Discover Your Personality Type

There are several personality assessments available, but the Myers Briggs Temperament Indicator (MBTI)
(http://www.cpp-db.com/products/mbti/index.asp) is one of the most widely used for career self-assessment. Several abbreviated versions of the MBTI have been developed and they are not as well researched or scientifically reliable as the MBTI; however, as an introduction to personality type you may want to check them out. One such on-line tool is Personality Type.com (www.personalitytype.com).

Once you have your four letter personality type, you should meet with a career counselor in Career Planning to discuss the meaning of your four letter type. For more information, search in google.com and type in your four letters (such as INFP). There are 16 possible personality type combinations. If the information about your type doesn’t seem to match your personality, read and compare information about other types. There is a wealth of information on the internet about personality type.

• Personality Type assessments evaluate the following:
  • Where you focus your attention and where you draw your energy
    E/I, Extroversion/Introversion
    
    

    E--Extroversion	I--Introversion
    Focus on outer world of people energized by what goes on in environment	Focus is more on inner world energized by what happens in your inner world
    Usually like to communicate by talking	Prefer to write and like work which let them work quietly inside their own heads
    Need to experience the world to understand it; thus, tend to like action	Like to understand the world before experiencing it; think before acting

    
    
    
  • How you perceive and acquire information
    S/N, Sensing/Intuitive
    
    

    S--Sensing	N--Intuition
    Use eyes, ears, touch and other senses to find out what is actually there, both inside and outside yourself	Look at meanings, relationship, and possibilities that go beyond information from senses
    Useful in appreciating the realities of a situation	Useful at seeing possibilities
    Live in here-and-now and are realistic and practical	See future possibilities and value imagination and inspiration

    
    
    
  • How you reach conclusions, make decisions, or form opinions
    T/F, Thinking/Feeling
    
    

    T--Thinking	F--Feeling
    Predicts logical consequences of any choice	Considers what is important to self or others without requiring it be logical
    Look at cause and effect and even include the unpleasant	Asks how much you care, how much personal investment you have
    Seek objective standard of truth	Seek harmony above all
    Good at analyzing what is wrong with something	Tend to be sympathetic, appreciative, and tactful

    
    
    
  • How you deal with the outer world
    J/P, Judgement/Perceptive
    
    

    J--Judgment	P--Perceptive
    Tend to live a planned, orderly way	Prefer flexibility/ spontaneity
    Likes to make decisions, come to closure, then move on	Likes to keep options open
    Prefers to be structured, organized and want things settled	Prefers to stay open to experience, enjoying the moment and trusting in their ability to adapt
    Want to regulate and control life	Constantly gathering new information which could change current plans

    
    
    
    
• What do the letter combinations mean?
  

  First and foremost, remember that there are no "right answers". The letters merely are indicative of your preferences and are designed to provide insights into how you function. No assessment instrument has all the answers. YOU ARE THE FINAL AUTHORITY OF YOUR OWN TYPE!!

There are 16 possible combinations of preference; therefore, 16 different Personality Types. The table below is organized so that similar types are next to each other. For more information about your type, see below:

ISTJ's = Individuals in this group tend to be more serious, organized and very responsible. They are focused on task and work in a very orderly and logical way. ISTJ's are viewed as very dependable.

ISTP's = ISTP's usually observe things from a distance. They are able to remove themselves from situations and are interested in cause and effect. Individuals in this group tend to be quiet , logical thinkers with a curiosity about how things work, especially mechanical things.

ESTP's = People in this group are most comfortable with mechanical things, less comfortable with longer, drawn out problem solving. They like sports and tend to be friendly and tolerant. ESTP's are much more likely to be drawn to hands on projects.

ESTJ's = ESTJ's are well organized and enjoy being in charge of activities. These individuals are straightforward and practical and are likely to make good administrators. ESTJ's are comfortable in the role of decision maker.

ISFJ's = People in this group tend to be strong team players. While often quiet, ISFJ's are friendly and considerate of others and can be counted on to come through in projects. They are usually very precise, but show little interest in the technical side of things.

ISFP's = While not great leaders, these individuals are very loyal to the group. ISFP's are gentle people who resist fostering their views on others. They are usually modest individuals who are sensitive and friendly in a quiet manner. ISFP's be described as "laid back" and are content to move things forward in an unhurried manner.

ESFP's = Individuals in this group are very sociable and enjoy being around people. They tend to be friendly and easy to get along with. ESFJ's enjoy sports and other fun activities. They are joiners and like to be a part of making things happen.

ESFJ's = Getting along with others is important to ESFJ's. They are good at it. Individuals in this group are popular, warm, and outgoing. These people have a need to know that they are making a difference. ESFJ's make great committee members and are very responsive to praise.

INFJ's = Individuals in this category can be counted on to give one hundred percent. They work hard to accomplish whatever the task. They are highly principled with strong convictions , earning the respect of others. Strong but quiet, they can be effective leaders.

INFP's = Once you get to know INFP's they are friendly, loyal, and full of energy. They are full of ideas and often bite off more than they can chew when it comes to work, but usually manage to get this done. They have little interest in physical surroundings or material possessions.

ENFP's = These are people with seemingly boundless energy with enthusiasm for a wide range of activities. ENFP's have a great imagination, readily come up with solutions, and are always willing to help.

ENFJ's = Individuals in this category have strong interpersonal skills. They are particularly at ease in leading or facilitating a group process. ENFJ's are sensitive of the needs and feelings of others and are able to handle criticism.

INTJ's = Very strong in carrying projects to conclusion when it is something in which they have an interest. INTJ's are determined individuals, sometimes to the point of stubbornness. Often described as critical and skeptical, they must learn the art of compromise.

INTP's = People in this group are serious and fairly reserved. They are logical, analytical, and interested in ideas. INTP's are not drawn to social situations and are likely to have precise interests.

ENTP's = These people are very entrepreneurial and always looking for new interests. ENTP's are personable, outspoken, and enjoy problem solving. They are usually good at a variety of tasks.

ENTJ's = People in this category are generally strong leaders with a good deal of self confidence. They enjoy public speaking and usually have a reasoned opinion of things. ENTJ's are well informed on a variety of things and are anxious to expand their knowledge.

Understanding each preference alone is a starting point for learning about your personality type. When you explore combinations of preferences, you learn more about yourself.

For example Intuition with Feeling focuses on insights about people's problems; Intuition with Thinking focuses on problems in organizational structures.

The following are characteristics of a few type combinations:

Leadership Style (TF's and JP's)

Career Choices and Interests (SN's and TF's)

How you are seen by others (EI's and JP's)