Being on the career hunt has many challenges, forcing you to evaluate options in terms of the work environment, the culture of the company, the opportunity for growth, the company’s history and stability, and the benefits. Weighing all of these options can be exhausting and confusing, but one of the most important questions is often overlooked: what is the best career match for my personality?
The Myers-Briggs Personality Test analyzes and determines your specific personality traits, assigning you 1 out of 16 personalities. The test explores four different categories of your personality:
- Extroversion (E) or Introversion (I)
- Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)
- Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
- Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)
Understanding your individual personality type, along with your strengths and weaknesses, can help you determine what the best career path is for you.
What Is the Myers-Briggs ESTJ Type?
The ESTJ Personality Type is Extraverted (E), Sensing (S), Thinking (T), and Judging (J). ESTJs are known for being very organized and prioritizing order and structure in their lives. They use extraverted sensing as they have an appreciation for real-world, concrete data, and they strive to live in the moment.
ESTJs often seek out leadership positions, and they are considered to be the Executive Personality Type due to their reputation for guidance and courage in the face of a challenge. When the going gets tough, ESTJs are the ones ready to buckle down and get the job done.
ESTJ Strengths
Some of ESTJs strengths are:
- Being extremely organized
- Being straight-forward and honest
- Being dedicated and strong-willed
- Being responsible and reliable
ESTJ personality types are goal-oriented, hard-workers, who need a career where they can challenge themselves and feel a sense of control in their work. Because they are so dedicated and strong-willed, they need to find a career outlet to allow themselves to thrive as a leader.
ESTJ Weaknesses
However, ESTJs have some areas they could improve on:
- Being hyper-judgmental
- Becoming too stressed
- Being stubborn and inflexible
- Having difficulty expressing emotion
ESTJs are extremely dedicated, but they struggle to know when to stop. They can dive too deep into work, resulting in being stressed out and not allowing themselves time to relax. They can be hyper-judgmental of themselves and the people around them, and their stubborn nature makes it difficult to adjust to change, especially in the workplace. Because they have a love for concrete, tangible evidence, it can overshadow their ability to recognize the appropriate situations to demonstrate sensitivity and empathy.
What About ESTJ-A and ESTJ-T?
There are two different identity types with ESTJs, known as ESTJ-A standing for Assertive, and ESTJ-T for Turbulent. Both identity types are very similar as they are rooted in their values of hard work and dedication, however they have minor differences in how they behave and are perceived by the world.
Turbulent ESTJs have a higher need for social companionship, while Assertive ESTJs are more independent. Turbulent ESTJs are considered to be more passionate, but also more defensive and stubborn, while Assertive ESTJs are more easygoing, although they lack the enthusiasm of Turbulent ESTJs.
Top ESTJ Jobs
Below is a list of the best careers for ESTJ personality types.
- Budget Analyst
- Computer Software Analyst
- Sales Engineer
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Information Officer
Budget Analyst
Budget analysts help companies organize their finances, including keeping track of all revenue, spending, and budgeting. They work with project managers to create the corporation’s budget, review budget proposals ensuring they are in observance of the law, make recommendations for funding opportunities, and make projected future financial expenditures. Budget analysts make on average $76,000+ a year, and there is an expected 8% growth in the next decade for this career path.
Becoming a budget analyst would be ideal for an ESTJ because of their love for organization. This career would allow them to organize many different aspects of a company’s finances, while still giving them the freedom and control of their work that they so desire. ESTJs value honesty, so analyzing budget proposals for being in compliance with the law would be a dream come true, and they would be highly appreciated for their determination and dedication in always finishing projects.
Computer Software Analyst
Computer software analysts help companies determine what new technology to incorporate to help maximize their efficiency and profit, and help companies and organizations be able to properly use up-to-date and advanced computer systems. This career can include working with clients, weighing cost and benefits, researching new technologies, and overseeing installations. Computer Analysts make an average of $88,000+ a year, and there is a 9% projected growth in this field.
Becoming a computer analyst is a perfect career prospect for ESTJs because of its organized nature. The job also allows for a sense of control over yourself and your own work. ESTJs love to work hard, and this job gives them the opportunity to plunge themselves into their work.
Sales Engineer
Sales engineers work with clients—often major corporations—to sell scientifically advanced technological products or services. They present these products in presentations to potential clients, consult with the sales teams to recognize customer needs, work with engineers and customers to assess equipment needs, and participate in the research and production of new products or services. Sales engineers on average make about $101,000+ a year, and there is an expected growth of 7% in the next decade.
Becoming a sales engineer is perfect for ESTJs because they value scientific, concrete data. ESTJs are very logical and love to engage with hard, real-world numbers, so working in science and research is a perfect match. ESTJs are also extremely sociable because they are extraverted, so a sales job is a great fit as it allows them to engage and collaborate with others. A sales job also allows for ESTJs to utilize their leadership skills and strong work ethic to dive into their careers as much as they like.
Chief Financial Officer
Being a chief financial officer means you are a top executive at your corporation, and it is your job to make sure that the company meets its financial goals. They create, manage, and coordinate all operations for the company. This can include overseeing financial activities, negotiating contracts, and being in charge of general performance of the corporation. In 2018 CFO’s made an average of $128,000 year, and there is a projected 8% growth.
This is an ESTJs dream job since it involves working with hard, tangible data. The career also provides an opportunity to be in an executive position, which allows for an ESTJ to thrive within their strengths. Their strong work ethic would allow them to really harness their potential and help push the company to greater heights.
Chief Information Officer
Chief information officer (CIO) is another top executive job in major corporations. The CIO’s job is to supervise and organize information technology and computer systems projects, policies, and workers. CIOs develop the IT strategy, keep up to date with technology trends, and watch over the data centres to ensure everything is running properly. CIOs make an average of $142,000 a year, with an 11% projected growth.
This is another perfect career for an ESTJ because it allows them to use their scientific, data-driven side. It also lets them organize and create strategies, which gives them the opportunity to be a leader in their field.
Last Words on Careers for ESTJs
Deciding on a career path is difficult with so many aspects to consider, but one of the most important deciding factors is whether or not the career fits your personality type.
ESTJs are highly dedicated, organized, and hard-working leaders that should consider these traits when choosing a career path for themselves. From budget analysts, computer analysts, sales engineers, to CFOs and CIOs—there are many different careers to choose from that will allow ESTJs to play to their strengths.
With the tech industry booming, it is a great route for ESTJs with many opportunities and career paths to choose from.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
