Best Career Paths For INFJ Personality Types

INFJ stands for Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, Judging. People with this personality type are introverted, alert for patterns and future possibilities, emotionally tuned to others, and prefer to reach conclusions quickly. That means that creative outlets and working to help others are ideal career paths for INFJs.

Key Takeaways:

• Great careers for INFJ personality types include becoming a physical therapist, an environmental scientist, or a graphic designer.

• INFJ stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging. Under the Meyers-Briggs system this means a person has strong traits in compassion, creativity, and insight.

• Jobs that INFJ types should avoid include restaurant or sales management.

• The INFJ personality type is nicknamed the Advocate.

Top careers for INFJ personality types

While it’s important to note that being an INFJ – or any other personality type – doesn’t prevent you from excelling in any job, there are some that will suit your strengths better. If you’re an INFJ, use this list as an inspiration for the types of jobs that you might find fulfilling. Here are some of the best jobs for INFJ.

1. Physical therapist

   Average Yearly Salary: $69,000

   Physical therapists make a direct, positive impact on many lives, which ties into the compassionate aspect of INFJs. You would help patients recover from injuries and surgery, as well as regain and maintain mobility.

   While you would spend a lot of time interacting with others, it’ll largely be in a one-on-one setting and by appointment, meaning you’d have time to prepare and get to know your clients. In addition, being a physical therapist requires problem solving and tailoring treatments to individual clients, meaning that you’d get to stretch your creative and intellectual muscles.

   Requirements to become a physical therapist: Physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. All states require physical therapists to be licensed. DPT programs typically last 3 years.

   Most programs require a bachelor’s degree for admission as well as specific educational prerequisites, such as classes in anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics. Most DPT programs require applicants to apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).

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2. Occupational therapist

   Average Yearly Salary: $72,000

   Occupational therapists do many of the same things that physical therapists do, in that they help their patients overcome injury, illness, and disability. You’ll end up working with those who’ve suffered from a severe illness or brain injury, and your goal will be to improve their quality of life and help them regain independence.

   To achieve your goal, you’ll also have to consider your patients’ mental and emotional well-being along with their physical well-being. And, while most people in this personality bracket aren’t motivated by material gain, it’s an INFJ career that makes money.

   Requirements to become an occupational therapist: Occupational therapists need at least a master’s degree in occupational therapy; some therapists have a doctoral degree. Occupational therapists also must be licensed.

   Admission to graduate programs in occupational therapy generally requires a bachelor’s degree and specific coursework, including biology and physiology. Many programs also require applicants to have volunteered or worked in an occupational therapy setting.

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3. Doctor

   Average Yearly Salary: $180,000

   Professions in the medical field are popular with many INFJs since they are deeply rewarding and allow you to be somewhat autonomous. INFJs in this field also generally like connecting with patients and using their technical knowledge and creativity to diagnose and treat their ailments.

   There are many different types of doctors as well, which means you can narrow down your career path further to fit your personality and passions. In addition, this is the highest paying INFJ career on this list.

   Requirements to become a doctor: Doctors need to go to medical school and become certified. Typically, doctors will spend four years in medical school, plus an additional three to seven years in a residency program.

   A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for medical school, and many doctors first get a pre-med degree in a science or medical related field, though this is not necessary.

   If you have a bachelor’s degree that is not a typical pre-med degree, then you may need to take some additional classes before applying to medical school. To get into medicine you will also need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

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4. Social worker

   Average Yearly Salary: $51,000

   As most INFJs are more interested in making a difference than receiving remuneration for their work, this job suits them. Social workers don’t make much money, especially for how difficult the job is, so the fact that it’s highly rewarding is the compensation that you get from it.

   This career also allows INFJs to utilize their creativity and insight to develop plans and solutions for their clients. Even though it’s hard, sometimes draining work, many INFJs in this field are content knowing that they’re making a positive impact on people’s lives.

   Requirements to become a social worker: Although most social workers need a bachelor’s degree in social work, clinical social workers must have a master’s degree and 2 years of post-master’s experience in a supervised clinical setting. Clinical social workers must also be licensed in the state in which they practice.

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5. Counselor

   Average Yearly Salary: $37,000

   INFJs often put their intuitiveness, intelligence, passion, and desire to help others to use by becoming counselors or therapists. Typically, a job in this field involves talking through mental and emotional disorders and distress with clients in private or group practice.

