What Each Myers-Briggs® Personality Type Can’t Stand at Work

Most of us will spend 108,560 hours of our lives at work. Because of this, we all want careers that we can actually enjoy or that make a meaningful difference in the world. There are some of us, though, that wind up in jobs we absolutely can’t stand. As an MBTI® practitioner I talk to a lot of people about their personality types, their life stories, and their joys and struggles. The more I talk to different personality types, the more I notice patterns. In today’s article I’m going to talk about some of the things that I see each of the 16 personality types struggling with the most in their careers. Do you relate? Let’s find out!

Not sure what your personality type is? Take our thorough personality questionnaire here. Or you can take the official MBTI® here.

What Each Myers-Briggs® Personality Type Can’t Stand at Work

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

INTJ – The Strategist

INTJs despise not seeing progress. They are visionaries who need to see a clear picture of where they’re going as well as regular forward momentum towards that vision. What really gets under their skin? A disorganized team or manager who can’t provide clear direction. They also hate chaotic, loud, busy work environments. Independence to pursue their own solutions is crucial for them. Without the freedom to craft a clear plan or their own space to work, you’ll find them frustrated and stressed.

Jobs INTJs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Hairstylist
• Event Planner
• Salesperson in a chaotic store
• Call Center Agent
• Restaurant Waitstaff

Find out more about INTJs: 24 Signs That You’re an INTJ, the Strategist Personality Type

ISTJ – The Detective

ISTJs share many pet peeves with INTJs. They want methodical progress and clear direction. Disorganized surroundings, unclear expectations, and lots of noise are their worst nightmares. They need a responsible team, structured environment, and a clear plan to feel content at work. If you want to keep an ISTJ happy, ensure that everyone’s toeing the line, schedules and deadlines are in place, and there is minimal interruption.

Jobs ISTJs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Improvisational comedian
• Bartender
• Salesperson
• Fundraiser
• Interpretive Dancer

Discover more about ISTJs: 20 Amazing Fictional ISTJ Characters

INFJ – The Mystic

For INFJs, feeling like their job has big picture meaning is essential. They hate trivial or meaningless tasks or a lot of repetition that feels like it’s not directed towards anything significant. Not having a long-term vision or a clear plan can demotivate them quickly. They dislike focusing on a lot of concrete details and crave a sense that their work positively impacts people. Noise, commotion, and disorder are huge turn-offs for them. An INFJ needs a calm, structured environment where their contributions are meaningful and valued.

Jobs INFJs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Telemarketer
• Reality TV Producer
• Stockbroker
• Factory Worker on an Assembly Line
• Car Salesperson

Find out more about INFJs: 10 Things You Crave Every Day as an INFJ

ISFJ – The Protector

ISFJs want to feel like they’re helping their community and making a difference for people. On top of this, stability and clarity are key. Clear rules, structures, and guidelines are their comfort zones. They need to know their input matters and that they receive credit for their hard work. They despise being pressured into quick decisions and prefer working with cautious, diligent, detail-oriented people.

Jobs ISFJs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Emergency Room Doctor
• Stand-Up Comedian
• Stock Market Trader
• High-Pressure Sales Representative
• Bouncer

Find out more about ISFJs: Diving Deep Into the ISFJ Personality Type

ENFP – The Visionary

ENFPs can’t stand rigid structures and monotonous tasks. They need creative freedom and a variety of activities to stay engaged. Micromanagement and strict rules suffocate their enthusiasm. They love brainstorming and exploring new ideas, so an environment that stifles innovation is their worst enemy. They want to feel included, to involve other people in their process, and to brainstorm new ideas and creative opportunities. They thrive in dynamic, flexible settings where they can interact with diverse people and concepts.

