Personality and values (repaired)

Futures Workbooks: Your Personality and Values 1/39

Welcome to ‘Your Personality and Values’, one of several ‘Futures’ workbooks, which help you choose and prepare a career route after graduation. Like the other workbooks in the series you can dip in and out doing the exercises which are most relevant to you. You might want ti include the exercises or the output in your personal development plan or e-portfolio

The aim of this workbook is to help you to clarify or identify your personality type and work values as a step toward choosing work that really suits you. It can also help you in the preparation for job selection interviews and for other occasions when you may want or need to analyse your personality type and work values.

Contents

Thinking about you (25 minutes exercise) 3

Personality type (15 minutes exercise) 5

Outcomes 21

Work values (20 minutes exercise) 22

Survey results 30

What might suit you 38

When you have completed the exercises in this workbook, you are advised to move on to either ‘Futures’ workbook: ‘Assessing Your Skills’, or workbook: ‘Decision Making and Problem Solving, as these workbooks look respectively at your skills and your responses to problems and how you make decisions. Completing all the exercises in both workbooks will help you clarify or gain a broad view of yourself.

Personality You may well be matched for a particular job in terms of your skills. However, if it doesn’t fit your personality as well as you can become frustrated, stressed and unhappy.


YOUR PERSONALITY AND VALUES

Personality Type: this is a way of describing the cluster of outward behavioural characteristics that an individual presents to the world.

Values: these are our motives and beliefs; the things we believe are important to us; the things that drive our ambitions and life goals.

SECTION 1: YOU (twenty five minutes)

For example, if you are very sociable it is likely you want to work with others in your day to day role.

Many graduate roles allow for ‘job crafting’ i.e. developing the role to meet your own skills, interests and abilities.


The most defining feature of my personality is…Quite shy when with completely new people but social when I have familiarised myself with themVery hard working and don’t give up easily Like to have a bit of competition

Others who don’t know me well might see me, at first, as…Shy and reserved

Something really positive about my personality is….Very hard workingGood with my hands Got at working in a team or group

Someone who knows me very well would say of me…I like to socialise, sporty, hardworking, flexible with my behaviour to change to different situations


Under pressure I can …Think in a logical way to help the situation

Looking back in life so far, the things I have done that gave me the greatest ‘buzz’ were…Sports which have an adrenaline rush such as rugby and skiing. I also really like the feeling of success

When you have completed the other sections in this workbook, come back to this section and compare results.

The idea that personality can be categorised into types was popularised and developed by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers. They developed an in depth test of personality type, the MBTI.There are many other models of personality and other tests personality type. However, please note these exercises are not properly validated psychometric personality tests.In the exercise that follows you will be considering four aspects of your own personality. When considering each of these aspects you will be asked to decide whether you are more towards one end of the scale or the other. The scales are: Extroversion … introversion;Sensing … intuition; Thinking … feeling and;Judging … perceiving.

This will result in a personality profile which you can read more about later in the workbook. There is no right or wrong answers: simply different personality types. Each personality type brings benefits and disadvantages. Knowing your personality type though, can help you play to your strengths.

EXTROVERSION & INTROVERSION

Where, primarily, do you direct your energy?

To the outer world of activity, and spoken words or to the inner world of thoughts and emotions?

If it is toward the outer world of activity or words, it is called Extroversion, denoted by the letter E. If it is toward the inner world of ideas, information, or thoughts, it is called Introversion, denoted by the letter I. Extro- is a prefix meaning 'without' and Intro- is a prefix meaning 'within'.

Most people think that extroverted means ‘talkative’ and introverted means ‘shy’ or ‘reserved’, but this is a very simplistic way of looking at these two dimensions

During each day you will undoubtedly spend time spontaneously doing or saying things, as well as retreating into the inner world of contemplation and thought. If your working day has involved much interaction with the world, even the clearest Extrovert may feel at the end of the day that he or she wants to be left alone with his thoughts. Conversely, if an Introvert has been working in isolation all day, he or she may feel that she needs to socialise in the evening to restore some balance.


SECTION 2: PERSONALITY TYPE (15 minute exercise)

You, like every other individual, need to find a particular balance of both introversion and extroversion. However, generally introverts enjoy spending time alone to ‘recharge their batteries’, whilst the reverse is true for extroverts. Some general points about extroverts and introverts: Extroverts: Introverts:Energised by being with others Energised by spending time

aloneOften thinks out loud Inclined to think things through

without speechShares personal feelings easily More private with their feelings

On balance do you think you incline more to:

E or I ? Write which letter you incline to in this box: I

THE KIND OF INFORMATION WE NATURALLY NOTICE

How do you prefer to process information?

In the form of known facts and familiar terms, or in the form of possibilities or new potential?

Some people focus on ‘what is’, whilst others focus on ‘what could be’.

If it is in the form of facts or familiar terms, it is called Sensing, denoted by the letter S. If it is in the form of possibilities or new potential, it is called iNtuition, denoted by the letter N (N is used rather than I, to avoid confusion with Introversion).

The term Sensing is used because information is taken in primarily by way of the senses. The term iNtuition is used because information is perceived primarily in an intuitive fashion.

Sensing types tend to be interested in tangible reality, focusing on the present, and seeing what is, rather than what might be. At an extreme, Sensing types can have their feet so well and truly on the ground that they miss out on possibilities for the future.

