The ISFJ Career Path

General Overview

ISFJs like to help others and this drives them in every aspect of their lives, including in their career. Their focus on other people makes them very popular in the social circles of their workplace, and also helps them do their jobs as well. ISFJs can be found in a variety of workplaces, helping other people and making the social life and the work run more smoothly. This type has an ability to create order that has to be envied, and nothing makes them happier than when they find a workplace in which this skill is not only allowed, but valued.

Tips for Job Interviews

ISFJs are quiet people who don’t like to talk about themselves. This type will find it difficult to tell potential employers about their job skills, and may see their own achievements as nothing special and not worth mentioning. This can hurt their chances at getting the job of their dreams. However, there is an easy work-around. ISFJs are warm, empathetic people who have the ability to connect with anyone when they’re open to it, and they need to use this skill in their job interviews. By letting themselves connect with their interviewer they’ll be more likely to share some of their accomplishments and it will also give potential employers a glimpse of the emotional and social skills this type brings to every interaction. These skills are highly valued in most workplaces, so the ISFJ needs to showcase them if they want to win out over other candidates.

Best Careers for the ISFJ

ISFJs do best when they’re in service to others. This type loves to help, to make people’s lives better, and when their career allows them to do this it brings out the ISFJs natural skills and nature. ISFJs use extraverted feeling as their auxiliary, which gives them this desire to help as well as an in-depth understanding of other’s emotional states and the ability to improve those emotions by their very presence. Because of these social and emotional skills, ISFJs are often drawn into fields where they can use them. Nursing, teaching, social work and human resources are often a good match for this type, though they can find their niche in almost any workplace without too much trouble.

ISFJs have specific needs when it comes to the companies they work for as well. This type uses introverted sensing as their dominant, which means they use the past to determine the value of the future. For this reason, ISFJs are happiest and feel safest in companies that are older. They like the stability of institutions that have lasted through time and have clearly defined rules, schedules and values. This type aren’t risk takers, and the idea of working for a new company that is a virtual unknown and may go under at any moment makes ISFJs feel unstable and nervous. Which is why they usually end up working for companies that are traditional and familiar and give them the sense of continuity that they crave.

Unsuitable Careers for the ISFJ

ISFJs often avoid fields where they have to work with abstract ideas or concepts. This type have a natural practicality which means they don’t like to think in abstract terms and will avoid it whenever possible. They prefer to come up with practical, concrete solutions for people’s problems and implement them as soon as possible. This is one of their strengths and something that’s usually highly valued in their workplace. ISFJs are sensing types, which means they use introverted sensing as their dominant. People who use sensing functions prefer concrete, practical ideas that are strongly connected to the real world, and nowhere is this more obvious than in the ISFJ.

ISFJs usually avoid workplaces and working roles where they have to spend too much time alone. This type is very focused on other people, on sensing their needs and helping to meet them. They’re also very reliant on the people around them to determine their own values and beliefs as well as the quality of their days, so any role that isolates them from others will leave them feeling disconnected and depressed. This is because of the ISFJs auxiliary function, extraverted feeling, which is strongly tied to the moods and emotions of other people.

Workplace Roles

ISFJs don’t usually seek out leadership roles. This type is quiet and unassuming and usually prefers to be a quiet observer, getting things done without needing recognition or acknowledgement. In fact, being the center of attention often embarrasses this type, which is why they avoid moving into leadership positions. However, because of their practical, problem solving nature, the ISFJ often moves up the ladder and into management positions almost without knowing it. And once they’re in this position, they make quiet and empathetic bosses who make their workers feel appreciated and content in their position.

ISFJs are often the best employees. This type are the backbone of the workforce, quiet and productive people who get things done without a lot of fuss or fanfare. ISFJs use introverted sensing as their dominant, which means they’re strongly tied to the past, traditional institutions, and old values. This makes them happy to bow to the authority of others and most content when they have that clearly defined hierarchical structure to follow and be a part of. This combination of factors makes them ideal employees who are always happy to go the extra mile in their jobs.

Final Thoughts

The quiet, practical ISFJ can be found in every workplace. They’re usually the one who keeps things running, and the person that all the other staff turn to when they need help or some emotional support. This makes them absolutely irreplaceable in a working environment, and most businesses are very happy when they manage to employee and keep an ISFJ staff member.

References

1. Storm, Susan. “How Do YOU Use Extraverted Feeling?“. Dec 17, 2015. (Retrieved Mar 2018).
2. “Sensing or Intuition“. (Retrieved Mar 2018).
3. “ISFJ – The Nurturer“.
4. “The ISFJ in the Workplace“.
5. “The ISFJ as an Entrepreneur“.
6. “Best Jobs For Your Personality“.