5 Career Struggles of INFPs and How to Overcome Them

INFPs, with their innate creativity, strong values and desire to make a difference, bring a unique set of strengths to the workplace. You shine in roles that allow for creativity, autonomy and the opportunity to work towards a cause you are passionate about. Your empathy and intuitive understanding of others make you an excellent team player, particularly in environments that value collaboration and emotional intelligence.

However, like every personality type, INFPs face their own set of challenges in the professional world. Your sensitivity can lead to taking criticism too personally, while your idealism might clash with more pragmatic aspects of a job. Your preference for working behind the scenes can sometimes mean you get overlooked for promotions or recognition.

Recognizing and understanding these potential blind spots are the first steps toward mitigating their impact. Knowledge truly is power. With that in mind, let's dive into some of the common career struggles that INFPs face and what you can do to overcome them.

1. Struggling with self-promotion

As introverts, INFPs tend to be more humble and reserved when it comes to promoting their own accomplishments. You may struggle to showcase your abilities and skills, leading to being overlooked for promotions or opportunities. This can be a significant hurdle in your career advancement.

What you can do:

• Put yourself out there: "Show, don't tell"  can be a great mantra for INFPs. Instead of bragging about your achievements, try to demonstrate them through tangible results and examples. Identify and list your strengths, accomplishments and contributions to the team or organization. Use this as a guide when talking about yourself in professional settings.

• Find an accountability partner: Partner up with someone who can help you promote yourself and remind you of your achievements when needed.

• Focus on the bigger picture: Remember that promoting yourself is not about bragging, but rather about advocating for your worth and value in the workplace. You deserve recognition for your hard work and contributions.

2. Failing to set boundaries

The INFP’s empathetic nature can lead them to take on more than they can handle, leading to burnout and resentment. You might struggle with saying ‘no’ and setting boundaries, making you vulnerable to being taken advantage of by others.

What you can do:

• Practice assertiveness: Start small by setting boundaries in low-stakes situations and gradually work your way up to more challenging ones.
• Remember your limits: Recognize when you are feeling overwhelmed and take a step back. Remind yourself that it is okay to say no and prioritize your mental and emotional well-being.
• Communicate openly: Be honest with your colleagues or supervisors about your workload and what you can realistically handle. They will likely understand and respect your boundaries.

3. Believing all feedback is criticism

INFPs are highly sensitive to criticism, often taking it personally and feeling hurt by it. This can make it challenging to receive constructive feedback and can hinder your growth and development in the workplace.

What you can do:

• Remember that criticism is not an attack on your character: Try to separate yourself from the criticism and focus on the objective feedback being given.
• Ask for clarification: If you are unsure about what the criticism means, ask for specific examples or suggestions for improvement.
• Use the feedback to your advantage: Constructive criticism is an opportunity to learn and grow. Use it as a chance to improve yourself and your work.

4. Being bored by mundane tasks

INFPs thrive in environments that allow for creativity, passion and autonomy. You may struggle with repetitive or mundane tasks that do not align with your values or interests.

What you can do:

• Find purpose in your tasks: Try to connect the mundane tasks to a larger goal or mission that you believe in, making them feel more meaningful.
• Incorporate creativity: Look for ways to make even the most routine tasks more engaging and creative. This could be as simple as changing up your approach or finding new solutions.
• Communicate with your team: If possible, discuss delegating tasks that do not align with your strengths and preferences to someone else on the team.

5. Struggling to identify a meaningful career

As idealists, INFPs may struggle to find a career that aligns with their values and passions. You might feel unfulfilled in jobs that prioritize profit over purpose or do not allow for creativity and autonomy.

What you can do:

• Identify your values and passions: Take the time to reflect on what truly matters to you and what motivates you. Use this as a guide when exploring career options.
• Consider non-traditional paths: Think outside of the box and consider alternative career paths that may better align with your values and interests.
• Find a side passion project: While you may not be able to find your dream job right away, pursuing a passion project on the side can bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment in the meantime.

Final words

While these tips will help, sometimes getting an outside perspective can be incredibly beneficial. Taking career aptitude tests, such as Truity's Personality Profiler, can provide valuable information about which careers might be a good fit for you based on your interests, personality traits and values. These resources can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses better and how they align with various career paths, giving you a clearer direction in your career search. This step is crucial for INFPs who are looking for a role that not only meets their desire for meaningful work but also supports their growth and well-being.