INTJ

INTJs are often insightful, future-focused, rational, firm-minded, and calm. They are driven to succeed, have high standards, value continuous improvement and are often seen as perfectionists. The INTJ is often logical and decisive and uses an objective approach to analyzing situations. In a social situation, the INTJ may find it difficult to participate in discussions and may be perceived as hard to get to know. For an INTJ, small talk is often viewed as dull or boring. The INTJ is also generally creative and prefers originality in their work.

The INTJ has a tendency to create and internally evaluate a wealth of new possibilities, ideas and processes. They have their eye on the big-picture and see future possibilities. For an INTJ, their focus tends to be on taking their overall ideas and bringing them to fruition. They usually see the general concept and then gather the specific details and integrate the necessary information. They tend to rely heavily on their inner thoughts for guidance and may experience difficulty with balancing the value they place on these insights. The INTJ is generally confident and will act on their perceived possibilities regardless of their practicality or the caution of others. The INTJ usually enjoys a challenge and is eager to work with theoretical and abstract data.

An INTJ generally has an organized approach to structuring tasks in order to meet the overall objectives and goals. They usually have a dislike for inefficiency or disorder and are often looking for new ways to do things. The INTJ often prefers their independence, are good with time management, and may be seen as single-minded. They are challenged to achieve and accomplish and often expect those around them to be knowledgeable and competent. The INTJ tends to focus first on the task and secondarily on people. They may value their own thoughts over the opinions of others and when necessary, can be tough. They prefer to remain in control of their behaviors and emotions and may see the contrary as a weakness. The INTJ may have a tendency to be critical and need to separate their criticism from the person or idea.

INTJ and School

Learning

The INTJ student will often…

Be interested in learning about new abstract or theoretical models
Look for the theory or principle underlying a topic
Want to create a connection between their learning and the larger picture
Challenge popular opinion
At times, resist changing or accepting a different method of learning
Most effectively study in an independent environment
Experience stress when they try to gain knowledge in all subjects of interest

Writing

An INTJ is often drawn towards big picture concepts in their writing and projects. They are usually quick writers who often challenge commonly held assumptions or ideas. The INTJ is often focused on the conclusion of a project and when starting their writing, they likely know how it will be finished. Due to this natural writing tendency, the INTJ is most effective in writing reports that are centered on answers or results. Overall, the INTJ’s writing is well organized and tends to reflect their confidence.

In the writing process, the INTJ will often…

Take time to reflect before starting
Become preoccupied with the organizing stage and inadvertently miss completing their work
Spend a lot of time on either determining the end or working towards the final conclusion
Incorporate visuals into their projects
Need to incorporate additional details to support their big picture concepts
Need to soften their otherwise firm statements
Have difficulty in receiving critical feedback
Complete work on or before the deadline

Procrastination

The INTJ often procrastinates when they find projects to be uninteresting. They may also delay their work when they are reviewing and debating possible ideas. It can be difficult for the INTJ to start writing out their thoughts when they are unsure of where to begin. This is exceptionally frustrating because they intend to complete the task. Essentially, one side of the INTJ wants to explore the possibilities and the other is looking for closure. This may result in feelings of pressure and frustration. Students can benefit from learning their type and understanding the root cause of their frustration and tension. It may also be beneficial for an INTJ to discuss their ideas in order to find a starting point to begin their project or writing.

INTJ and Career Exploration

An INTJ tends to find career satisfaction with careers that have the following characteristics:

Involves analysis, creativity, knowledge, and focus
Challenges their intellect
Encourages innovative thinking and revolutionary ideas
Gives the time and freedom to put their ideas into practice
Provides an opportunity for continuous learning and creative problem solving
Ensures full control over completing a project to meet their high standards
Allows them to create change that promotes system and people efficiency
Provides an opportunity to work with intelligent and competent colleagues
Involves a limited amount of routine
Provides compensation that is based on what they have done and their diligence in completing the tas

When exploring career options, an INTJ will often…

Set various long-term career goals and create an action plan
Create or design their own career
Need to be open to tailoring their plan if obstacles arise or alternative plans are required
Research jobs and their future outlook but may neglect considering specific aspects of a career
Use an objective approach to evaluate the pros and cons of each potential career

Careers to Consider

The following is a list of suggested occupations that fit the qualities of an INTJ or are careers that other INTJs have found to be satisfying. Use this list as a starting point for further investigation but do not limit your options to only this list.

