What TYPE are YOU?
Myers-Briggs Type Overview
To take the MBTI and discuss your results, just call Career Services to set up an appointment at 651-603-6245.
INTRODUCTION
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is the most widely used assessment for understanding normal personality
difference. It is a self-report assessment developed by Katherine Briggs and Isabel Myers and designed to make the
personality theories of Carl Jung understandable and useful in everyday life.
The Myers-Briggs Type describes your natural preferences in four areas. Your preferences feel natural to you and are
typically effortless, comfortable, easy – just the way you are and the way you do things. Just as each person naturally
prefers using the left hand or right hand, so each of us naturally prefers certain ways of thinking and acting. Our natural
preferences are NOT how we wish we would be or think we should be; they are just our most natural way of being.
The core idea of the Jung’s theory and the Myers-Briggs perspective is that when your mind is active, you are involved in
one of two mental activities:
 Taking in information, perceiving; or
 Organizing that information and coming to conclusions, judging
There are two ways to perceive information and two ways to judge information:
 When perceiving, you can do it either in a sensing way or an intuitive way
 When judging, you can do it either in a thinking way or a feeling way
DISCOVERING YOUR MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE
The following exercise will take you through descriptions of each of the FOUR PREFERENCES.
At the end you will have opportunity to choose your Myers-Briggs type.
Directions:
Read through the descriptions of each section on the next few pages.
For each step, you will choose either one preference or another.
We use all the preferences, but just like handedness, we are wired to prefer one preference more than the other.
If you are unsure, go ahead and make your best selection.
Later, you can discuss your results with a Career Services staff person.
STEP 1: HOW DO YOU TAKE IN INFORMATION?
How do you typically take in information? Do you prefer sensing or intuition?

Sensors: People who prefer sensing like to take in information through their eyes, ears, and other senses to find
out what is actually happening. They naturally focus on what is real and actual, value practical applications, and
are very realistic, factual and concrete. They prefer to work on things step by step, enjoy routine, and
predictable situations. They like to work with details and focus on the here-and-now.

Intuitives: People who prefer intuition like to take in information by seeing the big picture, focusing on the
relationship and connection between the facts, rather than the facts themselves. They want to grasp the
patterns and meanings and are especially good at seeing new possibilities and different ways of doing things.
They are more abstract, theoretical, imaginative, and future-oriented. They prefer variety and would rather
work on developing new ideas or projects.
Sensors notice the facts, details, and realities of the world around them whereas Intuitives are more interested in
connections and relationships between facts as well as the meaning, or possibilities of the information. Sensors tend to
be practical and literal people, who trust past experience and often have good common sense. Intuitives tend to be
imaginative, theoretical people who trust their hunches and pride themselves on their creativity.
Sensors often:
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Focus on details & specifics
•
Admire practical solutions
•
Notice details & remember facts
•
Are pragmatic - see what is
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Live in the here-and-now
•
Trust actual experience
•
Like to use established skills
•
Like step-by-step instructions
•
Work at a steady pace
Are you naturally a sensor or intuitive?
Intuitives often:
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Focus on the big picture & possibilities
•
Admire creative ideas
•
Notice anything new or different
•
Are inventive - see what could be
•
Think about future implications
•
Trust their gut instincts
•
Prefer to learn new skills
•
Like to figure things out for themselves
•
Work in bursts of energy
STEP 2: How do you make decisions?
How do you make decisions, organize life or come to conclusions? Do you prefer thinking or feeling?

Thinkers: People who prefer to use thinking in decision-making tend to look at the logical consequences of a
choice or action. They mentally remove themselves from a situation to examine it objectively and analyze cause
and effect. Their goal is an objective standard of truth and the application of principles. Their strengths include
figuring out what is wrong with something so they can apply their problem-solving abilities. They are analytical,
tough-minded, thick-skinned and logical problem solvers. They are guided by objective truth and fair policy.

