When talking about typical INFJ careers, many things come to mind. This article will cover the traits that make people with this personality type successful in the workplace – hopefully this will give you a better idea as to where your ideal career path could be. We would greatly appreciate any comments or suggestions regarding potential INFJ roles – please drop us a note below and we will definitely look into incorporating your thoughts.
To begin with, best careers for INFJ personalities make use of their intuitive skills. INFJs tend to have a very strong intuition, which allows them to accurately judge events, situations and other people. Furthermore, people with this personality type are idealists, and there is nothing more important than their values and principles. For these reasons, typical INFJ careers often include teaching, counselling, psychology or creative writing.
Next, INFJs are natural leaders, even though they do not seek nor worship positions of authority, unlike certain other personality types. They approach leadership roles from the standpoint of sensitivity and understanding rather than authority and power. Consequently, INFJs tend to do best in careers that involve a certain degree of personal touch and sensitivity – for instance, one of the typical INFJ career paths could lead to a religious institution. INFJs also tend to be excellent HR administrators, psychiatrists or doctors.
INFJs dislike routine tasks, strictly impersonal work or analysing small details. They are also very vulnerable to conflict and criticism. These traits mean that INFJs should avoid careers that typically focus on data rather than people or are prone to pressure and conflict, e.g. finance, audit, programming, data analysis etc. On the other hands, people with this personality type are very insightful and creative – they tend to be excellent architects, musicians, artists, photographers, designers etc. Best INFJ career paths revolve around these traits.
Regardless of the career path, INFJs always need to feel that their contribution is meaningful. They need something more than just money or recognition. People with this personality type feel happiest when they believe that their career is very much in line with their personal values and principles. In order to achieve that, the INFJ would often need to take a leadership role, but they can also perform really well in non-managerial roles during their career, as long as the values of their managers’ match their own.
INFJs should also be aware of their tendency to pick career goals that are way too humble. People with this personality type tend to do very well in supporting roles, but they should seek something more – INFJs tend to avoid career paths requiring a great degree of independence, but this is often the only way to further professional goals. Best INFJ careers combine the need for insightfulness with a relatively high degree of independence – this forces the INFJ to improve themselves and consequently increase their contribution to the well-being of humanity. Ultimately, this makes them much happier as well.
You may wish to check out our INFJ Career and Academic Guide – it will give you useful advice on how to get on the career ladder and keep progressing. This guide will also be very useful for those INFJs who are studying or preparing to study.
Keep reading:
I think International Affairs or Policy Studies could be a good career for INFJ.
I am an INFJ and have held a variety of jobs. My favorite was as a short order cook at a golf course, where I had face-to-face contact with customers, and could creatively customize an order to suit someone’s special dietary needs or tastes. And free golf was such incentive! Nirvana!
i agree to Dita Natalia, i am an infj and i think INFJ more suitable to civil-related job – i’m interested in these fields. as it have great impact to humanity. rather than arts related career which i think don’t really have impact, only small impact i think. i love arts; drawing, sculpting etc but not see it as a careers.
and sorry for my bad english
Wow! I found this very interesting! I am also an INFJ and recently graduated from high school. During high school, I took 4 years of various art classes. I have always loved art and it is probably the only thing I am naturally very very good at. However, I was never able to find true satisfaction through art and I also disliked the recognition of my artistic achievements because, as you said, they don’t have any real impact. Everyone was surprised that I did not declare an art major when I came to college instead I am declared in CIVIL engineering. Your opinion was very reassuring for me, thank you so much.
My result was INFJ and after reading the descriptions, it seems quite accurate. I am an acupuncture physician by trade, I also teach yoga. I find both activities very satisfying. I certainly don’t earn a lot of money from either (I volunteer teaching yoga at the local prison), but they give me great inner satisfaction. It is critical for me to have my livelihood reflect my inner beliefs, without that, it’s just a job. I love writing and have always wanted to write a book, so maybe that will be my next addition to my life of seeking out soul-satisfying work. Interesting fact: one of my daughters is ENFJ, the other is INFJ, those personality types must run in the family…
I am an INFJ and an attorney. While there is so much in the practice of law that appeals to my INFJ personality – it allows me to do interesting, non-routine work, my intuitive ability to read people has helped me succeed at oral argument and is essential to building strong client relationships, and I am able to help my clients achieve their goals – the pressure (tight deadlines, high stakes, etc.) and the constant conflict tend to be energy depleting and anxiety provoking. I’ve been practicing for 5 years and am still trying to find a balance. I love the law, and I like practicing, but I would not recommend that an INFJ pursue a career in law.
