5 Best Personality Types for Coding Careers

• The Myers-Briggs personality indicator is a useful tool for understanding your strengths and weaknesses as a person and as an employee.
• Certain personality types may work in tech more frequently than others.
• While some personality types are more likely to be found in tech, don’t let that determine your career. All 16 MBTI types can succeed in tech careers.

Are you the life of the party, or do you prefer a small gathering? Are you focused on the future, or do you prefer staying in the present?

If you have ever taken an online quiz with similar questions to the ones above, then you may have taken a Myers-Briggs Personality instrument (MBTI) quiz. Or you can take one now!

The Myers-Briggs assessment is a tool used to identify which of the 16 MBTI personalities you may have. It can be used as a common language in the workplace for teams and supervisors to communicate, address conflict, and develop a stronger team.

While Myers-Briggs assessments aren’t a definitive guide to anyone’s personality, they can be a useful tool. In looking at tech companies and coding jobs, we’ve found that certain personality types are more prevalent than others.

However, it is important to stress that anyone can be a successful coder. But if you see some of your personality traits reflected in these descriptions, we hope it gives you a little boost of confidence. If not, don’t worry! Teams need different perspectives to build the strongest products.

Some personalities may be more analytical or logical than others and may be more inclined to pursue a career in the tech industry. These are the top five personality types for coding careers.

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INTJ

The INTJ personality, nicknamed the Architect, has a strong creative drive and the ability to see connections where others may not. These personalities demand high performance from themselves and those around them.

You might find an INTJ working or studying in one of the following fields: engineering, chemistry, or starting their own business. But how do those relate to coding?

If you’ve heard about coding bootcamps, you know that many people use coding bootcamps to facilitate a career change. This prior work or academic experience can be a huge asset to potential employers.

If you’ve got an entrepreneurial streak, you might enjoy coding at a small start-up company. People with engineering or chemistry backgrounds might be drawn to coding at companies with a focus on environmental innovations or medical fields.

It’s also important to note that your field of study at a bootcamp could influence where you work. Data analytics and front-end design are different fields under the umbrella of coding.

ENTP

ENTP is commonly referred to as the Debater, but that doesn’t mean they are always getting into fights. People with the ENTP personality type like problem-solving, tackling new challenges, and working their intellectual muscles.

If you’re hiring an ENTP, you want to make sure they land in a position that provides new problems regularly and allows them to innovate somewhat independently. This is the person that will get the team headed in the right direction with their analytical thinking and quick observations (although they might not be the person to finish the job).

When it comes to professions, many ENTPs are drawn to UX design, medicine, or computer systems analytics. ENTPs working in these roles may have innate people skills to help them gather information and implement their brilliant solutions.

INTP

Known as the Logicians, INTPs are analytical, flexible, and adaptable. Some of these traits may come across as critical, but it’s important to remember that INTPs are always analyzing. INTPs may often be quiet. When they are working, they tend to zone in on a project and might be oblivious to all else.

That strong attention to their work can be a huge asset for INTPs, but you probably won’t find them working in a social career such as human resources. INTPs are particularly well-suited to careers in tech, as many coding careers allow their workers to work alone.

You are likely to find INTPs working as software developers, information security analysts, or web developers. If you’re an INTP and already interested in coding bootcamps, you’re in the right place!

ENFP

An ENFP, or the Campaigner, might be known as the hype person on their team. They are enthusiastic, full of compliments, and quick to volunteer. But ENFPs aren’t just pure energy. They are curious and quick to connect the dots in unclear situations or problems.

Because they appreciate praise and are strong communicators, ENFPs may not be suited to work in isolation like some of the other types discussed here. ENFPs will do best in a work environment where they can interact with clients and/or teammates on a regular basis.

With all that in mind, ENFPs may thrive in tech roles that combine coding and personal interaction. The most common areas where you’ll find ENFPs in tech would be in sales or marketing positions. An ENFP might also thrive in many coding roles in a start-up or small business where they can play a role in several different areas.

ISTJ

The ISTJ is also known as the Logistician. This personality type will be your go-to colleague when something needs to get done. ISTJs are often dependable, thorough, and practical.

ISTJs will create structure for themselves and their teammates. Once the goal is clearly defined, this personality type will work at a steady and determined pace to achieve it.

However, this determination may backfire, as ISTJs can be perceived as insensitive in their pursuit of the goal. The Logistician may also struggle to pivot or change course as required in a fast-paced environment.

If you’re an ISTJ looking to pursue a career in tech, there are a few options you may want to consider. Because of their thorough nature, ISTJs can find success as information security analysts or software developers.

The Logistician might find success as … a logistician! Logisticians oversee the supply chain of a company producing a product. The ISTJs attention to detail, determination, and practical nature will ensure success in this role.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personality Types for Coding Careers