The best INFJ careers
Choosing the right career isn't just about skills and qualifications – it's also about finding work that feels meaningful to you. Some careers enhance your sense of fulfilment more than others, and your personality type might hold the clue.
One popular way to understand your personality is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which sorts people into 16 distinct personality types. While the MBTI isn't based on scientific research, it can still help you gain more awareness of what drives and inspires you.
If you identify as an INFJ, your personality type is known for idealism, empathy and a deep sense of purpose. You might be drawn to careers that allow you to make a real difference.
Let's dive into what it means to be an INFJ and the working environments that bring out your best. This article will dive into expert insights on the best careers for INFJs – and the jobs you might want to approach with caution.
What's the INFJ personality type?
INFJ stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling and Judging. People with this type are often called "The Advocates" or "The Idealists." This is because they tend to be strongly altruistic, empathetic, and driven by ideals.
As introverts, INFJs value their alone time. They recharge best when they can reflect and develop their own ideas independently.
INFJs are also intuitives, meaning that they look to their personal values and sense of purpose to guide them through life. They focus on deeper meanings rather than immediate facts.
They feel deeply and are sensitive to others’ emotions, which enables them to form meaningful connections with people. At the same time, they can be highly organised and enjoy structured environments with a plan in place.
What INFJs need to be fulfilled at work
INFJs are driven by the need to make a difference. You may find that you feel most fulfilled when you’re working to create positive change in people’s lives.
“INFJs are very service-oriented, and value deep and authentic relationships,” explains Leah Lambart, Career & Interview Coach and Founder of Melbourne-based career coaching business Relaunch Me. “They love helping others in a creative or holistic way and have the ability to intuitively understand people and situations."
A broader purpose is key to keeping INFJs interested. “They often dislike dealing with repetitive, detailed tasks unless they can see it will enhance or promote their vision,” shares Lambart.
Most of all, INFJs enjoy working with people rather than competing against them. That means a high-conflict, stressful work environment is not for them.
“INFJs generally thrive when working in a collaborative and harmonious environment, where there is also the opportunity to do independent and thoughtful work,” Lambart says. “They should probably avoid environments where they have to deal with a lot of conflict or toxic behaviours.”
The best careers for INFJs
Seeking purpose in everything they do, INFJs are best suited to careers that align with their values.
“INFJs often prefer roles where they can focus on improving others’ lives and developing their creative ideas,” Lambart shares. “You’ll often find them working in service-based roles where they can help people.”
Following are some top careers and industries where INFJ personality traits tend to shine.
Healthcare
Thanks to their empathy and strong intuition, INFJs are well-suited to healthcare roles. They can provide care while making precise decisions when needed. INFJs might consider:
INFJs are highly empathetic and care deeply for others. At the same time, they can take action decisively and rely on their intuition to make fast, precise judgment calls.
This unique combination of traits enables them to excel in a dynamic industry like healthcare. As a healthcare professional, you’ll need to care for patients’ wellbeing while providing timely intervention.
Here are some healthcare roles that you can consider:
Social services and non-profit work
For many INFJs, a career doesn’t just pay the bills – they want their work to feel meaningful. Careers in social services and the non-profit sector allow them to live their values daily. Their ability to connect deeply with others also gives them unique insight into emotional problems.
If you have a desire to help others and make the world a better place, here are some roles in this industry that might suit you:
Education
Helping others grow is deeply satisfying for INFJs. Being emotionally intelligent, they often excel in creating supportive learning environments.
If you’re an introvert, you might find it draining to teach in a classroom. Think about career paths that allow you to work with smaller groups or one-on-one mentoring.
Here are some possibilities you can explore:
Communications
"INFJs are often great communicators," says Lambart. “This makes them well suited to careers in communications, writing and marketing.”
Since many INFJs are empathetic and expressive, they often excel at using language to communicate effectively with others. These are some careers that might fit you:
Creative arts and media
INFJs often have a creative side and enjoy deep, solitary work. Artistic and creative careers give them room to reflect and innovate. Consider:
Many INFJs have a creative streak. Artistic and creative roles can give you the room to reflect and produce innovative work. A career in this industry offers time for deep work and solitary brainstorming, but also collaboration if you enjoy it.
