Discover Your Perfect Career

by Paul D. Tieger

Millions of people have found more satisfying careers by identifying their personality type.

You experience real career satisfaction when your work allows you to you use your best strengths and natural talents. Such work is energizing and enjoyable, and you're successful at it. But how do you identify your natural talents and find great jobs that match them? The first step is to determine your personality type.

Your "type" reveals important things about you, such as whether you're naturally more outgoing or reserved, realistic or imaginative, logical or sensitive, and organized or spontaneous. And the more closely your type matches the job's requirements, the happier and more successful you'll be. It will only take you about 10 minutes to identify your type, so start now and discover your perfect career.

Instructions:

Below are four questions that list descriptions of two different sets of personality characteristics or "preferences." Both lists have their own strengths and blind spots. Both are equally valuable and NEITHER ONE is better or worse than the other.

Read both sets of descriptions for the first question, and decide which list -- as a whole -- describes you better (even if just a little bit better). Then click the appropriate button. Try to answer as you really are, not how you may wish you were or have to be at work.

Continue with the other three questions and discover some potentially satisfying career options.

1. Where is your energy naturally directed?

Extraverts' energy is directed primarily outward, towards people and things outside themselves. Introverts' energy is primarily directed inward, towards their own thoughts, perceptions, and reactions. Therefore, Extraverts tend to be more naturally active, expressive, social and interested in many things, whereas Introverts tend to be more reserved, private, cautious and interested in fewer interactions -- but with greater depth and focus.

Extraverts often: Have high energy Talk more than listen Think out loud Act, then think Like to be around people a lot Prefer a public role Can sometimes be easily distracted Prefer to do lots of things at once Are outgoing and enthusiastic	Introverts often: Have quiet energy Listen more than talk Think quietly inside their heads Think, then act Feel comfortable being alone Prefer to work behind the scenes Have good powers of concentration Prefer to focus on one thing at a time Are self-contained and reserved
Extravert (E)   or    Introvert (I)

2. What kind of information do you naturally notice and remember?

Sensors notice the facts, details and realities of the world around them whereas Intuitives are more interested in connections and relationships between facts, as well as the meaning or possibilities of the information. Sensors tend to be practical and literal people, who trust past experience and often have good common sense. Intuitives tend to be imaginative, theoretical people who trust their hunches and pride themselves on their creativity.

Sensors often: Focus on the details and specifics Admire practical solutions Notice details and remember facts Are realistic -- see what is Live in the here and now Trust actual experience Like to use established skills	Intuitives often: Focus on the big picture and possibilities Admire creative ideas Notice anything new or different Are inventive -- see what could be Think about future implications Trust their gut instincts Like to figure things out
Sensor (S)   or    Intuitive (N)

3. How do you decide or come to conclusions?

Thinkers make decisions based primarily on objective and impersonal criteria -- what makes the most sense and what is logical. Feelers make decisions based primarily on their personal values and how they feel about the choices. Thinkers tend to be cool, analytical and are convinced by logical reasoning. Feelers tend to be sensitive, empathetic, and are compelled by extenuating circumstances and a constant search for harmony.

Thinkers often: Make decisions objectively Appear cool and reserved Are most convinced by rational arguments Are honest and direct Value honesty and fairness Take few things personally Tend to see flaws Are motivated by achievement Argue or debate issues for fun	Feelers often: Decide based on their values and feelings Appear warm and friendly Are most convinced by how they feel Are diplomatic and tactful Value harmony and compassion Take many things personally Are motivated by appreciation Avoid arguments and conflicts
Thinker (T)   or    Feeler (F)

4. What kind of environment makes you the most comfortable?

Judgers prefer a structured, ordered, and fairly predictable environment, where they can make decisions and have things settled. Perceivers prefer to experience as much of the world as possible, so they like to keep their options open and are most comfortable adapting. Judgers tend to be organized and productive, while Perceivers tend to be flexible, curious and nonconforming.

Judgers often: Make most decisions pretty easily Are serious and conventional Pay attention to time and are prompt Prefer to finish projects Work first, play later Want things decided See the need for most rules Like to make and stick with plans Find comfort in schedules	Perceivers often: May have difficulty making decisions Are playful and unconventional Are less aware of time and often run late Prefer to start projects Play first, work later Like to keep options open Question the need for many rules Like to keep plans flexible Want the freedom to be spontaneous
Judger (J)   or    Perceiver (P)