The preference for iNtuition suggests a greater emphasis on insight and the future, focusing on what might be, rather than what is. At an extreme, iNtuition types can focus so much on possibilities that they lose touch with current realities.

Sensing types tend to communicate in direct ways, whilst iNtuition types prefer to communicate in creative ways.


Sensing: iNtuition:

Trusts what is certain and concrete Trusts instinct, inspiration and inference

Likes new ideas only if they are practical

Likes new ideas for their own sake

Values realism and common sense Values imagination and innovationLikes to use established skills Likes to learn new skillsPresents information in a step-by-step way

Gets bored easily after mastering new skills

Good at noting and remembering facts

Best at interpreting facts

It can be hard sometimes to decide which ‘side’ we are on with this particular element as people are often a mixture of the two – but again, it is about deciding which side generally we are inclined to.


S or N ? Write which letter you incline to in this box: S

HOW WE MAKE DECISIONS

How do you prefer to make decisions?

On the basis of logic and objective considerations or On the basis of personal values

If it is on the basis of logic and objective considerations, it is called Thinking, denoted by the letter T. If it is on the basis of personal values, it is called Feeling, denoted by the letter F.

Thinking types prefer decisions that make sense logically. They pride themselves on their ability to be objective and analytical. They make decisions by analysing and weighing the evidence, even if it means coming to unpleasant conclusions.

Feeling types make decisions based on how much they care or what they feel is right. They pride themselves on their ability to be compassionate in their judgements.

The terms ‘thinking’ and ‘feeling’ carry certain connotations. In Western culture, for example, there is a strong gender bias to certain types of behaviour. Men may feel they should choose ‘thinking’, even though their instincts draw them to ‘feeling’. Conversely, women may be more inclined instinctively to the ‘thinking’ type, but socialised to feel they should opt for the ‘feeling’ category.

Thinking: Feeling: Steps back from problems and Thinks hard about effects of


analyses them decisions on individuals

Truth more important than tact and can take a hard line when necessary

Generally likes to satisfy or please others

Strong motivation to achieve Will look for compromises

Trusts feelings only if they are logical

Believes feelings are important in decision making

On balance do you think you incline more to: T or F?

Write which letter you incline to in this box: F

THE WAY WE ORGANISE OUR LIVES

How do you prefer to organise your life?

In a structured way, making decisions and knowing where you stand or In a flexible way, discovering life as you go along

If it is in a structured way, making decisions and knowing where you stand, then it is called Judgement (J). If it is in a flexible way, discovering life as you go along - this is called Perception (P).

Someone whose preference is Judgement prefers, in their lifestyle, to make decisions. This means that they prefer to make decisions about what to do, where to go, what to say, and so on. As a result of these decisions, their lifestyle appears organised. They like to feel they have control over their own bit of life.

Someone whose preference is Perception prefers, in their lifestyle, to learn or experience new things. This means that they prefer to find out more, rather than making decisions, and are more comfortable when they keep their options open. As a result of this openness they can appear, and feel to be, flexible in outlook and behaviour.

An important distinction between Judgement and Perception types is in the issue of closure of decisions. J-type personalities experience tension until a final decision on an issue is made. P-types, however, experience tension when they are forced to make a decision, as they often prefer to keep their options open.

Judgement: Perception:

Happiest after decisions are made

Prefers to leave options open

Strong work ethic – work first, Strong play ethic


play later Sets goals & works toward these Enjoys adapting to new

situations Gains satisfaction from finishing

projects Enjoys starting new projects

Prefers knowing exactly what’s involved

Copes well with ambiguity


J or P ? Write which letter you incline to in this box: J

Working out your own preference

Everyone's personality will reflect all aspects of the model. You use Extroversion as well as Introversion, Sensing as well as iNtuition, Thinking as well as Feeling, and Judgement as well as Perception.

However, you are likely to have preferences of response to situations that will help you to arrive at your profile.

List the letters you have chosen for each of the four dimensions.

Your choice of letters: I S F J

The combination of letters you have arrived at is your Personality Type.

The grid below indicates approximately how the UK population can be categorised according to type.

ISTJ13.7%

ISFJ12.7%

INFJ1.7%

INTJ1.4%

ISTP6.4%

ISFP6.1%

INFP3.2%

INTP2.4%

ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP


5.8% 8.7% 6.3% 2.8%ESTJ10.4%

ESFJ12.6%

ENFJ2.8%

ENTJ2.9%

THE SIXTEEN TYPES

Below is some basic information about different personality types. After each description there is a selection of jobs which may match.

Further on in this book there is space for you to reflect on this information and how well you feel it matches you.This section contains a brief overview of the sixteen types from the model proposed by Myers and Briggs. Everyone is an individual, but the model highlights general themes or similarities between people. Reading this section may help you to consolidate your understanding of the preferences, and help identify your own personality type.

ESTJ

ESTJs take their energy from the outside world of actions and spoken words. They prefer dealing with facts, things that are happening in the present and making decisions based on logic. Their lives are organised on a practical basis and they like to implement tried and trusted solutions to problems in a business-like and impersonal manner. They prefer to ensure that the details have been taken care of, rather than spend time considering concepts and strategies.

