To be happy at work, ENFJs need to have all of their preferences engaged:
- Their preference to get their energy from the external world — people, activities and things.
- Their tendency to look at the big picture and see a world of possibilities rather than just hard cold facts.
- Their preference to make subjective, interpersonally based decisions.
- Their need for a structured environment.
To be satisfied with their professional life, ENFJs should avoid careers that do not allow them to use their preferences and force them to do things they aren’t naturally good at. But even a list of unsuitable job titles won’t tell the full story. Oftentimes it’s the environment that doesn’t match our preferences even if the job title promises everything we’ve ever dreamed of. Here is a list of characteristics of companies, organizations and careers ENFJs must avoid:
- Lack of organization. With the ENFJ’s natural need for closure and love of order, they absolutely want to get all requirements fulfilled within specified deadlines. They should avoid companies with dysfunctional management, chaotic environment and ambiguous demands.
- Lack of harmony. Poor communication, absence of shared vision, office drama, gossip and interpersonal conflict will make the ENFJ miserable in no time. Unless they are allowed to take the lead in repairing the toxic environment, ENFJs should avoid companies with these characteristics.
- Slow and unchanging pace. ENFJs are very action-oriented, and they will get bored if the environment is too quiet and unexciting.
- Little to no contact with other people. ENFJs are all about connecting with others and serving others. Some careers, such as accounting or computer programming, are naturally isolating and are not suitable for ENFJs. The ENFJ is not the type of person to churn through spreadsheets for hours every day — they need stimulation and constant contact with other people.
- Monotonous work. Due to their highly developed intuition, ENFJs love to learn, do new things or, at the very least, discover new ways of doing things. Being able to do things differently than what their previous experience may dictate stimulates ENFJs and makes them excited about their work. Being forced to follow strict standards and regulations isn’t ideal for them and leads to dissatisfaction and boredom. ENFJs should avoid careers such as security guard, tour operator, paint watcher and the like.
- Lack of learning opportunities. Being able to learn new skills increases the ENFJ’s interest and engagement while decreasing boredom. Unfortunately, a lot of jobs become boring after the initial learning period is over, which is about six months.
- Jobs that require dealing firmly with others. Although ENFJs are great leaders, they can’t manage and deal firmly with others. They prefer to relate sympathetically while paying attention to others’ needs and feelings, even if it sometimes gets in the way of getting their work done. They cannot discipline or fire people without considering the impact it will have on their lives, which isn’t always in the best interests of their organization. Similarly, ENFJs are bad at giving negative feedback even when well deserved.
ENFJs should avoid companies and organizations with above characteristics even if their particular job description promises something that naturally suites them.
Now let’s give specific examples of ENFJ careers to avoid:
- laborer
- chemist
- mechanic
- math teacher
- auditor
- accountant
- bank officer
- programmer
- computer systems analyst
- attorney
- police officer
- manager
- technician
- surveyor
- tour operator
- engineer
- security guard
- researcher
- waiter or waitress
- farmer
- law enforcement officer
- librarian
- legal secretary
You can read a full ENFJ profile that includes a list of recommended careers here.
16 Personalities main page is here.