As another INFJ attorney, I whole heartedly agree.
Would you please elaborate?
Hi, Have you thought about becoming a law professor? It seems like that might be cool for you…?
Yes I also agree also am an attorney. I work in
human rights and immigration law. This allows
person relationships and the feeling that I work
towards goals that improve life. However in
retrospect I would have chosen to spend my
career in a more creative field or as a pastor or
psychologist. I am an Ordained elder and this
provides an outlet.
Hi,
After many years of dissatisfaction and wondering, last year I found out that I was an INFJ.
At High-School I was a very talented student (got 10 over 10 in all subjects), and so I got the attention of all teachers and my parents who told me to forget about my interest in Humanities and study something more practical that would guarantee me a real wage. I eventually got an MSC in Civil Engineering and though I graduated as top of my class I knew all the way “it was not that”. After 8 years working in a very unsatisfactory career at different positions in the construction industry, I quit. There was basically all an INFJ hates: pressure, attention to details, conflict, permanent talk about money and delays, … real HELL. Also, the creative part and stimulating conceptualization of my studies were not present very often. Maybe if an INFJ can get into the urban design part, in a position of Town Planner or something like that, he/she would be able to find more fulfillment.
After quitting, I trained as a Documentary Filmmaker. Being able to analyze situations and global subjects, talk about things that matter to you and communicate them through an artistic treatment is very, very cool…yet, it’s almost impossible to get the funds to do what you actually wanna do, and even more difficult to make a living out of it. Also, as someone pointed out there, we need to feel we are actually improving things and I was left with the feeling that my real impact in the world through film would be negligible. I see myself as a born philosopher and writer, but when I look at how the world is going I feel compelled to act and to engage differently. Sometimes I also wonder if I’m not just giving myself excuses not to work hard on my film-making/writing by deciding in advance “it won’t change a thing”!
Lately I’ve become more and more interested in spirituality and, by extension in human rights and education. I have come to decide that these fields would be a good place to “let my energy” and make real improvements. In all cases, I will keep on doing some filming and writing on the side, with the hope they would be “inspiring” to someone.
I’m very disappointed to learn that you find there are so many aspects in Human Rights Law that create anxiety and I was actually wondering if this is not simply something we have to learn to deal with as INFJs. I mean, since we do care about things and we do want to do important things, there’s always a stress associated to the fact of not doing things right, on time…(yet it will be worse to do simple and “useless” work, even if it’s very calm).
Do you think that if you worked in Human Rights but in a different position (Education, PR…) it could be better? I’ve considered doing PR for a cause I believe in but it scares me that all the continuous public exposure would be draining…
I’m also very good at languages (I’m Spanish but speak fluently French, English, Italian…and I’m learning Persian!) and thought that those skills could get me in an NGO….
Well, all advices are very welcome as I’m starting feeling desperate about being multi-skilled yet unemployed and not having a clue about what I’m doing with my life!
Oh, I forgot it…despite all the mess there can be in our heads I think it’s great to be an INFJ!
Ana, are you into the environment/ecology at all? Your engineering background would be perfect for structural engineering in Sustainable building and permaculture. A lot of owner /builders have trouble getting their building permits approved, and these concepts are still evolving so there are still opportunities to be creative.