TYPE Persuasive/Influencing Technical Other

ESTJ Sales WorkMilitary ServiceTeaching (technical)Security WorkPoliceProbation ServiceEnvironmental HealthTrading StandardsFuneral Director

EngineeringComputer AnalystFarming/HorticultureConstruction TradeTechnical/Trade TrainerMedical TechnicianAudio/Visual TechnicianHaulage/TransportSupervisor

DentistStockbrokerClerical/Administrative & Managerial work associated with budgets, finance, stock control, credit analysis & related occupations

INFP

INFPs take their energy from the inner world of thoughts and emotions. They prefer dealing with patterns and possibilities and prefer to make decisions on the basis of their personal values. INFP’s lives are flexible and follow new insights and possibilities as they arise. INFP’s are quiet and adaptable. However, when their values are violated they can surprise people with their assertive stance. They are interested in new ideas, and may sometimes make very creative contributions. They will often strive toward the personal growth of self and others and prefer to undertake work that has a meaningful purpose.


TYPE Creative/Arts

Human Service Health Care Business Related

INFP ArtistWriterJournalistEntertainerArchitectActingEditorMusician

Social WorkLibrarianTeachingPsychologistCounsellingResearcherLegal WorkClergy/Religious

DieticianPhysiotherapyOccupational-TherapyAlternative or Complementary Health Workers

Jobs in personnel or HR related areas mainly.

ESFP

ESFPs take their energy from the outside world of actions and spoken words. They prefer dealing with facts, which they usually take at face value. They also prefer dealing with the present and with people, and derive much enjoyment out of friendships. ESFP life-style is flexible, and they live very much in the present and respond to things as they arise. They are impulsive and friendly, seeking enjoyment out of life, and make new friends easily. They like taking part in solving urgent problems and trouble shooting. They operate best in practical situations involving people.

TYPE Social & Health Related

Leisure Related Business/Service


ESFP TeachingChildcareSports CoachSocial Work /Care WorkerDependency CounsellorEducational PsychologyNurseOccupational TherapyOther remedial therapiesDieticianAnimal/Veterinary Care

Travel Agent/Tour Operator/GuidePhotographerFilm ProductionMusicianPromotionsEvents Manager

Fund-raiserPublic RelationsHR/PersonnelReceptionistRetail Sales/ManagementEstate AgentSecretarialWaitress/WaiterFlight AttendantFloristryHotel/Catering

INTJ

INTJs take their energy from the inner world of thoughts and emotions. They prefer dealing with patterns and possibilities for the future, and make decisions by an impersonal analysis of situations. Their lives are organised on a logical basis and they are strategists who can identify long term goals and organise life to meet these. They tend to be sceptical and critical, both of self and others, and possess a keen sense of deficiencies in matters relating to quality and competence. They often have strong intellects, yet are able to attend to details that are relevant to strategy.

TYPE Business Related Technical Other

INTJ Telecom SecurityComputer Info. ServicesEconomistBankingResearch & DevelopmentFinancial PlanningManagement ConsultantStrategic PlanningProject Manager

Computer Systems AnalystElectrical/Electronics EngineeringDesign EngineeringComputer ProgrammerEnvironmental TechnicianIT Systems or Network Technician

Civil Engineer

TeachingPsychologistPsychiatryMedicineNews AnalystEducational Psychologists


ESFJ

ESFJs take their energy from the outer world of actions and spoken words. They also prefer dealing with facts, and making decisions on the basis of personal values. They like dealing with people, and organise life on a personal basis. They are generally warm people who seek to maintain harmonious relationships with colleagues and friends, who are an important part of their lives. They have a strong sense of duty and loyalty, and are driven by a need to belong and be of service to others. However, they can find conflict and criticism very difficult to handle and can be defensive when criticised.

TYPE Health & Social Welfare

Clerical Persuasive/Influencing

ESFJ NursingMedical OpticianPharmacySocial Worker or Care Asst.Teacher Home EconomistAnimal/Veterinary WorkCounsellorReligion/MinistryCommunity WorkYouth Work

Office ManagerReceptionInsuranceBuilding Society WorkSecretarialBook-keeperData InputCall Centre Work

TelesalesRetail WorkSales Rep.Public RelationsCredit CounsellorFlight AttendantHairdressingHotel/CateringFund-raisingTravel AgentEstate Agent

INTP

INTPs take their energy from the inner world of thoughts and emotions. They prefer dealing with patterns and possibilities and making decisions from a logical basis. INTP life is flexible, follows new insights and possibilities as they arise. They are quiet and detached, and adaptable- up to a point: sometimes they stop adapting and take a stand when there is a clear principle at stake. They are not interested in routine and will often experiment or change things to see if they can be improved. They operate at best when solving complex problems that require the application of intellect.


TYPE Planning & Development

Health Care/Technical

Other

INTP Computer Software DesignComputer ProgrammingStrategic PlannerNew Market or Product DevelopmentInfo. Services DevelopmentChange Management ConsultantFinancial PlanningSystems AnalystNew Business Development

Any work at the more complex edge of medical or veterinary care at technician or professional level, including research. The rapidly growing areas of neurology, plastic surgery, biotechnology & pharmaceutical research are often of interest to INTP types

PhotographyInformation orCommunications GraphicsWriterMusicianCreative Agents or Directors

ENFP

ENFPs take their energy from the outer world of actions and spoken words. They prefer dealing with patterns and possibilities, particularly involving other people and they make decisions on the basis of personal values. Their lives are flexible and they follow new insights and possibilities as they arise. They can be creative and insightful, often seeking to try new ideas that can be of benefit to others. They may sometimes neglect details and planning, but enjoy work that involves experimentation and variety and working towards general, rather than specific goals.

