INTJ at Work

INTJs enjoy work that allows them to use their creative and complex thought processes and challenge them intellectually. They enjoy theory but prefer to see those theories become a reality through proper execution.

They enjoy observing systems at work, spotting flaws and inefficiencies in those systems, and then coming up with innovative solutions to improve those systems. Given a choice, they rather deal in the world of logical tasks and problems than deal with the emotions of people. Hence, they usually prefer working alone or in small groups.

They want to work with like-minded people who are just as competent, brilliant and insightful as they are. However, because INTJs are the rarest type among all, they seldom are afford this luxury of doing so. As a result, they may find it hard to explain their complex ideas to others.

INTJ at Work: INTJ Careers Suggestions

Before you get to the top career suggestions, it must be stressed that all personality types exist in all occupations.

Due to other factors involved such as interests, geography, salary and working hours, most individuals do not end up in occupations that ideally fit their personality.

However, if you are in a job or career that is not suitable for personalities of your type:

• You may have trouble communicating or agreeing with your co-workers.
• You may find communication issues arising in your work.
• What you deem to be important in a job may not be in sync with your colleagues; hence, the use of your personalities’ strengths during your work MAY NOT lead to promotion or reward.
• Because you do not feel your work is valued, you may experience stress, dissatisfaction, burnout and lack of productivity.

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

INTJs will thrive in the arena of business and finance. Their insight into macro-trends and the industry will give them the wisdom to make good decisions, whether it is to make crucial strategic business decisions or to predict a macroeconomic trend. Some of the roles that may be attractive to them are:

• Economist
• Management consultant
• Private banker
• Financial analyst
• Financial controller
• Investment Banker
• Investment Adviser

TECHNOLOGY

INTJs enjoy design and creation and aspire to see their global and innovative ideas come to fruition through the use of cutting-edge technology. The following jobs may appeal to them as they design, create or improve technologies:

• Technician
• Database administrator
• Webmaster
• Website Developer
• Design Engineer
• Broadcast engineer

HEALTHCARE

In the area of healthcare, INTJs enjoy being engaged in roles that require them to analyse health data and derive hypotheses from it.

They prefer not to directly deal with patients as they do not like to deal with people’s emotions. Some of the jobs in healthcare that they will enjoy are:

• Psychiatrist
• Neurologist
• Biomedical researcher
• Pathologist
• Cardiologist
• Surgeon

POLITICS AND LAW

INTJs will enjoy the field of law and politics. The competitive, tough-minded and intellectual challenging environments will greatly stimulate them as they have to interpret current laws and build or state cases for judgment.

The crime scene specialist role will also engage their mind as they attempt to connect the dots with regards to a case. Jobs they can consider are:

• Attorney
• Judge
• Intelligence specialist
• Crime scene specialist
• Political Scientist

INTJ at Work: Ideal INTJ Career Environments

Even though you’re in the right job, it is the culture of the organisation that will ultimately determine your job satisfaction.

There are work environments that will support your professional development, and there are those that stress you out.

When you are applying or considering a new job, consider looking for organisations that are known to have:

INNOVATIVE AND DIFFERENT

INTJs enjoy being part of organisations that are constantly changing, innovating, pioneering, especially those that have a potential to be a leader in their field.

Through some internet research and word-of-mouth, you should be able to determine if the company has a drive and desire to become industry leaders.

ACHIEVEMENT ORIENTED PEOPLE

INTJs like to be surrounded by achievers and task-oriented people who seek to accomplish more. The drive for success from co-workers will energise the INTJ to be productive and effective at their work.

It is not easy to find such companies as they are usually leading their industries or pioneering something revolutionary.

INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGING

INTJs enjoy a work environment that is intellectually stimulating and challenging; one that requires them to use their minds to conceptualise solutions, solve complex problems and have colleagues who will challenge and critique their ideas as well.

Look out for prospective employers who are not satisfied with surface answers and expect more from you during the interviews; they are likely to form an intellectually challenging environment.

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