[Note: This article is second of a four-part series of posts.]

Self-knowledge is never a bad thing. With the general acceptance of personality tests being used in corporate settings, individuals have been doing evaluations of their personalities to see where they are best suited to work. Among the most popular tests, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) defines 16 varieties of personalities based on a person’s placement on four trait spectrums: introversion (I) versus extroversion (E), intuition (N) versus observation (S), thinking (T) versus feeling (F), and judging (J) versus prospecting (P). This helpful (but not necessarily definitive) tool is available for free on websites like 16Personalities. 

Below is a guide for extroverted and observant personality types who are curious about what it may indicate for their careers. 

ESTP – Action-oriented and popular

Most likely to jump in and act, the ESTP type is bold and busy. They are great at networking and love to take risks. They detest rules and structure, making them somewhat difficult to control. Naturally improvisational, they excel at sales, negotiations, and performance, and thrive in competition. They prefer to be their own bosses as they tend to trust only their own instincts.

Jobs for ESTP: Investor, entertainment agent, athlete

ESTJ – Organized and stable

The responsible ESTJ type brings structure and dependability wherever they go. They are loyal and traditional, often having long careers in law or medicine. They are strong managers and highly organized people. They dislike people who are unprincipled or inefficient. Hardworking and steady, they serve as ideal employees.

Jobs for ESTJ: Business administration, pharmacist, lawyer/judge

ESFP – Energetic and fun

Incredibly empathetic, ESFP types tend to reflect the energy of the environment around them. They love to bring excitement to other people’s lives, perhaps through event/trip planning or through sales and consulting. They are resourceful and social, responding well to crises. Many also prefer to exhibit a personal style and indulge in their passions. They crave social interactions at work and desire to be well liked.

Jobs for ESFP: Event planner, paramedic, interior designer

ESFJ – Caring and social

The practical and helpful ESFJ type excels in many roles. They are organized and social, making them great team players. Due to their high dependability, they will not shy away from performing monotonous tasks at work. They value teamwork and are not afraid of wielding authority in a sympathetic way. Overall, they are optimistic and happy people.

Jobs for ESFJ: Teacher, healthcare worker, social worker

Rose Ho | Staff Writer

Self-knowledge is never a bad thing. With the general acceptance of personality tests being used in corporate settings, individuals have been doing evaluations of their personalities to see where they are best suited to work. Among the most popular tests is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which defines 16 varieties of personalities based on a person’s placement on four trait spectrums: introversion (I) versus extroversion (E), intuition (N) versus observation (S), thinking (T) versus feeling (F), and judging (J) versus prospecting (P). This helpful (but not necessarily definitive) tool is available for free on websites like 16Personalities.

ENFP – Sociable and enthusiastic

The energetic ENFP type is excited by all the possibilities around them and may struggle to settle on one career, perhaps ending up with many over the course of a lifetime. They are great communicators and enjoy the human sciences, like psychology and politics. They are also naturally curious and like to be able to push ideas and boundaries at work. These dynamic workers can work in many different fields.

Jobs for ENFP: Advertising creative director, TV reporter, event planner

ENFJ – Inspiring and charismatic

The ENFJ type loves helping others more than anything else and looks for meaningful work to do so. Common career fields are social work, teaching, and counselling where they can help individuals, but helping entire groups is also viable. They tend to focus on people and not on details, which can lead to stressful situations, but they can envision things in the long-term.

Jobs for ENFJ: Public relations executive, corporate trainer, sales manager

ENTP – Smart and engaging          

Seeking mental engagement is important for ENTP types. These people enjoy intellectual challenges and finding solutions. These versatile minds can work in many different fields although not all jobs will offer the kind of brain stimulus or autonomy that they crave. They can be very persuasive in their arguments and have little concern for other people’s feelings.

Jobs for ENTP: Entrepreneur, real estate developer, political consultant

ENTJ – Strong-willed and imaginative

Natural-born leaders, ENTJ types are driven, organized, and charismatic. Their forceful personalities can draw or repel people, but they expect the best from themselves and others. They are likely to become executives and entrepreneurs, pushing their visionary ideas out into the world and mobilizing others along the way. They are also skilled communicators and strategists and are very unhappy as low-level employees.

Jobs for ENTJ: Executive, lawyer, venture capitalist

Rose Ho | Staff Writer

With the rise of remote working and the prevalence of Zoom meetings, many companies have shifted to the video call method of job interviews. Although an easy, convenient time saver (no more travelling to a strange, new office building and sitting in a waiting room with other candidates!), it comes with plenty of its own special considerations. Poor internet connection and background noise can cause worry. And suddenly, not only is your outfit part of your first impression but your whole screen too! To mitigate anxieties, below are some tips for preparing yourself for video call interviews that will help you worry less.

Test the Tech

The day before your interview, make sure your computer is updated, the necessary software is downloaded, and your sitting area has a strong internet connection. If it is your first time using a piece of technology, like new headphones or webcam, try it out with quick video call to a friend or family member. Make sure they can hear and see you and vice versa.

Clear Your Space

When you’ve located the spot in your home with the least ambient noise and the strongest internet connection, clear away any visual distractions like piles of laundry or loose papers which can make you seem like a disorganized future employee. Pick a neutral-coloured wall to sit in front of or set up a makeshift background with curtains over a curtain rod or shelf. Make sure you are in a well-lit area.

Gather What You’ll Need

It can be a little awkward to switch back and forth between applications on your computer. Try to have your resume and other documents printed out on your desk for ease of reference. Set aside your phone so that you are not tempted to look at it while being interviewed, which could be perceived as a sign of rudeness. Have paper and pen ready just in case you need to make notes.

Pick Your Whole Outfit

Even though almost everyone has gotten more comfortable while working from home, avoid wearing casual clothes during your interview. A clean button-up shirt and proper pants (not pajama bottoms!) will put you in the right mindset and help you dodge embarrassment if you need to stand up at any point. Although the culture at the company you are interviewing for may be very informal, it is better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.

Listen Carefully and Speak Slowly

During the actual interview, take your time and make sure you hear everything the interviewer says and asks. Speak clearly in case the internet connection gets choppy. Reduce distractions by changing the video settings so that you can focus on the interviewer more than yourself. Don’t get too stressed if there are technical difficulties that crept up in spite of everything you did to be well-prepared. Everyone has learned to be more forgiving so you can be too.

Rose Ho | Staff Writer