Feelers: People who prefer to use feeling in decision-making tend to consider what is important to them and to
other people. They mentally place themselves in a situation and identify with the people involved so that they
can make decisions based on person-centered values. Their goal is harmony and recognition of individuals, and
their strengths include understanding, appreciating, and supporting others. They are sympathetic,
compassionate, and accepting. They assess impact on people and are guided by personal values.
Thinkers make decisions based primarily on objective and impersonal criteria--what makes the most sense and what is
logical. Feelers make decisions based primarily on their personal values and how they feel about the choices. So, Thinkers
tend to be cool, analytical, and are convinced by logical reasoning. Feelers tend to be sensitive, empathetic, and are
compelled by extenuating circumstances and a constant search for harmony.
Thinkers often:
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Make decisions objectively
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Appear cool and reserved
•
Are most convinced by rational arguments
•
Are honest and direct
•
Value honesty and fairness
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Take few things personally
•
Are good at seeing flaws
•
Are motivated by achievement
•
Argue or debate issues for fun
Are you naturally a Thinker or a Feeler?
Feelers often:
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Decide based on their values & feelings
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Appear warm and friendly
•
Are most convinced by how they feel
•
Are diplomatic and tactful
•
Value harmony and compassion
•
Take many things personally
•
Are quick to compliment others
•
Are motivated by appreciation
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Avoid arguments and conflicts
Step 3: Where do you naturally get your energy and prefer to focus your attention?
Everyone engages in both the outer world around them – people, things and experiences - and the internal world of
inner mental processes and reflection. However, generally people naturally prefer to focus on one. Those who prefer to
focus on the external world are called extraverts; those who prefer to focus more on the internal world are called
introverts.
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Extraversion: People who prefer extraversion tend to focus on the outer world of people and external events.
The direct their energy and attention outward and receive energy from active interaction and experiences. They
often prefer talking to writing, enjoy discussing, can be sociable and expressive and like to take initiative in work
and relationships.

Introversion: People who prefer introversion tend to focus on their own inner world of ideas and experiences.
They direct their energy and attention inward and receive energy from their internal thoughts, feelings and
reflections. They often prefer writing, enjoy internal processing and reflection, can be more private and
contained and may like to work alone or with a few others in a quieter environment.
Extraverts' energy is directed primarily outward, towards people and things outside of themselves. Introverts' energy is
primarily directed inward, towards their own thoughts, perceptions, and reactions. Therefore, Extraverts tend to be more
naturally active, expressive, social, and interested in many things, whereas Introverts tend to be more reserved, private,
cautious, and interested in fewer interactions, but with greater depth and focus.
Extraverts often:
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Have high energy
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Talk more than listen
•
Think out loud
•
Act, then think
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Like to be around people a lot
•
Prefer a public role
•
Can sometimes be easily distracted
•
Prefer to do lots of things at once
•
Are outgoing & enthusiastic
Are you naturally an Extravert or Introvert?
Introverts often:
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Have quiet energy
•
Listen more than talk
•
Think quietly inside their heads
•
Think, then act
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Feel comfortable being alone
•
Prefer to work "behind-the-scenes"
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Have good powers of concentration
•
Prefer to focus on one thing at a time
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Are self-contained and reserved
Step 4: How do you orient yourself to the outer world?
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Judgers: People who prefer to use their judging process in the outer world tend to live in a planned, orderly way,
wanting to regulate and control life. They make decisions, come to closure and move on. Their lifestyle if more
structured and organized, and they like to have things settled. Sticking to a plan and schedule is very important
to them, and they enjoy their ability to get things done.

