Keirsey
Temperament Type
Personality Type
and
Career Satisfaction
Prior studies have shown that a
person’s personality type, along
with other demographic
variables, is a key ingredient in
predicting satisfaction and
effectiveness in one’s chosen
career. To recruit and retain the
best employees, some
organizations have been looking
at personality type as a
preliminary place to start in
continuing efforts to improve
their profession.
What is
Personality Type?

An identifiable pattern in the manner that
an individual prefers to perceive and
make judgements

A complex network of interacting systems
that strive toward eventual harmony with
oneself and one’s environment
Personality Types

There are 16 identified unique personality
types

Each personality type describes the various
strengths and gifts of individuals

We all have characteristics of each
personality type – but there is one we are
most comfortable with, most of the time

One type is not better than another or more
talented than another
Type and Career
Choice

People tend to be attracted to, and have the
most satisfaction in, careers that provide
them with the opportunity to express and
use their preferences

Knowing your personality type will help you
apply your personal preferences in a
positive way

The key is finding the career that meets the
needs of your personality type for gathering
information and making decisions
Type and Career
Choice, cont.

If your daily work has the most need for the kind
of perception you naturally prefer, you will
handle the job better and find it more satisfying
and energizing

If your daily work needs the kind of decision
making that comes most naturally to you, your
decisions will be better and will be made with
more confidence

In choosing among careers, find out how much
chance each will give you to use your own
combination of perception and judgement
Type and Career
Choice, cont.

Remember type doesn’t explain everything
and you will want to consider other factors
along with type in making career choices

All types may be found making a contribution
in every career field
What do the
letters mean?
Energizing: How a person is energized

E – Extroversion: Preference for drawing energy
from the outside world of people, activities or things

I – Introversion: Preference for drawing energy
from one’s internal world of ideas, emotions, or
impressions
What do the
letters mean?
Attending: What a person pays attention to

S – Sensing: Preference for taking in information
through the five senses and noticing what is actual

N – Intuition: Preference for taking in information
through a “sixth sense” and noticing what might be
What do the
letters mean?
Deciding: How a person decides

T – Thinking: Preference for organizing and
structuring information to decide in a logical,
objective way

F – Feeling: Preference for organizing and
structuring information to decide in a personal,
value-oriented way
What do the
letters mean?
Living: Life style a person adopts:

J – Judgement: Preference for living a
planned and organized life

P – Perception: Preference for living a
spontaneous and flexible life
What is your Type?
Percentage of the American Population:








ENFJ – 5%
INFJ – 1%
ENFP – 5 %
INFP – 1%
ENTJ – 5%
INTJ – 1%
ENTP – 5%
INTP – 1%
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
ESTJ – 13%
ISTJ – 6%
ESFJ – 13%
ISFJ – 6%
ESTP – 13%
ISTP – 6%
ESFP – 13%
ISFP – 6%
What is your Type?
Percentage of the American Population:

SJ’s: ESTJ, ISTJ, ESFJ, ISFJ
38%

SP’s: ESTP, ISTP, ESFP, ESFP
38%

NF’s: ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, INFP
12%

NT’s: ENTJ, INTJ, ENTP, INTP
12%
Can My Type Change?
Type is determined by factors such as:



Genetics - what you were born with
Environment - influences from your home, community, family
and friends
Circumstances - the sum total of your life experiences
The first and last letters of your type have the potential to change
over time as they can be influenced by your life experiences as
you age.
The middle two letters of your type are linked to your genetics,
which tend not to be influenced by other factors, and tend not
to change over time.
The middle two letters have a greater bearing on your career
choice, and career satisfaction over the life-span.
Personality Types,
in Summary….

Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of
your type when considering the needs of
certain careers will help you make an
informed decision

Remember, personality type does not
explain everything

Other factors along with personality type
should be considered when making career
choices
For More Information
Contact:
Career & Advising Services
Contact us at:
Reid Hall, 110 ~ 208-792-2313
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Mon – Fri.
Debra Lybyer, Director
Debi Mundell, Assistant Director
Susan Lawson, Career Counselor
Andrea Masom, Career Advisor
Green Baggett, Staff Volunteer
Denise Harris, Administrative Assistant