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Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type
The bestselling guide to finding career success and satisfaction through Personality Type is now thoroughly revised, expanded, and updated.
DO WHAT YOU ARE--the time-honored classic that has already helped more than a million people find truly satisfying work--is now updated to include jobs in today's hottest markets, including health services, education, and communications technology.
With the global economy's ups and downs, the advent of astonishing new technology, the migration to online work and study, and the ascendancy of mobile communication, so much has changed in the American workplace since this book's fourth edition was published in 2007. What hasn't changed is the power of Personality Type to help people achieve job satisfaction.
This fifth edition is especially useful for millennials and for baby boomers experiencing midlife career switches. The book leads readers step-by-step through the process of determining and verifying Personality Type. Then it identifies occupations that are popular with each Type, provides helpful case studies, and offers a rundown of each Type's work-related strengths and weaknesses. Focusing on each Type's strengths, DO WHAT YOU ARE uses workbook exercises to help readers customize their job search, ensuring the best results in the shortest period of time.
DO WHAT YOU ARE--the time-honored classic that has already helped more than a million people find truly satisfying work--is now updated to include jobs in today's hottest markets, including health services, education, and communications technology.
With the global economy's ups and downs, the advent of astonishing new technology, the migration to online work and study, and the ascendancy of mobile communication, so much has changed in the American workplace since this book's fourth edition was published in 2007. What hasn't changed is the power of Personality Type to help people achieve job satisfaction.
This fifth edition is especially useful for millennials and for baby boomers experiencing midlife career switches. The book leads readers step-by-step through the process of determining and verifying Personality Type. Then it identifies occupations that are popular with each Type, provides helpful case studies, and offers a rundown of each Type's work-related strengths and weaknesses. Focusing on each Type's strengths, DO WHAT YOU ARE uses workbook exercises to help readers customize their job search, ensuring the best results in the shortest period of time.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 1992
651 people are currently reading
6476 people want to read
About the author
Paul D. Tieger
16 books38 followersThrough his ground-breaking book Do What You Are, Paul Tieger changed how career counseling is conducted around the world. The author of five books on Personality type and the preeminent expert in this field, Paul has helped over one million people find career satisfaction and success. On any given day, Do What You Are is the most or second most popular career book on Amazon.com.
from http://www.personalitytype.com/blog/
from http://www.personalitytype.com/blog/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
January 18, 2013
I got this book out of the library based on a passionate recommendation from Penelope Trunk, a blogger I read often. I thought I'd adore it, as I love her blog, think she has amazing insights into job and career advice, and anyway, I like self-help books of all stripes. I even read self-help books for problems I don't have.
I love personality tests. I love enneagram, OCEAN, “What Color is your Aura” and even Chinese and western zodiac tests. I have books on palm reading and phrenology and that thing where they tell how easy you are to hypnotize by looking at your eyes. I adore this stuff. I want to like Myers-Briggs. I really do. But I don’t. I think it sucks and I can’t figure out why so many people put such store into it.
Unlike the enneagram, “What color is your aura”, and zodiac, Myers-Briggs doesn’t give you an easy-to-remember answer, like a number or a color or an animal. They have some shorthand, like “mastermind” or “artisan” or “enforcer” and these are great, but not universal. All the four letter jumbles look and sound pretty much the same.
Unlike enneagram, Myers-Briggs says who you are is set in stone, and can not ever be changed or altered. If you can’t change, what’s the point in any self-help book ever? If you believe you are x and will always be, what’s the motivation to expand your horizons?
Change may be the reason I get a completely different result every time I take the Myers-Briggs. 5 tests, over a period of 20 years, 5 different answers. I think it's because personality traits as determined by the MBTI are learnable skills. I was shy, but I learned to be social. I used to daydream, but I’ve learned to take care of details. To say these are not meaningful changes is like telling someone who lost a lot of weight, “you are still a fat girl.”
Unlike OCEAN, Myers-Briggs type indicators don’t allow for a spectrum. In Myers-Briggs, you are one or the other. I think many (if not most) mentally healthy people are close to the middle of the spectrum. Being an emotionally healthy and mature adult means learning to balance empathy with logic, and knowing when to focus on the big picture, and when to focus on the details, for example. In Myers-Briggs the difference between ENTJ and INTJ is huge, which means that if you're in the middle of the spectrum, it's easy to get the wrong answer.
By far the biggest problem with this type indicator test is that it’s all self-assessment, and self-assessment isn’t necessarily accurate. Callous jerks can think they’re nice guys. Finnish people can think they’re extroverted because they speak to at least one person every day. And whom are you comparing yourself to? Among ranchers in Wyoming, I’m high-strung and neurotic as a purebred cat. Among overeducated underpublished Brooklyn 30-year-olds, I’m suddenly a zen master. The “good” tests ask about sometimes, always, never, but people generally think about whatever looms large in their mind. If you live with 8 brothers who are always hounding you, you’re likely to think you’re an introvert. If your co-worker reminds you ever day about tiny things that he remembers and you don’t, you might think you’re bad at details. Most of us don’t have a plethora of examples for these “sometimes, always, never”, and we’ll go with whatever looms largest.
This book has a lot of nice tools for explaining what EINSTFJP mean, but even picking and choosing, I couldn't really come up with anything that seemed right. Even when I did find one, it wasn't long before I read something else and thought, "well, I guess THAT's wrong." Perhaps it is because I am vast and contain multitudes.
Another problem with this book, though it could be a feature rather than a bug for some, is how in-depth it goes into the personality types. The amount of detail is astounding, and shows great foresight and complexity of mind. Too bad the facts are all imaginary. This reminded me of when I was a kid and I'd read about the zodiac signs and they'd say "As a Taurus, your favorite color is pink and your lucky number is 5." And I'd kind of sigh, because I hate pink, and how is "lucky 5" in any way verifiable?
