Career Tips for ISFJ Personality Types (Introverted-Sensing-Feeling-Judging).

There are four components of the career exploration process: goal setting, gathering information, networking, and decision making. Each personality dichotomy will have a different approach to these steps based on their specific personality functions: Extraversion versus Introversion, Sensing versus Intuition, Thinking versus Feeling, and Judging versus Perceiving. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) provides useful information regarding strengths and challenges to help identify one’s best-fit career while considering unique personality type. Isabel Myers and Katharine Briggs used this theory to develop The Myers-Briggs® Test to assist with meaningful personal and professional growth. The MBTI® can provide valuable insight to help guide individuals in a career search that is focused on personality preferences.

ISFJ Personality Types (Introverted-Sensing-Feeling-Judging) and Career Choice.

ISFJ personality types are typically found to be sympathetic and friendly. Striving to establish a systematic and harmonious surrounding for themselves, they often are loyally committed to both their personal and professional communities. It is common to find this personality type in careers relating to office and administrative support or other fields that are detail-oriented. They also tend to prefer careers in healthcare, where ISFJ personality types can be allowed to provide primary practical assistance to others.

This personality type often has organizational efficiency and the ability to assemble effectual practices, as well as possessing interpersonal skills, despite their usual introverted demeanor. They are typically happiest when given the opportunity to make use of their previous experience, especially when personally assisting others in a behind-the-scenes manner. Some popular occupations for ISFJs are Desktop Publisher, Bookkeeper, Bank Teller, Medical/Dental assistant, Court Clerk, Data Entry Keyers, Dietitians & Nutritionists, File Clerk, Insurance Claims Clerk, Insurance Policy Processing Clerks, License Practical & Vocational Nurse, Medical Records Technician, Payroll Clerk, and Work Processor & Typist. Individuals who are assessed as ISFJ have a heightened chance of succeeding in careers that allow them to help others and use their strength of accuracy directly. Valuing home/family life, health, financial security, friendships, and autonomy, ISFJs can be happiest in careers that allow for a balanced work and home life.

ISFJ Personality Types Goal Setting and Gathering Information.

First and foremost, goals must be set in order to build the framework for achieving a balanced value-driven lifestyle. When setting goals, ISFJs typically prefer traditional, discernible objectives which provide instant gratification and will often immediately manifest a plan to obtain them. They are usually reliable and hardworking, devoted to their ventures, and confidently managing a considerable number of people or amounts of data. Because ISFJ personality types normally set goals in this fashion, they may find it challenging to recognize unanticipated opportunities and should also remember to consider long-term objectives. Recognizing these potential obstacles is important, as setting ambitions for the distant future can be beneficial for this personality type. ISFJs should also set aside time to brainstorm about careers that they had not considered in the past.

After creating objectives to reach set goals, the next step for them is to gather information. An ISFJ typically would visit a library or browse web pages to find career-specific information and statistics, compiling just enough facts to allow for an occupational choice. In doing so, it is possible for them to miss out on careers that could possess long-term benefits and create a sense of lifelong satisfaction. It is important for ISFJs to step outside of their comfort zone and ask experts in their prospective field about alternative options. Introducing an insider’s perspective can allow for an informed decision on whether to move forward or to restart the career exploration process.

ISFJ Personality Types and Networking.

Beginning with someone that is known and trusted can be a good place for an ISFJ to start asking questions about a desired career. ISFJs are known to respect and rely on internally stored information from people who are important to them, and initially, utilizing these opinions can help jumpstart a networking campaign. Networking can be a difficult task for ISFJ personality types, so preparation is key. Writing down lists of information needed and professionals to locate is a helpful tool. When ISFJs are making these lists, having an emphasis on goals, plans, and an overall vision of a desired future is advisable. Connecting with mindfully selected experts after practicing interview questions can lead an ISFJ in a productive and successful direction. During these communications, it will typically be easy for a person with this MBTI® type to come across as cooperative and collaborative, but it is important for them also to convey how their heightened people skills can be beneficial to their desired employer. ISFJs can sometimes miss out on opportunities due to their indisposition to network and should remember that making these contacts is an important step in the career exploration process.

