Julie Law, Career Center Understanding the MBTI

Objective Understand how preferences influence our behaviors and impact the way we make decisions Understand how preferences shape our preferred work environments Understand how to utilize the strength in each preference in group settings

MBTI Helps to understand our personality traits and differences “Where am I in that spectrum?” Little Interest Moderate Interest High Interest

If E = I then write I If S = N then write N If T = F then write F If J = P then write P Tie-Breaking Rule

Extravert & Introvert Where do you focus your attention?

Activity Get into two groups, Introverts in one group and Extroverts in another. Activity: In 5 minutes, plan your perfect party.

Extraverts  Focus on the outer world of people and activity.  Direct their energy and attention outward and receive energy from interacting with people and from taking action. Characteristics:  Prefer communicating by talking  Work out ideas by talking them through  Learn best through doing and discussion  Have broad interests  Social and expressive  Readily take initiative in work and relationships

Extraverts: Preferences in Work Settings Like variety and action Are sometimes impatient with long slow jobs Enjoy interacting with people, communicate with enthusiasm May prefer communicating by talking rather than writing Develop their ideas through discussion Learn new tasks by talking and doing Talk more than listen Interested in how other people do their work

Introverts: Focus on their own inner world of ideas and experiences. Direct their energy and attention inward and receive energy from reflecting on their thoughts, memories, and feelings. Characteristics: Drawn to their inner world Prefer to communicate in writing Work out ideas by reflecting on them Learn best by reflection, mental “practice” Private and contained Take initiative when the situation or issue is very important to them

Introverts: Preferences in Work Settings Like quite for concentration Think before they act, sometimes without acting Enjoy focusing on a project or task Develop their ideas internally Learn new task by reading and reflecting Are interested in the idea behind the job May prefer by reading rather than talking or experiencing Avoid being the center of attention

Sensing & Intuition How do you take in information?

How do You Take In Information? Sensing and Intuition Get into two groups, Sensing and Intuition You have 3 minutes to describe this cup

Sensors Take in information that is real and tangible. They focus on their senses. Characteristics: Oriented to present realities Factual and concrete Observe and remember specifics Build carefully and thoroughly toward conclusions Understand ideas and theories through practical applications Trust experience

Sensors: Work Setting Preferences Focus on immediate issues Provide a realistic and practical perspective Tend to be specific and literal, detail oriented Present information in a step-by-step manner Oriented to the present Like to perfect standard ways to do things by fine tuning Build to conclusions by collecting facts Draw on their own and others’ experience

Take in information by seeing the big picture, focusing on the relationships and connections between facts. Characteristics: Oriented toward future possibilities Imaginative and verbally creative Focus on the patterns and meanings in data Remember specifics when they relate to a pattern Move quickly to conclusions, follow hunches Want to clarify ideas and theories before putting them into practice Trust inspiration Intuition

Intuition: Preferences in Work Settings Follow their inspirations Value imagination and innovation Provide connections and meanings Like solving new complex problems Start with the big picture, fill in the facts later Present information in a roundabout manner Prefer change, new ways of doing things

Thinkers and Feelers How do you make decisions?

What would you do? You are hiring someone for a job. One candidate had a perfect resume and interview. The other candidate was not as outstanding as the first, however the second candidate is a single parent and really needs a job. You can only hire one person. Who do you hire and why?

Thinkers Tend to make decisions based primarily on logic and on objective analysis of cause and effect. Characteristics: Analytical Use cause-and-effect reasoning Solve problems with logic Strive for an objective standard of truth Reasonable Can be “tough-minded” Fair –want everyone treated equally

Thinkers: Preferences in Work Settings Focus on tasks Use logical analysis to understand and decide Want mutual respect and fairness among colleagues Are firm-minded, can give criticism when appropriate Apply principles consistently Can be critical and naturally see flaws Can be seen at times as insensitive Consider more important to be truthful than tactful Motivated by a desire of achievement and accomplishment

Feelers Tend to make decisions based on primarily on values and on subjective evaluation of person-centered concerns. Characteristics: Empathetic Guided by personal values Assess impacts of decisions on people Strive for harmony and positive interactions Compassionate May appear “tenderhearted” Fair –want everyone to be treated as an individual

Feelers: Preferences in Work Settings Focus on people’s interactions Step forward and consider the effect of actions on others Want harmony and support among colleagues See the exception to the rule Are empathetic, prefer to accommodate and reach consensus Show appreciation easily and naturally like to please others May be seen as overemotional, illogical or weak as well as truthful Apply values consistently Motivated by a desire to be appreciated

Judging and Perceiving How do you deal with the outer world?

Judging and Perceiving Get into 2 groups, Judging and Perceiving Activity, plan a summer-long trip to Europe.

Judging Tend to like a planned and organized approach to life and prefer to have things settled. Characteristics: Scheduled Organize their lives Systematic Methodical Make short-and-long term plans Like to have things decided Try to avoid last-minute stresses

Judging: Preferences in Work Settings Want to plan their work and follow the plan Happiest after decisions have been made Have a “work ethic” work first, play later Set goals and work toward achieving them on time Prefer knowing what they are getting into Like to get things settled and finished Feel supported by structure and schedules Reach closure by deciding quickly Focus on timely completion of a project

Perceiving Tend to like a flexible and spontaneous approach to life and prefer to keep their options open. Characteristics: Spontaneous Flexible Casual Open-minded Adapt, change course Like things loose and open to change Feel energized by last-minute pressures

Perceiving Preferences in Work Settings Want to have flexibility in their work Happiest leaving their options open Have a “play ethic” enjoy now, finish the job later Change goals as new information becomes available Like adapting to new situations Derive satisfaction from starting new projects See times as a renewable resource and see deadlines as elastic Like to be spontaneous Feel restricted by structure & schedules Leave things open as long as possible Focus on enjoying the process

Now what? Explore options through volunteer, service learning, and internships Network with people in the field Tap into resources: Career Center, Center for Internship and Community Engagement, Volunteer and Service Center Be positive and surround yourself with a supportive group of friends, family, and mentors

Questions?