Myers Briggs personality test, have you done it?

UnixGuy · June 2018

I can really vouch for this test as being one of the best personality tests that I've done. The test is really old and doesn't change, and it stood the test of time! It's really interesting to see your own results now vs 10 yrs ago

The purpose of this thread is I'm actually curious to see what's everyone's results are? and how does it match with your current (technical) job?

I found that doing a job that matches your personality usually leads to you feeling somewhat energetic and excited by the end of the day, as opposed to doing something that doesn't match your personality. It doesn't mean that you can't do tasks that don't 100% match your preference, it just means that you will need to exert more effort into those tasks

The test is free... https://www.truity.com/test/type-finder-research-edition

you can do it now, and then do it again in 10 years and compare your results...

Pro-tip: Base your answers on what you're more likely to do during the weekend NOT during work..and don't think too much, just pick the first answer that comes to mind.

gespenstern · June 2018

In short, it doesn't work. OCEAN or its derivatives work.

LonerVamp · June 2018

Yup, that test has been around a long time. I remember doing it first around 1997, and have done so every 3-4 years since. I've found it to be very accurate for me as an INFP.

That said, as I've gotten older, I do have some more INFJ tendencies (probably centered around keeping things 'steady as she goes' and being a little less spontaneous). I also can move between N and S more than I used to. I'm also deeply introverted, but I have learned to deal with that, as typically moving ahead in business, even IT/infosec, does mean some networking and social participation.

LordQarlyn · June 2018

It definitely doesn't "work" for me, as I rarely get repeatable results from it. It all seems depend on time of day, how much sleep I had before, or the phases of the Saturnian moons.

DatabaseHead · June 2018

Yeah taken it a few times, never really did much for me.......

paul78 · June 2018

I've had to take it as part of a job before about 10 years ago. It was an interesting experience. It was about a 4 hour session done with a group and a facilitator. It was accurate for everyone in the group. I think doing it with a trained facilitator really helps vs just trying to do it online. I have taken the online versions every once in a while and it doesn't vary much. I have a borderline trait in 3 dichotomy except for attitude which is usually an I so different online tests may come up with a final different indicator but the scores if provided are usually very close.

If you are like me, you may think that it doesn't work because your traits are not extreme and tend to midline for each of the dichotomies. But I do think that MBTI is a good test and does generally work.

UnixGuy · June 2018

I'm actually curious to hear from those who thought it doesn't work? were the results inconsistent? or you disagree with the results?

The reason is, I also concluded that it doesn't work few years ago because I didn't like my results then (ENFP), but I did it again recently and got the same result, and with some introspection I came to accept it and it made sense.

I found that doing tasks repeatedly without human interaction (for example) to be a bit draining, and now I know why. I'm trying to adjust my career to suit my strengths, rather keep doing things that drain me, does that make sense?

thedudeabides · June 2018

I'm INFP. Not really the best type for tech work. But until I can get paid for shower dancing, I'll have to stick with it.

UnixGuy · June 2018

thedudeabides wrote: »

I'm INFP. Not really the best type for tech work. But until I can get paid for shower dancing, I'll have to stick with it.

LOL!!!

true, perhaps a role in Pre-sales, strategy, management, architecture might use your strengths more?

EANx · June 2018

I've been following it for over 15 years and the people I've spoken with who don't feel it's accurate usually didn't take it rifht. They rushed or they were stressed or they didn't put themselves in the mindset of responding with their feet up and a cold-one in their hand. I'm not saying others won't find it to be incorrect but most people who didn't like it generally fit that description.

Ertaz · June 2018

We use the predictive index. It seems like a decent start to understanding what a person brings to the team.

joshuamurphy75 · June 2018

It says I'm "?NTP" guess it has something to do with RFC 5905.

ally_uk · July 2018

INFJ which is pretty accurate I'm pretty introverted and freak out around to many people. Constantly have been plagued by anxiety since a young age.

Iristheangel · July 2018

I'm a E??J apparently. LoL. WTF?

UnixGuy · July 2018

Haha having an inbetween result is completely normal and very common:
https://www.16personalities.com/articles/on-the-topic-of-ambiversion

although it's possible that you answered some question with some ambiguity or with work situations in minds. It's best to answer with what you would do in a weekend/vacation situation

Mike7 · July 2018

For MBTI type, there are different levels as you mature and develop your less dominant traits. So 2 persons with the same MBTI behaves differently. Do not read the description literally and stereotype yourself or others. Use it as guide to your strengths and weakness.

