11 Jobs to Avoid as an INTP
Choosing the right career path can be a daunting task, especially when trying to align it with your personality. The good news is that knowing your personality type can provide valuable insights for career planning. In this article, we look at 11 jobs to avoid as an INTP.
Choosing the right career path can be a daunting task, especially when trying to align it with your personality. The good news is that knowing your personality type can provide valuable insights for career planning. In this article, we look at 11 jobs to avoid as an INTP.
INTPs are often seen as logical, independent, and innovative individuals. They have a strong desire for autonomy and intellectual stimulation, making them well-suited for a variety of challenging roles. However, certain careers are less suited to their natural traits, potentially leading to dissatisfaction and burnout.
It’s worth noting that every INTP is unique, and it’s certainly possible for INTPs to enjoy and thrive in the jobs on this list. It’s just that for many INTPs, these jobs don’t align with their natural strengths and preferences.
11 jobs to avoid as an INTP
So, let’s dive right in and explore 11 jobs to avoid as an INTP.
1. Nurse
Nursing is a demanding and emotionally taxing job that requires constant interaction with patients and their families. For INTPs, this can be mentally exhausting as they prefer to use logic and critical thinking rather than emotions in decision-making. Having to deal with emotionally sensitive situations on a daily basis can be draining for them. Additionally, nursing is a physical job, which may not appeal to INTPs who generally prefer more cognitive work.
2. Customer Service Representative
INTPs don’t particularly enjoy having to work with people they don’t know on a regular basis, and customer service roles often require dealing with a high volume of customers and their inquiries. When you add into the mix that those people are often upset or dissatisfied, this can be a recipe for stress and overwhelm for an INTP. On top of that, they may struggle to maintain a friendly demeanor, especially if they don’t see the logic behind the customer’s complaint. So it’s pretty safe to say that customer service isn’t a job that most INTPs would thrive in.
3. Salesperson
Similar to customer service, sales roles require a lot of interaction with people and often involve high-pressure situations. This can be challenging for INTPs as they can become quickly drained by social interaction. In addition, INTPs like to take their time to think things through, which isn’t usually possible in sales roles where people want answers immediately. In addition, INTPs are naturally skeptical and may struggle to push products or services they don’t 100% believe in. It’s not impossible for an INTP to excel in sales. But it may require a lot of effort and energy for them to do so.
4. Event Planner
Event planning requires dealing with many different stakeholders and managing multiple details simultaneously. For an INTP, this can be overwhelming. While they may excel at problem-solving, the constant need to communicate and adapt may lead to burnout. It’s one thing for an INTP to sit down and solve a problem themselves, but it’s another for them to manage all the personalities and social politics involved in event planning.
5. Cashier
The job of a cashier involves repetitive tasks, such as scanning items and handling cash transactions. However, INTPs often prefer roles that allow them to tackle new challenges and use their analytical skills. In addition, the nature of cashier work is more about the here and now, while INTPs are more focused on abstract concepts. It goes against their natural inclination to think about the bigger picture and connect ideas. It can also be draining for INTPs to have to make small talk and continuously interact with people they don’t know.
6. Personal Assistant
Personal assistant roles are usually fast-paced and require constant adaptation to the needs of their boss. INTPs may struggle with this as they prefer to have more control over their workflow and don’t enjoy being constantly interrupted by others. In addition, they aren’t naturally inclined to take orders from someone else, as they value their independence and autonomy. Personal assistant roles can also be quite administrative, which doesn’t align with an INTPs natural strengths, so this may be a job to avoid.
7. Human Resources Manager
While INTPs possess excellent analytical skills, they may not be the best fit for human resources positions. They might find themselves getting frustrated with the employees they are tasked with managing and lose patience with the constant need for communication and diplomacy. They may struggle to see things from the perspective of others and provide emotional support. INTPs may also find it challenging to enforce company policies and deal with conflicts among employees.
8. Receptionist
The role of a receptionist involves administrative tasks and dealing with inquiries, which can lack the big-picture problem-solving opportunities that INTPs crave. They may find the repetitive nature of the job unfulfilling. On top of that, INTPs can struggle with small talk because it just doesn’t come naturally to them. Additionally, receptionists often have little control over their daily schedule, and INTPs may feel constrained by this lack of autonomy.
9. Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency medics must react quickly to a constantly changing physical environment, which can be overwhelming for INTPs. This personality type prefers to have time and space to think through problems rather than being thrust into a fast-paced, high-stress situation. The job can be physically taxing, which may not appeal to INTPs who prefer more cerebral activities. In addition, emergency medical technicians may be called upon to provide emotional support in highly charged situations, which can be uncomfortable for an INTP.
10. Housekeeper
Housekeeping requires physical work and attention to detail, which generally doesn’t appeal to INTPs who prefer dealing with ideas rather than practical tasks. They generally aren’t the tidiest or most organized individuals, so the meticulousness of housekeeping often doesn’t align with their natural tendencies. Additionally, working in a structured environment with repetitive tasks can be stifling for an INTP.
11. Personal Trainer
A career as a personal trainer may not be the best fit for INTPs. They typically aren’t the kind of people who want to make sport the center of their life. Mental challenges are usually more of a priority for an INTP, and they may not have the patience or interest in coaching others for physical activities. On top of that, personal trainers have to motivate their clients in high-energy environments, which can be draining for INTPs who prefer more solitary pursuits.
Final thoughts on INTP jobs to avoid
INTPs possess unique strengths that make them analytical and innovative thinkers. Not all jobs are created equal when it comes to leveraging these strengths. By avoiding roles that are overly structured, repetitive, or require a lot of social interaction, INTPs can find careers that align with their natural abilities and preferences.
Are you an INTP looking to discover your ideal career path? Understanding your personality type can be a game-changer in finding a job that not only fits your skills but also brings you joy and satisfaction. You may not find your dream job right away, but with self-awareness and perseverance, you can find a career that allows you to thrive.