Preparing for hypothetical interview questions and recording personal strengths on paper can boost an ISFJs confidence. Because ISFJs use a Sensing function, it is important for them not to distress Intuitive interviewers with too many specifics and can do so by simply highlighting their strengths. Being overly prepared can be beneficial for an Introverted individual not to appear overly reserved in an interview or with any pre-interview networking endeavors (such as a job shadow or stage). When networking, ISFJs may have difficulty answering conjectural questions or making long-term predictions, so anticipating, preparing, and practicing answers for these types of questions can be helpful. Networking is an extension of the Gathering Information step, and ISFJs should speak with more than one expert and interview with more than one company in order to gather as much information as possible in order to make an informed decision. In order to broaden opportunities, ISFJs should also be careful not to limit their exploration to one type of career within an industry but also investigate different positions within their sought occupational goals.

ISFJ Personality Types and Decision-Making.

It’s important to take a reflection period before making a career selection, especially for ISFJs who can, at times, make impetuous decisions. This time of rest will allow for forward thinking and the ability to consider the sensible implications of each career option. It will be likely for this MBTI® type to utilize an intuitive technique when decision-making, taking into consideration their personal values, as well as what others may find important. ISFJ personality types should remind themselves not to be susceptible to changing their opinion in response to others’ influence. ISFJs will often innately want to omit the facts, which causes them stress, and they could take a short-term opportunity instead of considering a long-term option. This personality type can benefit from practicing contemporary means of decision-making instead of looking to what may be familiar to them and traditional. Looking for ways to improve on what has worked for them in the past can be a helpful technique to strengthen their professional progression and decision-making skills. Practicing the execution of decision-making on non-job related tasks can also be helpful in preparing to make larger, more difficult decisions with ease. Evaluation of each job in consideration can be one of the most valuable tools an ISFJ can use during career exploration.

Choosing a new career while making a rushed decision without setting goals, researching, and speaking with experts can lead an ISFJ down an unwanted path to an unfitting career. This personality type should consider work that includes well-defined tasks, tangible results, and minimal distraction. They should not make quick or impulsive decisions and not be afraid to stand up for what they want, even if a little confrontation is required. When evaluating a profession, an ISFJ can benefit from considering not only the actual job title or job description but also the opportunity to modify or develop the position to suit their personality better. Another tip for ISFJs is to not overly put others’ needs before their own, remembering that the decisions they make are regarding the construction of their future. Accommodating others and being too selfless can lead to compromising their own wants and needs, ultimately jeopardizing expectations concerning career happiness. Also, trying not to take others’ lack of investment in a project or role personally and instead attempt to concentrate on their natural collaborative attitude can help an ISFJ increase connections with colleagues and a professional climate in general.

Lastly, knowing that change is inevitable and finding ways to cope with stresses related to variation in previously structured environments will benefit an ISFJs temperament. This personality type should remind themselves that there is more than one way to accomplish team goals. Change can be positive for a company’s future and accepting innovation, and focusing on the possibilities instead of allowing these developments to cause an ISFJ stress, should refocus them in a positive direction. However, ISFJs should make time for themselves during any difficult change in order to resuscitate their usually compassionate disposition. Without finding an outlet for stress, ISFJs can become resolute in supporting hierarchy, authority, and established processes and procedures, leaving them feeling unappreciated. Knowing these idiosyncrasies in advance can make it much easier for an ISFJ to have a strategy to prevent an unfavorable situation or environment. ISFJ personality types who are stuck in a negative situation can take control of their future by forcing their mind to move forward, establishing new goals, and making steps toward tangible results. Because ISFJ personality types can be motivated by intrinsic rewards, they should be sure to praise their own personal and professional successes by treating themselves once even small goals have been achieved. Taking the MBTI® assessment and knowing this information about themselves in advance of a job search can open possibilities for a satisfying and rewarding career.

Learn More About the MBTI ISFJ Personality Type

Explore additional information that delves deeper into the ENFJ Personality Type by examining various personality and career-based subjects:

• How the MBTI ISFJ Type relates to Innovation
• How the MBTI ISFJ Type relates to Emotional Intelligence
• How the MBTI ISFJ Type relates to Leadership
• How the MBTI ISFJ Type relates to Project Management
• How the MBTI ISFJ Type relates to Decision Making
• ISFJ Personality Type Career Resource

Click on the link below to read more about different MBTI Personality Types

ISTJ	ISFJ	INFJ	INTJ	ESTP	ESFP	ENFP	ENTP
ISTP	ISFP	INFP	INTP	ESTJ	ESFJ	ENFJ	ENTJ

References

Introduction to Type (Isabel Briggs Myers, 1998, CPP Inc.)

Introduction to Type and Careers (Allen L. Hammer, 2007, CPP Inc.)