For INFPs, finding the right career path can certainly be challenging. Indeed, INFPs make up only 4% of the population, and our characteristics are often at odds with many job types. That’s why we’ve put this piece together. We’ll show you the best INFP careers to give you a sense of the kinds of work you may be best suited for.
No career quiz can give you all the answers about what you should do with your life. But Myers-Briggs personality tests are some of the most popular and helpful. You should take those results with a grain of salt. But your personality type can be a great start when trying to plan for college or your career.
What Is an INFP?
The INFP personality type comprises the following traits:
Introverted
INFPs tend to be more reserved, but that’s not all that “introverted” means. It also means that INFPs are good listeners and often find profound insights through deep introspection.
Intuitive
As intuitive types, INFPs are incredibly imaginative and excel at tasks that involve finding connections and considering theoretical ideas. INFPs often “dwell in possibility,” to quote Emily Dickinson, a famous INFP.
Feeling
For INFPs, the “feeling” trait is dominant over the “thinking” trait. This means that INFPs tend to be led by their emotions more than other types. For that reason, INFPs are often very caring, empathetic, and understanding.
Prospecting
INFPs are “prospecting” types, meaning they are able to improvise and cope with the unexpected. Thus, many INFPs see life as a world of possibility and try to adapt to changes, rather than to prevent them.
INFP Skills
While those traits are helpful to understand, it might be difficult to see how they translate into real-world skills in the workplace. Let’s take a look at some of the most important skills INFPs bring to any occupation.
Creativity
By far the most pronounced skill among INFPs is creativity. And this creativity doesn’t just refer to the artistic kind. INFPs bring their creativity to all aspects of their work. They’re just as creative when it comes to coming up with a business plan as they are creating a lesson plan as a teacher.
Problem-Solving
Somewhat surprisingly, INFPs can often thrive in management positions. INFPs make good managers for a variety of reasons, but their ability to solve problems creatively and make thoughtful decisions are especially important.
Compromise
Since INFPs are such empathetic folks, they are often skilled compromisers. They are known as “mediators,” after all. This skill when it comes to compromise makes them effective entrepreneurs and managers.
The Best INFP Careers
Without further ado, here are the top career matches for INFPs.
Physical Therapist
INFPs often thrive in service-based careers. These career paths allow INFPs to get to know people on a personal level and help them through tough times. That’s why one of the best INFP careers is in the field of physical therapy. As a physical therapist, an INFP can help patients personally and push them through challenging physical trauma.
Writer
Perhaps the most obvious INFP career match is in writing. To become a writer, one has to have strong communication skills and the ability to understand and empathize with an audience. Further, to excel in writing, you have to be skilled in different types of communication. Of course, communication skills and empathy are among the strongest traits of any INFP.
Librarian
Another excellent career path for INFPs is in library sciences. Becoming a librarian can be the perfect option for INFPs, since the profession strikes a balance between helping people and working on your own.
Fine Artist
In short, the combination of introversion, intuition, feeling, and prospecting makes INFPs natural artists. Perhaps no other personality type is as naturally inclined toward artistry.
Therapist
Desire to help others? Check. Good listener? Check. Pattern-seeking? Check. The bottom line is that INFPs make outstanding therapists. Indeed, almost every aspect of the INFP personality type suits becoming a therapist.
Graphic Designer
INFPs make outstanding graphic designers for all the reasons they excel at any art form. The difference is, it’s a lot easier to make a living as a graphic designer than it is as a fine artist.
Social Worker
INFPs are well suited to the field of social work. Their high levels of empathy and drive to help others make becoming a social worker an ideal situation for most INFPs. Indeed, INFPs often find the work incredibly rewarding.
Human Resource Specialist
Like INFJs, INFPs often excel in the field of human resources. Since HR deals with getting to know employees and resolving disputes, an INFP’s tendency to be a mediator makes this career a great match.
UX Designer
If you’re an INFP and plan on pursuing a career in tech, your best bet will probably be to study UX design. An INFP’s ability to understand others’ needs, as well as their skill with art, makes them outstanding UX and UI designers. Many INFPs will also appreciate that you won’t have to get a college degree to get started in the UX design business. You can study at a UX design bootcamp, take online courses, or use other methods of self learning.
INFP Careers to Avoid
Just as there are a variety of careers INFPs would excel in, there are also a number of career paths that they should avoid. These jobs will likely amplify an INFP’s weaknesses, rather than play to their strengths.
- Law Enforcement
- Legal Careers
- Military Careers
- Sales Jobs
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
