Mirror, Mirror . . . Verifying Your Personality Type
This lesson helps you determine, or verify, your one true Personality Type.
Careful!
Your Type profile isn’t meant to be an absolutely all-encompassing, comprehensive description of your innermost thoughts and feelings. But you should recognize yourself, for the most part, within the profile. Also know that these profiles don’t attempt to explain why each Type acts or behaves the way they do. Also, the profiles purposely avoid workplace descriptions. Instead, they focus on the “real” you, free of any potential workplace obligations.
The Importance of Verifying Your Type
What does “verifying your Type” mean, and why is it so important to do?
Every person has one true Type that fits him or her better than any other. In Lesson 2 you learned about the four dimensions of the Personality Type model. You also worked with the eight preferences. Knowing two, or even three of your Type preferences provides you with important insights. However, correctly identifying your whole Type — all four letters — is essential because people whose Types are different, even by one letter, may have very different career needs.
That’s why the process of verifying your Type results from the quiz is so important. The verifying process, set forth in this lesson, is straightforward and easy. Most people will need to read only one or two profiles. Some people may need to read three or four profiles before deciding which Type suits them best.
You may wonder, “If the quiz is accurate, shouldn’t it reveal my one true Type right off the bat?” This is a good question, to which there is a good answer. Psychology is a very complex science — it often involves as much art as science. Unlike, say, a simple blood test you take to identify your blood type, determining your Personality Type is far more complicated.
Keep in mind that the quiz wasn’t designed to be a scientifically validated instrument. Had it been, it would be considerably longer and more complicated. Even the most extensive Personality Type test assessments identify all four Type preferences about 60 percent of the time, making the process of verifying one’s Type especially important.
In the next section, we’ll look at some of the challenges you may encounter as you work your way through the verification process.
Read More About Your Type
Turn to pages 33-52 in your textbook, Do What You Are. The Type descriptions contained in the textbook are more comprehensive than what you’ll find in this lesson. As we move on to the next section, you’ll want to reread and compare both descriptions; this should help eliminate any questions or doubts you have regarding your Type as you work your way through the verifying process.
A Few Challenges to Verifying Your Type
Some people can find and verify their Type right away. Others take a little longer. And some (partly because of their Type) have a hard time closing out other options, unable to decide on just one Type. If you’re able to verify your Type quickly, that’s great. But if you’re not, don’t worry! It may take a little time, but it’ll happen (and it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you!).
There are several reasons why some people may have trouble finding their true Type. They include:
- Confusion between who you are and who you think you should be
- Uncertainty about how you may have to be in your work life, rather than how you are in your home life (the true indicator of your Type)
- Cultural influences — men are socialized to be Thinkers and women are socialized to be Feelers
- Normal Type development — you may be experiencing a developmental “growth spurt” in various aspects of your personality
- Stress — you may be experiencing a major stress in your life that affects your responses and outlook
Sidebar
What you’ll find in the chapter about your specific Type in Do What You Are:
Profiles of satisfied people who share your Personality Type
A list of your top ten career satisfiers
Your work-related strengths
Your work-related blind spots
Dozens of potentially satisfying careers
Customized job search advice
How to Verify Your Type
- Go to the section at the end of this lesson, “The Verifying Profiles,” and review the profile that matches your quiz results. For example: ESTJ.
- Next refer to the more extensive profiles that appear in your textbook, Do What You Are.
- As you read your profile, make sure it describes how you are in your home life, as opposed to how you may have to be in your work life. Your home life better reflects the real you.
- If you’ve identified your Type correctly, about 80 percent of the profile should describe you well.
- If there are parts of the profile that don’t seem to fit, see if you can identify which Type preferences they describe. For instance, if you agree with the sentences that describe you as an Extrovert (outgoing), Sensor (practical and realistic), Thinker (logical and analytical), but you’re not sure if you are a Judger (organized and decisive) or a Perceiver (flexible and spontaneous), then read both the ESTJ and ESTP profiles to see which one feels more like you.
- Another example: If you agree that you may be an Introvert, Feeling, Judging Type (I_FJ), but aren’t sure if you are a Sensor (S) or an Intuitive (N), then you’d want to read both the INFJ and ISFJ profiles to decide which fits you better.