TYPE Creative Health & Social Business

ENFP JournalismScreen & PlaywrightActingMusicianInterior DesignArtist

Teaching (Special Ed.)Bi-Lingual TeachingEarly Years TeachingEducation PsychologySocial WorkNursery NursingHousing WorkCareers & Personal AdvisorCounsellingComplementary MedicineAll Paramedical Professions (e.g. nursing & health therapy professions)

Self-employment & freelance WorkSales WorkEvents ManagerHotel & CateringHR Development:Public RelationsLegal CareersAdvertising

ISTJ


ISTJs take their energy from the inner world of thoughts and emotions. They prefer dealing with facts and making decisions after considering the various options. They organise their lives on a logical basis and are quiet, serious and well prepared for most eventualities. They are keen observers of life and can develop a good understanding of situations but may not often express this understanding publicly. They have a strong sense of what needs to be done via practical objectives and work efficiently to meet these.

TYPE Business Health/Social Technical

ISTJ Office ManagerAccounts WorkPurchasing & Supply WorkInsurance Underwriting & other risk analysisLocal Government Civil ServiceTax OfficeStock Market AnalysisPlanning OfficerInvestment Securities WorkLibrarian

NursingMedicineVeterinary/Animal CareDentistryPharmacy

Electrical/Electronic or Mechanical EngineerMechanicTechnical WriterComputer ProgrammerGeologistMeteorologyLaboratory TechnicianAviation careers, including Air Traffic ControlAll technical work that demands accuracy and carefully following necessary procedures & systems

ESTP

ESTPs take their energy from the outer world of actions and spoken words. They prefer dealing with facts, which they usually view objectively and they make decisions from a logical basis. ESTP lives are flexible and can consist of a series of activities that interest them. They are problem solvers, and prefer to work with and to resolve practical organisational issues. They can be impulsive and enjoy taking part in trouble-shooting tasks. However, they can sometimes neglect routine detailed tasks, but will work best when there is a lot going on that needs organising and solving.


TYPE Active/Persuasive Technical Business Related & Other

ESTP PoliceFire ServiceAmbulance ServiceAviation (pilot)Insurance InvestigatorPrison ServiceEstates Agent/ManagerPhysiotherapySports Coach/Gym InstructorCustoms & ExciseTrading Standards

Building TradeChef/CookElectrical EngineerTechnical TrainerCivil EngineeringSurveyorMechanic (motor vehicle or aircraft)Telecom/Cable Installer or TechnicianIT or Office Machine Technician & Other active/technical trades.

Land Development/Town PlanningWholesale & Transport TradesCar SalesSales RepresentativeStockbrokerInsurance SalesAuditorNews Reporter/JournalistTour AgentDancerBar WorkAuctioneer

INFJ

INFJs take their energy from the inner world of thoughts and emotions. They prefer dealing with patterns and possibilities, particularly for others and make decisions by tapping into their personal values. Their lives are organised on a personal basis and they have a private sense of purpose and work steadily to fulfil goals. They are insightful into motives behind behaviour, demonstrate quiet concern for others and are interested in helping them to develop and grow.

TYPE Creative Health & Social Care Business

INFJ ArtistPlaywrightNovelist/Poet/WriterDesignerEditorGenealogistInformation-graphicsArchitecture

Health AdministratorMediation/Conflict Resolution/ArbitrationSocial ResearcherCounsellorDieticianSpeech & Hearing TherapistMassage TherapyOccupational Therapy

MarketingOrganisational Development ConsultantJob AnalystPersonnel/HRBuyerLegal CareersLanguage Related, inc. Interpreter

ENFJ

ENFJs take their energy from the outer world of actions and spoken words. They prefer dealing with patterns and possibilities, particularly for people, and make decisions based on personal values. Their lives are organised on a personal basis and they seek to develop and maintain stable relationships with people they like. They are often actively concerned with promoting personal growth in others. They are highly sociable, and expressive of feelings towards others, but can find conflict and criticism difficult, particularly if it might damage long term relationships.

TYPE Communication Advising-Teaching

Health Related

Business Related


ENFJ AdvertisingPublic RelationsWriter/Journalist/EditorEntertainer/ArtistFund-raiserMediaPoliticsInformation-graphics designer

CounsellorPsychologistClergyInterpreterPersonal- AdvisorLearning- MentorTeachingLibrary Work Social Work

Complementary MedicineDieticianSpeech TherapistOccupational Therapist

Personnel/HR Sales TrainerRecruitment ConsultantTravel IndustrySmall Business- DevelopmentTraining OfficerManagement Consultant

ISTP

ISTPs take energy from the inner world of thoughts and emotions. They prefer dealing with facts and making decisions based on logic. Their lives are flexible and they demonstrate an interest in acquiring new information that leads to greater practical understanding of the way the world works. They are quiet and detached and generally adaptable. They can be good at solving organisational problems and are curious about how and why things work. However, they can seem impulsive and produce surprising ideas or do unpredictable things on occasions.

TYPE Active/Persuasive Technical Business Related & Other

ISTP Police ServicePrison ServiceDriver/DrivingMilitary ServiceGamekeeperFire ServiceSurveyorPrivate InvestigationsCustoms & ExciseEnvironmental HealthParamedical/Ambulance Service

IT & Office Equipment Service & RepairFarming/HorticultureCivil EngineeringSea TradesIT/Telecom/Cable tradesCommercial ArtistPhysiotherapyEmergency Medical TechnicianOther physical/active trades.

