The INTJ is a rare personality type, and many people with these traits find astonishing professional success when allowed to pursue their passions in various career paths. These individuals possess strategic thinking skills and a strong drive and ambition. INTJs crave work environments where they can make a meaningful impact.
The INJT is one of the 16 personalities determined by the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Known as “The Architect” or "Mastermind" personality type, people in this group possess Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Judging traits.
People with the INTJ personality type are born problem solvers who excel in positions demanding rational approaches to complex matters.
They thrive on jobs with clearly defined objectives and set timelines to measure and track success. With their strong organizational capabilities, INTJs can thrive in positions that require active multitasking. INTJs are the most productive working alone, yet they can still be successful when working within a team is necessary.
If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably taken an MBTI assessment, learned your personality type, and now you are wondering, “What are the best INTJ jobs?”
Fortunately, the MBTI can provide much insight into the most promising career paths for an INTJ. However, it’s also worth noting that INTJs are further divided into two subtypes: INTJs are divided into two subtypes: Assertive (INTJ-A) and Turbulent (INTJ-T), each with unique career preferences. INTJ-As thrive in leadership and high-pressure roles, while INTJ-Ts often prefer reflective positions focused on personal growth. Knowing your subtype can help clarify the best career options for you. When planning your future career, it is vital always to consider your preferred work environments and interests.
To learn more about jobs that best match both your interests and your personality traits, we recommend that you read this article on John Holland's Theory of Occupational Choice.
What Are the Best Jobs for the INTJ Personality
If you're an INTJ, various careers could fit your unique problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
Interestingly, while the name "architect" for this personality type does not refer to the occupation, people with INTJ traits would actually do well in an architecture career. As an architect, they can utilize their problem-solving, critical thinking, and attention to detail both independently and as part of a group.
Let's consider ten more well-suited career paths for INTJs.
1. Project Manager
INTJs make exceptional project managers able to pinpoint areas for improvement, arrange and schedule jobs, and oversee personnel. These professionals are responsible for setting objectives, budgets, and resources. They also guide project activities, such as product launches or research initiatives. With their talent for managing various tasks, INTJs can efficiently coordinate projects while easily organizing everything.
2. Entrepreneur
INTJs are born entrepreneurs, possessing the vision to develop a business from nothing. As the Architect personality type, they have the perfect blend of abilities for this career path: developing strategies, negotiating contracts, and managing finances. Their exceptional problem-solving skills allow them to swiftly and effortlessly manage demanding projects that require in-depth analysis. Online businesses, in particular, are perfect for INTJs as they provide the freedom to work alone and minimize the need for frequent contact with people.
3. IT Professional
The digital age is the perfect time for INTJs to showcase their strengths. They make excellent IT professionals, particularly software engineers, systems analysts, and network administrators. Their analytical skills give them an edge in understanding user needs and developing appropriate solutions. Moreover, because of their ability to troubleshoot technical issues accurately, INTJs are valuable assets in any IT organization!
5. Scientist
INTJs are remarkable scientists who can analyze and synthesize data to deliver evidence-based results. They specifically excel at scientific disciplines such as chemistry and physics. They're perfect for laboratory or research-based roles that necessitate organized approaches. Furthermore, owing to their ability to be objective and avoid biases, people with INTJ traits greatly succeed in the scientific field.
6. Healthcare Professionals
INTJs are the ideal candidates for healthcare-related roles. In particular, they excel as clinicians because they can think innovatively and offer novel and effective solutions for complex medical cases. Furthermore, INTJs possess incredible organizational skills, making them proficient in managing various administrative tasks. Lastly, their intrinsic ability to analyze data quickly helps them to make rapid decisions, which is crucial for saving lives in a hospital setting.
7. Lawyer
Due to their impressive analytical skills and eye for detail, INTJs are excellent in the field of law. Their remarkable ability to comprehend intricate rules and regulations facilitates them in making sound legal judgments. Moreover, with an innate capacity for persuasiveness, INTJs make exceptional advocates on behalf of their clients. If your lawyer is an INTJ, be sure they'll solve your case with the most favorable outcomes.
8. Marketing Professional
As marketing professionals, INTJs are unmatched in their capacity to analyze the target audience and determine their needs. They possess an advantageous combination of problem-solving and analytical skills, allowing them to develop successful advertising strategies while measuring each campaign's success. As marketing professionals, INTJs bring a unique set of talents to the table that can give them an advantage over other competitors in their industry.
9. Financial Analyst or Stock Trader
Their numerical skills and strategic intellect make INTJs ideal candidates for finance-related occupations. They possess the tools to anticipate financial trends and accurately plan sound investment strategies. Moreover, INTJs make excellent stock traders because they are cautious when assessing risks before determining a trading strategy that works best for them.
10. Engineer
Engineering is a gratifying profession for INTJs, as it allows their strong logical thinking and problem-solving skills to shine. They are particularly suited to electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering roles due to their passion for accuracy and detail. They can take on the task of creating sophisticated systems that require complex calculations and make sure their projects are completed on time.
What Jobs Should Be Avoided by INTJs?
INTJs have a remarkable combination of talents, making them suitable for many career choices. From lawyers and scientists to engineers and stock traders - any profession requiring logical reasoning, strategizing, or problem-solving is perfect for Architects. With their adaptability and skillset, INTJs can bring excellence in virtually every field they wish to pursue!
However, just because a person can potentially do anything they set their mind to, that doesn't mean they will be happy doing it. Research shows that people have lower job satisfaction rates when their career doesn’t match their personality.
Considering the INTJ traits, jobs that involve a lot of interpersonal contact or risk-taking should be avoided. The Architect personality type, for example, would typically not do well in sales or customer service roles due to their difficulty connecting with people on an emotional level.
Furthermore, INTJs tend to fare poorly in situations where the results are uncertain and not easily measured —like those found within creative lines of work or showbiz. As a result, jobs that rely on creativity and spontaneity likely won't be an appropriate fit for Architects.
INTJs should likely avoid jobs involving kids, people with disabilities, or older people because these positions require a deep level of empathy and emotional connection that does not align with the traits characterizing their personality type.
Here is a list of jobs that INTJs should probably avoid:
- Actors/Musicians
- Sales Representatives
- Customer Service Representatives
- Creative Writers
- Photographers/Videographers
- Social Workers
- Politicians
- Real Estate Agents
- Fashion Designers
To reach peak performance, INTJs should prioritize jobs heavily focused on analysis, logic, and rational thinking.
Achieving success starts with finding fulfillment in your chosen role — so prioritize a career that aligns with your personality type and interests! With the right career choice comes limitless potential, and with the right career path, INTJs can truly leave their mark.
