ENFJs (Extraversion, Intuition, Feeling, Judgement) form about two percent of the population, according to 16 Personalities, a free personality testing site where users are promised a concrete and accurate description of who they are and why they do things the way they do.
"ENFJs radiate authenticity, concern and altruism, unafraid to stand up and speak when they feel something needs to be said," 16 Personalities reports. "They find it natural and easy to communicate with others, especially in person, and their Intuitive (N) trait helps people with the ENFJ personality type to reach every mind, be it through facts and logic or raw emotion. ENFJs easily see people’s motivations and seemingly disconnected events, and are able to bring these ideas together and communicate them as a common goal with an eloquence that is nothing short of mesmerizing."
ENFJs interest in others is genuine, and they inspire others they care about with optimism and encouragement. That said, they're vulnerable, as well, with a great capacity for reflecting on and analyzing their own feelings and often getting too caught up in others' plights.
"They can develop a sort of emotional hypochondria, seeing other people’s problems in themselves, trying to fix something in themselves that isn’t wrong," the site reads. "If they get to a point where they are held back by limitations someone else is experiencing, it can hinder ENFJs’ ability to see past the dilemma and be of any help at all. When this happens, it’s important for ENFJs to pull back and use that self-reflection to distinguish between what they really feel, and what is a separate issue that needs to be looked at from another perspective."
What Are ENFJ Personality Types Like in the Workplace?
ENFJs typically possess the following traits that they exhibit both in their personal lives and in the workplace:
- Tolerance
- Reliability
- Charisma
- Altruism
- Leadership
They also have weaknesses, however. Here are some of their most common ones:
- A Tendency to Be Overly Idealistic
- Selflessness to a Fault
- Hyper-Sensitivity
- Fluctuating Self-Esteem
- Indecisiveness
As a result of these traits, both positive and negative, here's what ENFJs are like as managers, subordinates and colleagues.
ENFJs as Managers
ENFJs are natural-born leaders who are full of passion and charisma that beget influence. They enjoy guiding others.
"While perfectly capable as subordinates and colleagues, ENFJs’ true calling, where their capacity for insightful and inspiring communication and sensitivity to the needs of others really shows, is in managing teams," according to 16 Personalities. "As managers, ENFJs combine their skill in recognizing individual motivations with their natural charisma to not only push their teams and projects forward, but to make their teams want to push forward."
ENFJs as Subordinates
"As subordinates, ENFJs will often underestimate themselves — nevertheless, they quickly make an impression on their managers," according to 16 Personalities. "Quick learners and excellent multitaskers, people with the ENFJ personality type are able to take on multiple responsibilities with competence and good cheer."
ENFJs are generally hardworking and reliable employees who are usually eager to lend a helping hand. But they can easily become "too available," and managers can tend to take advantage of their willingness to help. They can, therefore, quickly become overworked.
ENFJs as Colleagues
ENFJs are sensitive to others' needs and, as such, are helpful colleagues who fill the role of social nexuses.
"As colleagues, ENFJs’ desire to assist and cooperate is even more evident as they draw their coworkers into teams where everyone can feel comfortable expressing their opinions and suggestions, working together to develop win-win situations that get the job done," according to 16 Personalities. "ENFJs’ tolerance, open-mindedness and easy sociability make it easy for them to relate to their colleagues, but also make it perhaps a little too easy for their colleagues to shift their problems onto ENFJs’ plates."
How Can You Find the Right Career for Your Personality Type's Strengths and Weaknesses?
People with the ENFJ personality type tend to thrive in a diverse array of roles at any level of seniority. They're generally
likable people, which leads them to success in many careers. Given an ENFJ's personality traits, here are some of the best ways to find a career that they'll love.
1. Network
Because ENFJs are so personable and interested in others, attending networking events is a great way to start the job hunt. ENFJs are natural conversationalists and tend to get on with others well, which could lead to some promising connections.
2. Take Informational Interviews
Again, because ENFJs are generally likable, informational interviews over coffee or lunch, for examples, could lead to jobs offers.
3. Reach out to Immediate Social Circles
ENFJs tend to have valuable, close-knit relationships due to their caring attributes. They put ample effort and attention into maintaining their connections with friends. People appreciate ENFJs and, as such, ENFJs have a group of friends and family who they can
network to help them spread the word about their job hunt and make introductions for possible opportunities.
What Are the Best Career Choices for an ENFJ Personality Type?
"When it comes to finding a career, people with the ENFJ personality typecast their eyes towards anything that lets them do what they love most — helping other people," according to 16 Personalities. Here are five jobs in which they're likely to thrive.
1. Teacher
ENFJs make wonderful teachers thanks to their concerted efforts in helping, inspiring and encouraging others.
Because ENFJs are optimistic idealists and overall wanting to help, they make great travel agents who want to plan unforgettable and even perhaps unimaginable trips for their clients.
3. Life Coaches
ENFJs are known for investing their enegry in the lives of others. As such, they make perfect life coaches who are willing to listen to their clients and adept at guiding their clients to finding fulfillment.
4. Nurses
ENFJs have great tableside manner because they're skilled at engaging with others in a caring, nurturing way. Because they possess such selflessness, as well, they're willing to work odd and long hours in order to help their patients.
5. Fitness Coaches
ENFJs are idealistic and optimistic, which makes them motivational fitness coaches for those trying to take back control of their health and, ultimately, their lives.
What Are the Worst Career Choices for an ENFJ Personality Type?
Not all careers are great for ENJF personality types. Here are three that may not be the best fit for them.
1. Counseling
Because ENFJs are hypersensitive, they may have a hard time working in a field that involves counseling. While ENFJs do certainly work well with others, and they'd establish rapport easily with their clients who they'd certainly inspire, they tend to take others' issues home with them. As such, this career can have depressing effects on ENFJs.
2. Criminology
Again, ENFJs tend to take others' issues home with them, so dealing with criminals and traumatic events can be a harrowing career for these personality types.
3. System Technology
A tech career is usually not the best kind of career for an ENFJ
personality type, who thrives in working with others — not solo with computers. Plus, because ENFJs are very indecisive, a career in which you need to make technical and practical decisions isn't best.
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AnnaMarie Houlis is a feminist, a freelance journalist and an adventure aficionado with an affinity for impulsive solo travel. She spends her days writing about women’s empowerment from around the world. You can follow her work on her blog, HerReport.org, and follow her journeys on Instagram @her_report, Twitter @herreportand Facebook. 