Thanks Susan. Unluckily, no not, at all…This is the problem, that i ended up studying something that has NOTHING to do with me and revolving around my weaknesses as I’m not a manual person, neither I’m centered in pragmatical things as agriculture, architecture ..I tried to force myself an interest in architecture and also in organic farming but…no way…I love concepts, ideas, politics, etymology, languages (I speak 5 of them), maths (abstract), sacred scriptures, mysticism…or writing, poetry, painting….It’s difficult to explain as it is not a matter of being just creative is about being able to transmit a vision of the world. I would engage in politics if I did not know is so rubbish and that I’m too sensitive to be in such a corrupted. I feel very concerned about moral and health issues, about education and justice…I know sustainable environment is a good thing to work in but…It’s just not me (same for Medicine, for example)
I have held many different roles most of which were not in any way suited to my INFJ personality. My current title as a Database Administrator would normally be boring and tedious, but I have morphed it to include complex long-term architectural design and planning for people and systems beyond the data. I would suggest that something in the area of IT Enterprise Architect. The ability to intuit the complex designs based on diverse people needs and act as a catalyst to move the ideas into fruition is very satisfying.
Hi all,
I scored as an INFJ as well. I discovered it (or myself) earlier this year and it was a huge improvement in my questionning of life. I used to think I was alone thinking the way I think and then, I realized that I was statistically reproductible. I was somehow relieved.
I consider myself creative as compared to most people around me, and I enjoy learning tons of new things, and doing “useless” readings.
The most surprising news is that Keith just above does practically the same thing as me (I am a Business Analyst on a big database), and he choose the same path of Architecture as a future job option.
For given you like logical stuff, this job allows to embrace big pictures and to bind people, all the stuff an INFJ would enjoy in my honest opinion.
Before that I wanted to work in the Human Resources, as a recruiter for beginning. Who need recruiters when people are made redundant?;o
So I applied to what I did as a past time: IT and landed in the functional side.
As you noticed, I also like writing long texts ^^
Anyway, have fun everybody, and continue seeing people with your hearts^^
[...] or are prone to pressure and conflict, e.g. finance, audit, programming, data analysis etc. " INFJ careers*|*16 Personality Types – free personality test, type descriptions, relationship and car… HAHAHA that sounds exactly like what I do. And I wonder why I hate working and don't want to get [...]
I´m INFJ and I´m a filmmaker since all my life I have wanted to make films that can inspire people to be more aware of what´s the deal of being a human being.
The only disadvantage is when conflict and criticism get to be a part of the job. Criticism can be handled off the film set since is mostly after the movie is presented when reviews start to appear, but conflict can and will surely rise on production and I have found myself being demotivated in seconds when one on my collaborators starts yelling or being a douche. I hope that with time I get a reputation that will make people trust me more, so they can be calmer and not fight with me. Cause it really has killed my creative vibe more than once, and ultimately affected the results on screen.
Another thing I discovered with this test, is that my best work tends to be personal… and independent. I can do right for hire, but then I´m no better than others. The best things I have done are mine and not based on other´s.
This test was cool. But yeah, being 1% certainly gives you a very unique point of view of life… or at least it feels that way. So here´s to hoping this vision can make my work more interesting and relevant.
I’m an INFJ, too, and am currently happy in my work position. What has made it great is the ability to do a very wide range of tasks (HATE being pigeonholed) so I feel like I am using all of my skills and (this is key) working from home. Since nobody is in my face, I feel relaxed most of the time. When a situation does arise, it’s usually over email, so I can take a few minutes to think it out and respond. I communicate best through writing, anyway, so that helps. Future goals include being my own boss someday, and some sort of creative and/or social justice endeavor.
What has NOT worked for me in the past: Working with the public (very, very draining for me), only being responsible for one or two tasks, being thrown into a complex project and expected to just figure it out (I do best in more formal training situations, or teams with lots of cooperation.) Live and learn! Good luck.
Wow, Badlands, I feel exactly the same. I was so depressed with a public job i was doing. I had exactly to do that: work with lots of people I never met, being responsible for 1 or 2 useless tasks (in my vision), being pigeonholed (my tasks are defined by law, so I cant derive from that and I have to keep in line for the reviewing of what we did at end of year), and I was thrown into a water regulation institution very young, knowing nothing of water regulation, having no training on it and just having to figure it out what I should be doing there. I agree! THAT THE WORST POSSIBLE!
I do much better in formal training.
This makes perfect sense to me. I work retail right now and I am pretty happy working there. I get great pleasure helping out customers whether to inform them of our product, saying which ones are best for them, or even trying to save them money any way I can. But if I get put on register too long I start losing my mind.
