ESTP Careers
In this article we’ll look at key career considerations for ESTP’s, who tend to be light-hearted with high levels of energy and stamina.
How can they use their unique skills and personality to get the most of out their work life? And which careers are the best and worst matches for this personality type? Let’s dive in!
Overview of the ESTP (The Explorer)
Curious and sharp, the ESTP sees life as one giant adventure with plenty of opportunities. They are always open to exploring new sights and meet more potential friends. The ESTP is highly energized and active. ESTPs typically bring a sense of energy to their interactions and are often considered to be the ‘life of the party’. They are not the sensitive type and due to this, they generally prefer to keep things light-hearted, fast-paced rather than serious or emotional.
The ESTP personality is one of the “16 personality types” that we see in several different models based on the work of Carl Jung. These models include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Keirsey Temperament Sorter, among others. It represents an individual who is Extraverted (E), Sensing (S), Thinking (T) and Perceiving (P). This indicates that they are a person who is energized by spending time with others, who focus on facts and details rather than ideas and concepts, who makes decisions based on logic and reason, and who prefers to be spontaneous and flexible as opposed to planned and organized.
The ESTP is often referred to as the “Explorer”, “Dynamo” or “Athlete” because of their high energy and stamina. ESTPs are typically fit, active, sharp, laid-back, and strong. They want to use their abilities and power to tweak their environment and power through life, one step at a time – though sprinting comes more naturally!
Career Considerations
Many of an ESTP’s strengths lie in their sense of adventure and their optimism. However, what makes them truly stand out at work are their characteristics such as:
- Proactivity. ESTPs tend to be very hard working and want to experience new challenges.
- Adaptability. ESTPs tend to react quickly to their surroundings and are therefore quick on adapting to new people and environments.
- Open-mindedness. ESTPs tend to be tolerating and accepting of their teammates
- Motivating. ESTPs tend to be charming and energetic towards others
- Experience seeking. ESTPs have an explorative approach and have a knack for seeing what needs to be fixed
- ESTPs are also physically adept, athletic and tend to lead an active lifestyle
Best Careers for ESTPs
There is no doubt about it: ESTP’s are excitement seeking, daring and bold and they need careers that will reflect this and keep them on their toes. Careers in sales, real estate, banking, and stockbroking are unpredictable and will allow ESTEP’s to take risks. Similarly, due to their risk taking behavior, ESTPs often make excellent entrepreneurs.
Importantly, ESTPs are motivated by logic. They want to be able to solve problems on the spot, using facts and evidence. They need a career that allows them to problem solve, without putting too much pressure on them to follow set procedures or plans. Careers in things such as carpentry, landscape architecture, as a paramedic or as a detective all allow ESTPs to make quick and logical decisions.
Finally, ESTPs may have trouble sitting still and often want to avoid being stuck behind a desk. With their spatial finesse and physical stamina, ESTPs are likely to excel in careers in the fitness, performing, and travel industries. Such careers may include as a personal trainer, athletic trainer or travel agent.
Worst Careers for ESTPs
ESTP’s don’t tend to let people close to them. They can sometimes be dismissing of emotions and therefore might not thrive in more caring, people-focused roles. Such roles include nursing, teaching or in psychology.
ESTPs may feel drained or stressed working in careers that are rigid, that don’t allow them to take risks and that offer no excitement. Such careers include as a librarian, accountant or bookkeeper.
Finally, ESTPs tend to seek instant gratification. Career that focus on long-term processes, such as writing or laboratory research (including being a technician) may not appeal to ESTPs.
Impact of the Identity Modifier on Career & Work life
As with all of the 16 personality types, ESTP’s will sit somewhere along the identity scale, which ranges from assertive to turbulent. This scale indicates how confident a person is in their own abilities and decisions and it triggers the way in which each type reacts to things.
ESTP-A and ESTP-T will express their shared features in different ways. Let’s take a look!
ESTP-A
Due to their confidence in their abilities, assertive ESTPs tend to see themselves as making few mistake than other people. Because of this, assertive ESTPs are likely to go forward with little hesitation. They may make some impulsive mistakes due to this but they are motivated by the challenge of these obstacles.
ESTP-T
Turbulent ESTPs tend to be a little less bold than assertive ESTPs, normally due to their worrying nature and fear of making mistakes. However, because they are action-oriented, they are likely to be motivated by their worry and driven to become more thorough, in order to avoid mistakes.
ESTP-T’s may find it harder than assertive ESTPs to make decisions, and therefore may seek careers with a little more guidance/less options.