Some people might like the "this is who you are, so this is what you're like" didacticism, but I think it's limiting and wrong. Your four letter alphabet soup MBTI type is not who you are. It's frustrating for the same reason why I get frustrated when my kids and their friends try something once and say "I'm good at this!" or "I'm not good at this!" and think that's the end-all-be-all. Let's put everyone into a box where they stay and then we don't have to work to change (or admit that people are complex.)
Another reason why this book isn't as useful as it could be is that there isn't much of a way of being able to tell what a job is going to be like before you're into it. When I was a kid, I thought that being an artist meant spending all day painting. Now that I know some artists, I know that it's more like being a small-business owner, heavy on the marketing. Some novelists spend 95% of their time writing in a room alone. Others travel 6-8 months of the year, selling themselves at cons and readings. Same "job", vastly different work. So even if this were wonderful and accurate about telling you who you were, it wouldn't be helpful because you don't really know what X profession does all day unless you either have X profession or can talk to someone who does. And so many jobs are not one-word jobs anyway. Personally, I think instead of asking "do you like to work with facts, or with people" it's more useful to ask "do you prefer to work on commission, or salary-based." You shouldn't need to take a personality test to know if you just want to work for money or if you need your job to have meaning. You should just know.
If I felt that any of the information in this book was based on a system that had some kind of scientific validity, I might have had a different reaction to it. As it is, it's kind of like "zodiac guide to getting a one-word job you're not qualified for and don't know what it's like anyway."
This book might be fun to read, if you don't take it too seriously. If you're the kind of person who might read "the zodiac guide to relationships" or "the enneagram diet," you'll probably find this amusing in an "everyone likes to hear about themselves" kind of way.
I love personality tests. I love enneagram, OCEAN, “What Color is your Aura” and even Chinese and western zodiac tests. I have books on palm reading and phrenology and that thing where they tell how easy you are to hypnotize by looking at your eyes. I adore this stuff. I want to like Myers-Briggs. I really do. But I don’t. I think it sucks and I can’t figure out why so many people put such store into it.
Unlike the enneagram, “What color is your aura”, and zodiac, Myers-Briggs doesn’t give you an easy-to-remember answer, like a number or a color or an animal. They have some shorthand, like “mastermind” or “artisan” or “enforcer” and these are great, but not universal. All the four letter jumbles look and sound pretty much the same.
Unlike enneagram, Myers-Briggs says who you are is set in stone, and can not ever be changed or altered. If you can’t change, what’s the point in any self-help book ever? If you believe you are x and will always be, what’s the motivation to expand your horizons?
Change may be the reason I get a completely different result every time I take the Myers-Briggs. 5 tests, over a period of 20 years, 5 different answers. I think it's because personality traits as determined by the MBTI are learnable skills. I was shy, but I learned to be social. I used to daydream, but I’ve learned to take care of details. To say these are not meaningful changes is like telling someone who lost a lot of weight, “you are still a fat girl.”
Unlike OCEAN, Myers-Briggs type indicators don’t allow for a spectrum. In Myers-Briggs, you are one or the other. I think many (if not most) mentally healthy people are close to the middle of the spectrum. Being an emotionally healthy and mature adult means learning to balance empathy with logic, and knowing when to focus on the big picture, and when to focus on the details, for example. In Myers-Briggs the difference between ENTJ and INTJ is huge, which means that if you're in the middle of the spectrum, it's easy to get the wrong answer.
By far the biggest problem with this type indicator test is that it’s all self-assessment, and self-assessment isn’t necessarily accurate. Callous jerks can think they’re nice guys. Finnish people can think they’re extroverted because they speak to at least one person every day. And whom are you comparing yourself to? Among ranchers in Wyoming, I’m high-strung and neurotic as a purebred cat. Among overeducated underpublished Brooklyn 30-year-olds, I’m suddenly a zen master. The “good” tests ask about sometimes, always, never, but people generally think about whatever looms large in their mind. If you live with 8 brothers who are always hounding you, you’re likely to think you’re an introvert. If your co-worker reminds you ever day about tiny things that he remembers and you don’t, you might think you’re bad at details. Most of us don’t have a plethora of examples for these “sometimes, always, never”, and we’ll go with whatever looms largest.
This book has a lot of nice tools for explaining what EINSTFJP mean, but even picking and choosing, I couldn't really come up with anything that seemed right. Even when I did find one, it wasn't long before I read something else and thought, "well, I guess THAT's wrong." Perhaps it is because I am vast and contain multitudes.
Another problem with this book, though it could be a feature rather than a bug for some, is how in-depth it goes into the personality types. The amount of detail is astounding, and shows great foresight and complexity of mind. Too bad the facts are all imaginary. This reminded me of when I was a kid and I'd read about the zodiac signs and they'd say "As a Taurus, your favorite color is pink and your lucky number is 5." And I'd kind of sigh, because I hate pink, and how is "lucky 5" in any way verifiable?
Some people might like the "this is who you are, so this is what you're like" didacticism, but I think it's limiting and wrong. Your four letter alphabet soup MBTI type is not who you are. It's frustrating for the same reason why I get frustrated when my kids and their friends try something once and say "I'm good at this!" or "I'm not good at this!" and think that's the end-all-be-all. Let's put everyone into a box where they stay and then we don't have to work to change (or admit that people are complex.)
Another reason why this book isn't as useful as it could be is that there isn't much of a way of being able to tell what a job is going to be like before you're into it. When I was a kid, I thought that being an artist meant spending all day painting. Now that I know some artists, I know that it's more like being a small-business owner, heavy on the marketing. Some novelists spend 95% of their time writing in a room alone. Others travel 6-8 months of the year, selling themselves at cons and readings. Same "job", vastly different work. So even if this were wonderful and accurate about telling you who you were, it wouldn't be helpful because you don't really know what X profession does all day unless you either have X profession or can talk to someone who does. And so many jobs are not one-word jobs anyway. Personally, I think instead of asking "do you like to work with facts, or with people" it's more useful to ask "do you prefer to work on commission, or salary-based." You shouldn't need to take a personality test to know if you just want to work for money or if you need your job to have meaning. You should just know.
