Does Your Myers-Briggs Personality Affect Job Interview Success?

Does your personality type hold the key to acing your next job interview?

Surprisingly, the answer is no. There's no scientific evidence to suggest that any specific Myers and Briggs personality type naturally performs better in interviews. The truth is, interviews are not an examination of personality types. They're about measuring your fit for the role, your skills and qualifications, and your ability to communicate effectively. Practice and preparation are far more important than any supposed correlation between your personality type and interview success.

However, that doesn't mean that your personality won't play a role in your job interview. Your personality traits can influence how you present yourself, how you respond to questions, and how well you connect with the interviewer. All of those factors feed into your chances of landing the job.

Let's go beyond the surface and explore how understanding your personality can empower you to put your best (and most authentic) self forward in your next interview.

A Recap of the Four Personality Dimensions

Before we dive into the specifics of how your personality can affect job interview success, let's do a quick refresher on the four dimensions of the 16-type personality system and how they might  impact your interview style.

Extraverts vs. Introverts

• Extraverts tend to be more energetic and talkative during interviews. They may find it easier to connect with the interviewer and engage in small talk. But if they talk over the interviewer or fail to listen actively, they may come across as overly enthusiastic or even pushy.
• Introverts feel more comfortable in one-on-one conversations like interviews, and may excel at reflecting on their answers before responding. Where they struggle is starting conversations or answering on the spot.

Sensors vs. Intuitives

• Sensors thrive on concrete information and may struggle with hypothetical or abstract questions. They prefer a structured interview format (like the STAR method) and may feel thrown off by open-ended or creative questions.
• Intuitives tend to think outside the box and make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, which can be seen as innovative and valuable in interviews for positions where creativity and problem-solving are important. But they get caught up in their own thoughts and struggle to answer specific questions directly.

Thinkers vs. Feelers

• Thinkers are logical, objective and analytical in their responses, which can be beneficial when an interviewer wants them to walk through a problem step-by-step. However, they may come across as cold or unemotional if they fail to show empathy and connect with the interviewer on a personal level.
• When Feelers walk through a problem step-by-step, they may come at it from a more personal perspective or seek input from the interviewer. Their collaborative instincts and willingness to compromise can make them strong candidates for positions that require teamwork. But in an interview, they may struggle to focus on business objectives or seem overly invested.

Judgers vs. Perceivers

• Judgers tend to be organized, methodical and precise in their interview responses. They're great at planning ahead and will have a solid, well-rehearsed answer to any question. But if they stick too closely to a script or refuse to adapt their answers, they may appear rigid or inflexible.
• Perceivers tend to be more adaptable and spontaneous, which can make them excellent at thinking on their feet. But if they struggle to provide concrete examples or appear disorganized, they may give the impression of being unprepared.

Of course, every one of the 16 types draws a letter from each of the four dimensions, so it's essential to examine your interview style in a more nuanced way. An ISTJ, for instance, is likely to present as a confident, well-rehearsed interviewee with their logical, analytical approach to questions, but can also appear cold and inflexible if they don't connect with the interviewer on a personal level.

In contrast, an ENFP may thrive in interviews where their creativity is tested. But if the interviewer wants solid, hard evidence or detailed examples, they may struggle to provide concrete answers.

Flexing Your Preferences

While it's important to be authentic in a job interview, "flexing" or adapting your natural preferences can be beneficial. The best way to flex is by picturing your exact opposite personality type as your interviewer. What questions are they likely to ask? How will they ask them? What type of response will resonate with them (succinct, detailed, process-oriented, outcome-oriented, past-looking, futurist, etc.)?

To be clear, you're not preparing to be interviewed by your opposite type. With 16 types to choose from, it's unlikely an opposite type will be your interviewer. But thinking about how you'll respond to an opposite-perspective interview forces you to step out of your comfort zone and consider your answers more intentionally.  It will help you pull some of your more "interview unfriendly" traits towards the center, so that if you do encounter an interviewer with an opposite type, you'll be better equipped to handle it.

To give this color, here are some examples of what a personality flex might look like:

• If you prefer Extraversion, practice pacing your responses so you are making only one point at a time. Plan for pauses in your responses where you can gauge the interviewer's reaction and ask them if they need clarification or if you can move onto the next point.
• If you prefer Introversion, plan your introduction, handshake and opening gambit to the interview with a firm, confident tone so that you don't come across as too hesitant or soft-spoken. Record yourself in practice sessions. You'll want to focus on showing positive energy and engagement when responding rather than just giving a neutral "correct" reply.
• If you prefer Intuition, practice getting super specific. Cover the core material and keep your examples grounded in business reality. Make sure that you are answering the question at hand rather than running off on tangents.
• If you prefer Sensing, work in some creative ideas into your usual responses. For example,  you might incorporate some imaginative problem-solving techniques that have worked for you in the past. You may also want to prepare more stories of how you did something rather than just describing what you did, as this can show a deeper understanding of your own personal motivations and values.
• If you prefer Thinking, practice leading with your main takeaway when given an open-ended behavioral question. This way, if you get cut off or time runs out, the interviewer will still have the most important information they need.
• If you prefer Feeling, be prepared to provide specific examples of how you've used data and logic in decision-making processes. Emphasize your ability to use both logical reasoning and personal values to make sound decisions.
• If you prefer Judging, prepare for some curveballs by rehearsing stories that demonstrate adaptability and flexibility in high-pressure situations. Share examples of times when you were able to pivot and adjust course quickly while still achieving successful outcomes.
• If you prefer Perceiving, work on providing more structure and organization in your responses. Practice summarizing your main points at the end of each answer to ensure that you are effectively communicating your ideas and showcasing your thought process.

Cautions and Considerations

While flexing your preferences can be helpful in an interview, it's important to remember that you don't want to come across as someone you're not. Trying too hard to "fake" a certain personality type can backfire and make you seem disingenuous or insincere. It's also essential to remember that no single personality type is better than another, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. Interviewers don't care about "typing" candidates, but they do care about how well you can articulate your skills and experiences in relation to the job.

Use your knowledge of personality type as a helpful tool for preparing and presenting yourself to potential employers, but remember to remain true to yourself. With these considerations in mind, you can confidently navigate any job interview with authenticity and self-awareness.