Best Careers for INFP Personalities

Updated 3 April 2023

There is a significant overlap between INFP careers and ENFP careers, however, both personality types bring different skill sets and thought processes to your team. That's why INFP professionals prefer roles that allow them to express their creative side while ENFP professionals seek companies where they can interact with others. It's essential to have both types of personalities on your team because they complement each other's strengths and weaknesses.

In this article, we discuss what INFP and ENFP personality types are, their differences and common INFP careers.

What are INFP and ENFP personality types?

INFP and ENFP are two distinct personality types devised by the Myers-Briggs Personality Test. An INFP personality describes someone who is introverted, intuitive, feeling and prospecting. Also known as mediators, people with this personality type are quiet yet open-minded and imaginative. INFP careers usually fall under creative industries, such as arts, media and communications.

An ENFP personality describes someone who is extroverted, intuitive, feeling and prospecting. Also known as campaigners, people with this personality type are energetic and optimistic. They embrace big ideas and inspire others with their hopes and dreams. ENFP careers harness the outgoing nature of these candidates in fields such as the arts, business and sales.

What are the differences between INFP and ENFP professionals?

While INFP and ENFP personalities may only differ on the introversion and extroversion scale, this still impacts their approach to different situations in the work environment. Here are some differences:

Teamwork

INFP and ENFP personalities make great team players, but they bring a distinct dynamic to your team. Though quiet, INFP people often are the glue of the team. They bring a gentle and nurturing spirit. In contrast, ENFP personalities bring their energy. They read people well and challenge individuals to go outside of their comfort zone.

Leadership

ENFP personalities are the more visible leaders. People on the INFP spectrum, however, prefer a more supportive role where they can motivate people one-on-one. While ENFP leaders are more direct in giving feedback, INFP personalities are more tactful, using their warmth to lend emotional support.

Being managed

Both INFP and ENFP employees enjoy flexibility. While ENFP workers may be more vocal about their distaste for rules, INFP will try as much as possible to foster harmony. However, expect your INFP co-worker to be uncharacteristically outspoken about injustice. These individuals hold integrity above everything else.

Responding in a crisis

Both INFP and ENFP workers have caring personalities that help them manage the emotional climate of a team. However, INFP personalities tend to refrain from conflict. In a crisis, they are great empathetic friends that understand situations from different perspectives. ENFP personalities are more active participants in resolving a problem. They aren't afraid to try out unconventional solutions and deal with people amicably.

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Careers for INFP personalities

Research shows that INFP careers should encourage the creativity of individuals with this personality type. They seek jobs that give them a larger purpose. While they are supportive members of the team, INFP workers don't mind working independently either.

Here's a list of some of the most common INFP careers:

Arts and humanities

Arts and humanities is a suitable career path for INFP personalities because it allows them to use their imagination. Unlike ENFP professionals, INFP individuals prefer to stay away from the spotlight. Thus, you will usually find them in supportive roles.

If you are contemplating an INFP job in the arts and humanities field, the following are some positions and salaries to consider:

Animator

National average salary: $72,333 per year

Job duties: Animators use motion-capture graphics and 3D modelling to create expressive scenes and characters that portray a wide range of emotions. They collaborate with other animators, clients and producers to brainstorm ideas, produce concept sketches and eventually animate them for their audiences.

Artist

National average salary: $75,876 per year

Job duties: Depending on their talent, artists can draw and paint images and even sculpt models. Artists usually begin with some form of creative inspiration that they then translate into a piece of artwork. They usually work in a studio or workshop, creating art for clients and customers. Popular artists also work with galleries and museums to showcase their work.

Freelance Writer

National average salary: $80,709 per year

Job duties: A freelance writer works as an independent contractor to research, write and edit content. Depending on their client's needs and their interests, their writing may take on different forms such as articles, books and marketing copy. More experienced writers will also train and manage other writers.

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Media and communications

INFP professionals have great interpersonal skills; therefore, they are drawn to careers where they can express their warmth and understanding. The visual arts are an ideal fit for their talents because it allows them to use their creativity to solve problems and make connections. There are some roles in media and communications that might interest you:

Graphic designer

National average salary: $70,705 per year

Job duties: Graphic designers work on client briefs to help them develop graphics and layouts for products, packaging, brochures, company logos and websites. They brainstorm ideas, draft concepts and use specialised computer software to produce eye-catching work. They liaise with printers to ensure deadlines are met and their work is printed to the highest quality.

Photographer

National average salary: $74,926 per year

Job duties: Photographers use cameras, lighting techniques and editing software to produce images for commercial purposes. They work with clients to understand their requirements and budget, before researching and organising locations and models for a photoshoot. Most photographers work as private contractors in either the marketing and events industry. Depending on the client, they may also travel internationally for their work.

Translator

National average salary: $81,216 per year

Job duties: Translators accurately translate text from their native language to a foreign language. They use their knowledge about culture and linguistics so that readers can understand the context and meaning of a text. As business becomes more globalised, translators also attend conferences with clients to help them understand different dialects in different regions.

Business and technology

INFP professionals thrive in a work environment where they can achieve a work-life balance. Rather than a high-stress sales role, they would prefer working in a non-profit organisation with an important cause. Here are a few business and technology INFP careers to consider:

Fundraising manager

National average salary: $84,928 per year

Job duties: Fundraising managers work with volunteers and build relationships with major donors to raise money and resources for a charitable cause. Their job could span multiple functions, including marketing, sales and human resources, as they try to limit their expenses to raise funds for those in need. Fundraising managers use their creativity to solve problems and inspire volunteers despite limited finances.

Content strategist

National average salary: $101,082 per year

Job duties: Content strategists develop, execute, and manage content strategies to attract companies' target audiences. They aim to increase company profitability by building brand loyalty and identifying ways to improve customer retention.

UX designer

National average salary: $104,868 per year

Job duties: UX designers work in the technology industry to enhance the user experience of electronic devices, software and applications. They conduct research on user behaviour to inform the direction of their designs. They use customer stories and storyboards to create prototypes and wireframes.

Human resources manager

National average salary: $114,477 per year

Job duties: Human resources managers oversee recruitment, training and employee benefits within an organisation. They work with department heads to address staffing needs and help them advertise, interview and hire job candidates for vacant roles. They consult top executives on strategic management, implementing training initiatives to increase the productivity of employees. Their day-to-day duties include processing paperwork on behalf of employees.

Education and healthcare

INFP professionals are proficient in empathy, attentive listening and communication skills. That's why they make good educators and caretakers. They are comfortable in quiet environments and naturally enjoy meaningful conversations with others. Here are some INFP careers in this sector to consider:

Counsellor

National average salary: $84,140 per year

Job duties: Counsellors use counselling techniques to help people cope with stress and mental health issues. They attentively listen to their clients to identify problems and develop treatment plans to target maladaptive thinking and relationship constraints. It's common for counsellors to work outside of health clinics, such as in schools and offices.

Museum curator

National average salary: $84,145 per year

Job duties: Museum curators collect, catalogue and present exhibits in a museum or art gallery. They liaise with experts such as historians, archaeologists and artists to identify and present interesting artefacts to museum visitors. Often they will also host events to raise funds and awareness about research and development in the industry.

Teacher

National average salary: $95,043 per year

Job duties: Teachers are responsible for preparing lesson plans and educating students on various course materials. Through regular testing and feedback, they make it their mission to inspire, motivate and discipline the youth. During the academic year, they will also schedule appointments with parents to provide updates on the progress of their students.