If I felt that any of the information in this book was based on a system that had some kind of scientific validity, I might have had a different reaction to it. As it is, it's kind of like "zodiac guide to getting a one-word job you're not qualified for and don't know what it's like anyway."
This book might be fun to read, if you don't take it too seriously. If you're the kind of person who might read "the zodiac guide to relationships" or "the enneagram diet," you'll probably find this amusing in an "everyone likes to hear about themselves" kind of way.
May 13, 2021
It's all up to you...
April 15, 2012
Unsurprisingly, this book told me that I am an ISTJ (introverted, sensing, thinking, judging), for which that chapter's subtitle is "take your time and do it right"--exactly my perspective on life.
Key takeaways for me:
1) Career satisfaction involves the ability to use and remember facts/details; creating a real product/service, preferably with SOPs; the ability to work independently; tangible results; explicit objectives; increasing levels of responsibility, with a minimum of social politics, where I am evaluated on how well I have achieved the requirements of the job description; and working in an environment where my practical judgement is valued and rewarded. Overall: my current job.
2) Popular occupations include: auditor (for which I am thinking about going back to school), accountant (possible career change), government employee (hello!), gunsmith (could be fun), or librarian (another possible career that I've been weighing). Or coroner.
3) Civil service careers appeal to ISTJs' desire to serve the community. ISTJs use and remember facts (is this why I can remember random--albeit useless--details?), and "because they take nothing for granted, ISTJs catch slips and oversights, and follow necessary procedures and systems faithfully" (252). Orderly environments and rewarding task-orientation are work aspects ISTJs enjoy. Strengths include conscientiousness, desire to work hard, and ability to keep careful track of details.
4) Strengths: accuracy, desire to get it right the first time, ability to work alone, strong organization skills, attention to detail, strong sense of responsibility, clear work ethic, common sense, perseverance
5) Pitfalls: limited (but targeted) networking, fewer questions asked in interviews, reluctance to embrace new ideas, discomfort with change, impatience with processes that take too long, inflexibility, hard to see the big picture (yup...), lack of sensitivity, unwillingness to support change.
6) Tips for job searching as an ISTJ:
a) consider career possibilities that are less obvious--do not rule out options as unrealistic because I lack direct experience (I'm so guilty of doing this.)
b) don't overlook the implications of decisions
c) avoid being overcautious/rigid in thinking--be open to possibilities (again, totally guilty of doing this)
d) remember the human element in job searching
e) be aggressive in marketing yourself (I'm so bad at this)--try not to underestimate your abilities
Bottom line: "The secret to success for an ISTJ is learning to: be open to possibilities, consider implications for people, and embrace change" (258).
This book gently showed me my shortcomings but also gave me the tools to succeed. I know that I have been incredibly lucky to find a job that fits me so well, and knowing what all I need to look for and do to get another job gives me hope. I highly recommend this book for job seekers and people looking to derive greater satisfaction from their current job. Tips are given to cope with present stresses in office life, helping your personality profile mesh with practical methods to help you achieve workplace success.
Key takeaways for me:
1) Career satisfaction involves the ability to use and remember facts/details; creating a real product/service, preferably with SOPs; the ability to work independently; tangible results; explicit objectives; increasing levels of responsibility, with a minimum of social politics, where I am evaluated on how well I have achieved the requirements of the job description; and working in an environment where my practical judgement is valued and rewarded. Overall: my current job.
2) Popular occupations include: auditor (for which I am thinking about going back to school), accountant (possible career change), government employee (hello!), gunsmith (could be fun), or librarian (another possible career that I've been weighing). Or coroner.
3) Civil service careers appeal to ISTJs' desire to serve the community. ISTJs use and remember facts (is this why I can remember random--albeit useless--details?), and "because they take nothing for granted, ISTJs catch slips and oversights, and follow necessary procedures and systems faithfully" (252). Orderly environments and rewarding task-orientation are work aspects ISTJs enjoy. Strengths include conscientiousness, desire to work hard, and ability to keep careful track of details.
4) Strengths: accuracy, desire to get it right the first time, ability to work alone, strong organization skills, attention to detail, strong sense of responsibility, clear work ethic, common sense, perseverance
5) Pitfalls: limited (but targeted) networking, fewer questions asked in interviews, reluctance to embrace new ideas, discomfort with change, impatience with processes that take too long, inflexibility, hard to see the big picture (yup...), lack of sensitivity, unwillingness to support change.
6) Tips for job searching as an ISTJ:
a) consider career possibilities that are less obvious--do not rule out options as unrealistic because I lack direct experience (I'm so guilty of doing this.)
b) don't overlook the implications of decisions
c) avoid being overcautious/rigid in thinking--be open to possibilities (again, totally guilty of doing this)
d) remember the human element in job searching
e) be aggressive in marketing yourself (I'm so bad at this)--try not to underestimate your abilities
Bottom line: "The secret to success for an ISTJ is learning to: be open to possibilities, consider implications for people, and embrace change" (258).
This book gently showed me my shortcomings but also gave me the tools to succeed. I know that I have been incredibly lucky to find a job that fits me so well, and knowing what all I need to look for and do to get another job gives me hope. I highly recommend this book for job seekers and people looking to derive greater satisfaction from their current job. Tips are given to cope with present stresses in office life, helping your personality profile mesh with practical methods to help you achieve workplace success.