Career	Careers
Architect	Artist
Designer	Inventor
Scientist/Scientific Researcher	Scientist: Life & Physical
Astronomer	Attorney: Litigator/Commercial
Judge	Manager
Writer/Editor	News Writer
News Analyst	Administrator
Investment/Business Analyst	Human Resource Planners
Management Consultant	Research Workers
Strategic Planner	Psychologist
Psychiatrist	Neurologist
Cardiologist	Pharmacologist
Social Service Worker	Computer Professional
Computer Systems Analyst	Computer Programmer
Technician: Electrical	Engineer
Environmental Planner	University Teacher
Biomedical Engineer	Design Engineer

Job Search

During their job search, an INTJ will often…

Develop a creative job search plan that sets them apart from the competition
Compile information on the industry or company and tailor their personal application to these trends
When appropriate or necessary, design their own job
Need to remember to pay attention to the uninteresting details of their job search
Benefit from expanding their networking group
Need to maintain their energy and motivation throughout the job search
Need to remember to stay open to job offers and potentially negotiate the unappealing aspects of a position
Need to look at all aspects of a job and consider their personal values when making a decision

During an interview, an INTJ will often…

Display confidence but should be cautious not to appear arrogant
Have a tendency to undersell their abilities and appear impersonal or distant
Need to remember to present their immediate contributions to the organizations in addition to their potential contributions
Need to be open to discussing their ideas and accepting criticism
Need to ensure they display an eager attitude for the job

INTJ and Work

At work, the INTJ will often…

Be organized, confident, productive, and committed
Look at the big picture and see how things are connected
Be focused on the task and understand what can be accomplished
Have a vision for the organizations potential
Set long-term goals and determine the process to meet those goals
Enjoy challenging, theoretical, or conceptual work
Have high standards for all involved in a project
Objectively examine issues and create workplace systems
Make future predictions and evaluate the overall impact of their ideas
Prefer autonomy in their work and find set procedures too restricting
Work best in an independent environment that is void of interruptions
Tolerate interruptions from competent colleagues they respect
Want to be respected by their colleagues

At work, the INTJ should be aware that they may…

Be unmotivated to complete a project after finishing the creative component
Experience difficulty changing their ideas, reevaluating their decisions, or considering opposing viewpoints
Miss the practical requirements necessary to ensure the success of their plans
Spend time making unnecessary improvements to projects or workplace systems
Become impatient with those who do not meet their standards
Need to intentionally appreciate others and realize the importance of feelings
Have limited patience for slow learning coworkers and niceties
Have a tendency to lack tact when they are in a hurry
Need to include other peoples ideas throughout a project’s duration
Have ideas that people find difficult to comprehend
May excessively gather details without reason or alternatively may neglect all details

Teamwork

On a team, the INTJ will often…

Contribute a fresh perspective
Ask the tough questions
Organize information and schedule tasks to ensure they are completed
Persist in advocating for their ideas and visions
Prefer to work with individuals they perceive to be knowledgeable

On a team, the INTJ should be aware that they may…

Place their own high work standards on others
Refrain from sharing their feelings and prefer other members to not share this type of information
Need to intentionally elicit the input of others
Find it difficult to delegate tasks
Become frustrated with team members who do not finish their assigned jobs, are not open to questions, focus on irrelevant details, require immediate answers, waste peoples time, and are deemed incompetent

Leadership

An INTJ often has a natural inclination towards leadership and will often seek out these types of positions. As a leader, the INTJ will often…

Create necessary paths to ensure that the ideas become reality
Motivate themselves and others to meet their goals
Ensure that everyone is kept on task
Do particularly well when required to redefine an organizations focus
Influence their team members with their depth of insight, ideas, and dedication
Need to remember to consider and recognize the accomplishments of others
Need to focus on providing clear communication

INTJ and Life

Communication

The INTJ will often…

Prefer direct and honest communication
Communicate their decisions, opinions, and plans but rarely discuss their personal insights
Use a task-orientated approach that focuses on their big-picture ideas
Have a tendency to point out flaws or be critical
Become impatient with others when their ideas are not understood The INTJ should be aware that they may need to…
Incorporate concrete facts and details in order to paint a clear and tangible picture for their audience
Consider how their words affect or impact people
Accept feedback from people
Listening to the peoples personal sharing and respond without being unfriendly or impersonal
Communicate their own feelings that relate to a situation

Decision Making

When it comes to decision making, the INTJ will often…

Be logical and objective
Thoroughly analyze and assess the situation or problem
Need to consider specific details when evaluating their options
Make a decision without consulting an outside source
Need to consider the impact their decisions have on people

Playing

The INTJ may have a difficult time setting aside their work in order to relax. They have a tendency to focus on work while away from their job and this can negatively affect their home life. Their high performance standard transfers to their play world and their extracurricular activities often include lectures, dramas, and music. The INTJ postsecondary student reports that they are not overly interested in small talk and when dating, they prefer in-depth conversations.

Stress

An INTJ will often experience stress when…

Required to alter their plans or are given limited time to adjust to variations
Achieving less than desirable results
Encountering details that contradict logic
Working with people they do not perceive to be competent, rational, or logical
Surrounded by a disorganized work environment
Pressured to breach policies or accept deception in their workplace

When affected by stress, an INTJ will often…

Use card playing, excessive eating, watching tv reruns, or focusing on detail-orientated activities as a mechanism to avoid reality
Gather details to support their self-destructive behavior and attack their self image
Become preoccupied with the cause of their stress and have trouble focusing their energy on work
Mentally review issues which lead to sleepless nights
With chronic stress, become irritable, tired, tense, or angry

An INTJ can reduce stress by…

Realigning their perspective by completing a task
Taking time to reflect and potentially reduce their commitments
Getting involved in a physical activity with friends
Allowing other people to help by delegating some responsibilities
Learning that relaxing does not require pushing themselves to achieve
Learning how to connect with people