What are the best careers for ENFP personality types?
Have you ever wondered why some jobs just seem to “click” with you, while others leave you feeling drained? One answer may lie in your personality type. When your work aligns with your natural strengths, you’re more likely to feel fulfilled and energised.
A popular tool for categorising personality types is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). You’ve probably heard about it – the MBTI assigns you one of 16 personality types, based on how you perceive the world and make decisions. Keep in mind that the MBTI isn’t scientifically backed, but it can be useful as a general guide on your character traits.
ENFP personalities are thought to be energetic and full of ideas. They thrive in work environments that bring out their creativity, curiosity, and love for connecting with people.
In this guide, explore what the ENFP personality type is all about, what kind of workplaces ENFPs thrive in, the best careers for ENFPs, and which jobs may not be the best fit.
What’s the ENFP personality type?
ENFP stands for Extroversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Perception. ENFPs are dubbed “The Campaigners” because they’re energetic and imaginative people who are driven by purpose.
If you’re an ENFP, you tend to be outgoing and open-minded, with a knack for connecting with others. You might also be imaginative, with tons of creative hobbies and a taste for adventure.
ENFPs prefer big-picture thinking and don’t like to focus too much on the details. But they enjoy discovering new ideas, pursuing personal growth, and sharing exciting experiences with those around them. This makes them a valuable asset in people-focused and creative careers.
What’s an ENFP like at work?
The ENFP personality type can bring energy and passion for innovation to the table. They’re great at adapting, inspiring others, and solving problems in out-of-the-box ways.
“ENFPs love collaborating and working with others, while having enough variety so they don’t get bored,” says Leah Lambart, Career & Interview Coach and Founder of Melbourne-based career coaching business Relaunch Me.
“They’re happiest when coming up with ideas, but may struggle with following through and staying focused on one project or task,” she adds. “They love a harmonious and collaborative environment that inspires them to use their creativity without having too much structure enforced upon them."
Since ENFPs are people-centred, their ideal working environment is creative and collaborative – while giving them the freedom to experiment independently. “ENFPs are more suited to work on shorter-term projects that are personally meaningful,” Lambart explains. “They may get bored working on long-term projects.”
The best careers for ENFPs
ENFPs shine when they can bring their expressive, charismatic selves into their everyday work. Whether they're speaking to a crowd, mentoring a student, or designing something from scratch, their natural creativity will helps them stand out.
“ENFPs are suited to creative, meaningful careers that allow them to help people in a creative or holistic way. They love working with others and are usually very comfortable working in teams as well as one-on-one,” shares Lambart.
Here are some industries and roles that tend to be a great match for ENFPs.
Arts and entertainment
Creative expression is a strong suit for many ENFPs, who are often blessed with great charisma too. They’re likely to enjoy the spotlight – or at least a role that lets their fun-loving personality shine.
These traits are a powerful combination in the arts and entertainment industry. Careers that involve performance, storytelling, or emotional expression are perfect for ENFPs who want to make an impact through creativity.
Here are some roles to consider:
Creative media
In creative media roles, no two days are ever quite the same. ENFPs love that kind of variety. Whether you’re writing content, designing visuals, or planning campaigns, your imagination and people skills will help you collaborate effectively and bring ideas to life.
Look for roles with plenty of creative freedom, such as:
Education
Not only are ENFPs highly sociable, they’re also good at building relationships. They’re natural mentors who genuinely enjoy motivating others to learn and grow.
If you’re an ENFP who loves helping and mentoring others, teaching roles may be fulfilling for you. Your enthusiasm and people skills can inspire students of all ages, and your creativity helps you approach lessons in engaging ways.
Here are some roles that can bring the best out of your communication and social skills:
Healthcare and social services
The healthcare and social services industry offers many roles for ENFPs who find meaning in supporting and connecting with others. This industry is often fast-paced and dynamic, providing an engaging work environment that will keep ENFPs on their toes.