- Finally, read the chapter devoted exclusively to your Type in Do What You Are. Here you’ll find profiles of real life people who share your Type preferences. Reading about them, and about why the careers they’ve chosen work for them, should help you confirm what your true Type preferences are.
- If you’re one of the few people who complete the verifying exercises described above and are still not 100 percent sure of your Type, don’t worry! Find the one Type you think is closest, and consider that your “working hypothesis.” If you gather new insights later that point you towards a different Type, you’re always free to make that adjustment.
The Verifying Profiles
Now that you understand how to verify your Type, here are the Verifying Profiles.
ESTJ
(Extrovert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)
12-15 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Responsible, practical, and efficient; realistic and matter-of-fact; outgoing; know what’s happening around them; pay attention and remember details; traditional, dependable, and consistent; decisive, tend to base decisions on past experience; logical, objective, and analytical with strong reasoning power; more interested in and comfortable with real things rather than intangibles, such as abstract ideas and theories.
Interpersonal Style
Sociable and friendly; natural organizers; like to run things and make them happen; thorough and no-nonsense; comfortable judging others; faithful to their commitments and act forcefully in carrying them out; like structure; easy to get to know; “what you see is what you get;” consistent in relationships; crisp disciplinarians — can be tough when called for; emotional and social life are not as important as other aspects of life.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
Tend to be impatient with those who don’t follow procedures or pay attention to important details; may be abrupt with and unresponsive to feelings and opinions of others; may jump to conclusions; may not listen patiently to opposing viewpoints; can become rigid and close-minded; may not be interested in seeing possibilities that don’t exist in the present; focus on organization’s goals, rather than individual’s needs; may “run over” people trying to accomplish their goals.
ISTJ
(Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)
7-10 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Hardworking, serious, quiet, dependable, sensible, and practical; painstakingly accurate; often have unshakable, well-thought-out ideas; difficult to distract, discourage, or stop once embarked on a project; apply past experience to present decisions; value logic and objective analysis; thorough and systematic; cautious and traditional; honor their commitments, and work steadily and methodically to get tasks completed on time.
Interpersonal Style
Organized and responsible; determined leaders who provide a stabilizing influence; listen well, have great practical judgment and memory for details — can cite evidence to support their views; their word is their bond; like everything factual and clearly stated –”say what you mean and mean what you say”; follow necessary systems and procedures, and are impatient with others who do not.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
May have trouble understanding needs different from their own; can be perceived as cold and unfeeling; underestimate themselves and their contributions; may not be open to new ideas, especially those for which they see no practical utility; may lack flexibility and may have trouble adapting to frequently changing systems. Can appear unenthusiastic and non-receptive to examining the long range implications, preferring to focus on more immediate needs.
ESFJ
(Extrovert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)
11-14 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Sociable, warm, and friendly; talkative, popular; need to be appreciated for themselves and service; orderly, organized, duty-oriented, and traditional; practical, realistic, matter-of-fact; nurture established institutions; decisive and like things to be decided; base planning on experience of known facts; attend to and remember important details.
Interpersonal Style
Born cooperators; like to deal with and please people; place great value on harmonious relationships; idealize what or whomever they admire; social ties are important and maintained well; often become restless when alone for extended periods; outgoing, sympathetic, and compassionate; strong need to be appreciated; sensitive to indifference or criticism; often have and express strong opinions.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
Have little interest or patience with analysis of complex principles; may place too much value on those they admire; can be pessimistic or gloomy; may have difficulty being brief and businesslike; may be blind to facts of a situation when discord or hurt is involved; may make decisions too quickly; may not see options and possibilities open to them.
ISFJ
(Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)
7-10 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Quiet, conscientious, and responsible; have strong work ethic with conservative and traditional values; friendly, helpful, wish to be of service to people; practical and down-to-earth; systematic, thorough, and painstakingly accurate; enjoy and easily absorb a large number of facts; lend stability through their common-sense perspective.
Interpersonal Style
Sympathetic and tactful; supportive as friends, administrators, or colleagues; wish to care for others, and use personal warmth to communicate with them; relate well to those in need; loyal and considerate; work devotedly to meet obligations and satisfy friends; prefer modest, quiet people; show great practical judgment and memory for detail.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
May become disinterested when no longer needed; frequently overworked because they tend to try to do everything themselves; may be fascinated with irresponsible people and end up in rescuing role; may bottle up feelings; may not be assertive in getting their needs met; may avoid necessary conflicts; may need time to master technical subjects; may tend to underestimate their own value.