Jobs ENFPs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Data Entry Clerk
• Assembly Line Worker
• Financial Auditor
• Insurance Underwriter
• Factory Supervisor

Find out more about ENFPs: 10 Things You Should Never Say to an ENFP Personality Type

ESFP – The Champion

ESFPs are all about experience, action, and excitement. They can’t stand mundane tasks and really rigid, rule-laden careers. They need spontaneity, momentum, and interaction to stay motivated. Being involved, expressing ideas, and collaborating on team projects are all meaningful to them. They want to feel like they’re part of a dynamic team of people all working towards the same goal. They thrive in lively, upbeat settings where they can bring joy and energy to their work. They hate a job that’s a lot of bookwork or analysis with little action and a slower pace towards goals.

Jobs ESFPs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Data Analyst
• US Customs & Border Protection Officer
• Archivist
• Accountant
• Quality Control Inspector

Discover more about ESFPs: What It Means to be an ESFP Personality Type

ENTP – The Trailblazer

ENTPs hate monotony and predictability. They’re happiest when they can collaborate, innovate, and be intellectually challenged. Repetitive tasks and rigid schedules bore them to tears. And the worst is when they don’t feel included, liked, or a part of what’s going on in a meaningful way. They want to brainstorm, swap ideas, and explore new opportunities with a variety of people. They need an environment that encourages critical thinking and allows them to dream up new ways to innovate and improve things. Bureaucratic red tape and meaningless rules are their kryptonite. For an ENTP, freedom to explore and experiment is crucial.

Jobs ENTPs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Assembly Line Worker
• Court Clerk
• Payroll Specialist
• Healthcare Billing and Compliance
• Factory Quality Inspector

You Might Also Like: 10 Must-Read Books for ENTPs

ESFP – The

ESTP – The Daredevil

ESTPs are action-oriented, fun-loving, and pragmatic. They hate jobs that are monotonous, inactive, or require a lot of theorizing rather than real-world pragmatism. They need a lot of stimulation and opportunities to make an impact. Routine tasks and bureaucratic processes bore them. On top of that, they also hate feeling out of control or micromanaged. They thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments where they can make quick decisions and see immediate results. For an ESTP, a slow, stagnant workplace is unbearable.

Jobs ESTPs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Librarian
• Data Entry Specialist
• Compliance Officer
• Monastery Monk
• Archivist

Find out more about ESTPs: Your ESTP Cognitive Function Guide

INFP – The Dreamer

INFPs are driven by their values and need meaningful work. They can’t stand superficial tasks or environments that clash with their principles. They need autonomy and creative freedom to express themselves. They also hate feeling pressured or rushed. For INFPs, work is about doing things right, not doing things rapidly. Another pet peeve of INFPs is not getting credit for their work. They tend to put a lot of themselves into what they do, but I’ve heard many INFPs report that other more assertive types will take their ideas and input and run with it, thereby gaining all the credit. They thrive in environments that value individuality, quality, originality, and authenticity. For an INFP, a soulless, conformist workplace is intolerable.

Jobs INFPs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Telemarketer
• Corporate Lawyer
• Factory Worker
• Insurance Sales Agent
• Military Recruiter

Find out more about INFPs: INFPs and Their Compatibility with Every Myers-Briggs® Personality Type

ISFP – The Virtuoso

ISFPs are creative, detail-oriented, and original. They want work that has a meaningful impact on other people. This could mean being a doctor and helping people cope with life-threatening illness, or it could mean being a tattoo artist and helping people realize their passions in an artistic form. ISFPs like to see the impact of their work immediately and feel connected to it. They need freedom to express themselves, an environment where they’re not constrained by strict rules or micromanagement. For ISFPs, a rigid workplace without any human impact feels meaningless and suffocating to them.

Jobs ISFPs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Data Analyst
• Accounting Clerk
• Actuary
• Tax Examiner
• Compliance Officer

Discover more about ISFPs: 24 Signs That You’re an ISFP, the Virtuoso Personality Type

INTP – The Prodigy

INTPs thrive on intellectual challenges and painstaking analysis where they can learn, improve, and integrate information. They need autonomy and the freedom to explore new ideas. Repetitive work and micromanagement frustrate them. Other frustrations include feeling rushed, pressured, or limited in their work, to where they can’t produce the quality they demand of themselves. They prefer a flexible, open-minded environment that encourages innovation and quality. For an INTP, an environment where they’re forced to churn out mediocre work quickly is soul-crushing.

