How to Use the 16 Personalities Test to Improve Your Job Interview Skills
Job interviews can be stressful, but understanding your personality type can give you a significant advantage. By leveraging insights from the 16 Personalities Test, you can prepare more effectively, communicate your strengths authentically, and address potential concerns before they arise.
Why Personality Type Matters in Interviews
Interviewers aren't just assessing your qualifications—they're evaluating how you'll fit into their team and company culture. Your personality type influences your communication style, problem-solving approach, and interpersonal dynamics, all of which are critical during interviews.
Self-Awareness
Understand your natural interview strengths and areas that might need extra preparation.
Authentic Communication
Learn to present your true strengths in ways that resonate with interviewers.
Strategic Preparation
Tailor your interview preparation to address potential concerns about your personality type.
Cultural Fit Assessment
Evaluate whether the company's culture aligns with your personality preferences.
Interview Strategies by Personality Dimension
Each personality dimension presents unique opportunities and challenges in interview settings. Here's how to leverage each preference:
Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)
Extraverts: Your natural enthusiasm is an asset, but be careful not to dominate the conversation. Practice active listening and leave space for the interviewer to speak.
Introverts: Prepare talking points in advance to feel more comfortable. Use your natural listening skills to ask insightful questions that show your engagement.
Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)
Sensors: Highlight your attention to detail and practical implementation skills. Provide specific examples with concrete results and data.
Intuitives: Showcase your big-picture thinking and innovation. Balance visionary ideas with practical examples of implementation.
Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)
Thinkers: Emphasize your logical decision-making and objectivity. Remember to acknowledge the human impact of your decisions.
Feelers: Your empathy and team harmony skills are valuable. Demonstrate how you balance people considerations with business needs.
Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)
Judgers: Highlight your organization and reliability. Show flexibility by discussing how you adapt when plans change.
Perceivers: Emphasize your adaptability and problem-solving in uncertain situations. Demonstrate your ability to meet deadlines when necessary.
Type-Specific Interview Preparation
Each personality type has unique interview strengths and potential challenges. Here are tailored strategies for each type:
ISTJ - The Inspector
Interview Strengths: Reliability, preparation, factual accuracy, practical solutions
Preparation Tips: Prepare detailed examples of projects completed on time and within budget. Practice discussing how you adapt to unexpected changes.
ISFJ - The Protector
Interview Strengths: Team support, attention to detail, loyalty, practical help
Preparation Tips: Have examples ready of how you've supported team success. Practice talking about your individual achievements confidently.
INFJ - The Advocate
Interview Strengths: Insight into people and situations, values alignment, long-term vision
Preparation Tips: Research the company's values and mission. Prepare concrete examples to balance your idealistic perspectives.
INTJ - The Architect
Interview Strengths: Strategic thinking, independence, complex problem-solving
Preparation Tips: Practice explaining complex ideas simply. Prepare examples of collaborative successes to balance your independent strengths.
ISTP - The Virtuoso
Interview Strengths: Hands-on problem-solving, calm under pressure, technical expertise
Preparation Tips: Prepare stories about troubleshooting and quick thinking. Practice discussing long-term goals and commitments.
ISFP - The Adventurer
Interview Strengths: Adaptability, harmony, hands-on creativity, present-moment focus
Preparation Tips: Have examples of completed projects ready. Practice discussing your career trajectory and future goals.
INFP - The Mediator
Interview Strengths: Values alignment, creativity, empathy, understanding different perspectives
Preparation Tips: Research the company culture thoroughly. Prepare specific, practical examples to balance your idealistic nature.
INTP - The Thinker
Interview Strengths: Analytical thinking, innovation, theoretical understanding
Preparation Tips: Practice explaining your thought process clearly. Prepare examples of implemented ideas, not just theoretical ones.
ESTP - The Entrepreneur
Interview Strengths: Energy, persuasion, quick thinking, action orientation
Preparation Tips: Prepare examples with measurable results. Practice discussing planning and follow-through to balance your spontaneous nature.