Office ManagerLegal SecretaryPurchasing & SupplyBankingEconomist

ENTJ

ENTJs take their energy from the outer world of actions and spoken words. They prefer dealing with patterns and possibilities and make decisions after considering the consequences of various courses of action. Their lives are organised on a logical basis and they tend to control life by organising systems and people to meet task oriented goals. They often enjoy taking on the role of executive or director, using a business-like and


impersonal approach to solving problems. They may appear intolerant of people who do not set high standards for themselves or don't work to high standards.

TYPE Administrative Finance Consulting Other

ENTJ General- ManagementAdministratorPersonnel-ManagerSales ManagerNetwork -Specialist (e.g. IT & telecom)Technical TrainerInformation- ServicesBuyerAdvertising- Account Manager

Personal Finance AdviserEconomic AnalystMortgage BrokerCredit InvestigatorStockbrokerInvestments AnalystBanking

Business or Management ConsultantEducation -Adviser or ConsultantComputer –ProgrammerTraining OfficerIT & Telecom Security Adviser

Legal- ProfessionalScience or Social Science Teaching or ResearchChemical- Engineer

ISFP

ISFPs take their energy from the inner world of thoughts and emotions. They prefer dealing with facts and make decisions on the basis of personal values. They are generally adaptable, quiet and friendly. They are interested in people and enjoy their company, but preferably on an individual basis or in small numbers. They take a caring and sensitive approach to helping others. They live for and enjoy the present, and tend to dislike confrontation and conflict. They usually act as very supportive members of any team.

TYPE Craft/Technical Sales/Service/Health

Business


ISFP Fashion DesignCarpenterJewellery DesignPotterPainterInterior/Landscape DesignChefGardenerDancerSurveyorForester/HorticultureComputer OperatorMechanic

TeachingTelephone CounsellorStorekeepingCleaning ServicesFood ServiceBeauticianTravel SalesCounsellorSocial Work/Care Asst.Health VisitorArt TherapistPhysiotherapistOccupational TherapistMedical TechnicianAnimal Care

BookkeeperLegal SecretaryClerical/Office SupervisorCivil ServiceLocal Govt. Admin.Other clerical/admin. Responsibilities as part of a team in a secure work environment

ENTP

ENTPs take their energy from the outer world of actions and spoken words. They prefer dealing with patterns and possibilities and making decisions on a logical basis. They are adaptable and tend to focus on new ideas and interests as and when they arise, particularly if they involve increasing their competencies or skills. They can be ingenious problem solvers, constantly trying out new ideas, and seem to enjoy a good argument. They are interested in instigating change and operate best in overcoming new difficulties, particularly where the solution requires the application of creative ideas and effort.

TYPE Marketing/Creative Other Business Related Other

ENTP Advertising Creative WorkPublic RelationsMarket ResearchLeisure ManagementMedia CommunicationsMedia ProducerArt DirectorMarketingInformation Services

New Business DevelopmentSelf-employment (all forms of)Strategic PlanningSystems DevelopmentEstates Agency/ManagementProject ManagementComputer AnalystIndustrial Design ManagerFinancial Planning/AdviserManagement ConsultantLiterary & Other Agency Work

PhotographerJournalistHotel & CateringActingTechnical Trainer

ISFJISFJs take their energy from the inner world of thoughts and emotions. They prefer dealing with facts and directly with people and make decisions on the basis of their personal values. They are quiet, serious observers of people and are both conscientious and loyal. They prefer work that involves being of practical service to others. They are often concerned for, and perceptive of, how other people feel and dislike confrontation and conflict.


TYPE Social Service Health Care Business & Other

ISFJ Early Years TeacherLibrarian/ArchivistMuseums WorkSocial WorkPersonal Adviser/Careers GuidanceProbation OfficerCounselling

Dental WorkNursingPhysiotherapist OpticianOccupational TherapistMedical TechnicianMedicineHealth Admin.Animal/Veterinary WorkSpeech Therapy

SecretarialOffice Manager or SupervisorCustomer ServicesBookkeeperCredit CounsellorLegal WorkEstates AgentInterior DecoratorElectricianRetail WorkArtistMusicianHotel & CateringWork requiring attention to detail and accuracy and adherence to standard procedures and codes

Sources:

Tieger, P.D. & Barron-Tieger, B. (1995) ‘Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type’ (second edition), New York: Little, Brown and Company.Personality Pathways (2005) ‘personality Pathways’, www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html (accessed 25/05/2006)

It is important to understand that you have been presented with a summary only of the Myers and Briggs theory. For more detailed study, you are advised to visit the Myers & Briggs Foundation website for more information and for a recommended reading list: http://www.myersbriggs.org/


Outcomes

How do you feel about the description given earlier against your ‘type’?

What else could have been added to the description to make it more representative of your personality?

Were there any careers suggested that appeal to you? If so, which ones and why?

I feel it is reasonably accurate

Flexible to deal with different situation

Electrician because I have been involved in the construction work

Office Manager or Supervisor, I would like to be in a managerial role


Closely linked to personality is the influence of career values on career choice and development.

Career values concern motivations and what intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) value is obtained from work. These might include, for example, opportunities to help others for the satisfaction this might give; the challenge presented by sales work; the relative security offered by one employer against another; or the self-expression opportunities of crafts, art or design.

A consideration of values about work can help answer questions such as: Who am I? What is important for me in life? What do I want from work?There are two work motives exercises in this section. The first starts immediately below.

