Mastermind

The Best Careers for the INTJ Personality Type

INTJs (often called Architects) are known for their intellect, which is why they love jobs that get their curiosity fired up. They seek out careers where they’ll be given meaningful and challenging work that feeds their desire for finding solutions to problems. This is why you find a large number of INTJs in fields such as engineering, health, science, and computer science.

Starting out

INTJs often struggle when starting out in the job market after their studies end. This is because they’re highly intelligent and competent people who often become frustrated with the simpler and routine tasks of entry-level positions.

In most workplace environments, they won’t be able to implement their own creative and outside-the-box ideas, which can lead them to become disillusioned with their jobs. However, the good news is that due to their strengths they can often move up the ladder in an organization much quicker than their peers.

Despite their competencies, however, another challenge they face is their lack of interest in partaking in office politics and socializing, which can cause them to not get the attention of their superiors. So, if their abilities aren’t recognized and they don’t schmooze, they may see less qualified candidates get promotions over them.

This can, of course, be overcome and due to their intelligence and problem-solving abilities, they’ll become valuable coworkers who will eventually rise higher up the ladder in the organizations they work for.

Moving up the ladder

INTJ personalities thrive in careers where they can explore new ideas and come up with innovative solutions. This is why they’re drawn to careers in fields like science, technology, engineering, and medicine, and those in which they’re constantly solving problems and being able to test out their ideas.

They also love jobs that allow them to research and investigate things, which is why they often become analysts, auditors, and cybersecurity professionals. Many INTJs also have a creative side to them, so they are drawn to jobs like game design or musical composers.

Once they get experience in their field, they’re drawn to positions where they can affect the direction of the organization they work for. For example, they may seek out positions like project manager, strategist, and systems engineer. These roles are influential but in a lot of cases low profile, which INTJs are drawn to as they don’t like to stand out too much.

When it comes to working in teams, INTJs prefer to work independently or in small groups where they can have control of the direction of the work being done. They generally adhere to the mantra of “if you want something done right, do it yourself.”

This can create conflict when they do have to work in larger teams and this is why most INTJs seek out opportunities to be the leader in the group or work by themselves. When working in a team, INTJs have little time for team members that they perceive to not be competent, and when putting their own team together, they go out of their way to ensure each team member has the required skills and knowledge to be a great contributor.

INTJs as leaders

INTJs aren’t the most natural leaders, but when no one else puts their hand up for the leadership position, they often reluctantly step up. When they become a leader, they often focus on the bigger picture details and don’t have a hands-on management style.

When INTJs lead teams, they put their strategic and analytical skills to work to ensure that everything is done to a very high level and problems get solved. When faced with tough decisions, they carefully examine each choice and aren’t afraid to make a final decision once they understand the problem they need to solve. However, INTJs don’t always listen to opposing viewpoints from other team members as they generally believe in their superior intellect.

INTJs love to lead teams that are trying to solve complex problems that require innovative approaches. They love coming up with the solution, but don’t always have all of the details worked out, which they leave to other team members to take care of.

The best careers for INTJs

Here are some of the best careers for INTJs:

Business and Mathematics

• Project Manager
• Accountant
• Auditor
• Financial Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Market Research Analyst
• Financial Advisor or Planner
• Manager or Executive
• Actuary
• Mathematician
• Statistician

Architecture and Engineering

• Architect
• Aerospace Engineer
• Biomedical Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Electronig Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer

Science and Medical

• Economist
• Climate Scientist
• Biochemist or Biophysicist
• Chemist or Materials Scientist
• Virologist
• Medical Scientist
• Microbiologist
• Researcher
• Political Scientist
• Physician or Surgeon
• Pharmacist

Computers and I.T.

• Computer Programmer
• Computer Scientist
• Computer Systems Analyst
• Cybersecurity Specialist
• Network Administrator
• Software Developer
• Computer and IS Manager

Arts, Design, and Communications

• Game Designer
• Industrial Designer
• Music Composer
• Writer
• Technical Writer
• Editor
• Translator
• Photographer

Legal

• Lawyer
• Judge
• Paralegal

Careers INTJs should avoid

While any personality type can do most jobs, some careers and jobs are less suitable for INTJs. Research has shown that INTJs should avoid positions such as:

• Receptionist
• Real Estate Agent
• Sales Rep
• Hotel Clerk
• Telemarketer
• Recreation Worker
• Teacher's Aide
• Preschool Teacher
• Home Health Aide
• Production Worker
• Dental Hygienist
• Nurse
• Medical Assistant
• Nurse's Aide
• Social Worker