MBTI: A guide to understanding and applying the personality test.

The MBTI is a widely used tool for identifying personality types and making connections with career opportunities.

It works through the Myers-Briggs Indicator of Personality Types (MBTI), and uses 4 combinations of criteria to identify people's psychological profiles.

Therefore, continue reading and understand how the MBTI personality test works and how to apply it.

What is the MBTI personality test?

As mentioned above, the MBTI is a test that indicates a person's personality type and was inspired by the theory of psychological types of the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung.

Therefore, the MBTI aims to assess people's psychological preferences using four opposing pairs of categories as a basis.

Categories of personality types

• Introvert (I) vs. Extrovert (E): How you spend energy

It refers to how you interact with things and situations around you; extroverts tend to seek external stimuli and social interactions.

While introverts tend to opt for moments of reflection and recharge their energy in quieter environments.

• Sensory (S) vs. Intuitive (N): How you receive information

The most sensory person seeks concrete and detailed information, based on their feelings and experiences.

But intuitive people tend to be more abstract and focus on future possibilities, relying more on intuitive insights.

• Thinker (T) vs. Feeler (F): How do you make decisions?

Thoughtful people seek to make decisions in a more logical and objective way, based on rational criteria.

However, people who prefer sentiment typically make decisions based on the emotions of those involved.

• Judger (J) vs. Perceiver (P): How do you see the world?

Judgmental people tend to be more structured and organized, but always with defined plans and schedules.

On the other hand, perceptive people are more adaptable, spontaneous, and flexible with regard to plans.

In this way, based on the 4 category pairs, the MBTI is mainly used as a tool to help people understand their preferences and psychological characteristics.

Therefore, the MBTI can provide you with some related insights into how you make decisions, communicate, interact socially, and seek meaning in life.

However, it is important to remember that the MBTI should only be used as a tool and not as a measure.

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How does MBTI work?

The MBTI test is conducted through a series of questions that assess your preferences regarding the four opposing traits mentioned above.

In this way, you will have to choose which of the two options in each pair best describes your behavior and characteristics.

For example, answering whether you prefer spending time in large groups (extrovert) or spending more time alone (introvert).

Therefore, the test typically contains 60 to 100 questions, depending on the version you choose.

However, for you to get a more accurate result, it's important that you answer the questions honestly and based on your true preferences and behaviors.

So at the end of the test all your answers are analyzed and you will be classified into one of the 16 possible combinations represented by the 4 opposing classifications mentioned earlier.

What are the 16 personality types?

There are 16 personality types in the MBTI, formed by combinations of four opposing pairs: Extroversion x Introversion, Sensing x Intuition, Thinking x Feeling, and Judging x Perceiving.

So, learn about the 16 personality types and what each one represents.

• ISTJ: Introverted, sensible, thought-oriented, judgmental.

They are responsible, organized, and practical people, but they use a logical approach to solving problems.

• ISFJ: Introverted, sensible, thinking-oriented, judgmental.

They are dedicated, value traditions, are caring, and possess great empathy.

• INFJ: Introverted, intuitive, feeling-oriented, judging.

Idealistic, creative, and compassionate people who have a strong inclination to understand people's feelings.

• INTJ: Introverted, intuitive, thinking-oriented, judgmental.

They are strategic and analytical people who have a long-term vision.

• ISTP: Introverted, sensible, thought-oriented, perceptive.

They are practical, calm observers and possess skills in solving technical problems.

• ISFP: Introverted, sensible, feeling-oriented, perceptive.

They are kind, sensitive, and adaptable people with an appreciation for beauty and sensory experiences.

• INFP: Introverted, intuitive, feeling-oriented, perceptive.

Idealistic, creative people who value authenticity.

• INTJ: Introverted, intuitive, thinking-oriented, judgmental.

Strategic and analytical, independent and with a long-term vision.

• ESTP: Extroverted, sensible, thought-oriented, perceptive.

They are adventurous, practical, energetic, and enjoy action and challenges.

• ESFP: Extroverted, sensible, feeling-oriented, perceptive.

They are spontaneous, charismatic, and friendly people who like to be the center of attention.

• ENFP: Extroverted, intuitive, feeling-oriented, perceptive.

They are creative and enthusiastic, empathetic, and possess a natural ability to inspire others.

• ENTJ: Extroverted, intuitive, thinking-oriented, judgmental.

They are natural leaders, assertive and efficient, and possess a strategic vision.

• ESTJ: Extroverted, sensible, thought-oriented, judgmental.

They are practical, organized, and responsible people who have a direct and efficient approach.

• ESFJ: Extroverted, sensible, emotion-oriented, judgmental.

They are warm, sociable, trustworthy, and have a strong concern for the needs of others; they are kind and caring towards the people around them.

• ENFJ: Extroverted, intuitive, feeling-oriented, judgmental.

They are charismatic, empathetic, dedicated, and possess a natural ability for leadership and motivation to help others reach their potential.

• ENTJ: Extroverted, intuitive, thinking-oriented, judgmental.

Natural leaders, assertive, efficient, and possessing a good strategic vision.

It's important to remember that each personality type has its own characteristics and preferences.

However, this is just one way of categorizing people's preferences, and therefore, it doesn't completely define who they are.

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How can the MBTI be applied to your professional life?

The MBTI personality types can be applied in several practical ways in your professional life, so understand how:

• Career guidanceThe MBTI can help you identify which area you fit best in according to your preferences.
• Career developmentUnderstanding your personality will make it easier to identify your... Strengths and weaknesses and consequently this will guide your career development.
• Communication and teamworkUnderstanding different personality types through MBTI can help you develop better communication skills, especially when you understand the preferences of your colleagues.
• LeadershipThe MBTI greatly assists leaders in their work, as it helps in decision-making by recognizing the personality of each person on their team.   
• Conflict resolutionIn the workplace, knowing the personalities of team members can be very helpful when approaching conflict resolution.

Conclusion

The MBTI is a great tool for understanding personality; however, it is not an exact and definitive measure, but it helps as a tool for providing an overview of individual preferences.

In this way, it is a form of self-discovery and reflection, but it should not be seen as a diagnosis.

It's also worth remembering that the test is usually administered by professionals, where the results are interpreted and discussed with proper background information.

So that you can have a good understanding for a better application of your MBTI personality in your personal and professional life.  

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I am a member of the O Administrador team and I produce content about career, personal finance, financial education, productivity, and professional development. My goal is to share clear and practical information to help readers with their day-to-day decisions.

June 2, 2023