November 7, 2017
I feel a passionate loathing for this book. Something clanged in me as soon as I started reading it, and then based on my personality type it told me I should work independently from home on creative and artistic pursuits. Ok. I'll get right on that. Let me call my agent and set something up. I'll talk to my buyer and see what the market is asking for. Let me just head to my studio and whip something into existence just after I finish writing the op-ed piece my editor is demanding. Come the f*** on, how is this helpful?
January 10, 2018
This is the most helpful career book I've read yet. Instead of generic, one-size-fits-all career advice, it gives individualized insights based on your Myers-Briggs personality type. The first part of the book helps you determine your personality type if you don't already know it. There are many helpful exercises, including a self-evaluation series at the end that helps you think through the careers that suit you ("Ten Steps to Creating a Personal Career Plan").
This book is valuable for more than your career; it helps you understand yourself broadly. The descriptions of my personality type are eerily accurate, and I'll bet others find the same. Because I've done a lot of exercises like those in this book, I didn't learn much new about myself, but I was able to confirm what I already knew. It helped clarify many attributes I should seek in a career, but the example careers given in the book weren't very helpful.
I read this because it was recommended in I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This.
I'm an ISTJ, so I focused on the parts of the book meant for that type. ISTJs are 11-14% of the US population.
Notes
Hierarchy of functions (for ISTJ)
1. Sensing
2. Thinking
3. Feeling
4. Intuition
Dominant Sensors pay extremely close attention to facts and details. Trust and value above all else data of their 5 senses. Prefer to spend time taking in info rather than making decisions.
Your greatest strengths are in your dominant and auxiliary (secondary) functions. You're weakest when using inferior (4th) and, to some extent, tertiary.
Introverts must use their dominant function in their inner world (own head) for max satisfaction and effectiveness.
Dominant function emerges around age 6. Auxiliary function starts strengthening around age 12. 3rd and 4th functions fall in place (but are underdeveloped) around age 25. 3rd function starts to develop around age 40, but could be earlier. 4th function may develop after age 50, with conscious effort.
Expect career interests, skills, and roles to change over time as your type develops.
"Fourmula" for career satisfaction
1. Your innate temperament.
2. Your hierarchy of functions.
3. How you extravert or introvert your functions.
4. Where you are in your type development.
Questions to evaluate career options
1. How well does it make use of my best skills and abilities?
2. How well does it make use of my work-related strengths?
3. How well does it meet my top 5 criteria for career satisfaction?
Recommended books
What Color is Your Parachute, Richard Bolles
What's Your Type of Career, Donna Dunning
Finding Your Perfect Work, Paul Edwards
Looking at Type and Careers, C.R. Martin
This book is valuable for more than your career; it helps you understand yourself broadly. The descriptions of my personality type are eerily accurate, and I'll bet others find the same. Because I've done a lot of exercises like those in this book, I didn't learn much new about myself, but I was able to confirm what I already knew. It helped clarify many attributes I should seek in a career, but the example careers given in the book weren't very helpful.
I read this because it was recommended in I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This.
I'm an ISTJ, so I focused on the parts of the book meant for that type. ISTJs are 11-14% of the US population.
Notes
Hierarchy of functions (for ISTJ)
1. Sensing
2. Thinking
3. Feeling
4. Intuition
Dominant Sensors pay extremely close attention to facts and details. Trust and value above all else data of their 5 senses. Prefer to spend time taking in info rather than making decisions.
Your greatest strengths are in your dominant and auxiliary (secondary) functions. You're weakest when using inferior (4th) and, to some extent, tertiary.
Introverts must use their dominant function in their inner world (own head) for max satisfaction and effectiveness.
Dominant function emerges around age 6. Auxiliary function starts strengthening around age 12. 3rd and 4th functions fall in place (but are underdeveloped) around age 25. 3rd function starts to develop around age 40, but could be earlier. 4th function may develop after age 50, with conscious effort.
Expect career interests, skills, and roles to change over time as your type develops.
"Fourmula" for career satisfaction
1. Your innate temperament.
2. Your hierarchy of functions.
3. How you extravert or introvert your functions.
4. Where you are in your type development.
Questions to evaluate career options
1. How well does it make use of my best skills and abilities?
2. How well does it make use of my work-related strengths?
3. How well does it meet my top 5 criteria for career satisfaction?
Recommended books
What Color is Your Parachute, Richard Bolles
What's Your Type of Career, Donna Dunning
Finding Your Perfect Work, Paul Edwards
Looking at Type and Careers, C.R. Martin
September 10, 2016
I knew this book wouldn't do much for me--I don't like self-help books in the first place and I haven't had much luck with the career guidance books I've read. But I didn't mind this one. I learned more about Myers-Briggs than I ever expected to (which I'm not entirely sold on but which I found insightful just the same), and I read that as an INFJ I am preoccupied with the meaning of life. Which is true! But I'm still no closer to knowing what career path I should pursue, and so I shall continue to conclude that there is no meaning in life. But you tried, book. You tried.
August 25, 2010
Looked through this in detail last night. It went a bit beyond what I remember from "Type Talk".
It covers:
* the four dimensions of personality typing (chpt 2)
- Introversion/Extraversion
- iNtuitive/Sensor
- Thinking/Feeling
- Judging/Percieving
* the 16 personality types (chpt 3)
* the 4 temperaments (chpt 4)
- Experiencers - SP
- Traditionalists - SJ
- Conceptualizers - NT
- Idealists - NF
... all of which I was familiar with, plus ...
