How does your personality affect your career?

You've probably heard of the Myers-Briggs assessment, which claims to help individuals to understand their processes for taking in information and making decisions. The framework sorts people into sixteen categories, each representing personal preferences in four aspects of personality. In this article, we're investigating the ISTP personality type and how falling into this category could affect your career. 

Is Myers-Briggs a scientific way of assessing personality?

Although widely used and very popular, Myers-Briggs has been widely rejected as pseudoscience. There is very little science behind it, yet it remains a dominant force in business and has even been used during recruitment and selection processes – even though The Myers-Briggs company itself says it shouldn't be used in hiring. 

Nonetheless, many people believe it provides valuable insight into their personality and that of their colleagues, so it's worth having an understanding of how certain personality types could affect work environments. 

What is the ISTP personality type?

Each Myers-Briggs personality type is defined by four letters, and you're probably wondering what ISTP stands for. Well, breaking down the acronym, ISTP means Introversion, Sensing, Thinking and Perceiving. 

According to Myers-Briggs, people with the ISTP personality type are “tolerant and flexible, quiet observers until a problem appears, then act quickly to find workable solutions. [They] analyze what makes things work and readily get through large amounts of data to isolate the core of practical problems. Interested in cause and effect, [they] organize facts using logical principles and value efficiency.”

What is an ISTP person like? 

If your personality type is ISTP, you're probably wondering what it means for you in the workplace. Let's break down some of the traits: 

Introversion: People with this trait like to take time to reflect, communicate through writing, think things through before acting, and focus internally. They tend to be private and quiet. 

Sensing: People defined as “sensing” have a realistic approach to life. Their focus is on the present time and on facts. They remember key details, like information presented sequentially, and understand by practical application. 

Thinking: This personality uses logical analysis and takes an objective approach to problem solving. They'll weigh the pros and cons before taking action and are impersonal in their decision-making. “Thinking” types are defined as reasonable, tough-minded and questioning. 

Perceiving: These individuals are flexible and spontaneous. They like to “go with the flow” and experience life, doing their best work at the last minute. “Perceiving” types are casual and motivated by pressure. 

How does the ISTP personality type get on with others?

One of the benefits of Myers-Briggs personality types is that they can sometimes help us to understand the preferences and motivations of other people. If you know someone's personality type, you can make choices about how to interact with them to avoid conflict and ensure everyone's voice is heard equally. 

As we saw above, ISTPs can be quiet and introverted. They also like to work independently and don't share emotions or opinions easily with other people. In terms of workplace relationships, ISTPs can be difficult to get to know and may need encouragement to share their ideas and thoughts. 

What motivates an ISTP personality type? 

ISTPs are interested in how things work and have a logical, practical approach. They are motivated by understanding, and the practical application of this understanding. At work, they are driven to solve problems and the opportunity to take on different challenges. 

Is the ISTP personality type common?

While exact figures aren't available, it's generally believed that ISTPs make up between 4-6% of the population and that this personality type is more common in men than in women. 

Careers that suit ISTP personality types 

Your personality type doesn't restrict you to any career, but understanding your type might help you to explore, plan, and progress your career. With ISTPs often favoring practical careers that involve problem solving, independent working and a logical approach, they might enjoy careers such as: 

  • Computer coding and software engineering 

  • Mechanical engineering 

  • Science 

  • Animal training 

  • Criminal investigation and law enforcement 

  • Physical therapy

  • Pilot

  • Emergency room roles 

  • Systems analysis 

  • Insurance appraisal

This is just a small sample of roles where ISTPs can thrive – there are hundreds, if not thousands, more!

ISTP personality types: strengths and weaknesses 

People classed as ISTP can be laid back and able to use their initiative to work independently. They're also realistic, practical, and logical, enjoying whatever challenges their role throws at them. 

The flip side of this is that they can get bored easily, shy away from commitment, and may seem insensitive and hard to know. 

Understanding these traits in yourself and your co-workers can make for a more harmonious workplace. 

Use your personality type to land your next job

Whether you believe in the accuracy of your personality assessment or not, it might just give you some reminders or insights into strengths that you can highlight to land your next job and build great relationships with your colleagues. 

If you need a bit of a leg-up into your next role, why not get our team of resume experts in your corner? With a knock-out resume in your jobsearch toolkit, showcasing your most valuable skills and strengths, you'll land a new role in no time. Why not send your document for a free resume review today?

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