   However, counselors can also work at group and intensive therapy organizations, funeral homes, hospitals, community resource centers, schools, and universities. Starting a career as a counselor opens up a wide variety of opportunities, allowing you to choose the position that matches your personality and needs best.

   Requirements to become a counselor: Depending on the level and intensity of counseling, you may need a degree in higher education. 58.6% of counselors have a bachelor’s degree and 17.7% of counselors have master’s degrees. Counselors need to be trained and certified if they wish to open their own practice.

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6. Environmental scientist

   Average Yearly Salary: $58,000

   While INFJs have what it takes to be successful scientists, the money and status often aren’t enough to entice them to an intense career like this. Since many INFJs are most fulfilled when they can work toward something they believe in, a career making the world a better place as an environmental scientist is often attractive to INFJs.

   While scientists of all disciplines are working to improve life for earth’s inhabitants, having tangible evidence of this in the work that environmental scientists do can be especially attractive to INFJs.

   Environmental scientists perform tests and experiments, but they also work to fix the problems they discover in the environment. This more hands-on application of science is often more fulfilling for INFJs than the more lab-based sciences.

   Requirements to become an environmental scientist: For most entry-level jobs, environmental scientists and specialists must have a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a science-related field, such as biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, or engineering. However, a master’s degree may be needed for advancement.

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7. Human resources manager

   Average Yearly Salary: $80,000

   Nearly every company needs someone to handle the human resources department. INFJs often find these jobs rewarding and enjoyable because they get to work with people and help improve their lives and the company.

   In addition, INFJs can work behind the scenes in this role, which also tends to be their cup of tea. If you decide to pursue this career path, you’re likely going to have to pay your dues in low-level positions just as everyone else does, but you can work your way up to management and the autonomy you also may aspire to.

   Requirements to become a human resources manager: Candidates need a combination of education and several years of related work experience to become a human resources manager. Although a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for most positions, some jobs require a master’s degree. Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills.

   To demonstrate abilities in organizing, directing, and leading others, related work experience is essential for human resources managers. Some managers start out as human resources specialists or labor relations specialists.

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8. School counselor

   Average Yearly Salary: $47,000

   A school counselor is a good career for an INFJ because it allows you to help people and make connections without having to be socially active all day. School counselors help students respond to mental and emotional difficulties, plan for college, and connect kids with any other resources they may need.

   Some schools want their counselors to be licensed therapists, while others only need a bachelor’s degree – preferably in school counseling.

   Requirements to become a school counselor: Most school counselors need some level of college education. 48.0% of school counselors have a bachelor’s degree and 34.8% have master’s degrees. With enough relevant work experience, it may be possible to become a school counselor without the educational background, however, this depends on the circumstances.

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9. Translator

   Average Yearly Salary: $42,000

   If you’re bilingual, a career as a translator may be a great option for you. As an INFJ, this job likely hits several selling points for you: It helps others, allows you to work with small groups of people, and challenges you mentally and creatively.

   As a translator, you could work for publishing companies, schools, medical facilities, universities, marketing agencies, law firms, government agencies, TV networks, news outlets, and more. This means that you can pick a job you’re most passionate about, making your career even more fulfilling.

   Requirements to become a translator: You don’t necessarily need a degree to become a translator. If you have a proven record of excellent language skills, you may still be able to gain translation work. However, getting a bachelor’s degree or equivalent certification in specific languages may help boost your resume.

   Necessary skills include a keen eye for detail, excellent proofreading skills, and be fluent in at least two languages in addition to your native language. Familiarity with translation tools and additional certification in linguistics is also a big plus.

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10. Writer

    Average Yearly Salary: $57,000

    INFJs often have excellent communication skills and are very creative, drawing many people of this personality type to careers focused on words. If you want to become a writer, the options within this field are almost endless.

    You can write content for websites, marketing materials, books, news and magazine articles, screenplays, poems, technical documents, school curricula, and a plethora of other publications. These jobs also typically come with a sense of purpose as well, making them even more attractive to INFJs.

    Requirements to become a writer: To become a writer you need writing experience. This can come personal writing, professional writing, or educational writing. The important thing for a writer is that they must write. Many writers go to college to receive bachelor’s degrees, some even go to graduate school get an MFA in writing.

    Other writers gain their experience elsewhere. However, many successful writers have mentors and editors to help guide their writing.