I’m an INFJ and have worked as a police dispatcher for the last twenty years. This test was eye opening!
This test was so eye opening. I am an infj and to know that I am so rare is quite liberating. I am a person who has/ and continues to struggle ( at least so far) with what I want to do with my life. I have held a various, diverse amount of jobs in my lifetime and now at 35, unemployed and seeking a change in life to ultimately be happy, I feel that I have a renewed drive to achieve true balance and happiness out of life. Now that I am armed with more information about myself, and what works for me, now I just have to find my passion in life and run with it!
Jacqueline R,
I just read your post now and am reaffirming that we ARE rare and as INFJ’s love praise, wanted to pay you a compliment. On a more serious note, I have struggled for 35 lonnnngggggg years to find a sense of purpose and meaning in my life. I have held a number of jobs, some interesting, some not, but ALL leaving me longing. As I read through all of the posts, making a contribution to humanity appears to be one of the most important things to all of us, pretty amazing considering the diversity of careers we are all in. Mike V, the filmmaker who does not like conflict and criticism, Badlands having the ability to do a wide variety of tasks and communicating best through writing and Lina’s frustration with water regulation, all substantiate the personality traits of us INFJ’s. Since we comprise 1% of the population, most other people do not understand us, our way of thinking and what motivates us, from the teachers that taught us, our families, friends and people we love(d) and even employers we work for. I am curious to know if as a result of this, any of you have settled into ineffectual careers, felt alienation within your own families and have had less than ideal relationships with your spouses. Delving deeper now into my INFJ conundrum. As a young boy growing up, in those critical developmental years, that being ‘misunderstood’ by everyone (well, 99% of everyone) and my feelings of alienation led to low feelings of self worth, loneliness, lack of direction and alcohol and drug use. Eventually this led to a lack of interest and falling behind in my studies and learning, stunting my growth both scholastic and more important, I believe, emotional. I had lived my life flying by the seat of my pants and playing ‘catch up’ ever since. For most of my life I lacked discipline, direction and a future plan or purpose. I have been reactive to everyone and everything around me rather than proactive. This is one of the keys and I thank Stephen Covey for his “7 Habits of Successful People” which I am studying now and would highly recommend it to anyone else, at any age that could use a jumpstart in their life to start living! It’s never too late, I am 48 years old and recreating my life as an INFJ!
I realized recently that I am an INFJ, and it makes complete sense to me. I am perhaps too idealistic, and am still trying to find my career path in life. I am currently working as a photographer, but my passion is comedic acting, improv, and sketch writing. I know I would enjoy studying those things further. But, I am at an age where I need to make a decision career wise. I think that I would enjoy studying Physical Therapy, and it would be a sensible career move. Any INFJ’s who have chosen Physical Therapy as a career? I would love to hear about your experience
I am an INFJ, I worked for a NGO and as Consumer insights in marketing. There I could express my talents, but I was often in conflict with my principles. Lately I have tried an independent career as a consultant but it was too hard to be on my own, and got a bit depressed. Now I am rethinking my career choices, but I find it very hard to channel my energy into most requested profiles.
I’m an INFJ and am a fiction writer and teacher. This has been the right career for me; it gives me flexibility, the chance to express what I think and feel, use my verbal ability, and interact with others as a teacher. I am glad I was able to find this work.
I was also a wife service editor earlier in my life. I liked the writing and editing part, working with other people, but I got worn out every day and the stress was high.
The worst job I ever had was for one summer as a salesman. God, I hated that!
Hi, John, thanks for the comment (and all of you others out there as well). Do you teach K-12, or at the college level? I think there is much about me, a decent amount related to being an injf, that would leave me frustrated, angry, and deeply saddened as a public school, K-12 teacher. I hate to say it, but at 37 and with other circumstances, I can’t take on that battle in particular. For other reasons, too, I’d love to teach university students, but alas and again, am 37, and the road is long, …likely it is longer than my patience, ha. So, I’d love to know more, specifically if you teach K-12,…how do you handle the frustration?
thanks!
