A lot of big companies think so. About 80% of Fortune 500 and nearly 90% of Fortune 100 companies use something called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test to try to help their employees get into the right role so that they’ll be most productive on the job.

The Myers-Brigg test measures preferences that determine your personality type. The test isn’t free, which is why most people end up taking it when an employer pays for it. But what it can tell you about who you are and how your personality will mesh with a job can be valuable.

Eight Personality Traits

The test helps determine four main areas of your personality. There are two options in each of these four areas.

• Extrovert: You’re energized by people, enjoy a variety of tasks, and good at multitasking.
• Introvert: You like working alone and prefer a steady pace so you can work on one thing at a time.
• Thinker: You make decisions using logical analysis after objectively weighing pros and cons, and you value honesty and fairness.
• Feeler: You’re sensitive but cooperative, and you make decisions based on your personal values.
• Sensor: You’re realistic and prefer to focus on facts or details. You use common sense to create practical solutions to problems.
• Intuitive: You like working with possibilities and the big picture. You’re creative and use your natural ability to see patterns.
• Judger: You’re organized and prepared, making and sticking to your plans. You prefer to follow the rules.
• Perceiver: You like keeping your options open and prefer spontaneous actions.

Combining the Traits

After you complete the test, you’re assigned a trait from each of the four main categories. Let’s say, for example, that you take the test and the results determine that you are a bit of an introvert with a strong liking for facts and details. You weigh the pros and cons before acting and you like a new challenge to work on every day.

That would make you an ISTP under the Myers-Brigg system. It’s neither good nor bad, there are no negatives about knowing what jobs best fit your personality type. In this case, you might be a good fit for a job in the trades, as ISTP personality types tend to be straightforward and honest, who prefer action to conversation. Best of all they love using tools to help people. These are definitely helpful personality traits for anyone who is thinking of becoming a plumber, an electrician, or an HVAC technician.

Not quite ready to pay for a test that helps you with matching up your personality with a job? Try a more casual quiz. Find out which trade is right for you.

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