ENFPs are naturally creative, passionate people who thrive when working with others to achieve common goals. Depending on their identity variant, ENFPs may approach these goals differently. Assertive ENFPs, the ENFP-As, for instance, are more confident and resilient in pursuing their ambitions. They tend to excel in roles that allow them to take the initiative and exercise their natural problem-solving abilities. Many ENFPs also enjoy jobs that involve fostering the growth of others or making a difference. Understanding whether you identify as an Assertive (ENFP-A) or Turbulent (ENFP-T) ENFP can help you better navigate your strengths and areas for growth. These two subtypes approach life and career decisions quite differently.
Being an ENFP — possessing the Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving traits — is a blessing and a curse. Known as The Champions of the 16 MBTI personality types, they are constantly surrounded by people who rely on them. Sometimes, they can become exhausted because of enormous responsibility for others and high expectations. Turbulent ENFPs, or ENFP-Ts, in particular, may experience more stress and self-doubt when navigating these concerns. ENFPs have high emotional intelligence and can feel positive and negative emotions while working with others.
The best career paths for ENFPs often involve creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication — all qualities that this outgoing personality type excels at. One of the critical aspects driving ENFPs' motivation is fun. They want to entertain themselves even in a work environment. However, this doesn't mean ENFPs can't be effective. On the contrary, their joyful spirit energizes others and helps create a positive collaboration climate.
If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably taken an MBTI test, learned your personality type, and now are wondering, “What are the best ENJP jobs?”
Fortunately, the MBTI provided useful insight into the best career paths for an ENFP. However, remember, we are individuals and may not fit into a "box." During career planning, it is imperative always to consider your interests.
To learn more about jobs that best match both your interests and your personality traits, we recommend that you read about Holland's Theory of Occupational Choice.
What Are the Best Jobs for ENFP Personality?
Champions are natural think tanks. They are always trying to explore new possibilities in every domain of life. Without new experiences and constant exploration, their lives quickly become routine. That is why choosing a career fostering ENFPs’ natural desires and characteristics is essential to avoid work-related burnout and stress. The distinction between an assertive and turbulent variant further explains why you might prefer certain job aspects over others. Assertive ENFPs thrive in careers that allow them to take charge and inspire others confidently. Their natural resilience helps them handle demanding roles with enthusiasm and optimism. Turbulent ENFPs may excel in careers where they can channel their emotional sensitivity and attention to detail into meaningful work.
The ideal jobs for ENFPs should provide them with enough space for autonomy, independence, and the possibility of socializing.
Here are 10 top ENJP jobs to consider.
1. Psychologist
Champions never judge others and can strongly support people they know and value. ENFPs appreciate other personalities and can find a common language with almost everyone by establishing a deep, empathetic connection based on mutual trust and respect. This quality is important for every professional psychologist. By actively listening to their patients, ENFPs can help them resolve their problems and contribute to their mental well-being.
2. HR Manager
Diversity and multiculturalism are highly attractive for ENFPs, making them a perfect fit for HR positions in large international organizations. They know to identify employees’ unique traits and characteristics and use them to maximize organizational performance. Furthermore, ENFPs are great at resolving and preventing conflicts, as the well-being of others is their top priority.
3. Politician
Influencing and attracting people are necessary qualities for every politician. ENFPs can easily win the trust of the potential electorate with their charisma and desire to change the world for the better. Some of their ideas may seem radical or even unrealistic. However, ENFPs can turn dreams into reality and lead people to a brighter future. Unsurprisingly, the most famous revolutionaries, such as Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, were ENFPs.
4. Mediator
Mediators are law professionals who solve disputes between two parties. Those with ENFP personalities know how to facilitate productive communication even in the worst-case scenarios. By approaching every conflict with understanding and empathy, they can help people uncover ways to solve any problem and ensure that each party's interests are protected.
5. Teacher
Champions have outstanding mentoring and teaching skills and are always eager to share their knowledge with others. But what makes ENFPs such excellent teachers? Their non-judgmental approach allows them to find every student's inner strengths. They can help others to reveal their passions and life-long interests and channel their energy into goal-oriented behavior.
6. PR Manager
Champions excel as PR managers as they can make people love almost everyone. Their exceptional communicative skills and understanding of what people find attractive can help organizations and individuals with poor reputations win people's hearts and minds. While ENFPs can be devil's advocates, they are likelier to enjoy working with advocates of positive change. Hence, they strive as PR managers in socially responsible organizations.
7. Actor
Attention invigorates ENFPs, which is why they find acting appealing. While dramatic roles can be challenging for Champions, they can become great comedians and action heroes. Nothing is better for ENFPs than hearing someone laughing at their jokes or admiring their courage. Furthermore, Champions approach every new role with an exceptional degree of responsibility and understand that their mission as an actor is to entertain people and make them think about important things.
8. Social Worker
Money is less important for ENFPs than their ability to make a meaningful impact on people's lives. They are ready to serve others, and they are the ones whom people can rely on, even in the most challenging life circumstances. ENFPs are also quite resistant to compassion fatigue, which makes them perfect for the social worker's role. Understanding that you have helped someone at the end of the day brings smiles to Champions' faces.
9. Fitness/Health Coach
Champions know how to make people stay motivated and stick to healthy routines. They lead others by acting as role models, and people eagerly follow them. A complex and responsible approach to everything they do is what makes ENFPs great as coaches. They teach people how to change their lives step-by-step, which inevitably leads to better success and the overall well-being of their clients.
10. Clergy
The ENJP Champion is one of the most widespread personality types among formal religious leaders. High intuition and perception support ENFPs faith, while their desire to help others allows ENFPs to provide guidance and spiritual direction to believers. They are always ready to listen and advise lost and desperate people.
What Jobs Should Be Avoided by ENFPs?
ENFPs can truly blossom when they impact others meaningfully. Champions value deep emotional connection with others and enjoy social interactions in various contexts. Excellent problem-solving skills and out-of-the-box thinking make ENFPs great professionals in different fields. Idealism and desire to change the world fuel their motivation to achieve the best results possible.
Now that you know what makes ENFPs happy, you can probably guess what jobs might not suit them.
Most importantly for extroverted ENFPs, jobs involving a lack of social interactions make them feel lonely and drain their emotional energy.
Careers with strict organizational hierarchy and bureaucracy will turn ENFPs' lives into monotony. ENFPs may also find it exhausting when they are expected to work according to specific established routines and norms. They need to improvise and be creative, so jobs with strict rules don't provide enough personal freedom and the ability to express themselves.
Here is a list of jobs that ENFPs should avoid:
- Law Enforcement Officer
- Accountant/Bookkeeper
- Data Scientist
- Factory Worker
- Programmer/Software Developer
- Financial Analyst
- Military/Defense Professional
- Technical Writer
- Mathematician
- Chemist
- Editor/Proofreader
ENFPs are compassionate visionaries who can impact the world with the right career path. Communicative and cheerful, Champions build strong social connections and enjoy social interactions.
Choosing the right career aligning with ENFPs’ needs, personality traits, and interests will allow them to reach their fullest potential and enjoy life.