I am an INFJ (approved to be by all the nine friends/family members who observed my MBTI profile) and I’m currently leading a small multimedia team (producing an adventure game. I’m also the writer of the game’s story). In addition, I have indulged myself in creative writing since an early age and until today.
I really love my current career and feel it to be most fulfilling–simply one of the best choices out there for my personality type.
I am an INFJ but I hate writing. Mainly because I feel the need to write the most clear and grammar-free work. I just don’t bother to write then eventually fail at it…
I am also an INFJ and what i really love about being an INFJ is that deep within lies the great passion of knowing who i reall am and my divine purpose in this world. I’m a college student right now and as i try to think about all of my possible career someday, i’m planning to pursue my career in couselling since i am a psychology student but i’m also opening my other opition to journalism or forensic science. But i also love to pursue a career in acting or singing. Just see how complex i am, till now i really don’t now what to choose from the list of all the possible careers i would like to pursue in my life.
Hi Richie,
I just read your comment and I can understand where you’re coming from. I just figured out that I am an INFJ, and all of what I’ve read (from many different sources/websites actually) seems totally accurate! it’s insane…i’m still in this position in my life where I don’t know what the hell i wanna do career-wise. It can definitely be frustrating, but looking this INFJ stuff up has been actually helpful so far. I’m learning a lot about myself and I love getting in tune or in touch with my inner being…my purpose in this world, my passion..what I’m meant to do. I haven’t even started going to school yet and just thinking about that – I don’t even want to lol. Although, I do have ideas of what I’d like to pursue..just nothing set in stone yet :/
I am an INFJ and I work in the ED as a RN. Being a RN was the highest career I chose for myself. I have much independence in the ER and never have a routine. I found this test very accurate
I am a 21 year old INFJ college student. I am planning to major in finance and accounting. I was surprised to see that finance was on the list of careers to avoid. I have a strong mathematical ability and love working with numbers. I also do like to help others though and can see that when I am thinking about which careers in finance I would like to have. Currently, I am thinking of becoming an investment advisor or financial planner so that I can help others with their financial goals and with their futures. Anyone else here in the finance/ accounting industry?
Alyssa, I did exact the same thing as you, I am good with maths (abstract), but I suffered a lot after I graduated in Economics/Finances. I worked into a bank in a dept of company credit analysis and into public finance and management into a public institution. I don’t have this attention to routine details related to the financial market, it simply not aligned with my principles and interests. I hated even when I was in college (I always knew). I did all optional maths course and enjoyed it, but I hated to study about financial laws, markets, details, I suffered. If your intuition and your heart feels good when you are studying about the financial details then is good
, just dont fight your bad feeligns/intuition. Maybe you are more than one type of Jung personality? INFJ mixed with some more practical? But investmetn advisor helping people seems a way too.
I am an INFJ and work in charity (nonprofit) finance which I stumbled across by accident and have since trained in. I am surprised that I do like it as I am also artistic and creative. I do this as paid work three days a week and have the remaining time for my art. I like the balance between the two and that my paid work is for an organisation that is doing something socially useful. I would say the values side is important to me and I suspect to other INFJs so you may want to make sure that the organisation you work for has similar values to your own (and isn’t solely orientated towards making money) but I can attest that you can be an INFJ and work happily in finance/accounting!
I am also infj type and i am an undergraduate of psychology who likes to become an hr manager. Wow
Omgggg I always thought I was alone! Never able to choose a career always flitting about “changing with the wind” as my bro in law would call it ( and I really don’t like that) because I like order. To admit that my career strategy or lack of one is awry, well that’s upsetting and such irony considering I like purpose.
all the best fellow INFJs
I haven’t yet decided what the best career path is for myself or fellow INFJ’s but I will say that I always enjoy roles where I can interact with people who WANT to be helped, be it with relationships, or just general advice. Ive always been good at writing and everyone I know tells me to write a book but I’ve just never really had the courage I guess, to explore it. Yes I could never understand why I was always so much more talented than the people around me ( c’mon were pretty effortlessly good at most things!) but find that I tire easily or become too stressed or burnt out? I’m learning how to start my own business and want to pursue teaching younger children. This way I get freedom, autonomy, interaction with others and little conflict.