ESFP - The Entertainer
Interview Strengths: Enthusiasm, team morale, practical action, interpersonal skills
Preparation Tips: Balance your natural stories with specific accomplishments. Prepare examples of focused, detailed work.
ENFP - The Campaigner
Interview Strengths: Enthusiasm, big-picture thinking, connecting with people, generating ideas
Preparation Tips: Have specific examples of completed projects ready. Practice discussing implementation details, not just ideas.
ENTP - The Debater
Interview Strengths: Quick thinking, seeing possibilities, intellectual challenge, innovation
Preparation Tips: Practice active listening without immediately debating. Prepare examples of collaborative decision-making.
ESTJ - The Executive
Interview Strengths: Organization, efficiency, reliability, clear communication
Preparation Tips: Practice discussing flexibility and adaptation. Prepare examples of when you considered unconventional approaches.
ESFJ - The Consul
Interview Strengths: Team building, communication, reliability, creating harmony
Preparation Tips: Balance your team focus with individual achievements. Practice discussing difficult decisions you've made independently.
ENFJ - The Protagonist
Interview Strengths: Inspiration, communication, understanding people, leadership
Preparation Tips: Prepare specific examples with data and results. Practice discussing operational details, not just people leadership.
ENTJ - The Commander
Interview Strengths: Strategic vision, efficiency, leadership, decisive action
Preparation Tips: Practice discussing collaborative approaches. Prepare examples of how you develop and support team members.
Common Interview Questions and Personality-Informed Answers
Prepare for standard interview questions using your personality insights:
"Tell me about yourself"
Thinking Types (T): Structure your answer logically: background → key skills → relevant experience → why you're interested
Feeling Types (F): Include what excites you about the role and how it aligns with your values
"What is your greatest weakness?"
Judging Types (J): Discuss learning to be more flexible with changing priorities
Perceiving Types (P): Mention developing better systems for long-term planning
"Describe a conflict and how you resolved it"
Extraverts (E): Focus on how you ensured all voices were heard
Introverts (I): Highlight how you listened carefully to understand different perspectives
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
Sensing Types (S): Discuss concrete skills and positions you'd like to achieve
Intuitive Types (N): Connect your vision with how you can contribute to the company's future
Assessing Company Culture Fit
Use your personality knowledge to evaluate whether a company is right for you:
Questions to Consider During Your Interview
- For Introverts: "What does a typical meeting look like? Is there time for individual work and reflection?"
- For Feelers: "How does the company support employee wellbeing and work-life balance?"
- For Perceivers: "How structured is the work environment? Is there flexibility in how projects are approached?"
- For Intuitives: "How does the company encourage innovation and new ideas?"
- For Thinkers: "How are decisions typically made? What data or metrics are most important?"
- For Sensors: "Can you describe the typical workflow for this position? What systems and processes are in place?"
Pre-Interview Preparation Checklist
Use this personality-informed checklist to prepare for your next interview:
1. Know Your Type's Key Messages
Identify 3-4 core strengths from your personality type to emphasize
2. Prepare for Potential Concerns
Anticipate what interviewers might question about your type and prepare responses
3. Practice Your Stories
Develop specific examples that showcase your strengths in action
4. Research Cultural Fit
Investigate whether the company's environment suits your personality preferences
5. Plan Your Energy Management
Schedule pre-interview activities that help you show up as your best self
Discover Your Interview Strengths
Ready to transform your interview performance? Start by understanding your personality type and how it influences your interview style. Our free assessment can help you identify your natural strengths and prepare more effectively for your next job interview.
Get personalized insights to ace your next interview
Remember: Authenticity Wins
While it's valuable to understand and address potential concerns related to your personality type, the most successful interviews are those where candidates present their authentic selves. Use personality insights to enhance your natural strengths, not to create a false persona.
The goal is to find a role and company where your natural preferences are valued and where you can thrive being yourself. Personality awareness helps you identify those opportunities and present your best self during the interview process.