The Myers-Briggs INFP personality type is an imaginative idealist who is guided by their own core beliefs and values. To people who have this personality type, possibilities are paramount. They are able to see potential for a better future and use their own individual flair to pursue meaning and truth.

INFP Personality:

INFP stands for introverted, intuition, feeling, and perceiving. They are energized by spending time alone and focus on ideas and concepts rather than details and facts. The INFP makes decisions based on their values and feelings, and they prefer being spontaneous rather than too organised. Because they tend to have a sympathetic idealism and a gentle compassion for others, the INFP personality type is nicknamed ‘the healer’.

The INFP is often an individual who values authenticity. They want to be individual and original in everything that they do, and often concern themselves with a search for truth and meaning. They are not interested in following tradition and instead prefer to explore their values and ideals before deciding what feels right for themselves. Often, the INFP is unconventional and offbeat, and they will feel no desire to conform; they’d prefer being true to themselves over fitting in with the crowd.

The INFP personality type is caring, compassionate, and sensitive. They are deeply concerned with their own personal growth and that of others. They believe that it is important for each person to find their own path and tend to be both non-judgemental and individualistic. They enjoy spending time exploring their own values and ideas, and gently encourage others to do the same. The INFP is also often artistic and creative, always looking for new ways to express themselves.

With others, the INFP strongly believes that each person should follow their own path, and they tend to accept people for who they are and have a non-judgemental approach to their relationships. They will often tend to be accommodating and flexible, and able to easily see different points of view. Supporting other people is important to them, however, they do not appreciate having their values violated, especially by people who insist that there is only one right way to do things.

Best Careers for INFP:

The INFP prefers work that allows them to help others and aligns with their personal values; they are rarely driven by status or money in the workplace. Typically, they are motivated by inspiration and vision and prefer a career path that allows them to work with causes and on projects that are important to them.

The INFP is a creative problem-solver who will often look to understand and solve complex issues. They enjoy innovation and coming up with original ideas, especially when used to improve circumstances for people. The ideal work environment allows them to use their ability to see unique solutions and express their individuality in the way that they work.

The INFP enjoys working autonomously and will prefer a work environment where they have control over how and when a project is completed. They are often good team players, although will want to be free to put their own personal stamp on their work in the team environment. It’s important to the INFP that they work with people who are flexible, supportive, cooperative, and similarly passionate about their ideals.

Best Jobs for INFP:

INFP personalities are creative and caring, making them a good fit for a career that allows them to express their personal values and individuality. INFPs can often be found working in helping professions that allow them to bring their empathy and compassion to others. They are also ideal for artistic and creative roles where they can be unique and think freely. Some of the top careers for an INFP include:

·      Arts and Humanities:

Success in the arts industry often comes naturally to the INFP as they tend have an endless creative talent. However, they are often people who desire solitude, and therefore go for careers in the arts that allow them to work alone or backstage. Multimedia artist, animator, writer, or fine artist are all ideal career roles in the arts for the INFP.

·      Business and Technology:

Today, businesses are very often technology-focused and diverse. While customer-facing roles or sales roles may be too high-stress for the INFP, there are several business roles where they will be able to use their sensitivity, creativity, and ability to see the big picture. Some business and technology careers where the INFP may thrive include human resources manager, fundraising manager, technical writer, UX designer, design technologist, and UX designer.

·      Communications and Commercial Media:

The INFP personality type is skilled at making connections. They will often enjoy both reading and discussing complex topics and thrive in problem-solving environments. They are often naturally talented in visual arts and foreign languages, making them a good fit for various career paths within communications and commercial media including graphic designer, editorial designer, videographer, photographer, copywriter, editor, film editor, and interpreter.

·      Healthcare:

The INFP is often highly in tune with not only their own emotions but also the emotions of others. They make an additional effort to ensure that the emotional needs of other people are met, which makes them an ideal fit for many healthcare roles including mental health professional, counsellor, massage therapist, and physiotherapist.

·      Education:

Another helping career path that may be suitable for the INFP is education. Working in the education industry is often ideal for this personality type since it allows them to help other people reach their full potential and support students as they find their own path in life. The accepting and non-judgemental nature of the INFP also often makes them an ideal person for this type of role. INFPs may be successful in roles such as guidance counsellor or librarian.

INFP Personality Careers to Avoid:

While any personality type can be successful in any career, some occupations are not well-suited to the natural strengths, preferences, and ideals of the INFP. A career that requires the INFP to work outside of their natural preferences will quickly become draining and stressful and is unlikely to appeal to the INFP in the first place. Some of the main careers for the INFP to avoid include:

·      Military:

It’s understandable that the military is unlikely to be very appealing to the INFP since this type of job is not very creative at all. Such a career would be very dull and boring, with the INFP feeling that their creative abilities are completely wasted. In addition, for the INFP who likes to work autonomously and have some freedom with the work that they do, a career in the military with such strict rules and the need to follow orders without question would quickly become stressful.

·      Sales:

The main characteristics of the INFP are strong values and inventiveness, both of which would be undervalued if the INFP is working in a sales career. Since the INFP is not driven by social standing or wealth, working in sales is unlikely to be something that satisfies them or even something that they could be very successful at. As a salesperson, the INFP might be required to promote the less-than-ideal products – something that this personality type would just not be prepared to do.

·      Law Enforcement:

Working in law enforcement is a big no for the INFP personality type. The INFP is often light-hearted and artistic, which would leave them struggling to deal with a gruelling career in the police that requires them to be very emotionally and physically robust. In addition, any type of job that requires the INFP to follow orders, such as working in law enforcement, would leave the INFP feeling like their independence is limited.

·      Engineering:

While INFPs tend to be brilliant with creativity, technical, and mechanical skills are not always their strong point. Because of this, the role of an engineer is likely to feel very tedious and boring to them. Technical manuals, engineering directions, electronics assembly and disassembly, and machinery are all likely to be the last thing that an INFP would be interested in. And with them being more creative and artistic people, mathematics isn’t usually this personality type’s strong point.

·      Law:

Nothing about the law industry is likely to appeal to the INFP personality type. As a lawyer, the INFP might be called to fight for causes that they do not agree with, which ultimately goes against their beliefs and ideals and would quickly become a problem for them in the workplace. In addition, the naturally introverted INFP might struggle to succeed in a law career where they are expected to be accessible to and engaged with a variety of different people. Working in law could even damage the mental health of the INFP and lead to anxiety and depression, so it is best avoided.

Gentle, creative, and easy-going, the INFP personality type prefers a work environment where they can help others, work in a role that allows them to be creative, and stick to their beliefs and ideals. As natural introverts, they prefer working alone or in a small team of like-minded people.