Fascinating … my son told me to try this out and I am the same as you guys and girls. Worked as RN – evening and night shifts as more autonomy and ability to mix up my routine, thank you very much, photographer, played musical instruments, learned languages, creative writing and literature, studied greatly in highschool but still never really knew what I wanted to do, just fell into things. Feel like square peg in round hole. I definitely got the intuitive thing going on … it scares me sometimes! I do get people-ed out a bit and need to retreat on occasion. I do like the autonomy, but won’t ever take the glory, happy for someone else to take the credit. I like the “quiet achiever” thing. Like Mike V said above about his filmwork, in my photography, my own work hits the spot, but work for hire, it’s all a bit meh really. I’m starting to think I’m getting closer to my bigger calling as middle age approaches, I don’t think I’ve even really started yet
Though got to find the balance between passion and drive and making it happen, I think, the practicalities of it all.
I love this fascinating forum. I came to this page because as a person in my early thirties I am really struggling with my next career move. Like you Hiluxer, while in school I studied various musical instruments and languages (loved and excelled at them) and through various periods of my life you would never find me without a camera. I have thought and toyed with the idea of going into photography in some way, but the idea scored me in that there is so much competition and you really have to set yourself and your work apart to really get somewhere. Plus I would rather take photos or things that interest me verses what someone else would want me to do. Even if I were to get through all of these obstacles, ultimately I wonder how it would benefit others and that is something very important to me. I got a degree in psychology and minored in linguistics and have worked for almost a decade as a healthcare technician doing analysis and for a DME company working directly with people. It’s great but I have hit a ceiling in terms of how much further I can go a so I am thinking of going back to school to be a PA. But then again – there is this need to nurture that creative side and also truly help others and I find it so hard to reconcile them both!! I’d be interested to see where your path leads you.
I am also an INFJ and work as an associate professor at a university (so I do research, I teach and do some administrative work).
It took me a long time to find a good career path. I liked too many things, yet couldn’t settle to do only one thing. I was in science in college, and though I love science because I am very curious, I didn’t like working in a lab with fluids or objects. So I ended up trying to work in film for a while, I wanted to be a screenwriter and director, but it didn’t work out so well, partly because the film industry is really harsh, and partly because I am not a really great writer.
To make a long story short, I went back to school around 26 and I finally discovered phonetics, the science of speech. So now I do research on language acquisition-phonetics. This field of research allows me to work with people, yet, I also have to work alone to compile data and to write and publish scientific articles. And I can supervise research assistants to help me with the more detailed tasks. There are so many possible tasks that involve creativity and leadership, I really love it! The teaching is a bit difficult, but it is only a few hours a week. I can spend a lot of time alone in my office whenever I need to.
Thus, I think researcher-professor is a great possible career path for an INFJ, but it depends in which field. For me one that involves working with people (once in a while), is best. It really satisfies my need for challenges, for creativity, for contributing to society (through teaching and through publishing the results of my research), for variety of tasks and flexible schedule, while providing me with sufficient opportunity to work with people AND to work alone. And I also get to do some creative writing… (scientific articles can and should also be written in a creative way
Hi, Izabelle,
Congrats on being a prof at a university – I know that is not an easy job to get, even if you are in the sciences, well, you are also in the health field perhaps technically, and I’m sure that doesnt help. This is somewhat off-topic, but yet not because it relates to the one things I consistently return to when I think about careers – being a professor. But, I have the curse of being a philosopher by nature, or by, something… ha, that’s another question for philosophy. With all that I hear about the cut-throat academic world and the you-might-as-well-play-the-lottery attitude…(re: prof. job market), is it worth the long haul? I think about safer things I could be pursuing that would lead me faster to a place wherein I could also try and teach others to teach themselves and think and blah blah…
I’d love to hear your comments.
Thanks.
Hi Izabelle,
I am in a similar situation in that I like too many things. I work in finance at the moment but it gives rise to a lot of anxiety around not doing much for the ‘greater good’. I’m interested in language acquisition and linguistics. I’m 26, my question is, how did you find it returning to school at that age?