* the hierarchy of functions (chpt 5)
- your dominant, auxiliary, third (opposite of auxiliary), and fourth (opposite of dominant) functions (pg 67)
- basically places iNtuitive, Sensor, Thinking, and Feeling in a specific order based on your type
- the first two are the dimensions you claimed in chpt 2, the second two are the mirror opposites
* your typogram (chpt 6)
- shows how introversion/extroversion affects the four temperaments
- if you're introverted, you hide your dominant function, and show your auxiliary function
- if you're extroverted, you show your dominant function, and you hide your auxiliary function
* how your type changes with age (chpt 7)
- at 6-12, we work on our dominant function
- at 12 - 25, we work on our auxiliary function
- at 25 - 50, we work on our third function
- and sometimes, after 50, we work on our fourth function
... which was new to me.
After that, the rest of the book is detailed profiles of the 16 types. Less interesting stuff, at least in my current mood.
But repeating the above with personal examples.
I first tested as:
INTJ - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging
so by temperament, I'm an NT, a Conceptualizer
my hierarchy of functions is: iNtuitive, Thinking, Feeling, Sensing
so, I Introvert my iNtuitive side and show my Thinking side
But then you come to the age thing, as someone in the 25-50 bracket, I should be working on my third function at the moment - Feeling.
Strangely enough, when I've tested myself more recently, I come up with a different type.
INFJ - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging
which makes me, by temperament, an NF, an Idealist
and my hierarchy of functions would be: iNtuitive, Feeling, Thinking, Sensing
and, I Introvert my iNtuitive side and show my Feeling side
Freaky, huh?
I wonder if I really "changed" or if I'm pushing my third function so strongly, it looks like I've changed.
Whenever I've tested for Myers-Briggs, my Introversion and iNtuitive dimensions have always been fairly strong. I really think I've changed on the Thinking/Feeling dimension. And on the Judging/Perceiving dimension, I'm closer to the borderline - I have aspects of both. Basically, I'm somewhere in that upper right hand corner. *g*
ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ
ISTP ISFP INFP INTP
ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP
ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJ
SJ SJ NF NT
SP SP NF NT
SP SP NF NT
SJ SJ NF NT
It covers:
* the four dimensions of personality typing (chpt 2)
- Introversion/Extraversion
- iNtuitive/Sensor
- Thinking/Feeling
- Judging/Percieving
* the 16 personality types (chpt 3)
* the 4 temperaments (chpt 4)
- Experiencers - SP
- Traditionalists - SJ
- Conceptualizers - NT
- Idealists - NF
... all of which I was familiar with, plus ...
* the hierarchy of functions (chpt 5)
- your dominant, auxiliary, third (opposite of auxiliary), and fourth (opposite of dominant) functions (pg 67)
- basically places iNtuitive, Sensor, Thinking, and Feeling in a specific order based on your type
- the first two are the dimensions you claimed in chpt 2, the second two are the mirror opposites
* your typogram (chpt 6)
- shows how introversion/extroversion affects the four temperaments
- if you're introverted, you hide your dominant function, and show your auxiliary function
- if you're extroverted, you show your dominant function, and you hide your auxiliary function
* how your type changes with age (chpt 7)
- at 6-12, we work on our dominant function
- at 12 - 25, we work on our auxiliary function
- at 25 - 50, we work on our third function
- and sometimes, after 50, we work on our fourth function
... which was new to me.
After that, the rest of the book is detailed profiles of the 16 types. Less interesting stuff, at least in my current mood.
But repeating the above with personal examples.
I first tested as:
INTJ - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging
so by temperament, I'm an NT, a Conceptualizer
my hierarchy of functions is: iNtuitive, Thinking, Feeling, Sensing
so, I Introvert my iNtuitive side and show my Thinking side
But then you come to the age thing, as someone in the 25-50 bracket, I should be working on my third function at the moment - Feeling.
Strangely enough, when I've tested myself more recently, I come up with a different type.
INFJ - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging
which makes me, by temperament, an NF, an Idealist
and my hierarchy of functions would be: iNtuitive, Feeling, Thinking, Sensing
and, I Introvert my iNtuitive side and show my Feeling side
Freaky, huh?
I wonder if I really "changed" or if I'm pushing my third function so strongly, it looks like I've changed.
Whenever I've tested for Myers-Briggs, my Introversion and iNtuitive dimensions have always been fairly strong. I really think I've changed on the Thinking/Feeling dimension. And on the Judging/Perceiving dimension, I'm closer to the borderline - I have aspects of both. Basically, I'm somewhere in that upper right hand corner. *g*
ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ
ISTP ISFP INFP INTP
ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP
ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJ
SJ SJ NF NT
SP SP NF NT
SP SP NF NT
SJ SJ NF NT
February 23, 2008
One of the two most helpful books for job seekers I've ever read (the other is What Color Is Your Parachute?) This book, by the authors of Nurture By Nature - which is about parenting - again uses the Myers-Briggs personality type system to guide readers in analyzing and understanding their own strengths, weaknesses, and patterns of thinking and behavior, with the aims of first, figuring out what careers are the best match for any person; second, guiding him or her in the process of job-hunting and interviewing; and third, helping him or her be as effective as possible on the job once hired, both in terms of how to best use strengths and how to avoid being blindsided by weaknesses and bad habits.
This should be a required course in the senior year in every high school and university in the world.
This should be a required course in the senior year in every high school and university in the world.
August 13, 2009
In an attempt to nullify the adverse effects of personality typing I am reading this book backwards. Hopefully this will undo the notion that something as complex as a human's personality can be accurately described using only four letters. I have four letters of my own to describe the work of Drs. Meyers and Briggs.....SHIT. Your astrological sign's description is about as accurate.
May 5, 2011
I originally purchased this in the 90's on the advice of a psychotherapist I was seeing. She highly recommended it. I had taken a test in the 11th grade, many, many moons ago, and a similar test in the 90's when I was in a program in my state called Vocational Rehab or VocRehab for short. The first thing VocRehab had me do was to go in every morning for a week and take a battery of tests, i.e. I.Q., interest tests, etc. At that age, my head swam.