Jobs INTPs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Warehouse Worker
• Receptionist
• Flight Attendant
• Retail Salesperson
• Customer Service Representative

Find out more about INTPs: 10 Things That Excite the INTP Personality Type

ISTP – The Vigilante

ISTPs are practical and cool-headed, with a sense of personal logic that guides them. They can’t stand jobs that involve a lot of pointless meetings, bureaucratic red tape, and theorizing without real action. Working with people who are irrational, incompetent, or emotionally hypersensitive is maddening to them. They need tangible tasks and the freedom to experiment. On top of that, they need a clear direction and the independence to pursue their goals in their own ways. They thrive in environments that value practical skills and problem-solving. For an ISTP, a workplace where there is a lot of talk and little action is deeply annoying. They also hate a restrictive workplace where there is a lot of micro-managing and invasive oversight.

Jobs ISTPs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Medical Transcriber
• Customer Service Representative
• Preschool Teacher
• Event Planner
• Receptionist

Find out more about ISTPs: 10 Signs of an Unhealthy ISTPs

ESFJ – The Defender

ESFJs are the unifiers in their communities; they bring people together and create stable and harmonious communities. At work, conflict and tension drive them crazy, as well as lack of clarity and structure. They need clear expectations, a plan, and a sense that everyone is working together as a unified team. Unreliable colleagues and disorganized environments frustrate them, as well as a lack of positive feedback and encouragement. They prefer a structured, supportive setting where they can help others and make a difference.

Jobs ESFJs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Correctional Officer
• IT Help Desk Technician
• Industrial Machinery Mechanic
• Night Security Guard
• Bouncer

ESTJ – The Captain

ESTJs are called the Captains for a reason. They like having a plan, ensuring it proceeds, and keeping an eye out for inefficiency and threats. They can’t stand disorganization and incompetence. They need clear goals and structured processes to stay focused. As In-Charge types, they like to see constant progression towards goals and they make quick decisions to keep the ball rolling rapidly. Unreliable colleagues, procrastination, mess, and ambiguous instructions frustrate them. They prefer a well-organized, results-driven environment.

Jobs ESTJs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Preschool teacher
• Telemarketer
• Marriage Counselor
• Insurance Broker
• Bus driver

ENFJ – The Mentor

ENFJs tend to be natural leaders, and they’re gifted with a natural desire to help others grow and succeed. They thrive in environments where they can make a meaningful impact and work towards a clear vision. Conflict, chaos, and lack of structure are all frustrating for ENFJs, who want to feel like their workplace is an extension of their family, and everyone’s on the same team. They are motivated by the opportunity to collaborate and unite with others, and they excel at making quick decisions to keep projects progressing smoothly. ENFJs despise procrastination and disorganized environments, and will quickly feel drained and exhausted if they aren’t seeing forward momentum. They need a workplace where they can exercise their leadership skills, support their colleagues, and contribute to a cohesive and purposeful team.

Jobs ENFJs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Debt Collector
• Factory Worker
• Night Shift Manager
• Legal Secretary
• Independent Truck Driver

Find out more about ENFJs: A Look Inside the ENFJ Mind

ENTJ – The Director

ENTJs are goal-oriented and can’t stand inefficiency and indecision. They need clear objectives and the authority to execute their plans. Incompetence and lack of ambition frustrate them. They prefer a structured, results-driven environment that values leadership and strategic thinking. For an ENTJ, a disorganized, aimless workplace is intolerable.

Jobs ENTJs Would Absolutely Hate (But May Also Succeed At):

• Data Entry Clerk
• Receptionist
• Librarian
• Customer Service Representative
• Preschool Teacher

Discover more about ENTJs: How ENTJs Say “I Love You”

What Do You Think?

Do you agree or disagree with what I’ve written? Do you have any job suggestions that you think people with your personality type would love? Let us and other readers know in the comments!

Find out more about your personality type in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type,  The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, The INTJ – Understanding the Strategist, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!