Hello all you wonderful INFJs out there!
I’m so happy to FINALLY meet you. I’ve felt very alone all my life… and also very misunderstood.
In terms of my career, I’m a missionary midwife working in Africa. I’m starting hospitals, clinics, schools, etc. I LOVE that this is the path God has called me to walk. I hope you all find your special career path in the work that makes you most joyful!
I am an INFJ and I really agree with this post, espeshily the part about wanting to do something meaningful. I would love to be a writer. I really do feel what i do as an adult will be more than just a job,more like a calling.
School Psychology is the perfect blend of teaching, psychology, communication, writing, and counseling. I never get bored because I am in a different school each day. My ability to work in groups and read people’s emotions is very helpful due to the highly emotional nature of the job. Oh, and this career is currently in high demand and pays well too!
It’s amazing after reading this and everyone’s comments how much we have in common as strangers. It’s nice to finally see that I’m not the only one struggling to find my place in the world. My main problem I’m having right now is trying to find what career path to follow. I’m 26 and currently own a small consignment (resale) shop for the past 3 years. It’s a bit routine and I find that to be the hardest part of it all. I want more out of it and a career to push me, I just don’t know where to start. If I had it my way I would leave it all and backpack for a few months to venture off and “find myself”. I’m wondering if anyone has ever had problems keeping friends or has had issues in friendships. I find that most friends I’ve had throughout the past few years consisted of endless arguments or ending of friendships in general. Although I hate arguing I now realize that a large part of it was that they had a hard time understanding me and my thinking process. Anyways, it’s so reassuring to see others like myself and I loved reading everyone’s comments.
I’m an INFJ, and I’m currently in my last year of high school — and I’m considering a career path as an HR manager or journalist. Ideally, I would have wanted to be a graphic designer (I love art and creative writing), but HR and journalism just appeals to me more – the fact that I get to work with people and staff, knowing that they’re getting the training they need to succeed, and that I can encourage personal growth.
For journalism, I’m attracted to the idea that I might eventually be able to uncover issues in society, advocate for minorities, and inspire and motivate communities. I guess it’s an INFJ trait that I always wanted to do something morally and ethically in tune to my beliefs. I like making sure people are satisfied and happy. That’s just it, really. It’s that simple,,. My personal happiness comes from the happiness of the people around me.
Hi there, I have to say its comforting to see so many at my age still struggling to figure out where in the world they belong. I’ve always tried figuring out where I actually belong since I always felt… well, like a missfit. Then I discovered the online tests and finally found a description that fits my personality to a tee – where I used to think that either I’m slightly bonkers, or there is some serious psychological problem, its reassuring to know there’s many others like me! I’m caught between the devil and the sea so to speak. At first I trained as a dietitian, but the criticism around my own not-so-perfect body killed any possibility of me blossoming in that direction, although I’ve always had a passion for helping people. Ever since they started asking us in school “what do you want to be?” I was always stumped – I had no idea! All I knew is I wanted to “make a difference in someone’s life”. I hated the detailed nitty gritty fuss over minute vitamin/mineral detail, the constant focus on each morsel you put in your mouth, and felt there were so much more to life than what you eat. Later I got involved in a teaching career- and I lived for the moment a child’s eyes lighted up with understanding! I was always attracted to the “problem child” and loved trying to draw them out, somehow improve their self-worth and easily identified when there were relationship issues in terms of family etc and loved that. But I totally sucked at the teaching profession in school – the fast pace required, the thousands of requirements thrown at you that overwhelmed me, the rigid structure, the constant peeking-over-my-shoulder by the head of department, headmaster and peers constantly griping about things that just don’t (in my opinion) matter in the broader sense of purpose of life (who cares if its a green pen and not red?? why should my marks be written in a circle at the exact right??) I’m slightly disorganised in terms of paper work too, and keeping track of 160 student’s tests, projects ( 24 per child) was just such a daunting task. But I simply loved imparting information to the children! If they wanted ot listen by the way.. I found myself constantly frustrated at not being able to “impart wisdom” because 70% of your class interaction is simply maintaining discipline – which I hated. It now makes sense in the INFJ profile that we don’t’ like and avoid conflict… so many things make more sense now! I felt completely burnt out and emotionally drained after each day, but everyone kept telling me to hold out it will get better. I did, for 5 years, then got fired.