WORK MOTIVES (1)

Below is a list of motives people often give for work.

First, pick out up to eight motives for work that really attract you at this point in your life.

Freedom to work in a way that suits me

Good promotion prospects

Chance to be creative – using my own ideas

Being of help or service to other people

Finding work that doesn’t dominate all my life

Becoming an expert in a chosen field of work

Having a high standard of living

Having responsibility for decision making

Avoiding work that involves too many rules and constraints

Finding work that involves a steady pace of work

Running my own business

Contributing something useful to the community

Working in a flexible way, e.g. flexible hours or at home

Solving complex problems

Having a highly paid job


SECTION 3: YOUR WORK VALUES (20 minute exercise)

Influencing, supervising or leading other people

Being able to define my own tasks and do the work my way

Long term security

Producing things or ideas that people associate with me

Work that makes a real difference to other people’s lives

Staying in one place – not being moved around to different places

Work that challenges and stretches me intellectually

Having a respected social position in the community

Being responsible for finances or resources in an organisation

Being able to pursue a career on my terms

Working for a well-known and well-regarded company

To be regarded by others as an entrepreneur

Making a difference in the world

Work that minimises interference with my personal or family life

Now rank the motives you ticked in the grid below, with the motive of most significance to you at the top.

Ranking Motive1. Finding work that doesn’t dominate all my life

2. Long term security

3. Having a high standard of living

4. Having a highly paid job

5. Work that minimises interference with my personal or family life

6. running my own business

7. Having a respected social position in the community

8. Freedom to work in a way that suits me

Look again at the list you selected. Are there things in common among the motives that you selected? Try and summarise the common elements in the motives that you selected. Write in the space below.


The common elements are that I have a good standard of living and that the money in the job isn’t the most important thing the most important thing is to have a balance of work and free time.

What about the work motives you didn’t pick? What motives did you completely disregard, and why?

WORK MOTIVES (2)

The second work motives exercise builds on the first. It asks you to make choices – often quite difficult choices - between pairs of work motives.


I disregarded working for a well known company because I would like to be self employed

Below are listed 36 pairs of reasons often given by people when asked what it is they seek and need from a career.

You have 3 points to award - no more, no less - for each pair of questions.

You must decide on the distribution of these 3 points between each pair of questions e.g.

A = 3 points B = 0 pointsor A = 2 points B = 1 pointor A = 1 point B = 2 pointsor A = 0 points B = 3 points

There are no right or wrong answers - your distribution of the 3 points for each pair depends on your own personal preference, so be honest!

Work quickly and instinctively through the exercise.

Don’t forget - you can only allocate a total of 3 points for each pair of questions. Write the numbers in the squares next to the questions.

1. a. I will only be satisfied with an unusually high standard of living. 1

b. I wish to have significant managerial influence over other people at work. 2

Reminder: The total for each pair of questions should be no more than 3 points

2. c. I will only feel satisfied if the output from my job has real value in itself. 2

d I want to be an expert in the things I do. 1

3. e. I want to use my creative abilities in my work. 1

f. It is especially important to me that I work with people whom I like. 2

4. g. I would obtain particular satisfaction by being able to freely choose what I do and how I do it at work. 1

h. I want to make quite sure that I will be financially secure. 2

5. i. I would enjoy feeling that people look up to me in work. 2


a. Not to put too fine a point on it, I want to be wealthy. 1

6. b. I want a substantial leadership role at work. 1

c. I would want to do work which is meaningful to me, even though it may not gain tangible rewards. 2

7. d. I want to feel that I have gained a hard-won expertise. 2

e. I want to create things which people associate with me alone. 1

8. f. I seek deep social relationships with other people in work. 2

g. I would get great satisfaction from deciding how I spend my time at work. 1

9. a. It is important that I gain the means to buy ample material possessions from my work. 1

d. I want to demonstrate to my own satisfaction that I really know my discipline or field of expertise. 2

10. c. My work will be an important part of my search for purpose in life. 1

e. I want the things that I produce to bear my name. 2

11. a. I seek to be able to afford anything I want. 1

h. A job with long-term security really appeals to me. 2

12. b. I seek a role that gives me managerial influence over others. 1

d. I would enjoy being a specialist in my field. 2

13. c. It is important to me that my work makes a positive contribution to the wider community. 1

f. Close relationships with other people at work are important to me. 2

14. e. I want my personal creativity to be extensively used. 1

g. I would prefer to be my own manager at work. 2

15. f. Close relationships with other people at work would give me special satisfaction. 1


h. I want to look ahead in my life and feel confident that I will always be OK, that is, secure. 2

16. a. I want to be able to spend money easily without worrying 2

e. I want to be genuinely innovative in my work. 1

17. b. Frankly, I want to tell other people what to do. 1

f. For me being close to others is really the important thing. 2

18. c. I look upon a career as part of a search for greater purpose and meaning in life. 1

g. I want to take full responsibility for my own decisions. 2

19. d. I would enjoy a reputation as a real specialist. 1

h. I would only feel relaxed if I were in a secure career. 2

20. a. I desire all the benefits of wealth. 1

f. I want to get to know new people through my work. 2

21. b. I would like to play roles that gave me control over how others performed at work. 1

g. It is important that I can choose for myself the tasks that I undertake. 2

22. c. I would devote myself to work if I believed that the output would be worthwhile in itself. 1

h. I would take great comfort from knowing how I will stand on my retirement day – that it is safe! 2