ESTP
(Extrovert, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)
6-8 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Realistic, adaptable, and resourceful; live in and enjoy the present moment; keen observers of people; see things as they are; open-minded and easy-going; tolerant of self and others; patient and friendly; enjoy dealing with situations as they arise and with an economy of effort; prefer action to conversation; have generally conservative values; enjoy and care for material possessions; versatile and pragmatic; prefer being spontaneous to planning ahead.
Interpersonal Style
Friendly, charming, easy-going, and popular; fun-loving, adventurous, socially at ease; tuned into signals of others — appear to be more empathetic than they are; often witty and clever with an unlimited supply of jokes and stories; diplomatic negotiators.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
Desire to “live on the edge” may make them reckless and may take unnecessary chances; can sell ideas but may not follow through on details of a project; if energies are not constructively directed, may use them in destructive or antisocial activities; do not tolerate anxiety or tension well; have no patience with tedious administrative details; may not follow rules; may be blunt and insensitive; may lack inner vision for future.
ISTP
(Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)
4-7 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Quiet, reserved, and detached; cool and observant; impulsive and adaptable; analytical and impersonal in decision making; active, thrive on excitement; optimistic, confident, and proud; self-leading and egalitarian; most interested in impersonal principles with great respect for facts and details; good understanding of what makes mechanical things work, and usually skilled with tools.
Interpersonal Style
Good sense of realism and timing; capitalize well on available resources; inclined toward shyness; focus their thinking on the principles underlying things, rather than the things themselves; often prefer to communicate through action, rather than words; state things clearly as they see them; loyal, generous, receptive, trusting, and uncomplicated.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
Can be insubordinate, and see authority as unnecessary; may have little interest in developing verbal skills; can be reckless; do not like to prepare any more than is necessary; may not be aware, unless told, what matters emotionally to others; desire for action and excitement make them subject to boredom; can become lazy due to desire to economize energy.
ESFP
(Extrovert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving)
8-10 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Adaptable, easy-going, warm, and charming; enjoy people and have a zest for living; playful, generous, sociable, are often “on stage” with others; realistic observers — see things as they are; like concrete facts and are good at detail; learn better from hands-on experience than from school; have good common sense and practical abilities with people, as well as things.
Interpersonal Style
Outgoing, tactful, sympathetic; tolerant of others and self; interested in people, open-minded; generally liked and able to get others to adopt their suggestions; charming, witty, and fun to be with; seek company of others often and are good conversationalists; deal with situations as they arise; good at pulling conflicting factions together.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
May refuse to recognize problems; may be impulsive; easily tempted; do not handle trouble well — often leave an unpleasant situation to avoid it; may have problems disciplining self and others; may be lazy and live for a good time; may not have long- range vision; may make decisions without considering the logical consequences.
ISFP
(Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving)
5-7 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Modest, sensitive, reserved, and open-minded; display a wealth of warmth and enthusiasm which is often not shown until they know you well; gentle, caring, and cooperative; tend to be perfectionists; often misunderstood because of tendency not to express themselves directly, but through actions; live in the here and now, and do not plan or prepare more than is necessary.
Interpersonal Style
Often loyal followers of people and ideals; show warmth by deeds rather than words; little need to dominate; especially like people who understand their goals; flexible, patient, and easy to get along with; can take orders from superiors — won’t fight the leader; are nonjudgmental, accepting others’ behavior matter-of-factly without seeking motives and meanings; trusting and understanding; observant of people and things around them.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
Often underestimate themselves; sensitive to criticism — may not take feedback well; may not see the big picture and important possibilities if they don’t exist at the moment; don’t like to prepare in advance, therefore may have trouble organizing their time, resources, etc.; may have to work hard to curb their impulses.
ENTJ
(Extrovert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)
3-5 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Well-informed, logical, and analytical; systematic at setting and researching objectives; able to see ahead and communicate their vision to others; interested in possibilities and long-range consequences of actions; can be ingenious; enjoy solving complex problems; hearty and frank; highly career-motivated with social life often incidental; decisive; work hard to meet goals; live by defined set of rules and expect others to do so as well; value truth and are convinced by logical reasoning.