Here are some creative career options for INFJs:
Jobs that INFJs should avoid
Passion and perseverance can take you far in any career, no matter your personality type. However, your innate traits may make certain career paths more challenging than others.
For instance, jobs that feature high conflict or put profit over people can be draining in the long run. “INFJs may want to avoid careers that require lots of conflict resolution, such as mediation, or careers that involve enforcing rules and policies, such as law enforcement,” Lambart cautions.
Roles that are heavy on detailed, repetitive work often don’t agree with INFJs’ creative spirit. “If you’re a strong introvert, you should avoid roles that require endless meetings and presentations too,” she adds.
Most importantly, INFJs may struggle in careers that don’t align with their personal values. “INFJs are typically highly principled,” Lambart explains. “Working in careers such as sales may not align well, unless you truly believe in the product or service you’re selling.”
If you’re an INFJ, you might want to carefully consider roles like:
Tips for INFJs to thrive in the workplace
As professionals, INFJs bring so many unique traits to the table. When you learn to make the best of your natural strengths and talents, you’ll be able to build a fulfilling career.
Here are three tips to harness your INFJ personality for success:
1. Learn to manage conflict
INFJs value harmony, but conflict is sometimes unavoidable at work. Learning how to handle tough conversations can help you prevent minor issues from growing into major stressors.
“INFJs can be sensitive individuals who find difficult conversations challenging,” suggests Lambart. “Some support or training on managing conflict can help INFJs when working in a challenging role or environment.”
To tackle conflict better, INFJs need to learn how to reframe differences of opinion as an opportunity for growth, not failure. Avoid taking criticism personally and use active listening skills to acknowledge others’ perspectives.
2. Look for creative opportunities
INFJs tend to be creative souls. That’s why, says Lambart, they “get bored easily when doing work that doesn’t allow them to use their imagination.”
How can you beat boredom at work? “INFJs should seek out opportunities where they can be more creative and future-focused, such as looking at ways to make things more efficient or coming up with new ideas in the workplace,” she recommends.
Even if your career isn’t in a creative field, there are always opportunities to think outside the box. Bring innovation into your work by trying out new tools or seeking courses to build new skills. You can even propose projects that you find meaningful to your boss.
3. Play to your strengths
INFJs thrive when they can make a genuine difference. This doesn't always mean climbing a traditional corporate ladder or working at big-name companies.
It’s important to follow your strengths rather than sticking to conventional definitions of success. You may find that your version of success takes you behind the scenes or to smaller companies where you can make a real impact.
“INFJs will excel in a role that allows them to use their strong listening skills, intuition and organisation skills to help or serve others,” Lambart sums up. “This may involve working one-on-one with people or in a behind-the-scenes role that contributes to making positive change.”
Whichever career direction you choose, your unique strengths can help you make a meaningful impact in your workplace and community. Get clarity on what motivates you, and you’ll be on the right track to a career path that feels truly fulfilling.
FAQs
What does INFJ mean?
INFJ stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging. One of the 16 personality types in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, INFJ describes a personality type that is empathetic, thoughtful, and driven by personal values.
What are some differences between INFPs and INFJs?
While both types are empathetic and idealistic, INFJs are usually more structured and organised as a result of their Judging (J) personality trait. In contrast, INFPs are more spontaneous and free-flowing due to their Perceiving (P) personality trait. INFJs tend to plan ahead, while INFPs prefer flexibility.
Who are some INFJ famous people?
Famous INFJs include Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, and Florence Nightingale. They were all known for their vision, compassion, and dedication to meaningful causes.
Why do INFJs prefer purpose-driven careers?
INFJs are deeply motivated by their values and desire to create positive change in the world. Purpose-driven careers allow them to align their daily work with their personal beliefs and make a difference.
How can INFJs avoid burnout at work?
INFJs can maintain their energy and wellbeing by setting boundaries, taking regular breaks, seeking creative outlets, and working in environments that respect their need for quiet and meaningful connection.
Can INFJs be successful in leadership roles?
Yes. INFJs often lead with empathy, vision, and quiet determination. They can excel in roles that require thoughtful leadership, mentoring, and long-term planning.
Are INFJs better suited to working alone or in teams?
INFJs often do best in small, collaborative teams where they can build deep relationships. At the same time, they appreciate having enough independent work time to recharge and reflect.