23. f. Close relationships with people at work would make it difficult for me to make a career move. 1

i. Being recognised as part of the top management of an organisation is an important goal for me. 2

24. b. I would enjoy being in charge of people and resources. 1

e. I want to create things that no one else has done before. 2


25. c. At the end of the day, I would want to do what I believe is important, not that which simply promotes my career. 2

i. I seek public recognition from my work. 1

26. e. I want to do something distinctively different from others. 1

h. I usually take the safe option. 2

27. b. I want other people to look to me for leadership. 2

i. Social status is an important motivator for me. 1

28. a. A high standard of living attracts me. 2

g. I wish to avoid being tightly controlled by a boss at work. 1

29. e. I want my products to have my own name on them. 1

i. I seek formal recognition by others of my achievements. 2

30. b. I like to be the man or woman who leads in most situations. 1

h. I feel concerned when I cannot see a long way ahead in my career. 2

31. d. I would enjoy being a person who had valuable specialist knowledge. 1

g. I would get satisfaction from not having to answer to other people. 2

32. g. I would dislike being a small cog in a large wheel. 1

i. It would give me satisfaction to have a high-status job. 2

33. a. I am prepared to do most things at work for material reward. 1

c. I see work as a means of enriching my personal development. 2

34. i. I want to have a prestigious position in any organisation for which I work. 1

h. A secure future attracts me every time. 2


35. f. When I have congenial social relationships nothing else really matters.1

d. Being able to make an expert contribution would give me particular satisfaction. 2

36. i. I would enjoy the status symbols that come with senior positions. 2

d. I aspire to achieve a high level of specialist competence. 1

Go to the next page to score this exercise.

SCORING THE CAREER MOTIVES SURVEY

To score the survey, add up all the points that you have given in each of the A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I items. Write the totals in the boxes below and check that the grand total is 108.

A B C D E F G H I

++++++++ = 108Now rank your scores, with the letter with the highest score at the top.


Highest Score = 10 10 12 12 10 13 12 16 13

WHAT THE SCORES MEAN

Item Meaning

A Material Rewards:seeking possessions, wealth, and a high standard of living.

B Power/Influence:seeking to be in control of people and resources.

C Search for Meaning:


seeking to do things which are believed to be valuable for their own sake.

D Expertise:seeking to gain a high level of accomplishment in a specialised field.

E. Creativity:seeking to innovate and be identified with original and different output.

F. Affiliation/Social Relationships:seeking harmonious and rewarding relationships with others at work.

G. Autonomy/Independence:seeking to be independent and able to make key decisions for yourself.

H. Security:wanting a relatively safe and predictable future.

I. Status:seeking to be recognised, admired and respected by others through your work.

A more detailed explanation of each score now follows:

Material rewards are defined as tangible assets, including money, possessions, quality of housing, and other material possessions.

We all need a reasonable level of income. However, people with material rewards as a key motive will take decisions about future work life primarily to enhance their material well-being. They seek roles that provide a high income, and they take on tasks which may be unfulfilling or uncongenial but which provide a high income or other material rewards. For example, they may move house or even emigrate for material advantage.

The key concern is wealth.


A. Material Rewards: seeking possessions, wealth, and a high standard of living.

B. Power/Influence: seeking to be in control of people and resources.

Power/influence is defined as wanting to be dominant and to have others behave in subordinate roles; also connected is a need to take decisions about policy and how resources are expended.

People who have power/influence as a career motive take decisions primarily to increase the extent of their personal control over people and situations. They attempt to move towards the centre of organisations and gain formal and informal power. They get satisfaction from deciding what should be done and who should do it, and they are often uncomfortable in subordinate roles.

People with power/influence as a key driver will gravitate towards managerial or political roles. They are proactive, they use personal power, and they have high self-confidence and clear ideas about what should be done. They are concerned with making a personal impact.

The key concern is control.

Search for meaning is defined as being motivated to act in a way that contributes to something bigger, finer or greater than the individual, according to religious, emotional, moral, social or intellectual criteria.

People with the search for meaning as a career motive will take decisions that tap into their personal beliefs and values. This may take the form of helping others rather than helping themselves. Personal fulfilment is the ultimate payoff, and they may make considerable sacrifices in order to follow their inner beliefs.

The key concern is contribution.

Expertise is defined as specialist knowledge, skills, competence and capacity to perform unusual, difficult or specialised activities.

People with expertise as a career motive work hard to gain a depth of competence in limited but specified fields and will strive to maintain their specialist capability. They dislike going outside their defined area. One of their primary sources of satisfaction is being valued as an expert. The expertise may be mechanical, managerial, intellectual, scientific or practical in orientation.


C. Search for Meaning: seeking to do things which you believe to be valuable for their own sake.

D. Expertise: seeking to gain a high level of accomplishment in a specialised field.

People driven by this motive structure their working lives around a defined discipline. The context and challenge of the work determines their behaviour. Since most disciplines are continuously developing, the specialist keeps up to date with journals, conferences, study programmes and so on.

The key concern is knowledge.

Creativity in this context is defined as devising something new which bears the name of the originator. This may be a work of science, art, literature, research, architecture, an entrepreneurial activity or within the entertainment or media industries.

People with creativity as a primary career motive do things differently and want their name closely associated with the outcomes of their work.

People driven by creativity derive satisfaction from doing new things; a feeling of accomplishment in producing something novel is key to this motive. People with this driver are willing to take decisions that may result in material disadvantage if it means they can work in creative ways.