Interpersonal Style
Good organizers of people, with strong need to lead; look for and demand efficient and competent personnel; crisp disciplinarians — can be tough when called for; set escalating standards, tend to push others as hard as themselves; naturally critical and not tuned into the feelings of others.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
May see others’ feelings as insufficient reasons for action; may block out other areas of life for work; may not listen with an open mind to another’s side of the issue; may overlook relevant facts and important details in haste to make a decision; may surround selves with similar Types (especially Intuitives); may sound more confident than their experience warrants; need to “make it a rule” to show appreciation to others when called for.
INTJ
(Introvert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)
2-3 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Original minds; logical, critical, ingenious; great drive to achieve their objectives; fine organizers with insight and vision; pragmatists; not impressed by authority per se, but conform to rules if useful; natural brain-stormers; can see the consequences of applying new ideas; love to see systems translated into substance; accomplishments achieved through determination and perseverance.
Interpersonal Style
Most independent of all Types; decisive and determined even in the face of opposition; tend to drive others almost as hard as themselves; can be very single-minded; have strong need for autonomy; not particularly bothered by indifference or criticism; vulnerable in the emotional area and may make serious mistakes there.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
May be overly stubborn; need to yield on less important points to win the more important ones; single-minded concentration may prevent them from seeing weaknesses in their ideas and anticipating real-world events that may prevent attainment of goals; may lose interest in project after creative process is finished; may have difficulty in interpersonal relationships if unaware of the feelings of others; may demand too much from selves and others.
ENTP
(Extrovert, Intuitively Thinking, Perceiving)
4-6 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Enthusiastic, ingenious, resourceful in solving challenging problems; energetic, talkative, and good at many things; independent and individualistic; alert to all possibilities with strong initiative and creative impulse; value inspiration above all else and strive to turn their original ideas into reality; versatile and clever; adaptable and innovative; strive for competence and power.
Interpersonal Style
May be somewhat impersonal with people, yet can inspire others to become involved in their projects through their enthusiasm; apt to consider how others may affect their projects, rather than how projects affect others; alert and outspoken; argue for fun on either side of an issue; deal imaginatively with social relationships; often display good humor and optimism; try to understand people rather than to judge them.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
Hate routines; reluctant to do things in an established manner; tend to ignore the standard or traditional; have trouble with details and follow-through; may neglect necessary preparation; can lose interest in own projects once major problems are solved; may have trouble organizing and disciplining themselves, resulting in ill-chosen or half-finished projects; may not take time to consider important facts, especially feelings of others.
INTP
(Introvert, intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving)
3-4 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Ingenious, logical, and analytical; intellectually profound; outwardly quiet, reserved, and detached, inwardly absorbed in analyzing problems — often with brilliant insight; prize intelligence in selves and others; think in a complex manner; may appear shy; curious, adaptable, and critical; organize concepts and ideas better than people.
Interpersonal Style
Like conversation to be logical and purposeful — often to the point of hair-splitting; disinterested in small talk and parties; do not enjoy, and have difficult time expressing emotions verbally; are difficult to get to know and often misunderstood; because they may be unaware of needs and wishes of others; may be perceived as arrogant and insensitive; sometimes views are too complicated for others to follow; are convinced only by logical reasoning.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
Impatient with those perceived to be less intelligent or educated, which can create hostility in others; may be unrealistic and unwilling to apply their models to the real world; impatient with routine details; may lose interest in a project and never complete it; can be insensitive to the needs and wishes of others; may have difficulty communicating their ideas; their honesty may translate into bluntness; may not know, unless told, what matters emotionally to others.
ENFJ
(Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)
3-5 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Enthusiastic, popular, charming, and charismatic; place highest importance on people; even-tempered, good communicators; use values to direct decisions and actions; easy leaders; prefer an organized world; take a warm approach to life; conscientious and persevering, responsive and responsible; interested in possibilities, especially as they relate to or affect other people; concerned with the appropriateness of theirs and others’ behaviors.
Interpersonal Style
Empathetic, understanding; look for the good in others; nurturing and supportive, warm and tolerant; sensitive to praise and criticism; effective communicators who can be good public speakers; caring, concerned — feel responsible for feelings of others; read people well, are seldom critical of others in public; socially adept and gracious.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
May become overly concerned with others’ feelings and dissociate when overwhelmed or disappointed; vulnerable to idealizing interpersonal relationships; may become overly involved in the problems of others; may be blind to the facts when situation involves hurt or criticism; have difficulty seeing things they wish were not true; may sweep problems under the rug; may have difficulty being brief and businesslike; may make decisions too quickly; may fail to consider the consequences of their decisions, preferring to focus instead on how they feel about it.
