16 Personality Types Explained with Examples for Different Roles

You’ve probably taken the 16 Personalities Test—or at least heard of it. It’s that popular quiz that tells you if you’re an INFJ, ESTP, or something equally cryptic-sounding.

But here’s the thing: the 16 personality types aren’t just internet fluff. When applied to hiring or team dynamics, they offer real, usable insights. Especially when you map those types to job roles.

In this blog, we’ll break down:

• What each personality type really means
  
• What kind of roles each type thrives in
  
• And how you can use the test results during hiring, team-building, or career planning
  

If you’ve ever wondered how to make the 16 Personalities Test actually useful, you’re in the right place.

What Is the 16 Personalities Test?

The 16 Personalities Test (also known as the MBTI-style or Jungian-based test) categorizes people into 16 personality types based on four core dimensions:

Dimension	Meaning
Introversion (I) vs Extroversion (E)	How you recharge and focus energy
Sensing (S) vs Intuition (N)	How you process information
Thinking (T) vs Feeling (F)	How you make decisions
Judging (J) vs Perceiving (P)	How you prefer structure vs. flow

Each personality type is a combination of one letter from each of those four dimensions—for example, ENTJ, ISFP, or INFP.

Still confused by the letters? Check out Understanding the 16 Personality Letters and Types

The 16 Personality Types with Real Job Examples

Below, we’ll explore each type and highlight roles where they’re most likely to thrive.

Analysts (INTJ, INTP, ENTJ, ENTP)

Type	Nickname	Best-Suited Roles
INTJ	The Architect	Data Scientist, Strategist, Systems Designer
INTP	The Thinker	Software Developer, Academic Researcher
ENTJ	The Commander	CEO, Project Leader, Executive Manager
ENTP	The Visionary	Entrepreneur, Marketer, Creative Director

👉 These types love logic, structure, and challenges. If you’re hiring for problem-solving or strategic planning roles, these are your go-to profiles.

Diplomats (INFJ, INFP, ENFJ, ENFP)

Type	Nickname	Best-Suited Roles
INFJ	The Advocate	Counselor, Writer, Nonprofit Director
INFP	The Mediator	Creative Writer, Social Worker, Therapist
ENFJ	The Protagonist	HR Manager, Teacher, Public Speaker
ENFP	The Campaigner	Brand Strategist, Recruiter, Creative Director

These are your empathy-driven humans. If the role involves people, persuasion, or purpose—these types shine.

Sentinels (ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, ESFJ)

Type	Nickname	Best-Suited Roles
ISTJ	The Logistician	Accountant, Compliance Officer, Analyst
ISFJ	The Defender	Nurse, Librarian, Admin Support
ESTJ	The Executive	Operations Manager, Law Enforcement, Banker
ESFJ	The Consul	Customer Service, HR Coordinator, Event Planner

They love structure, process, and loyalty. Think of roles where consistency, reliability, and service matter.

Explorers (ISTP, ISFP, ESTP, ESFP)

Type	Nickname	Best-Suited Roles
ISTP	The Virtuoso	Mechanic, Engineer, Data Analyst
ISFP	The Adventurer	Graphic Designer, Chef, Counselor
ESTP	The Dynamo	Sales Executive, Trader, Emergency Responder
ESFP	The Performer	Actor, Public Relations, Hospitality Leader

Fast-paced environments? Lots of variety? These types are built for it. They love learning by doing and jumping into action.

Matching Personalities to Job Roles: Why It Matters

Using the 16 personality types test during hiring or team placement can help you:

• Place people in roles where they’ll naturally excel
  
• Build balanced teams (e.g., pairing planners with doers)
  
• Reduce early turnover due to poor role fit
  

That said, don’t use the test as the only decision-making tool. Combine it with behavioral interviews, skill assessments, and practical task trials.

Need to know how many questions are in the full vs. quick version? Read: Quick vs Full: How Many Questions Are in the 16 Personalities Test?

Popular Use Cases for the 16 Personalities Test

Use Case	How It Helps
Hiring	Understand candidate preferences and behaviors
Team-Building	Balance teams with complementary strengths
Career Coaching	Match individuals to ideal career paths
Conflict Resolution	Improve team communication and tolerance
Leadership Development	Help managers understand their own tendencies

If you’re wondering what this test actually reveals in practical terms, see What the 16 Personalities Test Reveals About Candidates

Get Started with Our 16 Personalities Test

At AssessGrow, we offer a professionally developed version of the 16 Personality Types Test tailored for the workplace—not just general personality curiosity.

• Short and full-length options
  
• Built-in explanations and coaching guides
  
• Ideal for HR teams, managers, and recruiters

Perfect for employers who want to align personality with performance.

Related Resources

• What Is the 16 Personalities Test and How Does It Work?
  
• Printable and PDF Options of the 16 Personalities Test
  
• Alternate Versions of the 16 Personalities Test You Should Know
  
• Languages and Translations of the 16 Personalities Test
  
• How Accurate Is the 16 Personalities Test for Hiring?
  

FAQ

Q: Is the 16 Personalities Test reliable for hiring?
It’s not a crystal ball—but when used with other tools, it offers strong insights into candidate behavior, motivation, and cultural fit.

Q: Can people fake the test?
Some try, but most tests (including ours) include internal consistency checks and language patterns that catch inconsistencies.

Q: Should I only hire certain personality types for certain roles?
No. Personality is just one piece of the puzzle. Skills, values, and past behavior matter just as much—if not more.

Q: What is the rarest 16 personality type?
INFJ is often cited as the rarest type, known for deep empathy and visionary thinking.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the 16 personality types isn’t just fun—it’s useful. When applied thoughtfully, this framework helps you hire better, manage smarter, and build teams that actually work.

Whether you’re building your leadership bench or helping a new hire thrive in their first 90 days, knowing someone’s personality preferences can shape your entire approach.

If you’re ready to go beyond just resumes and gut feelings, start with the 16 Personality Types Test from AssessGrow. It’s practical, scalable, and designed for real-world hiring.