44 Best INTJ Careers in 2024 (incl. Which to Avoid)
INTJs are independent thinkers with rational and creative minds. These personalities question everything and make their own conclusions instead of following the status quo.
Moreover, they don’t need structured rules or demanding bosses to bring their drive to work.
The best INTJ careers are in research, engineering, and technology. These personalities thrive at jobs that allow them to use their innovative spirit and ambitious streak.
Fulfilling INTJ Career Qualities
INTJ personalities don’t shy away from a challenge. In fact, they are driven by job descriptions that average people won’t dare to assume. They are most fulfilled when engaging in jobs that spark their curiosity and intelligence.
Therefore, the best career for INTJ is in the science or research department. However, they can thrive in any job they pursue.
1. Rational
INTJ personalities pride themselves on their objective approach to life. Their high intellect is one of their greatest assets, making them thrive in the academy. INTJs purpose is to tackle any challenge with their thinking skills and creativity.
Therefore, the best job for INTJ is in engineering or science. Facing a complex problem and finding innovative ways to approach it is one of their most fulfilling activities. These individuals can tune out what’s happening outside and put their mind to work to their fullest potential.
2. Independence
Conforming to the norm is the same as failing, according to INTJs personalities. They don’t mind navigating high-stress environments as long as they can do things their own way.
INTJ jobs should give them enough freedom to decide, as they are self-motivated. Fixed rules or nagging bosses are obsolete when INTJs are engaged in an assignment.
Therefore, some of the most suitable INTJ careers are project management or freelancing. That way, they can succeed without arbitrary rules standing in the way.
3. Goal-Oriented
One of the most admirable traits of INTJs personalities is their determination. When they have a goal in mind, they work hard and passionately towards it without getting distracted by their surroundings.
Therefore, the best INTJ professions range from art, music, and design to engineering, architecture, and science. They can thrive in any work environment as long as it matters to them.
One of the most rewarding careers for INTJ is finances or business. They have a competitive drive that motivates them to stand out in what they do.
4. Innovative
One of the most extraordinary INTJ talents is these personalities’ creativity. They don’t follow fads, nor do they conform to the norm. INTJs look at life from innovative points of view that make this world a more exciting place.
INTJ at work constantly questions the rules and is open to new and even controversial ideas (as long as they are evidence-based, of course). Therefore, one of the best jobs for them is as a marketing strategist.
Best Careers for INTJs
INTJs are creative, independent, and determined. Their curious minds and high intellects make them excel in career paths most people consider challenging. Thus, the best jobs for INTJ are where they can freely put their talents to work.
The perfect career for an INTJ is engineering. This type of environment lets them leverage their rational skills combined with their ambitious drive.
- Actor
- Air Traffic Controller
- Airline Pilot
- Athletic Trainer
- Auditor
- Bartender
- Biologist
- Budget Analyst
- Building Inspector
- Carpenter
- Chef
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Information Officer
- Chiropractor
- Civil Engineer
- Computer Programmer
- Cost Estimator
- Entrepreneur
- Exercise Physiologist
- Factory Supervisor
- Farmer or Rancher
- Financial Planner
- Firefighter
- Fitness Instructor
- Flight Attendant
- Flight Engineer
- Forester
- General Contractor
- Hotel Manager
- Insurance Agent
- Land Developer
- Landscape Architect
- Marketing Strategist
- Mechanic
- Mechanical Engineer
- Military Officer
- Paramedic
- Photographer
- Police Officer
- Property Manager
- Radiology Technician
- Real Estate Broker
- Respiratory Therapist
- Sales Manager
- Stockbroker
- Surveyor
Draining INTJ Career Qualities
INTJ personalities are intelligent, creative, and forward-looking. However, they can come across as rude or insensitive due to their lack of social skills. INTJs value thoughts more than feelings and have no patience for overly sensitive individuals.
Therefore, some good jobs for INTJ involve spending most of the time in a lab or quiet office. A daring job for INTJ personality would be as a teacher, especially in kindergarten.
1. Hospitable
As mentioned above, the best INTJ jobs are those where no human contact is required. They lack social skills and don’t intend to make other people welcome with their presence. If an INTJ has something to say, they will do it bluntly, without considering the feelings of the person involved.
Therefore, one INTJ job to avoid is in the hotel industry. These personalities can be arrogant, especially if the person they are dealing with is intellectually inferior, which could lead to many problems.
2. Structured
INTJs are fond of order and take pride in their management skills. However, they are independent and a bit rebellious. These personalities hate following rules or their boss’s commands, reacting aggressively to this type of environment.
The truth is, INTJs question everything and end up arguing with the person in charge. They don’t like to blindly follow anything just for the sake of obeying. Consequently, an INTJ career to avoid is the military.
3. Empathetic
INTJs value reason over feelings. When they have something to say, they don’t restrain themselves from doing so, regardless of the context. They are critical of other people’s opinions and choices, which proves a lack of understanding of human nature.
Thus, some careers for INTJ to avoid are nursing or psychology. These jobs involve dealing with human emotions or sharing complex news with vulnerable individuals, which is not this personality strength.
4. Irrational
These personalities like to put their intellect and knowledge to good use. They want a challenging work environment with complex assignments that involve the use of their rational minds.
Hence, they are bored with unclear tasks and ambiguous objectives. These personalities are creative and innovative, but as long as they can use their analytical thinking skills. For these reasons, the worst careers for INTJs are art or music.
Worst Careers for INTJs
Every personality type has the potential to excel in every career path they choose to pursue, Including INTJs. However, some INTJ career paths are better suited to their unique personality traits.
The best career for INTJ lets them hone their intellect, use their innovative streak, and involve almost no human contact. Therefore, the worst job for INTJs is nursing.
- Animator
- Choreographer
- Clergy
- Craft Artist
- Curator
- Dental Hygienist
- Electrical Engineer
- Electronics Technician
- Family Therapist
- Librarian
- Medical Assistant
- Musician
- Organizational Psychologist
- Physician Assistant
- Preschool Teacher
- Public Health Nurse
- Veterinary Technician
- Writer
INTJ On a Team
INTJs are not the best team players. They are very confident in their skills and often feel superior to the rest of their peers.
If any group member is not as intellectual or knowledgeable as they are, INTJ will let them know in a less-than-friendly manner.
As mentioned earlier, these individuals are objective and value reason over feelings. In their eagerness to be sincere, they end up being rude, thus drawing the disdain of their colleagues.
For these reasons, INTJ personalities don’t like participating in teams. They believe they work best alone or at least with people who share the same values.
Having an INTJ could be a delight due to their bright and innovative ideas. However, their lack of empathy often becomes an obstacle to this purpose.
INTJ As a Leader
INTJ has excellent management skills and can take leadership roles naturally.
However, they do not like to follow orders blindly and make sure to explain their objectives and reasons to their employees.
On the one hand, they are authoritative leaders who consider themselves mentors to their team. But on the other hand, they don’t like to command people just for the thrill of power.
INTJ personalities assume leadership roles to get others to help them with their ambitions. For this reason, a good job for INTJ is as CEO of a successful company.
