The ESTP at Work
At work, the ESTP is motivated to solve logical problems in the moment. ESTPs have a solid grasp of the concrete realities of a situation and a good sense of the resources at their disposal. Because they understand the facts of the present, they are often able to quickly see a way out of difficult situations.
The ESTP relies on past experience to choose the best approach for the situation at hand. ESTPs are concrete and hands-on, and have a kinetic sense of how things work. Although ESTPs may have trouble envisioning abstract ideas, they are flexible in their approach: if something sounds logical, they are usually willing to give it a try.
ESTPs often choose careers that take advantage of their athleticism, their mechanical skills, or their ability to negotiate their physical surroundings. They tend to prefer objects to ideas and often like a tangible product. They may have trouble sitting still and often avoid being stuck behind a desk.
ESTPs like a job that is a bit unpredictable, and offers them some fun and adventure throughout the workday. They want a job which allows them plenty of flexibility to solve problems on the spot, without pressure to follow set procedures or plans.
Find the career that truly fits
Top Careers for the ESTP
Top careers for the ESTP include:
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ESTP Careers to Avoid
It is important to note that any personality type can be successful in any occupation. However, some occupations are well suited to the natural talents and preferred work style of the ESTP, while other occupations demand modes of thinking and behavior that do not come as naturally to the ESTP. Occupations that require the ESTP to operate outside their natural preferences may prove stressful or draining, and often sound unappealing to ESTPs who are choosing a career.
The following occupations have been found to be unpopular among ESTPs, based on data gathered from surveys of the general population.
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The ESTP on a Team
ESTPs are enthusiastic participants who enjoy identifying resources and moving dynamically through problems to find practical solutions. They’re often great in a crisis, when their flexibility and action orientation makes them a clear head in the crowd. They may act as the voice of reason and will often point the group toward using available means to take immediate action.
ESTPs often want to keep interactions fun and casual on a team, and may have conflict with team members who are overly serious or insist that things be done a particular way. ESTPs prefer to keep things open-ended and flexible, and colleagues who want to lock into a plan may find resistance from the ESTP, especially if the ESTP does not see immediate, concrete benefits to the proposed action. They do best when they’re allowed to solve problems in their own practical, no-nonsense way, without a lot of imposed structure or rules.
The ESTP as a Leader
ESTPs are eager to take charge, especially in a crisis situation. They are energetic and persuasive, and read others easily to adapt their approach and move the group toward their own point of view. Blunt and assertive, ESTPs readily offer their opinion without much attention to office politics or personal reactions.
ESTP leaders seek efficiency and trust what they’ve seen done before. They sometimes struggle with long-range planning; they may have trouble visualizing the future and prefer to solve problems as they arise. They want action and movement, and will engage enthusiastically with their teams to produce immediate results.
About the Author
Molly Owens is the CEO of Truity and holds a master's degree in counseling psychology. She founded Truity in 2012, with the goal of making quality personality tests more affordable and accessible. She has led the development of assessments based on Myers and Briggs' personality types, Holland Codes, the Big Five, DISC, and the Enneagram. She is an ENTP, a tireless brainstormer, and a wildly messy chef. Find Molly on Twitter at @mollmown.