On both tests, many years apart, I found out the same thing: I had the interest and aptitude to be a farmer, or a park ranger, or work in a greenhouse, or be a sewer plant worker, among other occupations. When I took the first test, I was 16 and on track to go to college and major in fashion and marketing. But I got a dose of that career my senior year in a Distributive Education program, and worked in the best department store at that time in my city (a state capitol). That experience soured me on that career. I got some college under my belt, but ultimately I became a stay-at-home mom. Which I did love.
And so years later, after the same kinds of tests I took in the 90's, I found out I had the same recommendations! I was surprised, but pleasantly. I've since learned I love all things rural, organic gardening/farming, things like permaculture, backyard poultry, the lost arts that our grandmothers knew, like fermentation, sourdough baking, etc. I love the wilderness, and the wide-open spaces. I love goats, cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs, all raised in appropriate ways.
So when I found this book, with the knowledge of personality type, and how to use it to figure out how my type would fit into a job, I found it very exciting. I still do. I feel, that, if followed it can save a lot of time and grief in one's life. It's a fascinating book!! And very helpful, also.
On both tests, many years apart, I found out the same thing: I had the interest and aptitude to be a farmer, or a park ranger, or work in a greenhouse, or be a sewer plant worker, among other occupations. When I took the first test, I was 16 and on track to go to college and major in fashion and marketing. But I got a dose of that career my senior year in a Distributive Education program, and worked in the best department store at that time in my city (a state capitol). That experience soured me on that career. I got some college under my belt, but ultimately I became a stay-at-home mom. Which I did love.
And so years later, after the same kinds of tests I took in the 90's, I found out I had the same recommendations! I was surprised, but pleasantly. I've since learned I love all things rural, organic gardening/farming, things like permaculture, backyard poultry, the lost arts that our grandmothers knew, like fermentation, sourdough baking, etc. I love the wilderness, and the wide-open spaces. I love goats, cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs, all raised in appropriate ways.
So when I found this book, with the knowledge of personality type, and how to use it to figure out how my type would fit into a job, I found it very exciting. I still do. I feel, that, if followed it can save a lot of time and grief in one's life. It's a fascinating book!! And very helpful, also.
March 15, 2019
The fact that I enjoyed this book so much further confirms what I already knew about myself (and learned even more about). I have an intuitive personality and love digging into the deeper meanings and connections behind things and people.
After a series of activities and assessments, this book showed me how to take my own personality type (mostly an ENJF, but maybe sometimes a touch INFJ. Introvert/extrovert indecisiveness!) and apply it to finding my "dream job". Many of the jobs on the recommended list for me were avenues I had considered at some point in time, but I could never quite make the connection between them all. Now I understand why I am drawn to these seemingly different careers and can finally see the core common values in each of them. A therapist AND an event planner AND a nutritionist AND a small business owner?! I want to be all of those things! Now I know why :)
Highly recommend for anyone who is interested in practicing self-awareness, is considering a career change, or maybe even be going through a mid-life crisis (because THAT is also discussed).
After a series of activities and assessments, this book showed me how to take my own personality type (mostly an ENJF, but maybe sometimes a touch INFJ. Introvert/extrovert indecisiveness!) and apply it to finding my "dream job". Many of the jobs on the recommended list for me were avenues I had considered at some point in time, but I could never quite make the connection between them all. Now I understand why I am drawn to these seemingly different careers and can finally see the core common values in each of them. A therapist AND an event planner AND a nutritionist AND a small business owner?! I want to be all of those things! Now I know why :)
Highly recommend for anyone who is interested in practicing self-awareness, is considering a career change, or maybe even be going through a mid-life crisis (because THAT is also discussed).
May 23, 2020
A perfectly satisfactory introduction to applied MBTI theory in the professional realm. It builds upon role differentiation based on types (SJ/SP/NF/NT), and gives career advice based on these roles. It is old-school MBTI, fairly straightforward to read and apply, but of course, lack any astounding new insight.
Recommended for: people who have never heard of MBTI and feel like they can use a more systematic understanding to their individual strengths and weaknesses, and how these traits could apply to their careers.
Recommended for: people who have never heard of MBTI and feel like they can use a more systematic understanding to their individual strengths and weaknesses, and how these traits could apply to their careers.
September 18, 2019
The entire premise hinges on the completely debunked, unscientific notion of "personality types". There's zero evidence that a self-assessment can accurately place you into some empirically valid category, or that this category has any bearing on one's aptitude toward different professions.
This is astrology with a different coat of paint.
This is astrology with a different coat of paint.
Want to read
July 17, 2019Nice to read to understand 16 personality types(MBTI) and becoming more aware of your own unique personality type to fit your work.
August 28, 2023
Do What You Are is an awesome book that helps you understand your personality type and how it relates to your career choices. It's like a guide to finding the perfect job that aligns with who you are.
The book explores the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and how it can give you insights into your strengths, preferences, and work style. It helps you discover your true passions and talents, so you can pursue a career that brings you fulfillment.
I love how Do What You Are emphasizes the importance of finding a job that aligns with your personality. It's all about finding that perfect fit where you can thrive and be your authentic self.
If you're feeling stuck in your career or just want to gain a better understanding of yourself, Do What You Are is a fantastic resource. It's like having a personal career coach guiding you towards finding a job that you love.
The book explores the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and how it can give you insights into your strengths, preferences, and work style. It helps you discover your true passions and talents, so you can pursue a career that brings you fulfillment.
I love how Do What You Are emphasizes the importance of finding a job that aligns with your personality. It's all about finding that perfect fit where you can thrive and be your authentic self.
If you're feeling stuck in your career or just want to gain a better understanding of yourself, Do What You Are is a fantastic resource. It's like having a personal career coach guiding you towards finding a job that you love.
