Below I have created a simple career change test that looks at your personality preferences.
This career change test will only take a few minutes.Look at the tables below and consider which side of each pair seems more 'right' to you. Think about how you would prefer to be or behave when you are relaxed and able to just be yourself. Choose one of each pair, and you will end up with a 4 letter code such as ENFJ or ISTP.
Where do you direct your energy?
Extrovert (E) | Introvert (I) |
Outgoing | Like quiet time to yourself |
Talkative | Reserved and contained |
Have a wide range of interests | Have a few in depth interests |
Learn best through doing or talking | Learn best if you have time to think and reflect |
Act first, think second | Think first, act second |
Prefer a public role | Prefer a behind the scenes role |
People usually energise you | People can drain you |
Energetic | Calm |
Move and think at a fast pace | Move and think in a measured way |
How do you focus on and handle information?
Sensing (S) | Intuition (N) |
Practical | Enjoy exploring possibilities |
Prefer to take things step by step | Prefer to just jump in anywhere |
Focus on the present | Focus on the future |
Like things to be concrete and factual | Like creative, big picture thinking |
Trust experience | Trust intuition |
Like to use established skills | Like to learn new skills |
Concrete ideas | Abstract ideas |
Specific evidence | Broad issues |
Feet on the ground | Head in the clouds |
How do you make decisions?
Thinking (T) | Feeling (F) |
Head rules heart | Heart rules head |
Logical and analytical | Empathic |
Focus on doing what is right | Focus on maintaining harmony |
Tough minded | Tender hearted |
Concerned with truth and justice | Concerned with people and relationships |
Honest and direct | Tactful and diplomatic |
Brief and to the point | Sociable and inclusive |
Objectively critical | Warmly appreciative |
Driven by principles | Driven by values |
How do you like to live your life?
Judging (J) | Perceiving (P) |
Planful | Spontaneous |
Likes decisions and closure | Likes to keep options open |
Finds structure helpful | Find structure inhibiting |
Systematic | Casual |
Dislikes last minute rush | Is energised by a last minute rush |
Work first, play later | Play first, work later |
Like to know what is happening | Enjoys changes and surprises |
Defines goals and works to them | Defines goals and then adapts them |
Enjoys completing projects | Enjoys starting projects |
What do the individual preferences mean?
It is helpful to start by looking at what the individual letters of your preferences mean.
Take a look at the individual preferences (or letters) you have identified. This will give you a flavour of what these preferences indicate in terms of your personal style and can suggest the kind of work situations that are likely to feel more comfortable for you and others with these preferences.
Do you think you are:
T or F?
J or P?
Your whole type
Then you should move on to explore your complete personality type. The four preferences you have identified all work together to create a particular mix of strengths, behaviours and challenges.
Click on the personality type you have identified in the grid below to read more about your type and career.
ISTJ | ISFJ | INFJ | INTJ |
ISTP | ISFP | INFP | INTP |
ESTP | ESFP | ENFP | ENTP |
ESTJ | ESFJ | ENFJ | ENTJ |