I simply LOVE researching random information, I love sciences and recently developed an interest in politics too – since its fun to see the big picture of the in-fighting and competition, the attitude and motivations of politicians through their actions. Currently I’m working as a science and maths tutor, and although I love helping, the position bores me out of my mind. Its much less administration, the kids come in at random times and do a lot of self study – and while I’m not required to give immediate assistance, I’m bored out of my wits and yearn to read up on issues that interest me.
If anyone can help give input here I’d greatly appreciate it, because I’m at my wit’s end to know where to go next! I love writing and attempted blogging a while, but can only write when I am inspired (and lately depression and lack of self worth has kept me from that). I’ve been thinking to somehow qualify myself in a councelling type of career, but I have no idea where to start or how to get there! Before teaching i worked as a sales assistant in the health industry – and always undersold (because I felt sorry for so many people) but loved helping, although the constant contact with people completely drained me and I often longed to just hide somewhere between the shelves for some time alone!
Its such a relief to discover I’m not crazy, only unique!
Scored as an INFJ and so far everything I read amazes me in accuracy. I am actually in IT and I love it… not very in line with the most common, however I do see all the mentioned traits being there… love volunteering and love psychology books as a hobby read and love crafts… working on taking criticism without being horribly wounded by it
but when it’s unjustified – drives me up the wall … still amazed at how spot on everything is in this article
So glad to read the posts here and see I am not alone in the struggle to find a career that fits. Have been an RN for 20years and worked weekends at least 15 of those years trying to avoid petty politics. Now in an area that is all about the money. Ugh. I can identify with Stephen above, definitely alienated from most people. Longest job 3 years, most last a year. Friends and family can’t understand it. Have gone back to school twice trying to find the solution. I like helping people, trouble is in today’s society, the so called “helping professions” really don’t allow helping anyone. At least now with this test it has narrowed the field of choices for me. Thank you all for your posts, it really is helpful to see what is and is not working for others in their careers.
I am an INFJ, and I teach English at a community college where I get to interact with students of all ages from all different backgrounds, some of whom are categorized as “at-risk” students. Everything in the above description coincides with why I love what I do and why I feel fulfilled doing it. On the other hand, when I worked in retail before I went to grad school and had to do nothing but ring up customers all day long, I loathed it because there was no real purpose (in my view) for the work. I didn’t feel like I was “accomplishing” anything, and I hated the many brief interactions with strangers every single day; it was exhausting!
I also found the part about INFJ personalities being misinterpreted by others as extroverts (based on having a warm personality) to be very interesting. In the classroom I have no problem interacting with and directing a classroom full of students, so it makes sense that some might see me as an extrovert, but outside of that role that level of interaction with large groups of people is uncomfortable for me.
It’s rather affirming to know that I chose a career that fits me so well!
Now what do i say…. i am just simply overwhelmed by this all… the sheer accuracy of the analysis has me sweating in my palms, i am 19 years old, i have finished high school and still yet i do not know what i want to major in, my choices change with the wind, well for now i have chosen to major in Law,.
Growing up and even up until now i actively avoided people and had very few friends, but people had me as their best friends… my cousin once told me that perhaps it’s because i have a great listening ear, even people who are way older approach me for advice and this just amuses me.
I have been called a dreamer, a complex person and a veil…. i guess all of those are correct, i didn’t accept myself wholly before, but not anymore…
Thanks to anyone who has contributed to this forum and helped in this journey of self discovery!!
I have just done the test and am a INFJ. I am in my 30′s have the perfect husband and very frustrated in my career! I am currently working in the accounts department of a law firm but I want SO much more! I want a real career – I am a workaholic, I did ebilling for a year and a half and I loved every minute of it (I love problem solving!). I want to study and do a degree BUT I CANNOT DECIDE what I should do! I am so stuck! Don’t know whay this has to be so hard!
Other than that I love being who I am – and I am loving the journey of discovering who I am!