If you’re an ENFP who wants to help people improve their lives, here are some roles you might enjoy:
Jobs ENFPs should avoid
It's true that anyone can find success in any field, regardless of personality type. But some roles may not play to your strengths or may drain your energy over time. According to the MBTI, highly analytical, repetitive or detail-focused jobs can feel limiting for ENFPs.
“ENFPs may find projects that need lots of long-term planning and attention to detail somewhat draining,” shares Lambart. “They often prefer to initiate projects and leave the details to others.”
Lambart advises that ENFPs avoid careers that call for strong attention to detail, long-term planning behind the scenes, and rigorous analytical skills. “They may be better suited to careers where they can leverage their big-picture thinking, relationship-building skills, and ability to adapt to changing situations,” she recommends.
Some careers that are less suited to ENFP traits include:
Harnessing ENFP strengths and weaknesses at work
Ultimately, there’s no single ‘perfect’ career for ENFP types. The best career for an ENFP, or any personality type, is one that leverages natural talents and passions, and helps strengthen weaknesses.
Practical tips to help ENFPs thrive at work
1. Seek out opportunities to help others
Many ENFPs are natural leaders. You may find that you feed off the positive energy that happens when you’re helping others reach their full potential.
Take the initiative to support others at work, such as motivating your teammates and offering guidance to your junior colleagues. These small actions will quickly make you a valued part of any team.
“ENFPs should harness their ability to engage with people and to build relationships,” Lambart advises. “Seek out opportunities to coach, teach and inspire others even if you don’t have direct reports. This is also likely to make you feel more energised and engaged by helping others.”
2. Keep yourself accountable
You may be full of ideas, but ENFPs can struggle when it comes to completing tasks – especially if the work feels repetitive or lacks personal meaning.
“While ENFPs are great at starting new things, they’re not great with the follow-through,” Lambart notes. “They may need to engage others to help them be accountable.”
To combat this, develop systems to stay on track. Besides teaming up with trusted colleagues who can keep you accountable, you can also learn to use goal-setting apps or break big projects into smaller tasks.
3. Work on your time management
Another Achilles heel for many ENFPs is time management. They thrive on the adrenaline rush of completing work at the last minute. However, this puts them at risk of missing deadlines and leaving a negative impression on colleagues, especially if their delays affect others’ work.
“ENFPs may need to work on their planning and time management as they tend to leave things to the final hour,” Leah shares. “This can stress others out, particularly colleagues (or family members) who may be natural planners.”
To improve, try time management techniques such as:
The Pomodoro Technique: Work in short bursts with regular breaks to recharge.
Time blocking: Divide your day into dedicated blocks to stay organised.
Gamified goal setting: Earn points every time you complete a task. Accumulating a certain number of points wins you a reward, such as a snack.
Turn your ENFP traits into a thriving career
If you're an ENFP, your vibrant energy, creativity, and love for working with people can be incredible assets in your career. The key is to find a path that aligns with your personality and allows you to stay inspired.
Take some time to reflect on your own traits and career goals. When your job fits who you are, you’re more likely to thrive – not just professionally, but personally too.
FAQs
What is the meaning of ENFP?
ENFP stands for Extroversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Perception. It's one of the 16 personality types from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. ENFPs are typically energetic, creative, and people-oriented.
Which careers are the best match for ENFPs?
Careers that offer opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and self-expression often suit ENFPs best. This includes roles in arts, media, education, healthcare, and social services.
What are good job matches for ENFPs starting their career?
Entry-level roles in teaching, coaching, marketing, graphic design, or customer service can be a great starting point. These types of roles can give ENFPs the variety and people interaction that energise them.
Can ENFPs be successful in leadership or management roles?
Yes, ENFPs can be effective leaders, who excel at inspiring their teams, especially in creative or people-focused settings. Their communication skills and passion make them strong team builders.
Can ENFPs succeed in technical or STEM careers?
While it may be more challenging, ENFPs can succeed in STEM careers if the role includes creativity, collaboration, or problem-solving. Although ENFPs don’t like getting bogged down by details, working on projects with personal meaning can help them maintain motivation.