They often prefer a solitary or small team environment to large bureaucratic systems.

The key concern is originality.

Affiliation is defined as striving to be close to others, enjoying bonds of friendship and being enriched by human relationships.

People who have affiliation as a leading career motive often take initiatives to develop deep and fulfilling relationships with others they work with, or for. These bonds become extremely important to them. They put their feelings for others above self and self-glory and preserve continuity in relationships important to them. They may even continue with unsatisfactory or unfulfilling jobs because of the quality of their relationships with others. Their commitment is to people, not to task, position or organisational goals.


E. Creativity: seeking to innovate and be identified with original and different output.

F. Affiliation/Social Relationships: seeking harmonious and rewarding relationships with others at work.

The key concern is closeness.

Autonomy is defined as taking personal responsibility for the structure, processes and objectives of daily life, particularly work.

People with autonomy as a career motive act to increase the amount of control they have over their own working lives.

The desire for independence is therefore very influential in autonomy-driven individuals. They do not like to be too closely directed by others. They often experience the procedures, systems, conventions and protocols of others as irritants. Restrictions can evoke resentment and irritation and their response is to create environments where this individual sets his or her own rules. Sometimes such people can function happily in organisations where they can negotiate a good deal of psychological space for themselves or can work in a small, non-hierarchical team. This type of person is likely to sacrifice organisational position for self-direction.

The key concern is choice.

No go to the next page.

Security is defined as wanting to know the future and to avoid being exposed to unpredictable risks.

People with security as a career motive often take decisions that help them to feel more relaxed about their future. Their primary goal is high predictability at work, rather than high income. They see life as a journey to be undertaken by the safest routes with the best maps and guides available.

This type of person chooses employers after careful consideration of their stability and record of looking after employees. They may associate security with membership of blue chip companies or institutions. They make career choices with the future in mind. If a promotion opportunity substantially increases doubt about the future, they may well reject it.


G. Autonomy/Independence: seeking to be independent and able to make key decisions for yourself.

H. Security: wanting a relatively safe and predictable future.

People driven by security accept what the world has to offer rather than taking a radical stance; they avoid conflict situations that could jeopardise a secure position. Until recently security was seen to be related to job tenure and long service, but this is no longer the case. The security-driven person may well move from organisation to organisation in order to build breadth of experience, which results in increased personal marketability and ‘security’ in a rapidly changing labour market.

The key concern is assurance.

Status is defined as wanting the esteem of others and to be highly regarded for their work. People with status as a career motive take whatever action is needed in order to enhance their prestige. This includes making personal contacts with influential people, taking responsible assignments and seeking opportunities to publicise their work. They may seek positions of power and authority, but their desire is for the prestige of the position, rather than the exercise of control over others.

This person is motivated by a desire to leave an impression on others and to be recognised as someone worthy, special or talented.

The key concern is position.

CAREER MOTIVES EXERCISE (2) – HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE RESULT?

Please write your response to the result of the Career Motives (2) exercise in the space below, e.g. whether you agree generally, disagree, partially agree/disagree with the summaries presented to you - and why.


I. Status: seeking to be recognised admired and respected by others through your work.

I feel that that it is quite accurate where I do want to have security in my job because I do want to know that I will have a secure future.I feel that social relationships are important in the work place as well because it is a lot harder to work if you done get on with the people you are working with.

The exercises in this workbook have been designed or added to give you a clearer sense of your personality and work values. It has not included any specific career suggestions, as the aim is to give you a broad sense of what type of work generally might (or might not) suit you. In this last section of the workbook we pull the results of the exercises together to clarify the patterns and trends in your personality and values.

First, summarise the points emerging from exercises in sections 2, 3 & 4 in the circles below.


SECTION 4: PULLING THE TRENDS TOGETHER

Myers-Briggs ExerciseISFJ- quite loyal and like to work in a practical service

Work Motives 1I found that I feel the most important this is to have a job that doesn’t take over my life and job security are more important than money

Work Motives 2I found that security, social relationships and status are important to me.

continued...

Second, now try to relate your own perceptions of yourself (from section 1) with the results of the other exercises.

What connections or patterns do you detect? For example the exercises might point to a strong need for recognition or status from your work.

Without trying to put an identifying occupational label on to future work for you, e.g. ‘social worker’, what broad types of work do you think:

might suit you would not suit you at all!Being practical such as a personal trainer or being a manager of a gym

Working at a desk all day like an assistant


I feel that I am quite shy with new people but do feel social relationships are important. I am loyal and like to now that I will have job security because I feel it is important to be able to have a bit of a plan for the future.

You may want to discuss the results of this workbook with a Careers Adviser. You may also want to tackle other workbooks in the ‘Futures’ series, particularly workbook Assessing Your Skills


Other Topics in the Series

There are several topics in the Series of Futures workbooks looking at self-assessment, job selection methods and effective communication with employers. They are available to download fromwww.leedsmet.ac.uk/careers/siteindex

Futures Workbooks: Your Personality and Values

OtherSelection Methods

OtherSelection Methods

InterviewsInterviews

Job Search

Job Search

Work Experience

Work Experience

CV’s and Letters to Employers

CV’s and Letters to Employers

Decision Making and

Problem Solving

Decision Making and

Problem Solving

Your Personality and values

Your Personality and values

AssessingYour Skills

AssessingYour Skills

GraduateSkills

GraduateSkills

39/39

http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/careers/siteindex