ISFJ Careers
Individuals who identify as an ISFJ are loyal and gentle. They tend to look out for others and ensure they are safe and, as a result, they will often be found in careers that reflect this!
This article will explore an ISFJs strengths (and weaknesses) in the workplace. It will then look at which careers an ISFJ is likely to be suited to. Enjoy!
Overview of the ISFJ (The Protector)
Loyal and gentle, the ISFJ carefully organizes their work environment and strives to maintain harmony at all costs. When conflicts arise, they methodologically comfort each individual and act as the “glue” that holds the team together. Patient through thick and thin, the ISFJ makes an effort to support each individual and make them feel at peace.
The ISFJ personality type 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 Introverted (I), Sensing (S), Feeling (F) and Judging (J). This indicates that they are a person who is energized by spending time alone, who focus on facts and details rather than ideas and concepts, who makes decisions based on emotions and values and who prefers to be planned and organized opposed to spontaneous and flexible.
The ISFJ is often referred to as “the Protector” or “the Nurturer” because they have genuine interest in keeping others safe and ensuring they are well cared for. ISFJs are typically conscientious, practical, compassionate and caring. They enjoy contributing to society, particularly when it involves looking after other people.
Career Considerations
Many of an ISFJs strengths lay in their desire to look after and care for others. However, they truly stand out at work because they bring key characteristics such as:
- Community minded. ISFJs are focused on helping others and giving back to the community.
- Productivity. ISFJs are time sensitive, organized and productive.
- Cooperative. ISFJs tend to get on with most groups of people and work to maintain stable and loyal ties. They are harmony-driven, peace-seeking and calm.
- Optimistic in others ability. ISFJs are always looking to see the good in individuals. They see their strengths, and nurture these.
- ISFJs are also quietly caring, loyal, and compassionate.
Best Careers for ISFJs
ISFJs will thrive in an environment where they can be attentive to the needs of others and act as a caregiver. As a nurse, for example, the ISFJ can combine their compassionate and caring nature with their organizational skills and desire to follow procedures. Although introverted, ISFJs tend to have strong social skills, so will have no problems interacting with and understanding patients.
Similarly, most other healthcare careers will suit ISFJs, who have the natural desire to care for and look after others. Careers include optometrists, dentists and pharmacists. As ISFJs do not tend to seek positions of power, they can also thrive in assistant roles, such as dental assistants, physician assistants or nurse assistants.
Other warming, compassionate and attentive careers, such as childcare, will satisfy an ISFJ. In these careers, ISFJs can ensure that children are safe and cared for properly, all whilst abiding by the rules and following regulations.
Finally, their methodical, organized and reliable approach makes ISFJs suitable for administrative roles. Importantly, ISFJs are likely to not mind doing these mundane tasks, as long as they see them as crucial for helping others and achieving a larger goal.
Worst Careers for ISFJs
ISTJs are caring and warm. Therefore, any career that is impersonal, cold or unwelcoming is likely to frustrate and upset an ISFJ. Similarly, fast-paced and high-pressured careers with competitive and rash environment are likely to leave ISFJs feeling unfulfilled and struggling to manage their emotions. Such careers may include ones in sales, recruitment and/or marketing.
Although ISFJs have the desire to care for others and ensure they are safe, careers in emergency medical response are too fast-paced. They go against an ISFJs methodical approach and will leave ISFJs, who set high standards for themselves, questioning whether they could’ve done anything different and/or better.
Impact of the Identity Modifier on Career & Work life
As with all of the 16 personality types, ISFJ’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.
ISFJ-A and ISFJ-T will express their shared features in different ways. Let’s take a look!
ISFJ-A
Assertive types tend to be confident and sure of themselves. ISFJ-As are more likely than their turbulent cousins to take more visible roles in the workplace. Due to their confidence, and ability to not let problems set them back, they tend to receive recognition for their accomplishments.
However, at work, they don’t tend to rely too much on the opinions of others. Although this is useful in many ways, it means that they may disregard others opinions and not listen to them.
ISFJ-T
Like all turbulent types, ISFJ-Ts are more sensitive and less confident than their assertive cousins. They tend to more actively anticipate problems, which is useful as this can help them head off problems before they become bigger. However, this can sometimes leave them worrying about matter they can do little about.