Career Tips for INTP Personality Types (Introverted-Intuition-Thinking-Perceiving).
The MBTI® (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®) can assist in the organization of a new career search by providing direction during the exploration process. This assessment was developed by Isabel Myers and Katharine Briggs, inspired by Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types. It classifies individuals into 16 different categories based on characteristics of their identity. The Myers-Briggs® Test can identify connections between personality features and those of occupations, pairing an individual with those who are like minded. There are trends among personality types that advise what type is propitious for certain careers than others. For instance, an outgoing extraverted person will probably not be well-suited for a career in laboratory research, which requires many hours working alone. On the other hand, a detail-oriented introvert may not thrive in a highly social-based business or marketing environment whereas they are asked to meet with groups of individuals throughout the day. Following an occupation selection, there are four components of the career exploration process with the first being goal setting, followed by gathering information, then networking, and finally decision making. In accordance to MBTI® type, each will approach these steps differently based on their natural personality function.
INTP Personality Types (Introverted-Intuition-Thinking- Perceiving) and Career Choice.
Read about The Myers-Briggs® Test INTP Personality Type Career Tips and other Occupational Information
INTPs are independent problem solvers, who exceed at delivering an unbiased, accurate interpretation of thoughts and circumstances. This personality type is known to be intellectual, insightful, and self sufficient. They are tolerant, but dislike redundancy and prefer to not be involved with routine tasks. This personality type will enjoy occupations that allow them to work independently, using innovation to develop theories and principles. There are three categories of occupations which INTP personality types are inclined to inhabit. The first involve careers in the arts, specifically in script. In addition, this personality type also enjoys occupations in technology or others in a classification of engineering/architecture. The reason for these trends is due to their proficiency in processing technical information and their preference for systematic investigation. Other careers which INTPs are often most drawn to are, Actuary/Risk Professional, Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators, Architectural Drafters, Archivists, Art Directors, Food Science Technician, Geographer, Geoscientist, Librarian, or Network and Computer Systems Administrators
INTPs are analytical problem solvers who have a deep understanding of conceptual design. This personality type also has little difficulty adapting to changing situations or environments. INTPs will typically place their energy focus in the direction of internal experience and concepts, extroverting their Intuition while introverting their Thinking. This personality type is profoundly curious about ideas, theories, and operational function. Their value of intelligence and competence will spark their interest for finding solutions. INTPs are often seen in careers as top executives in fields which involve computers and mathematics or construction and engineering. They are also known to be top legal executives, computer software engineers, political scientists, and editors. Any occupation which allows INTP personality types to be logical, analytical, objectively critical, or insightful will be attractive options for them. Taking these personality behaviors in mind when selecting a career, will shape the following steps in the career exploration process to be a much more enjoyable method of finding an occupation.
INTP Personality Types Goal Setting and Gathering Information.
Once career selection has been considered, the next step in the occupational exploration process is to set goals to achieve progress in the steps following in order to gain successful employment. INTPs will naturally set numerous long-term objectives, but may not have a discernable course of action in order to reach their ambition. A useful tool for this step is to create a timeline, with specific goals set in order to achieve their long-term aspirations. These specifics will allow for options among contrastive careers. For example, an INTP creating a timeline to weigh options considering law or computer science would include goals regarding education, internships, networking to build clients, and other occupational “mini-goals” in order to reach this destination.
This personality type will easily be able to utilize unanticipated possibilities, but once an opportunity presents itself, may have difficulty taking defined action to further the previous set goals. Keeping their timeline updated in order to consider and improve goals based on these unforeseen opportunities will aid INTPs with this process. Once intent has been established, it will be standard reasoning for this personality type to read about future possibilities while finding which direction the prospective occupation is moving. Most will look for opportunities which allow for innovation and education. It is common for an INTP to miss important necessary information as a result of the amount of options available. Many INTP personality types have a tendency to consider too many occupational choices and should determine which of their personal priorities carry the most weight. Composing a “short list” of careers which they find most appealing will narrow this step of the career exploration process and guide an INTP to the next phase. For example, they should start by creating a list of all possibilities, and choose the top candidates from this larger list to create the “short list”. Researching positions at an online career database will also assist with gathering important facts in order to prepare this list.
INTP Personality Types and Networking.
Read about The Myers-Briggs® Test INTP Personality Type Career Tips and other Occupational Information
As an introvert, this personality type often has difficulty with networking, but recognizes the fact that it is an invaluable step and they should look to professionals for essential facts which will allow them to make a decision. INTPs are theoretical and abstract, interested more in ideas than in social interaction and tend to focus their energy in the direction of internal experience and concepts. When networking, INTPs will hand-select a minute amount of experts to connect with and should widen their campaign by reaching out to close friends and family who can expose an INTP to more contacts which they have acquired over the course of their own careers. Without utilizing this valuable step, an INTP could miss potential prospects and settle for a less preferred occupation, leaving them discontented and unsatisfied. Once an individual with this personality type steps out of their comfort zone, and does speak with professionals, they will have the ability to underline their capabilities and quick learning character without difficulty. INTPs should take caution to not appear confrontational when seeking clarification, and utilize the “oreo approach” of agreeing first, offering a defense, and agreeing again. Sandwiching their critical feedback between two positive statements can be quite beneficial. Furthermore, having a realization that seeking collaboration is not a sign of incompetence, will strengthen networking efforts. Although, when doing so they have a tendency appear repressed and should practice with friends and family before important connection engagements. Practicing with others can help this personality type to gain confidence and raise their voice. During these practice sessions, INTP personality types should highlight their strengths and avoid discussion of potentialities. When interviewing, remembering the interviewer may be a part of an opposite personality dichotomy will also be advantageous. For example, INTPs should beware of confounding Sensing personality types with eventualities. Preparing answers for questions relating to immediate contribution will be vital for this personality function. Networking is an extension of the gathering information step, and when performed properly, will allow for the next step, making an informed decision.