Perceivers: People who prefer to use their perceiving process in the outer world tend to live in a flexible,
spontaneous way, seeking to experience and understand life, rather than plan, organize or control it. Plans and
decisions can feel somewhat confining to them; they prefer to stay open to last-minute options. They easily
adapt to changes and the demands of an immediate situation. They tend to be more casual, open-ended and
spontaneous.
Judgers prefer a structured, ordered, and fairly predictable environment, where they can make decisions and have things
settled. Perceivers prefer to experience as much of the world as possible, so they like to keep their options open and are
most comfortable adapting. So, Judgers tend to be organized and productive while Perceivers tend to be flexible, curious,
and nonconforming.
Judgers often:
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Like to have things settled
•
Take responsibilities seriously
•
Pay attention to time & are usually prompt
•
Prefer to finish projects
•
Work first, play later
•
Seek closure
•
See the need for most rules
•
Like to make & stick with plans
•
Find comfort in schedules
Perceivers often:
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Like to keep their options open
•
Are playful and casual
•
Are less aware of time and may run late
•
Prefer to start projects
•
Play first, work later
•
May have difficulty making some decisions
•
Question the need for many rules
•
Like to keep plans flexible
•
Want the freedom to be spontaneous
Are you naturally a Judger or Perceiver?
What TYPE are you?
Extravert = E
Sensor = S
Thinker = T
Judger = J
or
or
or
or
Introvert = I
Intuitive = N
Feeler = F
Perceiver = P
Examples
Extravert, Sensor, Feeler, Perceiver = ESFP
Introvert, Intuitive, Thinker, Judger = INTJ
What type are you?
EFFECTS OF COMBINATIONS
TJ
Logical Decision Makers
Tend to be tough-minded,
analytical, and instrumental
leaders. They make
decisions based on
principles and systems,
overall impacts, and rational
analysis of outcomes
TP
Adaptable Thinkers
Tend to be objective,
skeptical and curious,
especially about materials or
possibilities. They create
consistent and orderly
frameworks for
understanding and leading.
FP
Gentle Types
Tend to be adaptable, seek
harmony and affiliation,
and are concerned with the
human aspects of
problems. They lead by
encouragement and
coaching.
FJ
Benevolent Administrators
Tend to be observant about
people and their needs,
bring harmony into
relationships. They make
decisions based on personal
values and identification
with others. They are
expressive leaders who
inspire and teach others.
IF
The Decisive Introverts
Tend to be introspective
and persevering; changing
requires evidence which fits
with internal perceptions
IP
The Adaptable Introverts
Tend to be introspective,
adaptable in little things,
and firm on issues
important to them
EP
The Adaptable Extraverts
Tend to be active, energetic,
and sociable; deal with
change readily and seek
new experiences
EJ
The Decisive Extraverts
Tend to be fast-moving,
confident-looking, decisive;
they enjoy making things
happen
ST
Drawn to opportunities for
bringing about results
related to the bottomline.
Focus on Facts
Apply facts and experience
Practical and Analytical
Technical skills with facts
and objects
Often enjoy:
 Applied science
 Business
 Administration
 Banking
 Law Enforcement
 Production
 Construction
 Coordination
SF
Drawn to opportunities for
practical service to people
Focus on Facts
Meet the daily concerns of
people
Sympathetic and friendly
Practical help and services
for people
Often enjoy:
 Health care
 Community service
 Teaching
 Supervision
 Religious service
 Office work
 Sales
 Customer Service
NF
See and want to facilitate
possibilities for people
Focus on possibilities
Understanding the
aspirations of people
Enthusiastic and insightful
Developing, communicating
and understanding people
and programs
Often enjoy:
 Psychology
 Research literature
 Art and music
 Religious service
 Healthcare
 Teaching
NT
Drawn to opportunities for
problem solving, analysis
and design
Focus on possibilities for
systems and processes
Develop theoretical
concepts
Logical and analytical
Theoretical and technical
developments
Often enjoy:
 Physical science
 Research
 Management
 Computers
 Law
 Engineering
 Technical work
EFFECTS OF EACH PREFERENCE IN WORK SITUATIONS
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Introvert
Like quiet for concentration
Tend to be careful with details, dislike sweeping
statements
Have trouble remembering names and faces
Tend not to mind working on one project for a long
time uninterruptedly
Are interested in the idea behind their job
Dislike telephone intrusions and interruptions
Like to think a lot before they act, sometimes
without acting
Work contentedly alone
Intuitive Types
Like solving new problems
Dislike doing the same thing over and over again
enjoy learning a new skill more than using it
Work in bursts of energy powered by enthusiasm,
with slack periods in between
Frequently jump to conclusions
Are impatient with routine details
Follow their inspirations, good or bad
Often tend to make errors of fact
Dislike taking time for precision
Thinking Types
 Are relatively unemotional and uninterested in
people’s feelings
 May hurt people’s feelings without knowing it
 Like analysis and putting things into logical order.
 Can get along without harmony
 Tend to decide impersonally, sometimes ignoring
people’s wishes
 Need to be treated fairly
 Are able to reprimand people or fire them when
necessary
 Tend to relate well only to other thinking types
 May seem hard-hearted
Perceiving Types
 Tend to be good at adapting to changing situations
 Don’t mind leaving things open for alterations
 May have trouble making decisions
 May start too many projects and have difficulty in
finishing them
 May postpone unpleasant jobs
 Want to know all about a new job
 Tend to be curious and welcome new light on a
thing, situation or person
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Extrovert
Like variety and action
Tend to be faster, dislike complicated procedures
Are often good at greeting people
Are often impatient with long slow jobs
Are interested in the results of their job, in getting it
done and in how other people do it
Often don’t mind the interruption of answering the
telephone
Often act quickly, without thinking
Like to have people around
Usually communicate well
Sensing Types
Dislike new problems unless there are standard ways to
solve them
Like an established routine
Enjoy using skills already learned more than learning
new ones
Work more steadily, with realistic ideas of how long it
will take
Must usually work all the way through to reach a
conclusion
Are patient with routine details
Rarely trust inspirations and don’t usually get inspired
Seldom make errors of fact
Tend to be good at precise work
Feeling Types
Tend to be very aware of other people and their
feelings
Enjoy pleasing people, even in unimportant things
Like harmony. Efficiency may be badly disturbed by
office feuds
Often let decisions be influenced by their own or other
people’s personal likes and wishes
Need occasional praise
Dislike telling people unpleasant things
Relate well to most people
Tend to be sympathetic
Judging Types
 Best when they can plan their work and follow their
plan
 Like to get things settled and wrapped up
 May decide things too quickly
 May dislike to interrupt the project they are on for a
more urgent one
 May not notice new things that need to be done
 Want only the essentials needed to get on with it
 Tend to be satisfied once they reach a judgment on a
thing, situation or person