A job search can bring into mind many questions involving new positions such as salary expectations, short- and long-term goals, and career aspirations. However, there might be something that you are missing. That missing element in any job search that is often overlooked is how your personality plays into your career options.
The Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator can be a powerful tool for unlocking where you will be most successful in your tech career. These effective test results can also help narrow down where you will find the most happiness. If you identify as an ISFJ personality, then these are the top 5 careers for you.
What Is an ISFJ Personality?
ISFJ is one of the sixteen personality types when it comes to the Myers-Briggs Test Indicator.
The personality type I (introverted), S (sensing), F (feeling), J (judging), is described as someone who has the following personality traits:
- reserved
- responsible
- warm-hearted
Also known as the ‘Defender’ personality, ISFJs enjoy structure and strive to maintain order in their life, especially in their career. While a person who is considered ISFJ is typically quiet, they are keen observers and are very conscious of other people’s feelings and actions.
ISFJs, or Defender personalities, learn best through execution. They prefer practical applications and appreciate learning how to solve a real-world problem in and outside the workplace.
Some strengths that an ISFJ can offer are they are practical, reliable, and have an excellent eye for detail. These are great traits that will make them fit well in one of the tech jobs described below.
What Jobs Best Fit an ISFJ?
ISFJ Career Matches
Here is a list of 5 tech careers that are well suited to ISFJ personality types:
- Software Developer
- Database Administrator
- Information Security Analyst
- Computer Systems Administrator
- Data Scientist
Software Developer
Software development is a fantastic field for a Defender personality since you can tailor it to what you are most passionate about—whether it be working on a music website, e-commerce store, or a gaming company where a software developer is needed.
This is an excellent career path for ISFJs since it is a behind-the-scenes role but still allows room for recognition when deserved. To be considered for this role, you will need a formal education with significant focus on mathematics, including calculus and algebra. If you don’t have a computer science degree, you will need to sharpen your programming skills and brush up on other essential topics such as operating systems and networks.
Not to forget a significant part about choosing a career, the salary. Currently, the median salary for a software developer is $105,590. Another notable fact about this career choice is the expected job growth, this position is said to grow 21% by 2028, so there will be tons of available positions in the future if you choose to take this route.
Database Administrator
A database administrator is a career that you do not hear much about, meaning that it would be perfect for an ISFJ personality type. The excellent news is database administrators are currently in high demand and will continue to be so. There is an expected job growth of 9% by 2028 for database administrators.
A database administrator mostly runs the entire digital side of an office. They work behind the scenes of the IT managers to ensure everything is organized and that hackers cannot compromise the database.
This would make a great career choice for ISFJs since they are known for being responsible, and they learn best through hands-on experience. This job is an exciting role that will keep an ISFJ interested every day.
The education requirements for a database administrator are a bachelor’s degree at minimum. In some cases, such as high-level positions, a master’s degree is required. Database administrators make a median salary of $90,070.
Information Security Analyst
Another career that is similar to a database administrator is an information security analyst. If you choose this route, you are primarily considered a high-tech security guard—minus standing on your feet for hours.
Instead of protecting items like jewelry or merchandise, you will be protecting your employer’s entire system from hackers and any online attacks. This job is crucial for any company since cyberattacks are more common now than ever.
If you can picture yourself in this career, then you could be working for a government office, bank, retail corporation, or any company that needs to keep their information safe. This job is an excellent choice for an ISFJ type since you prefer working behind the scenes. If you are ever in the spotlight at your company, it will be because you stopped a high-profile cyber-attack—nothing wrong with that, right?
This role usually requires a bachelor’s degree and, in some instances, a Master of Business Administration. There are also resources such as bootcamps that offer comprehensive knowledge of computer systems and IT needed to perform well at this job.
If you take on this career choice, you will be making a median salary of $98,350. More good news, the growth for this job is expected to be up 31.6% by 2028.
Computer Systems Administrator
It is common knowledge that every company has computer servers, laptops, and lots of technology to run their operations smoothly. It is even more common knowledge that with all this technology, there must be a person who can set them up and maintain them. That is where the computer systems administrator role comes in. A computer administrator’s tasks include setting up servers, crisscrossing network cables, including software and hardware, and ensuring everything continues to run smoothly.
They are also the go-to person if one of the computer servers happens to go down—they must immediately fix it and then prevent that same issue from happening in the future. Overall, the computer systems administrator needs to make sure the servers are running accurately so everyone else can do their work. This career choice is a great one for ISFJs since it allows them to not only maintain order in their life, but the order in their companies and fellow employees’ lives.
The education requirements for a computer system administer range across the board from an associate degree to a master’s degree. It will depend upon each company and what they require. There are also unconventional methods of learning, such as online bootcamps. Bootcamps can provide the necessary information on technical support for firewall and network systems.
It should also be noted that the average salary is $65,000, and the expected job growth for the role of a computer systems administrator is 4.7% by 2028.
Data Scientist
Finally, another excellent career choice for an ISFJ personality type. A data scientist is someone who makes value out of data. This role includes receiving information from various sources and analyzes the data for a better understanding. This is an essential role for many companies since all organizations are collecting data every single day.
Most of the hours spent as a data scientist involve performing tasks like cleaning, compiling, and analyzing data to assist in an organization’s decision-making. This is an exceptional choice for ISFJs since the role demands strong attention to detail and someone who is also a keen observer. A strong attention to detail is a crucial trait for any data scientist to succeed.
Data scientists usually have a master’s degree and continue to develop their education through certifications and online training.
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In the future, data scientist roles will continue to grow. They are expected to see an increase of 56%, which makes data science another great career option. Not only will they be in high demand, but the average salary is approximately $113,000.
Where Does an ISFJ Start the Job Search?
An ISFJ personality loves structure and order, so it makes sense that they would continue this thorough approach in searching for a career. They also are responsible, so it is assumed that they would take a job search seriously and consider all the options available. So, it is crucial not to forget how your personality plays a part in your job search. Taking some time to tune into yourself will result in a better fit for both you and your company.
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.