INTP Personality Types and Decision-Making.
Individuals with this personality type view every decision as an opportunity for education. As an INTP begins the decision making step of this process, it will be in their innate behavior to perform a reasonable examination of their options. This personality type will generally begin with internal data, considering the impact the decision will have on themselves. They will habitually weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each alternative by making a simple “pros and cons” list. Due to their dominant function being driven by their Thinking preference, they may neglect their values and concentrate on logical options. More so, they will compare their options based on global impressions, seeking a decision that incorporates innovation. However, INTPs could find it helpful to look beyond the logical to the emotional, thinking about what is truly important and what will make them happy. INTP personality types will want to consider the environment and culture of the new occupation, as well as personal values such as commute. They should also take the time to talk through their options with family or partners who may be affected by their decision. It is also common for this personality type to postpone their career decisions, assuming a process will present itself, so setting a deadline which is announced to close friends and family is advisable. This date should be visible to an INTP daily. It is also important for this personality type to remember that taking risks can present possibilities that had not been considered and to not be overly concerned regarding unforeseen circumstances. Most importantly, this personality type should remember, when it comes down to it, career changes are about happiness. They should take a step back and make decisions around long-term happiness and fulfillment, not just what makes the most sense in the immediate future. Utilizing the MBTI® will provide information which can focus a job search, connect with resources, and generally serve as a guide through the process of finding and deciding on a new career path.
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MBTI® Career Report
Find your best occupational match with this easy-to-read Myers-Briggs® test graphic report
Choosing a career path can be difficult. The revised MBTI® Career Report helps point the way by showing you how your type affects your career exploration and discusses the benefits of choosing a job that is a good fit for your type. By taking the Myers-Briggs test you also explore preferred work tasks and work environments as well as most popular and least popular occupations for all types and receive strategies for improving job satisfaction. This completely updated report includes expanded coverage of popular fields such as business, health care, computer technology, and high-level executive and management occupations. It is based on four-letter type results and can be generated using your reported type or verified type.
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Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report + Strong Profile
Use knowledge about your interests, preferences and personality type to start your optimal career and formulate a plan to achieve your dream job.
With the information obtained about yourself from your MBTI® personality type and your Strong Interest Inventory® Report, you’ll learn about how your personality, as well as your interests and preferences, can be used in your life and career to provide fulfillment and happiness. Discover occupations that work with what you like and enjoy, and learn how your personality influences your mental processes and preferences.
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MBTI® Career Report + Strong & MBTI Combined Career Report + Strong Profile
Use these reports to find a fulfilling career that matches with your personality and interests, and develop a plan for achieving that career.
Set yourself up on the path to a career that fits with your MBTI® personality type as well as your interests and preferences. With these three reports, you’ll discover the ideal career for who you are at a base level, offering you a future of satisfying and fulfilling employment. Read about each report below.
Download sample MBTI® Career Report
Download sample Strong & MBTI® Combined Career Report Plus Strong Profile
Download sample Strong Interest Inventory® Profile Report
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Strong Interest Inventory® & Skills Confidence Profile + Strong Interpretive Report
Discover your interests and preferences as well as your confidence in your abilities to use these interests to your advantage.
Your strengths, interests, and preferences, when understood and well known, can lead you toward a successful and satisfying career. With this custom package, you’ll learn which occupations, strengths, and skills work best with your likes and dislikes and how confident you are in your ability to fulfill the needs of certain occupations, allowing you to formulate a career path that you’ll enjoy for years to come with the help of the Strong Interest Inventory test.
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iStartStrong™ Report
Plan your future career based on your interests and preferences, leading you down the path to a successful work and personal life.
Use your interests, preferences, and favorite subjects and leisure activities to assess which career or career field works best with who you are and what you like. Through the web-interactive and thorough iStartStrong™ report, you’ll get set off on the right foot toward finding a career that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
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MBTI® Step II™ Profile
Further investigate the intricacies of your personality with this detailed report of your MBTI® type and its features.
The MBTI® Step II™ Profile further dissects your MBTI® type, providing you with more in-depth information on your personality and preferences. Four pages of detailed graphs show why you received the Myers-Briggs® test four-letter type that you did (given at the beginning of the profile), and what it is about yourself that makes you that type (five detailed subcategories, or facets, for each letter). The information gained from the MBTI Step II Profile can be beneficial to your work life, your relationships, your home life, and your schooling.
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MBTI® Step II™ Interpretive Report
Get to the core of your personality by exploring the inter-workings of what makes up your MBTI® personality type.
The MBTI® Step II™ Interpretive Report outlines your personality on a grand scale, providing you with a detailed analysis of the facets that make up your persona. Discover how your personality best manages conflict, how the different parts of your personality work together to make decisions or gather information, how your personality type best communicates with others, and how you best deal with change in your life. Each broken-down dichotomy of your MBTI test personality type offers you a wealth of information to find out how your personality is formed.
Learn More About the MBTI® INTP Personality Type
Explore additional information that delves deeper into the INTP Personality Type by examining various personality and career based subjects:
- How the MBTI INTP Type relates to Innovation
- How the MBTI INTP Type relates to Emotional Intelligence
- How the MBTI INTP Type relates to Leadership
- How the MBTI INTP Type relates to Project Management
- How the MBTI INTP Type relates to Decision Making
Click on a 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.)