Your INTP Personality Type and Your Career

Knowing yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses is one of the strongest tools you will use to make a solid career choice. If you are an INTP personality type, you’ll save yourself time and energy looking for the right choice. And, you’ll avoid ending up in a job that makes you unhappy.

INTPs pride themselves on their unique perspectives and innovative thinking. In their minds, they can’t help but wonder about the mysteries of life. This may explain why some of the most influential philosophers and scientists throughout history have been INTPs. INTtPs have a unique personality type that is somewhat rare, but they aren’t afraid to stand out from the crowd with their creativity and inventiveness.

INTPs often lose themselves in thought, which isn’t necessarily bad. People with this personality type rarely stop thinking. The moment they awake, their minds are filled with ideas, questions, and insights. They’re energized by the chance to exchange ideas or share ideas with another curious mind.

In this article, we’ll look at your personality traits and then tie them to careers that match your best talents.

INTP is one of the sixteen personality types created by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers, creators of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®). INTP stands for Introverted, INtuitive, Thinking, Perceiving, which are four core personality traits derived from the work of psychologist C.G. Jung.

Introverted – energized by time alone
INtuitive – focuses on ideas and concepts rather than facts and details
Thinking – makes decisions based on logic and reason
Perceiving – prefers to be spontaneous and flexible rather than planned and organized

INTPs are sometimes referred to as Architect, Logician, or Objective Analyst personalities because of their intuitive understanding of complex systems.

Analytical Brilliance. Because they think quickly and are supremely logical, INTPs bring strong analytical skills to any situation. It all happens inside their head, so others may not know what is happening there. As a result, they are proficient at analyzing connections between seemingly random material or finding flawless explanations to problems that disorient most other personalities.

Objective. INTPs are respected for their pursuit of truth, objectivity, and understanding. By doing so, they focus on eradicating errors and eliminating inconsistencies. As a result, they do this not only for their own personal enjoyment, but because they see it as their main contribution to the world. 

Imaginative. INTPs think about how systems and products function and how they might be improved. They think deeply about theories. It is natural for them to see things differently than others because they have imaginations that are actively focused on future possibilities. 

Enthusiastic. Although they may seem withdrawn and private, the INTP may emerge when a topic piques their interest. They can be extremely enthusiastic about discussing possibilities. The excitement makes them great fun. In the right company, INTPs are keen to express their imaginative sense of humor and enjoy being playful with people, who they can trust.

Uncertainty. Although they have enormous intellectual prowess, INTPs often fear failure, afraid that they will overlook a critical aspect of their theory, invention, or idea. This causes them to become self-conscious and waste time and energy second-guessing themselves. 

Absent-Minded. Think of  INTPs as “absentminded professors.” At their worst, they can be scattered and disorganized. High-minded and intellectual, they get caught up in their own brains and don’t understand the low-level tedium of the present, such as bills or deadlines. They may fail to meet even the basic expectations of daily life. 

Condescending. INTPs can be condescending and critical, to opponents or those who simply don’t catch on as quickly as they do. A constant pursuit of truth and objectivity can provoke brutality and impatience as they are driving home their own perspective. In relationships where logic isn’t always dominant, this can be particularly harmful. 

Insensitive. INTPs can find themselves in trouble because they will prioritize the activities they perform in their minds over others’ needs. They comfortably inhabit their imaginations, which can lead to problems. INTPs get so wrapped up in their own theories and abstractions that they forget any kind of emotional consideration. They can easily offend by focusing on ideas and logic while neglecting personal considerations.

The INTP strives to solve complex problems in an innovative way at work. INTPs enjoy analyzing ideas and systems to create a deep understanding and develop creative solutions to highly abstract problems.

INTPs rarely care about organizational traditions, preferring to shape their own path to innovation. They dislike bureaucracy and rules and are often more in tune with the theoretical soundness of their ideas than with practical applications. They prefer to concentrate on designing the idea and leave the tedious details of implementation to someone else.

INTPS prefer working independently or with a small team of colleagues, they consider smart, competent, and logical. They tire of colleagues who are overbearing or aggressive and are dismissive of people who aren’t as clever as they are.

An ideal organization for an INTP is flexible, non-traditional, and values ingenuity above conformity. An INTP’s ideal job is to solve complex theoretical or technical problems in creative, novel ways.

In leadership roles, INTPs inspire others with their intelligence and innovative ideas. On the surface, INTP leaders typically appear unassuming, but those who talk about their ideas catch everybody’s attention. In general, they allow their teams a lot of flexibility, choosing to set the overall goal and trust them to solve problems autonomously.

INTPs are interested in exploring new possibilities and engaging in creative problem solving, but they may get so caught up in the world of ideas that they neglect to lead their teams into action. They may have a hard time hashing out details and often leave it to someone else to determine precise specifications. They lead best with competent, intellectually driven teams that can describe complex ideas and fill in the details to build realistic plans of action.

INTPs are thoughtful, analytical members who contribute to the understanding of complex problems. Often, they are most interested in the theoretical questions behind a team’s goal. They may help the group identify key principles and brainstorm innovative ideas. They tend to engage with the team’s vision, analyzing it rationally and objectively, and offering possibilities and options.

INTPs are best positioned to be creative when they are given the freedom to analyze logical problems in an original way. They can come up with creative solutions, but don’t put much stock in the established way of doing things. Those who remain extremely loyal to tradition may encounter friction with the INTP. They are independent thinkers, more interested in debating ideas than making small talk. Too much time spent on pleasantries may leave them impatient, and it may put off team members seeking a more personal touch.

Professionals who are INTPs are first of all thinkers, and this quality is evident in their choice of career paths. While INTPs can be found in a wide range of fields, a happy and satisfied INTP is generally found in a career that allows them to use their intellect, analyze concepts, and think deeply.

This personality type thrives in a challenging, unpredictable world of technology. Many INTPs are creative and seek an artistic motive for their career. INTPs are particularly drawn to areas with a touch of science or technology, for instance, architecture or graphic design.

Some examples of career choices for INTPs:

Technology

• Computer Network Architect
• Computer or Information Research Scientist
• Computer Programmer
• Computer Systems Analyst
• Network or Computer Systems Administrator
• Software Developer

Engineering

• Aerospace Engineer
• Architect
• Biomedical Engineer
• Chemical Engineer
• Computer Hardware Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Landscape Architect
• Mechanical Engineer
• Mechanical Engineering Technician

Sciences

• Anthropologist 
• Archaeologist
• Economist
• Environmental Scientist
• Epidemiologist
• Medical Scientist
• Microbiologist
• Physicist or Astronomer
• Political Scientist
• Psychologist
• Urban or Regional Planner
• Mathematician
• Statistician
• Physician or Surgeon

Business and Law

• Accountant or Auditor
• Financial Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Market Research Analyst
• Top Executive
• Actuary
• Lawyer
• Sales Engineer

Arts and Language

• Music Director or Composer
• Producer or Director
• Graphic Designer
• Industrial Designer
• Multimedia Artist or Animator
• Photographer
• Technical Writer
• Writer or Author
• Professor or College Instructor

• Dental Hygienist
• Public Health Nurse
• Dental Assistant
• Licensed Practical Nurse
• Dietitian
• Corrections Officer
• Religious Educator
• Teacher’s Aide
• Preschool Teacher
• Elementary Teacher
• Recreation Worker
• Cosmetologist
• Retail Salesperson
• Restaurant Manager
• Sales Manager

One aspect that all innovators have in common is the ability to view situations or issues from alternative perspectives. Instead of creating what is already in demand, they may invent a product that people did not know they needed.