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ENTJ Careers - Best Jobs and Career Growth Advice

What traits do ENTJs bring to work, and what should they look for in their career?

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ENTJs are inclined toward leadership. If an ENTJ isn't already working in a leadership position, they will likely be aspiring to one. Often, they speak out when they see problems, propose plans to resolve them, act upon them, and subsequently move up the ranks within the corporate ladder. ENTJs are charismatic influencers naturally skilled to lead, but they can miss the mark if they fail to account for the emotional impact on others.

ENTJ Career Opportunities to Seek Out

An ideal ENTJ career is one that allows them to practice the following qualities. When the work matches what ENTJs naturally enjoy, there is a greater chance of success.
strength

Strategy

ENTJs are willing and able to think through a strategy for achieving lofty goals. Their vision for what can come to be is supported by their ability to make an actionable plan of attack.

strength

Team Environments

ENTJs are great to have on a team because they aim to out-perform others. As they seek out friends that have a similar drive or ability to contemplate big ideas, an ENTJ surrounded by other highly motivated team members will thrive on that collective energy.

strength

Upward Mobility

ENTJs will not be satisfied with their entry-level role. Their pleasure comes from taking on greater responsibilities as they grow. They are keen to accept feedback and change their behavior accordingly. A career must have a path for growth and advancement to satisfy the ENTJ.

strength

Engaging

As extraverts, ENTJs want to be working with others. Whether it's directing, teaching, convincing, negotiating, or advising - it doesn't matter. So long as they can share their expertise with an audience that will listen and follow, they'll find fulfillment.

ENTJ Career Elements to Avoid

Like all types, some ENTJ careers are less viable as the ENTJ is less suited to some tasks and styles of working. If these can be avoided, there is a greater chance the ENTJ can have a happy and productive working environment.
weakness

Isolation

The ENTJ thrives around others and needs others if they are to lead. Any work that doesn't have personal interaction woven in will not match the ENTJ's needs.

weakness

Routine

Most routines are quickly mastered because there is no variety. Routine work means there are rarely complex problems that need solving. An ENTJ could quickly feel bored in a familiar work environment where the unexpected rarely happens.

weakness

Emotionally Driven

Types of work that require reading others' emotions and adapting one's message to that person's need do not play to the strengths of the ENTJ. The ENTJ is comfortable using logic to reach conclusions. Putting the ENTJ in a role where they are required to use feelings is a recipe for disaster.

weakness

Conflict Resolution

The ENTJ personality isn't best known for catching the nuance of emotions shown by others. Nor are they naturally skilled at showing their emotions, which they see as a distraction from the logical train of thought they prefer to ride. An ENTJ in a position that required them to empathize with frustrated clients, change their communication style to match, and seek a collaborative resolution would not be the ideal fit.

Managing an ENTJ at work

Best way to manage and work with ENTJs

Managing an ENTJ is inherently challenging because the ENTJ prefers to be managing, not managed. Finding the best ways to motivate your ENTJ employee will give you a powerhouse of a team member. They have high expectations for themselves, and they will push their colleagues to be better as well.

The most important aspect of the ENTJ's career is an opportunity for growth. If there is a path to ascend within the ranks, rest assured they will do what is required to move up. As a manager, showing the ENTJ exactly what criteria they must meet, what skills should be acquired, and other noteworthy considerations are in play for promotion will empower them to create a plan of attack to accomplish that goal. The ENTJ can rise to any expectation, but they need to know the appropriate threshold to plan accordingly.

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ENTJs are more prone than other personality types to burn out due to their high expectations and fervor.

What the ENTJ needs most from their manager is direct, candid criticism on what worked well and what could be better. While most personality types would shy away from this direct form of feedback, the ENTJ can use the information productively without an emotional impact on their self-esteem.

The ENTJ isn't the most patient, and they aren't the most willing to compromise on ideas they feel strongly about. Guidance on how to interact with more sensitive personality types would serve them well. The ENTJ may see little value in learning to adapt their style to people that can't handle their brimming confidence. Still, if the skill is framed as another tool for them to be efficient with their time and interactions, they'll be able to see value in these new approaches.

  • ENTJs need to know their hard work leads to more significant opportunity
  • Give them direct and actionable feedback.
  • They may need coaching on patience and compromise

ENTJs will be the team's workhorses if you show them that their hard work will lead them to greater responsibility and positions of leadership.

Work-horse

They are enthusiastic, driven, and constantly looking for ways to improve.

Working with ENTJ Colleagues

Best way to work with ENTJs as your colleagues

If you have an ENTJ as a colleague, you may find yourself being held to the same high expectations they have for themselves. The ENTJ likes working with peers, but they have a narrow definition for who is considered a peer. You must have the same conviction or efficacy if you want to be seen as an equal in the eyes of your ENTJ colleague.

The ENTJ is a high-achieving, social creature. They will want to brainstorm ideas and be candid with criticisms, both good and bad. Their negative criticisms are not meant to be biting, although they can be, but rather to highlight areas needing improvement. They mean well with the criticisms they offer, even if their directness may lack emotional tact.

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The ENTJ prioritizes efficiency over everything. They will brainstorm and dream big, but only if it ends with a plan of practical steps forward to get to the finish line.

Your ENTJ colleague will want positions of leadership. Formally or informally, they will want to oversee projects and teams because they are excellent strategists that believe they know best; and often do. If you stand aside, they will step forward. If you stand in their way, they may formulate a plan to circumvent you.

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An ENTJ is driven in the workplace to reach the position they want.

The ENTJ in the workplace is charismatic, determined, and full of grit. They are excellent to have on your team as they will likely push you to elevate your actions.

  • The ENTJ colleague will hold other peers to high expectations.
  • ENTJs will give direct, factual criticisms.
  • Having an ENTJ on your team will likely make you more productive.

Data: Careers reported by ENTJs

Survey data on ENTJ career choices

What are the most and least popular ENTJ career choices?

Figure 1: Survey data of which career sector ENTJs currently work in

career choices

What this chart shows

This chart shows the percent of ENTJs who work in each industry sector compared to all types. This highlights which careers have an above-average and below-average proportion of ENTJ types working in them.

Notes:
  • 1. n=27985
  • 2. Population: all
  • 3. This data shows self-report data to the question "what is your primary career?". Results do not necessarily imply these are the most or least suitable career choices, just the most and least frequently selected by people with ENTJ personality type.
  • 4. Live dataset last updated:
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Ellie Simmonds, MSc

University of Bath, Psychology

Ellie Simmonds, MSc in Psychology from University of Bath. Ellie is an associate lecturer on psychometric assessments and has extensive knowledge of the 16-type model.