July 30, 2024
Some helpful explanations on the details of the Myers-Briggs personality test through the scope of professional careers. As you might expect, a bit restrictive at times, especially when extrapolating personality type to basic human needs and desires. Nonetheless, a thought-provoking read as I navigate what the hell to do with my life 🤪
August 13, 2018
A great reference on MBTI personality types with quite a lot of analysis and practical use for career selection.
May 3, 2020
A good primer for MBTI. Seemed a bit too anecdotal with not enough specific application. Would be a good MBTI 101 book.
Read
February 20, 2024grad school assignment aside, kind of insane to buy a whole book about your personality test results and potential careers and there’s only one chapter that applies specifically to you….
February 7, 2014
Things I loved while going through this material again: elements of chapters 4 through 7, which build upon your identification of your particular four-letter code, and which show you how some of the elements work together synergistically to create a unique, outside-the-code mode. I especially loved noting that while I am a strong introvert who likes to introvert my thinking function, I will comfortably extravert my intuitive function - I do have something of value to offer up and share with others, and it won't leave me feeling like burnt toast when it's over. I think I had begun to identify too much with the introvert label and was using this as an excuse to do less than I can. Running on a battery doesn't mean I have a dead battery and that's how I've been acting. Also, I had to admit to myself this go-round that I'm not a judger in terms of decision-making; I'm a perceiver. It's really hard for me to stick to a timetable and I enjoy when I can get to it 'sometime', so long as I make sure sometime shows up... sometime. And on that note, I have to go so I won't be late for dinner.
Note: above from date read, October 7, 2012; reading again in Jan 2014...
2/6/2014: I think I was wrong about the perceiver part. I got thrown off by always being late but I think that's particular to how I was raised. I'm straddling the P/J line but I identify most with INTJ now. I read the chapters describing the functions and it makes so much more sense to me that I introvert my intuition. So, I show up in about 1 % of the population. I am on the fringe. Well, I think I might like it here.
Note: above from date read, October 7, 2012; reading again in Jan 2014...
2/6/2014: I think I was wrong about the perceiver part. I got thrown off by always being late but I think that's particular to how I was raised. I'm straddling the P/J line but I identify most with INTJ now. I read the chapters describing the functions and it makes so much more sense to me that I introvert my intuition. So, I show up in about 1 % of the population. I am on the fringe. Well, I think I might like it here.
July 18, 2012
Loved it! I'm going through a lot of career transition in my life, of trying to figure out what I want to do for the next 30 years, and I totally dig this kind of stuff. I'm big into self-analysis (I think most of my friends and family know that about me!) I recently did a StrengthsFinder analysis and did a MBTI test YEARS ago because my best friend's dad administered them as part of his job, and thought it was very interesting: ISFJ. In fact, i think a lot of how I've seen myself over the years was built around that framework--an introvert, strong feeling, makes judgments and decisions quickly, etc. But I woke up at 2am a few nights ago, and thought reading about personality types might lull me to sleep (ha!), and discovered that really I'm an ENFJ--an extroverted (although I don't mind spending time by myself) intuitive feeler (still making the judgments!) The extrovert/introvert part really threw me--I always knew I liked people, but didn't realize how important it was for me to connect to them, to develop them, to see growth. All of that is very satisfying for me. So this book really helped put that into words--it accurately described the personality for each of the 16 types, and then had an in-depth profile of each type with individual case studies, possible careers, using your strengths, etc. I really liked the layout, and found it rather compelling. It also included a great list of resources in the back.
Highly recommended for job seekers/career changers.
Highly recommended for job seekers/career changers.
September 14, 2009
Disclaimer: I didn't actually read this entire book. The first section is designed to help readers determine their type, then you can just read the information that is pertinent to your type. This is what I did. I'm not really concerned about what careers might be good for the other 15 personality types. On the plus side, the book helped to confirm my Meyers-Briggs type for me - I am definitely an ISFJ. The chapter specific to my type was also somewhat helpful. It includes a list of possible career choices for that type and indicates which careers are likely to be in demand. I'm already contemplating a career switch to one or two of the suggested career choices for my type. On the negative side, Tieger and Barron's writing style is not terribly sophisticated; they seem to be aiming for a very simple-minded audience. The authors actually talk about "surfing the web" and make the same lame joke two times about how it doesn't involve surfboards. Even though this is the most recent edition of the book (published in March 2007), it already seems very out of date.
April 7, 2012
I picked up Do What You Are to help me confirm my personality type after taking the Myers-Briggs test (which I recommend doing before reading this book). The authors give a good description of each of the four personality types and the sixteen temperaments. Reading this book (and a few others) help me confirm my personality type and better understand the personality types of my children. (I already had a good grasp on my husband's personality type, but this book confirmed that too.)
I will definitely be checking out this book again when my children begin thinking about their career paths. I appreciated the advice the authors gave for each personality type while job hunting. It gives clear suggestions base on each persons comfort-zone. Something which as an introvert, I greatly appreciated. My hope is this book (among others) will some day help my children, especially my son, see how they can use their gifts in a meaningful way.
I will definitely be checking out this book again when my children begin thinking about their career paths. I appreciated the advice the authors gave for each personality type while job hunting. It gives clear suggestions base on each persons comfort-zone. Something which as an introvert, I greatly appreciated. My hope is this book (among others) will some day help my children, especially my son, see how they can use their gifts in a meaningful way.
May 30, 2011
Totally not my fault. I’m unemployed and this was on my roommate’s shelf. It’s a rite of passage, okay?
I think the four axes of the MBTI are interesting frames for the world. It paints a positive picture of introversion, and mentally redefining “sloppy” and “together” as “perceiving” and “judging” has made it possible for me to live around other people. The lists of values and work environment preferences were remarkably helpful—I read through all the types and got a much clearer picture of my own needs than I’d had previously. That said, the thinking/feeling binary is BS, “sensing” tends to be a euphemism for “stupid,” and type definitions are basically extended wishful thinking.
