Learn which careers are ideal for you based on your Myers-Briggs personality type.
ISFJ is one of 16 different personality types from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators (MBTI). ISFJs represent about 14% of the general population (8% of men; 19% of women). Famous ISFJs include former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, and civil rights activist Rosa Parks.
On this page, we’ll help you get a better understanding of ISFJ strengths, weaknesses, and the best ISFJ career choices.
Doesn’t sound like you? Learn more about the best careers for your MBTI personality here.
What Does ISFJ Stand For?
ISFJ stands for Introversion, Sensing, Feeling, and Judging.
Also known as the Protector, ISFJs have a deep sense of responsibility to others. They want people to know that they are reliable and can be trusted—which is important to the career path of an ISFJ. This personality type wants to work hard, get along with others, and do what is expected of them.
ISFJs are driven to fit in with established structures and contribute positively to their society, organization, and family. In the workplace, they make for pleasant coworkers and exemplary employees, but often feel uncomfortable in supervisory positions. Notoriously bad at delegating, ISFJs subconsciously believe: “If you want something done well, do it yourself.”
ISFJ career paths include teaching, nursing, social work, medicine, administrative and clerical work.
ISFJ Personality Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Supportive of others | Shy |
| Hardworking | Resistant to change |
| Committed | Prone to overwork |
| Patient | Sensitive |
| Reliable | Perfectionist |
What Careers Are Best for ISFJ Personalities?
ISFJs prefer a structured workplace with an explicit authority figure who provides clear expectations. ISFJ career matches tend to be behind-the-scenes roles that allow them to fulfill their duties without any fanfare; in fact, ISFJs rarely draw attention to themselves, even if they feel they deserve more credit for their work.
Below you’ll find a mix of the best careers for ISFJ personality types.
- Nurse. Nursing allows ISFJs to make the most of their compassionate nature and talent for organization. They value established practices and procedures and are looking to fill roles that contribute to a higher purpose, such as in healthcare or education. Despite being introverted, ISFJs have strong social skills, which makes nursing a good career for ISFJs.
- Paralegal. Also known as legal assistants, paralegals work for law firms or attorneys. They conduct legal and factual research, draft court documents, file documents with the court, and communicate with clients. The work of a paralegal plays a crucial role in a wider team effort, ideal for any ISFJ career path while giving them the opportunity to work independently.
- Administrative assistant. ISFJs gravitate towards behind-the-scenes individual contributor roles that enable them to contribute to a wider purpose. Administrative assistants organize files, prepare documents, schedule appointments, and support other staff. ISFJs are happy to work on tasks others find mundane if they see them as crucial to achieving a higher goal.
- Software engineer. Software engineers build, debug, and troubleshoot software applications. ISFJs like to work independently and without fanfare; software engineering is an intensely hands-on role with a high starting salary and ample opportunities for advancement, even for those who choose to remain individual contributors.
- Data scientist. Data analysts tend to get all the credit for an organization’s data insights, but it’s the data scientists who work behind-the-scenes to clean, organize, and process an organization’s data. ISFJs enjoy working independently in systematic, analytical roles, making data science a top ISFJ career option.
How Does Springboard Help ISFJs Achieve Their Career Goals?
Springboard provides a self-paced curriculum structure designed to cater to ISFJs. By covering an extensive curriculum, accessible mentorship, and providing the tools for a self-driven portfolio, Springboard has adapted its many career tracks to cater to various learning styles and successfully prepares its students for a variety of ISFJ personality careers.
- Springboard’s online, self-paced courses flex to your personality type. The courses offered by Springboard are 100% online and self-paced, ideal for ISFJs, who believe that if you want something done well, do it yourself.
- Technical careers provide ample opportunities to advance into leadership roles. Software engineers enjoy stable job growth, a high starting salary and many opportunities to be promoted, going from junior developer all the way to tech lead or software architect. Springboard’s Software Engineering Career Track is ideal for ISFJs.
- You know what you want, but sometimes you need a little guidance. Job searching can be tough sometimes, no matter what your personality type. With Springboard, get unlimited 1:1 career coaching and regular calls with a personal mentor who can help you with job search strategy, assignments, networking opportunities, and more.
Since you’re here…
Curious about a career in data science? Experiment with our free data science learning path, or join our Data Science Bootcamp, where you’ll get your tuition back if you don’t land a job after graduating. We’re confident because our courses work – check out our student success stories to get inspired.
