ESFP Careers: Find the Job That Fits Your Personality

ESFPs (Extrovert, Sensing, Feeling, Perception) are born entertainers, 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.

"If anyone is to be found spontaneously breaking into song and dance, it is the ESFP personality type," according to 16 Personalities. "ESFPs get caught up in the excitement of the moment, and want everyone else to feel that way, too. No other personality type is as generous with their time and energy as ESFPs when it comes to encouraging others, and no other personality type does it with such irresistible style."

ESFPs are social butterflies who love the spotlight and are full of wit. With that said, let's take a deeper look at how this personality type behaves in the workplace.

What Are ESFP Personality Types Like in the Workplace?

"Regardless of what position ESFPs find themselves in the workplace, they share a desire to make the environment as friendly and enjoyable as possible," according to 16 Personalities. "People with the ESFP personality type are able to take a social and relaxed attitude and use it to get everyone else on board with practical tasks that just need to get done. The more freedom ESFPs have to meet these needs, the better the results, so long as they know what the goal is, and there’s hardly a better personality type to have around in a dynamic, hectic work environment."

ESFPs typically possess the following traits that they exhibit both in their personal lives and in the workplace:

• Boldness
• Originality
• Showmanship
• Practicality
• Observance
• Excellent People Skills

They also have weaknesses, however. Here are some of their most common ones:

• Conflict-Adverse
• Inability to Focus
• Hyper-Sensitivity
• Easily Bored
• Poor Planning Skills

As a result of these traits, both positive and negative, here's what ESFPs are like as managers, subordinates and colleagues.

ESFPs as Managers

"As managers, ESFPs do everything they can to pump energy and fun into the day-to-day work that needs to be done," according to 16 Personalities. 

ESFP personalities enjoy being the center of attention, which means that they like to feel needed and appreciated as bosses. Having authority and social status are both important, but not quite as important as being part of a high-morale atmosphere.

ESFPs as Subordinates

"As subordinates, ESFPs thrive on change and new ideas, and loathe repetitive and strictly defined tasks," according to 16 Personalities. "ESFP personalities’ managers find willing and able experimenters who can brainstorm, quickly grasp new methods, and actually put those methods to practical use — so long as ESFPs have a little leeway apply their own creative style."

ESFPs take some time to make changes and can be a little forgetful, but they mean well.

ESFPs as Colleagues

"If anyone can make friends with their colleagues and keep tension at bay within their team, it’s ESFPs," according to 16 Personalities. "A fun atmosphere is important, and people with the ESFP personality type use their strong observational and social skills to bring everyone together, shifting a souring mood if need be."

ESFPs are witty and enthusiastic, which makes them fun colleagues and people to be around even outside of the office.

How Can You Find the Right Career for Your Personality Type's Strengths and Weaknesses?

People with the ESFP personality do well in a gamut of careers, but here's how they can find the ones that best suit them.

1. Network

ESFPs can network with others well because they're extroverted and have an easy time sharing their excitement and enthusiasm. This kind of attitude is contagious in a networking situation.

2. Take Informational Interviews

Because ESFP are so concerned with making environments as pleasurable as possible, informational interviews and relaxed settings like a cafe or a coffee shop are ideal.

3. Reach out to Immediate Social Circles

Because ESFPs are so extroverted, they have tons of friends who may be able to help them find job opportunities, as well.

What Are the Best Career Choices for an ESFP Personality Type?

Here are five of the best career choices for an ESFP personality type.

1. Sales Representative

ESFPs are great at reading the room and engaging others. Therefore, they make great sales representatives as they can grab consumers' attention easily.

2. Trip Planner

An ESFP personality type is a natural-born entertainer, which means that they can help clients visualize their trips and entertain thoughts of vacations.

3. Tour Guide

Because ESFPs love being in the spotlight, working as tour guides makes sense. They can have fun while engaging with new people and showing these people parts of their cities that they love.

4. Actor

Because ESFPs are so adept at entertaining, an acting career is a natural fit for them.

5. Teacher

Because ESFPs like a good challenge, especially one that helps to improve the lives of others, they make great teachers. Plus, ESFPs always want to be inclusive and take control of the room to make sure that everyone feels involved. As such, ESFPs make valuable teachers for all levels.

What Are the Worst Career Choices for an ESFP Personality Type?

Not all careers are great for ESFP personality types. Here are three that may not be the best fit for them.

1. Backstage Crew

"ESFP personalities are natural entertainers, event planners, sales representatives, trip planners and tour guides, as each of these creates a sense of excitement, stimulation, and novelty between them and their customers," according to 16 Personalities. This means that ESFPs like to be in the spotlight and, therefore, any backstage role isn't typically as appealing to them.

2. Content Planning

Again, because ESFPs prefer to be the ones writing and shooting the content, a position that requires them to sit back and plan instead may be less attractive.

3. Backend Web Design

An ESFP is typically the person who wants to visually see their work pan out. A career in backend design isn't going to be as appealing as something on the front end, in that case.

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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.