Is Getting Promoted All It's Cracked Up To Be? Maybe Not If You Are These Personality Types

When people choose a career, the expectation is that their first job won’t be their last job, but the first of many.  It’s assumed they’ll work their way up from the bottom to jobs with more responsibility, picking up raises and promotions along the way.

But there are some people who go against the grain. Maybe you're one of them — passing up promotions because you prefer to stay where you are, or moving sideways instead of upwards. You like what you do, who cares if there's something better lying just over the horizon?

There could be a million reasons why someone chooses not to job hop. One of the most likely is rooted in personality. Some personality types will naturally chase advancement and the prestige and control that comes with it. Others won’t define success in this way, and will be happier charting  their own course.

There is no one type that is so promotion-phobic that they'll never work their way up the ladder. But seven types in particular are especially likely to slow their roll when it comes to advancing.

INFP: The Idealistic Dreamer

The INFP dances to their own drummer, to the point where they're proud of going against the norm. These independent souls care more about the quality of the work they do than money or status. More than anything, they crave jobs that are in harmony with their values — and when they find one, they cling to it.

Ethics and integrity matter a lot to INFPs. No one is foolish enough to hate a healthy pay check, but if it comes at the cost of compromising their principles, the INFP will see it as a deal-breaker. They also prize their independence and may be reluctant to take on more responsibility if they think it will rob them of their freedom.

ISFJ: The Reliable Supporter

ISFJs are traditionalists who understand the need for authority and workplace hierarchies. They try to fit in as best they can wherever they work, but in virtually every instance they will prefer to avoid the spotlight. They don’t want to stay hidden in the shadows, because they do want to make an impact. But they’re more confident in their ability to do this from behind the scenes, supporting their leaders and doing what’s best for the good of the team.

Because they want to do what is best for their employers, ISFJs will take on leadership roles if they’re asked to do so. But given the choice, they prefer to stay where they are and keep playing to their strengths. Promotions are risky, and ISFJs are more comfortable with the tried-and-true.

ENTP: The Visionary Challenger

ENTPs are happiest when they have a chance to flex their creative muscles, solving problems that frustrate others. The last thing they want to do is take jobs that require them to follow rules, micromanage others, or repeat the same methods over and over again. A promotion may offer more status, but if it also comes with 'fixed' responsibilities, chances are ENTPs will pass.

This personality type tends to rebel not against the idea of structure itself, but the idea of structure imposed according to standards set by other people. It says a lot that ENTPs are the most likely of all types to be self-employed. These types enjoy their autonomy and the challenge of building their own businesses from the ground up. Often when they turn down promotions, it's because they have a plan to strike out on their own when the time is right.

INFJ: The Insightful Advisor

INFJs are idealists. They tend to have a lot of personal and professional goals, and all of them involve making the world a better place. But they prefer to work in cooperative environments where everyone is united by a common cause than be the person in charge of making things happen. This is more important to them than money or status, and they may be more likely than other types to turn down promotions that will harm their workplace performance or their relationships with co-workers.

If they find themselves in a cut-throat environment, the INFJ will distance themselves from that dynamic. They're never going to enjoy berating subordinates or pushing people to hit sales targets.  If a promotion means behaving in this way, they're likely to say no.

INTP: The Out-of-the-Box Thinker

The typical INTP will be overflowing with good ideas and eager to share them with the world. But they tend to feel constrained by structured work environments, where there are a lot of rules and red tape. This makes them non-conformists, and that includes rejecting positions of authority if they feel it will hamper their creative potential.

Another issue with INTPs is that they are not detail-oriented. They like coming up with ideas but prefer to leave the implementation to others. They won't be at all interested in promotions that land them in the bureaucratic class of planning and executing strategies. They know what they do well, and that is what they want to keep doing.

ISFP: The Harmonious Non-Conformist

The typical ISFP is modest and humble to a fault. They often assume that others are more qualified for advancement, and will not even pursue promotions as a result. It's not that they have no self-confidence — they simply see themselves as a supporting character rather than a lead actor.

ISFPs prefer to keep a low profile in most instances. When something is working for them, they don’t want to risk losing it. This is another reason why they might pass on an opportunity to pursue a promotion, as they tend to think the benefits don’t outweigh the risks. They don’t enjoy public speaking and aren’t really comfortable leading large groups. So, they tend to reach a comfortable position in the hierarchy then decide that further promotion isn’t worth the extra stress.

ENFP: The Energetic Motivator

ENFPs have high expectations for their careers and you might expect  them to be more likely to seek promotions than other types. However, many ENFPs are drawn to jobs that offer the freedom to learn and grow, and allow them to live according to the values they hold most dear. Happiness matters to them, as does the opportunity to have fresh experiences, preferably on a daily basis.  All of this can cause them to reject the idea of seeking a promotion, as they won’t want to sacrifice their happiness and independence just to make a bit more money or to gain a little more prestige.

Notably, ENFPs as a group have higher-than-normal levels of job satisfaction, but lower-than-average salaries. This is a clear sign that they value growth and self-expression over conventional ideas about career advancement. The right promotion, if it comes along, may spark their interest. But they won't be willing to take on more responsibility and hours just because they were handed a new title.