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11. Graphic designer

    Average Yearly Salary: $45,000

    Design of all kinds often draws in creative INFJs. It’s often the perfect combination of intellect, principles, and creativity, and it allows INFJs to work behind the scenes while still providing at least some human interaction.

    Graphic designers have to work with their clients, whether that’s their employer or a freelance customer, to figure out what they’re looking for in a design. INFJs can use their intuition to figure this out and their ability to connect with people, making many of them very good at this craft.

    Requirements to become a graphic designer: Graphic designers usually need a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field. Candidates for graphic design positions should demonstrate their creativity and originality through a professional portfolio that features their best designs.

    Graphic designers must keep up with new and updated computer graphics and design software and often gain their initial experience through internships.

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12. Animator

    Average Yearly Salary: $65,000

    Working as an animator is another career path that lets you make a living off your creative outlet. It allows you to put your name on a product that will bring joy, knowledge, or a new perspective to countless people.

    Whether you work for a movie studio or for a company that needs some animated educational videos, this career path is popular with many INFJs, since it uses so many of their talents and allows them to fulfill their desire to make something beautiful and purposeful.

    Requirements to become an animator: To become an animator you will likely need to go to an art college. 74.3% of animators have a bachelor’s degree. However, if you do have access to the resources, it may be possible to become an animator without going to college. This would require you to learn the necessary skills on your own and build up a portfolio of work to show to potential employers and audiences.

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What does INFJ mean?

The letters in the INFJ personality type nicknamed the Advocate, stand for:

• Introversion. If you direct your energy outward and are recharged by time alone, then you’re an introvert.

• Intuition. In terms of personality types, those who are intuitive pay attention to patterns, meanings, and possibilities. Those who test intuitive are creative and forward-thinking.

• Feeling. Being on the feeling side of the divide doesn’t mean you’re highly emotional. Instead, it means that you’re in tune with both your emotions and the emotions of others. That means that you’ll make decisions based on your values and how they’ll affect other people.

• Judging. While in the vernacular judging has some negative connotations, the Meyers-Briggs personality test uses it differently. Those who are inclined towards judging are prone to coming to conclusions quickly and prefer the structure provided by closure.

People of this personality type are known for being kind and compassionate while having strong principles and ideals. Other adjectives used to describe them include:

• Creative

• Insightful

• Principled

• Passionate

• Altruistic

• Perfectionistic

INJFs care deeply, have big dreams, and will do what they can to make the world a better place. They’re often reserved and private around others, though, and they need time alone to rest and recharge to avoid burning out by caring for others. They’re deep thinkers and enjoy using their intellect to make these dreams and goals a reality.

These characteristics come out in their professional lives in that INFJs typically aren’t motivated by status or money. Instead, they’re motivated by doing work that aligns with their values and makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

It can often be difficult for INFJs to decide on a career path because they can use their creativity and insightfulness to think through a dozen different options for their occupation of choice and see the pros of each one.

In addition to strong principles and deep care for others, INFJs typically have strong communication skills and desire the autonomy to do what they believe is right. Therefore, careers that allow them to exercise both of these aspects of their personalities are often the best choice for them.

They can succeed in a wide variety of fields, though, and they’ll put their communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills to work wherever they end up.

Careers that INFJs May want to avoid

Just as there are careers that are suited to the traits INFJs possess, there are those that they’re ill-suited to. While the above listed focused on INFJ career matches, these careers are going to require skills and preferences that don’t fit with the INFJ personality type. That means they’re more likely to leave you drained and unfulfilled.

1. Restaurant manager

   While INFJs make excellent leaders, some leadership roles are unpopular for many of this personality type, and being a restaurant manager is one of them.

   Because INFJs care so deeply about people and their principles and need time alone to recharge, taking on the hectic job of managing a restaurant can be incredibly draining for them.

   One of the main reasons for this is that they have to regularly make customers and employees upset with them, which INFJs don’t generally enjoy.

   They care deeply about the people around them. They genuinely have the best intentions in mind when they interact with them, so being in a perpetual state of discord with others is often exhausting for this personality type.

2. Sales manager

   When it comes to sales, INFJs often have a hard time bringing themselves to push people to buy a product or service they don’t necessarily believe in. Combine that with having to drive and manage employees and even play the bad guy at times, and that’s a recipe for a stressful position for an INFJ.

