careers in:
- Psychology
- Human resources
- Teaching
- Research
- Literature
- Religious service
- Health care
- Art and music
NT’s focus on: Possibilities
Handle these by applying: Theoretical concepts and systems
Tend to Become: Logical and analytical
Find Scope for these interests using: Theoretical and technical framework
NT’s tend to be attracted to careers in:
- Physical science
- Research
- Management
- Computers
- Law
- Engineering
- Technical work
If you would like to learn more about how understanding your personality type can impact your career decision making, please speak to an employment consultant about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
