11 Jobs to Avoid as an INFP

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 INFP.

INFPs are often seen as insightful, compassionate, and creative individuals. They are talented at thinking outside the box, which makes them great at coming up with new ideas. This means they are 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 INFP is unique, and it’s certainly possible for INFPs to enjoy and thrive in the jobs on this list. It’s just that for many INFPs, these jobs don’t align with their natural strengths and preferences.

11 jobs to avoid as an INFP

So, let’s dive right in and explore 11 jobs to avoid as an INFP.

1. Salesperson

While INFPs are highly empathetic and skilled at understanding people’s needs, they can quickly become drained by constant social interaction. They tend to enjoy a limited amount of socializing. But this threshold is usually far below what’s required for a successful sales career. Additionally, INFPs aren’t typically primarily motivated by money or material success. This can be a hindrance in a sales role where the focus is on meeting targets and making profits. Last but not least, the high-pressure and often competitive nature of sales can be a source of dissatisfaction for INFPs, who thrive in calmer, more collaborative environments.

2. Warehouse Worker

Warehouse work often requires you to be constantly engaged with your physical environment, which can be exhausting for INFPs. Their preference for spending time with their thoughts and ideas means that they may struggle in jobs that require them to constantly move around. Additionally, the repetitive nature of warehouse work can be draining for INFPs, who thrive on variety and mental challenges.

3. Emergency Room Nurse

While INFPs are one of the most empathetic and caring personality types, they may struggle in high-stress, fast-paced environments like an emergency room. The constant need to make quick decisions and deal with intense situations can be overwhelming for INFPs. Typically, they prefer a more thoughtful and deliberate approach. Their empathy can actually be a drawback in this role, as they may struggle to maintain healthy boundaries. In addition, the constant exposure to suffering can be emotionally draining for them.

4. Real Estate Agent

Real estate can be a challenging career for INFPs, who may struggle with the highly competitive and sales-driven nature of the job. While INFPs are skilled at understanding people’s needs and motivations, they may find it difficult to constantly promote and sell properties. They may also struggle with the high-pressure environment and the need to meet targets and close deals quickly. This personality type can be talented at advocating for their clients, but it can take up a lot of their energy. So real estate can be a job to avoid for an INFP.

5. Bartender

There are a few different aspects of bar work that may not be well suited to INFPs. Firstly, constant social interaction and small talk with strangers can quickly drain these individuals, who value deep conversations with close friends or family. Secondly, the fast-paced and often loud environment of a bar can be overwhelming for them, given they prefer calmer and more peaceful settings. INFPs are sensitive to their surroundings. As such, they can find it challenging to work in environments where they have no control over the noise level and overall atmosphere. Last but not least, the potential for dealing with difficult or intoxicated customers can be stressful for INFPs.

6. Security Guard

Being a security guard requires you to be highly aware of your surroundings at all times. This typically isn’t a strength of INFPs, who naturally live in their heads. These daydreamers may struggle to stay engaged and alert for long periods, leading to boredom and dissatisfaction with the job. In addition, they tend to look for mental challenges rather than physical ones. As such, this type of role generally isn’t suited to their preferences.

7. Military Personnel

The highly structured and rigid environment of the military may not align well with an INFP’s desire for autonomy. As discussed, they are sensitive to their surroundings, so they appreciate jobs in which they can take a moment to decompress when they feel overwhelmed. This can be difficult in the military, where rules and schedules are strictly enforced. Additionally, an INFP’s empathetic nature may make it difficult for them to participate in certain military duties that go against their personal values.

8. Cashier

As mentioned earlier, INFPs prefer limited social interaction and can become drained by constantly engaging with strangers. This can make being a cashier a challenging job for them. In addition, they don’t cope well with small talk. When they participate in conversations, they much prefer to talk about deep, big-picture topics. Cashiers don’t always have the luxury of being able to choose their conversations. As such, it may be difficult for INFPs to maintain their energy and enthusiasm during their shifts.

9. Police Officer

While INFPs have an innate desire to help people and make a difference in the world, the nature of being a police officer may not be the best fit for them. For starters, enforcing strict rules and regulations can go against their natural inclination for individual freedom and autonomy. In addition, INFPs can struggle to deal with people who have been harmed or hurt in some way. This is because they are deeply empathetic and feel what other people feel, which can be overwhelming in a police officer’s line of work. It may cause them to feel burnt out in this career path.

10. Chef

The fast-paced and often chaotic environment of a restaurant kitchen may be overwhelming for INFPs. The job also requires constant multitasking and dealing with unexpected challenges in their environment. This can be exhausting for INFPs, who often feel stressed when they are required to adapt quickly to the physical world. Additionally, the high pressure and long hours can leave little time for INFPs to recharge and pursue their own interests outside of work.

11. Data Entry Clerk

Data entry clerk positions may not be well suited for INFPs, as the work can be repetitive and lack the variety they crave. INFPs are often drawn to roles that allow them to use their creativity and imagination, which isn’t typically a major aspect of data entry jobs. Additionally, the need for high levels of accuracy and attention to detail may be challenging for INFPs, who don’t always pick up on small details.

Final thoughts on INFP jobs to avoid

INFPs possess unique strengths that make them thoughtful and imaginative thinkers. Not all jobs are created equal when it comes to leveraging these strengths. By avoiding roles that are emotionally draining, repetitive, or highly physical, INFPs can find careers that align with their natural abilities and preferences.

Are you an INFP 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.