   Again, that’s not to say you couldn’t be successful and even thrive in a sales manager position as an INFJ, but it does mean you should consider these aspects of the job before you pursue this career path.

3. Mechanic

   A mechanic’s job doesn’t leave much room for creativity or building relationships with people, giving much to be desired in this career for an INFJ.

   While mechanics do impact people’s lives positively and practically, the nature of the trade is that it doesn’t leave room for much innovation from the average mechanic. Because of this, many idealistic and passionate INFJs will quickly grow bored with having to do the same job the same way every time without any creative outlet.

4. Engineering technician

   While engineering often works with big ideas and creates innovative designs to solve complex problems, engineering technicians do the labor that makes that possible. For example, they may build and set up equipment, conduct experiments, collect data, and calculate results.

   Some personality types thrive with this detailed, mundane work, but INFJs typically don’t. They need room to grow and to be able to help others grow, so many prefer to do work that directly furthers a cause they’re passionate about.

5. Real estate broker

   While INFJs typically have the communication and interpersonal skills required to do this job well, many find it exhausting. In addition, since many INFJs find it’s stressful when their relationships are not peaceful, a career that depends on saying hard things to people is likely going to drain someone of this personality type.

   Plus, real estate brokers have to be “on” for their clients and typically have days full of meetings, which exhausts the introverted INFJ.

6. Medical coder

   Hospitals and other health care facilities usually employ medical coders to create and submit coded records of every procedure and supply provided to a patient to their insurance providers. While this is valuable work that helps others, INFJs don’t typically thrive in jobs that require monotonous work like this.

   Again, some INFJs may enjoy a position like this, but if you identify as this type, be aware of what will be asked of you and whether or not you’ll enjoy it, not just be able to do it or not.

Best career paths for INFJ personality types FAQ

1. Is HR a good career for INFJ?

   Yes, HR is a good career for INFJ personality types. That’s because their inner vision, personal values, and principled nature make that type of work a breeze.

   HR allows INFJs to guide new employees and customers without becoming too overwhelmed by social interaction. Their calm and gentle nature also makes it easier to navigate frustrating phone calls.

   Overall, HR is a great career path for INFJ personality types because the job allows you to help others with the benefit of being at a distance. That way, an INFJ can fulfill their social desires without becoming too drained.

2. Can INFJs be politicians?

   Yes, INFJs can be politicians. In fact, because this personality type is drawn to positions of power and tends to like the idea of changing the world, becoming a politician is often a great fit.

   Of course, that’s not to say that every INFJ would like politics. Some might find that they become exhausted by all of the roadblocks that stand in the way of progress/change. After all, many countries don’t just have one person calling all of the shots.

   Overall though, becoming a politician can be a great way for INFJs to pursue the change they’re passionate about.

   Historic INFJ politicians include Mahatma Gandhi and Thomas Jefferson.

3. Are INFJs good at coding?

   Yes, INFJs are good at coding. While this also depends on the individual person in question, the INFJ personality type as a whole can be conducive to the learning of coding.

   Aspects of coding that INTJs might enjoy include:

   • Focusing on complex problems and finding the solution

   • Excitement in teaching others about the skill and designing training courses.

   • Having co-workers to mingle with without constant pressure to interact

   Of course, because a coding job doesn’t only entail working with code, there are other parts of the job INFJs might not like. The monotony and lack of deep interaction that comes with office work can become unbearable for some.

   Overall, while there are many INFJs who can become good at working with code, there are fewer of them who enjoy coding jobs.

4. Are INFJs good entrepreneurs?

   Yes, INFJs are often good entrepreneurs. That’s because an INFJ’s creativity, long-range thinking, and independent working style allow them to create successful businesses.

   First, their creativity will enable them to formulate clever ideas. You won’t find a lot of INFJ copy-cats out there. These ideas can be great tools for starting a new business or product.

   An INFJ’s long-range thinking then allows them to devise intelligent and thought-through plans that will guide their decision-making. Every business can benefit from a skilled planner.

   And finally, their independent working style means that they can succeed on their own without needing help from others. That’s great when you’re looking to start your own business.

Author

Abby McCain

Abby is a writer who is passionate about the power of story. Whether it’s communicating complicated topics in a clear way or helping readers connect with another person or place from the comfort of their couch. Abby attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in writing with concentrations in journalism and business.