INFJ
(Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)
2-3 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Quietly forceful; motivated by inspiration and inner vision, which they value above all else; trust their ideas in the face of skepticism, and persevere in seeing them applied and accepted; have strong desire to contribute to the welfare of others; value harmony and integrity; have complex and deep personalities — look for and see deeper meanings; although reserved, can generate personal warmth and enthusiasm; in matters of importance, can be determined to the point of stubbornness.
Interpersonal Style
Empathetic; aware of others’ emotions and interests, dealing well with complex people; seek harmony in interpersonal relationships; prefer to agree with others and are troubled by conflict; hard to get to know, since they share inner selves only with those they trust; tend to have small, deep, long-standing circle of friends; respected for their firm principles; use approval and praise to win cooperation; often followed for clear convictions of common good.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
May be overly perfectionistic; may underestimate their own inventiveness; tend to be vulnerable because they’re overly sensitive to criticism and desirous of harmony; may be too single-minded in concentration; may overlook important details and facts; may be stubborn, especially resisting an idea that conflicts with their values.
ENFP
(Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)
6-7 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Enthusiastic, optimistic, and confident; original minds with a strong sense of what’s possible; see life as an exciting drama; see possibilities and significance in all things; spontaneous, perceptive, and keen observers — notice anything out of the ordinary; value inspiration above all else; imaginative and often ingenious inventors; rely on impulsive energy to realize their creative innovations.
Interpersonal Style
Charming and enthusiastic, with large number of personal contacts; gentle, sympathetic, and warm; non-conformist; avoid conflict and disharmony; adaptive and inventive; prefer to understand rather than to judge; maintain personal relationships rather than objects; like to keep all options open and all relationships alive.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
Although hypersensitive and alert, may make serious mistakes in judging the motivations of others; become bored quickly with anything routine or repeated; often don’t bother to collect necessary operational details; often not well organized; because they can see all possibilities, may have difficulty prioritizing most important issues and activities; may lack necessary self-discipline to complete projects once problems have been solved and inspiration exercised; can have trouble making decisions.
INFP
(Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)
3-4 percent of the American population
Brief Personality Description
Idealistic, sympathetic, and understanding; open-minded with insight and long-range vision; seen as reticent and calm — really enthusiastic and warm once they know you; value inner harmony above all else; strong sense of honor concerning personal values; sensitive with many ideals and loyalties; perfectionists; often motivated by a cause or a deep personal belief; tend to undertake too much, but somehow get it done.
Interpersonal Style
Demonstrate cool reserve on the outside — inside, care deeply and passionately; very sensitive to feelings of others; avoid conflict; deep commitment to their pledge; friendly, but often too busy to socialize or notice what is happening around them; intensity of their feelings is seldom expressed; loyal and devoted to people, purposes, and causes; often prefer the written word to communicate feelings.
Possible Weaknesses/Blind Spots
See logic as optional; can make errors of fact; suffer from over-perfectionism and may demand too much of their selves as they aspire to the near impossible; can be over-sensitive and vulnerable; may be unrealistic in planning details of projects; may become discouraged if work is not directed towards a purpose they believe in; more flexible when dealing with others than with selves.
ASSIGNMENT: Mirror, Mirror . . . Verifying Your Personality Type
Assignments are designed to give you the chance to do further reading in the course text and to practice applying the knowledge learned in activities and class discussions. We encourage you to discuss the assignments with your instructor and classmates.
After finding your Type, or narrowing down your possibilities to two Types, refer to Chapter 3, entitled “Mirror, Mirror,” in Do What You Are. If you haven’t already read your Type profile, do so now. Keep in mind that you’re trying to confirm your one true Type. Select the profile that comes closest to describing the real you.
Still unsure? Go with the profile that best suits you now. If at some later point, you gain new insights into yourself, simply adjust your Type accordingly.
Next, share your profile (use the one that appears in Do What You Are) with someone who knows you well. Ask them how well they think it describes you. If you’re trying to decide between two or more profiles, ask that person to read both or all of the appropriate profiles and share their opinion with you.
Consider this second opinion. Are there any discrepancies between how you perceive yourself and how you are perceived?
