How Knowing Your Personality Type Can Help You Job Hunt Smarter (and Feel Less Lost)
Published by Open to Work Now
If you’re deep in the job search and feeling stuck, anxious, or unsure about your next move—you’re not alone.
But what if part of the problem isn’t your résumé…
Or your networking strategy…
Or your experience…
What if it’s that you’re chasing roles that simply don’t align with how you’re wired?
This is where personality tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and 16Personalities can offer more than just internet novelty—they can actually help you navigate your job search with more clarity, confidence, and direction.
Try it free at 16personalities.com →
🧠 Why Personality Assessments Matter in the Job Search
When you’re unemployed or in transition, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are. You start shaping yourself to fit job descriptions instead of asking: Does this job fit me?
Personality assessments—especially when taken with curiosity and honesty—help you:
Reconnect with your natural strengths
Identify work environments where you’ll thrive
Understand your blind spots in interviews
Choose roles that energize (not drain) you
This doesn’t mean you should only apply to one type of role. But it does mean you should make informed decisions about how you show up and where you apply.
🔍 What Can You Learn From Your Type?
Let’s say you take the 16Personalities test (a modern take on MBTI) and discover you’re an INFJ – The Advocate.
This type tends to thrive in mission-driven environments, needs work that feels meaningful, and prefers depth over small talk.
So instead of chasing roles that emphasize constant collaboration, fast pivots, or public-facing sales, you might look for:
Strategic roles in nonprofits or education
DEI, writing, research, or culture-focused positions
Companies with a values-first hiring process
Or maybe you’re an ESTP – The Entrepreneur who gets energy from solving fast-moving problems in dynamic teams. You might excel in:
Startups
Client-facing roles
Crisis management or operations
Understanding this about yourself changes how you pitch, network, and prepare.
💬 How It Helps During Interviews
Knowing your personality type can also help you articulate:
✅ How you work best
✅ What kinds of environments support you
✅ How you resolve conflict, stay motivated, or lead teams
Instead of vague answers like:
“I’m a people person.”
You can say:
“I’ve learned I thrive in environments where I can build trust and solve problems collaboratively. My personality leans toward structure and harmony, which is why I enjoy team-building and cross-functional communication.”
Now you’re not just confident—you’re self-aware.
✨ Personality Isn’t a Box—It’s a Starting Point
A quick disclaimer: these tools are not destiny. Your personality type doesn’t determine your career path. You’re not limited to one job title or industry. People change. Interests evolve. You’re allowed to grow.
But knowing your type gives you a language for reflection—a way to understand your behavior, emotional energy, and communication style in professional settings.
🔁 Use It to Reframe the Job Search
Instead of thinking:
“I just need to land anything.”
Try:
“What kind of role aligns with how I’m wired—so I can succeed and stay well?”
This shift changes how you:
Evaluate job listings
Filter roles on LinkedIn
Communicate in cover letters and interviews
Bounce back from rejections (which may have more to do with misalignment than skill)
🧭 Ready to Learn More About Yourself?
Start with a free assessment at 16personalities.com.
It only takes 10–15 minutes and gives you a deep dive into your personality type, communication style, strengths, weaknesses, and ideal work environments.
Then ask yourself:
What roles or industries have energized me in the past?
Which parts of previous jobs made me feel out of sync?
How can I speak more confidently about how I work, not just what I’ve done?
💛 Why This Matters for You
At Open to Work Now, we believe that job searching isn’t just about getting hired—it’s about finding your fit.
And that starts by understanding yourself.
So if you’re stuck in the spin cycle of self-doubt or aimless applications, take a break. Learn your type. Reconnect with who you are when the noise dies down.
Because the right opportunity shouldn’t just want your résumé—it should want you.
