Myers Briggs and Career Training

Using the MBTI to guide your career training choice

Mar 3, 2007

Use your MBTI or Myers Briggs Type Indicator to choose the best training delivery style and course structure to fit your personality.

The Myers Briggs personality assessment known as the MBTI or Myers Briggs Type Indicator can help determine what professional development training delivery styles and course structure would best suit your personality type.

Extroverts

Extroverts learn best in a classroom environment. Extroverts need the interaction with people: discussions, brainstorming, group exercises and projects, presentations. If extroverts do take a course online, they would be best to choose a course that includes a discussion board or instant messaging feature that allows a connection with their fellow course mates.

Introverts

Self-directed study works well for introverts. Self-directed study typically is training that is structured around a set curriculum (presented as web content, a manual, text, workbook and/or course outline) but the pacing of the learning is determined by the learner. This allows the introvert time to process the information at a comfortable speed. It also allows them to study by themselves as self-directed learning is a solo act.

Sensors

Sensors benefit from courses with a detailed course outline and defined instructions for assignments and tests. A well designed online course broken into modules that build on each other with clear instructions and a set timeline would be ideal for a sensor, especially if they are also introverted.

Intuitives

Intuitives benefit from courses or programs where they must think big, theorize and debate the pros and cons of a concept. They love creating flow charts or tables that show the connection between one concept and another. Hands-on experimentation that isn’t highly structured would also benefit the intuitive’s learning. These people are great theorists and tend to love a formal academic environment.

Thinkers

Thinkers like facts and figures. Ambiguous findings would frustrate a thinker. Thinkers are great at editing, debates, critiques and would thrive in an academic environment that allows them to look at the facts and determine and/or challenge their merit.

Feelers

Feelers like to see the value in something on an emotional or gut level. They are great at looking at the psychological implications of decisions. They work well when assigned group projects where harmony building and consensus is essential.

Judgers

Judgers need a highly structured, organized method of instruction. They want to see the course outline with deadlines and a clear breakdown of how marks are obtained or completion is accomplished if grades are not assigned. Certification programs that have a set, standardized curriculum appeal to judgers.

Perceivers

Perceivers benefit from a free flowing, unstructured learning environment that allows for play and experimentation. Timelines for learning need to be open ended and so self-paced learning suits them. Perceivers also benefit from courses that provide a variety of learning resources and tools. Ideally, the course allows the learner to choose a resource or resources that they deem suitable for an unstructured length of time and the option to choose another resource at any time.

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The copyright of the article Myers Briggs and Career Training in Training/Professional Development is owned by Joni Rose. Permission to republish Myers Briggs and Career Training in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.