Incidentally, I’m an INFJ. I don’t have a supernatural grasp of other people’s feelings, maybe because I extravert my judging. (That's a joke.)
I think the four axes of the MBTI are interesting frames for the world. It paints a positive picture of introversion, and mentally redefining “sloppy” and “together” as “perceiving” and “judging” has made it possible for me to live around other people. The lists of values and work environment preferences were remarkably helpful—I read through all the types and got a much clearer picture of my own needs than I’d had previously. That said, the thinking/feeling binary is BS, “sensing” tends to be a euphemism for “stupid,” and type definitions are basically extended wishful thinking.
Incidentally, I’m an INFJ. I don’t have a supernatural grasp of other people’s feelings, maybe because I extravert my judging. (That's a joke.)
January 22, 2013
I found this book to be moderately interesting but not terribly accurate. I landed pretty solidly on INFJ and as a result the book kept steering me toward counseling and various jobs that involved working with people's feelings. Man, I spent most of my undergraduate degree (in psychology of course) doing various counseling type jobs and all that I learned was that I NEVER want to do that work again.
I found this book useful in that it validated some things I already knew about myself but doubted (it's okay to be an introvert yet still like working with people) and that it helped me identify and refine my preferences as I mentally argued with the book (I don't like working with people's feelings, but I do like working with people on logical tasks).
A worthwhile read, but I don't feel all that much clearer in terms of my own career path.
I found this book useful in that it validated some things I already knew about myself but doubted (it's okay to be an introvert yet still like working with people) and that it helped me identify and refine my preferences as I mentally argued with the book (I don't like working with people's feelings, but I do like working with people on logical tasks).
A worthwhile read, but I don't feel all that much clearer in terms of my own career path.
Read
May 9, 2018A revolutionary way of finding the right job. Every job hunter or career changer needs this book.
Kevin Harrington, Career Services, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Offers an easy way to discover some extremely useful information about your Personality Type. When you are armed with this new self-awareness, the directions toward your own job and career satisfaction become clear.
William Corwin, Office of Career Services, Princeton University
This is one of the most popular career books in the world. It's easy to see why. Many have found great help from the concept of Personality Type, and Tieger and Barron are masters at explaining this approach to career choice. Highly recommended.
Richard N. Bolles, Author of What Color is Your Parachute?
Kevin Harrington, Career Services, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Offers an easy way to discover some extremely useful information about your Personality Type. When you are armed with this new self-awareness, the directions toward your own job and career satisfaction become clear.
William Corwin, Office of Career Services, Princeton University
This is one of the most popular career books in the world. It's easy to see why. Many have found great help from the concept of Personality Type, and Tieger and Barron are masters at explaining this approach to career choice. Highly recommended.
Richard N. Bolles, Author of What Color is Your Parachute?
February 9, 2010
I read this book a couple years ago. I already knew my type, but wanted more information and wanted to confirm what I suspected.
Jung's types and the MBTI have been extremely helpful to me.
The MBTI is not something to get boggled down by. I know several people who've come across trait theory and reject it as "limiting". I think they're really missing out. The MBTI is a great tool for personal growth, but even better when working in groups. For me, as an INTP, it's priceless to have a way to understand people and their motivation. I tend to "type" the people around me and approach people based on my suspicions.
The book is somewhat redundant, as their is a wealth of information online regarding Jung's types. But it is a great quick reference and is probably more consistent.
Jung's types and the MBTI have been extremely helpful to me.
The MBTI is not something to get boggled down by. I know several people who've come across trait theory and reject it as "limiting". I think they're really missing out. The MBTI is a great tool for personal growth, but even better when working in groups. For me, as an INTP, it's priceless to have a way to understand people and their motivation. I tend to "type" the people around me and approach people based on my suspicions.
The book is somewhat redundant, as their is a wealth of information online regarding Jung's types. But it is a great quick reference and is probably more consistent.
August 5, 2010
i gave this 3 stars because it was a good tool, but not great.
learning about my type certainly helped and it did help me to narrow down my ideas of what i might like to do. this book is probably NOT going to leave you with a 100% answer of what you want to do with your life, so if that's what you're looking for, good luck.
if you're in that place that i find myself in where you know you're unsatisfied with what you're currently doing and are searching for tools to help you narrow down what it is you want to pursue instead, i recommend it. it will help with that but it left me with just as many questions as it did answers... because a book can't make decisions for you.
now i'm off to do some research on the careers it left me interested in!
learning about my type certainly helped and it did help me to narrow down my ideas of what i might like to do. this book is probably NOT going to leave you with a 100% answer of what you want to do with your life, so if that's what you're looking for, good luck.
if you're in that place that i find myself in where you know you're unsatisfied with what you're currently doing and are searching for tools to help you narrow down what it is you want to pursue instead, i recommend it. it will help with that but it left me with just as many questions as it did answers... because a book can't make decisions for you.
now i'm off to do some research on the careers it left me interested in!
November 24, 2020
I read the original version of this book years ago and found it helpful as an early twenty-something considering my future and career. I was intrigued to revisit it, but I didn't find there to be much in the way of updates.. Plus, I have since read other similar books and taken extensive personality tests that were much more revealing and detailed. In all, this might be a good starting point for a young person or someone considering a career change, but otherwise you'll likely want something with more depth.
March 1, 2014
You can find basic information about Myers-Briggs types online, but if you want to go into more detail about personality types, this is the book to read. It explains types, hierarchy of functions, extraverted functions vs introverted functions in a very clear way, also giving nudges as to how all this may apply in your own (working) life.
This is a great read if you're already interested in personality type and want to know more ( but don't want to be overwhelmed with information).
This is a great read if you're already interested in personality type and want to know more ( but don't want to be overwhelmed with information).
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