Apparently, my MBTI type is same as Hitler, Mahatma Gandhi, Osama Bin Ladin and Valdamir Putin.
World domination, here I come....

tahjzhuan · July 2018

Tests usually result in INTP for the last 10+ years. Realize it's not much different than a horoscope, but it is a thing.

NiTech-5 · July 2018

Yes. INTJ.
I found out about MBTI and Jungian Cognitive functions 2 or 3 years ago.

UnixGuy · July 2018

NiTech-5 wrote: »

Yes. INTJ.
I found out about MBTI and Jungian Cognitive functions 2 or 3 years ago.

INTJ/ISTJ Perfect for Deep technical work!

Info_Sec_Wannabe · July 2018

Took this test last year and the year before and got the same results - ISFP. Although I don't agree with the part where it mentioned -

"ISFPs are natural artists, musicians and photographers, as well as designers of all stripes" as I lack the aptitude for it.

UnixGuy · August 2018

Info_Sec_Wannabe wrote: »

Took this test last year and the year before and got the same results - ISFP. Although I don't agree with the part where it mentioned -

"ISFPs are natural artists, musicians and photographers, as well as designers of all stripes" as I lack the aptitude for it.

That's the initial description. There are SO many careers suitable (https://www.truity.com/personality-type/ISFP/careers )

Looks like there is a common misconception! Suitable careers doesn't mean those are the only careers a person can do. It means that they will be more energized doing such a career. E.g. an extreme introvert can do an extroverted job but it will be draining, and they can thrive better in something more suitable

NiTech-5 · August 2018

UnixGuy wrote: »

INTJ/ISTJ Perfect for Deep technical work!

Yep, I've come across that as well. I believe that I'm definitely in the right field and have always been good at troubleshooting many technical problems!

blargoe · August 2018

I was I?TP, I think.

PC509 · August 2018

I think those are typically BS. I don't think you can put someone down as a definite label like that. Really depends on the situation, the mood, the subjects at play.

I'm ?NFP this time. The ? comes from the "I enjoy being around people, but it doesn't energize me". I think with many of those you can be on both sides or either side depending on the situation.

I don't put a lot of thought into these things. I typically never get the same outcome if I do it twice in the same week, and even then they just don't sound that accurate.

UnixGuy · August 2018

PC509 wrote: »

I think those are typically BS. I don't think you can put someone down as a definite label like that. Really depends on the situation, the mood, the subjects at play.

I'm ?NFP this time. The ? comes from the "I enjoy being around people, but it doesn't energize me". I think with many of those you can be on both sides or either side depending on the situation.

I don't put a lot of thought into these things. I typically never get the same outcome if I do it twice in the same week, and even then they just don't sound that accurate.

Well it's "You think" vs decades of research, so I'll take the research side in this case. If you're not getting the same outcome you are doing the test wrong, there are people who can help you with the answers

However, I agree with some of your points. it's not all black or white, we're all on some kind of a spectrum and we change so it's not meant to dictate your life. It's meant to be an indicator to help you understand your internal preferences

PC509 · August 2018

I'll go with research as well, but I'm still not putting a lot of faith into it. There is a huge spectrum and I don't think you can put the human mind into such a simple quiz and format. I think a lot of those choices can be very dynamic. While I may be one thing on Friday evening, come Monday morning I may be way different.

I just don't think that humans are as static as that basic quiz suggests. I do realize that it's just a simple online quiz and not the much longer real one (I've taken that long ago, takes a long time to complete). I just won't let that choose who I am based on very simple criteria. And, self measured at that. That in itself should make the test results dynamic based on your current mood...

Also, I think those decades of research and smart folks that created the real one would also say that this simple online version is lacking in it's accuracy.

UnixGuy · August 2018

PC509 wrote: »

... While I may be one thing on Friday evening, come Monday morning I may be way different.

^^ You are doing the test wrong, you're meant to answer based on what you did on previous weekends (not weekdays)....Not based on how you feel at a certain moment. A properly trained individual can help you take the test, and get value out of it. We don't change as fast as we think we do.

PC509 wrote: »

...

Also, I think those decades of research and smart folks that created the real one would also say that this simple online version is lacking in it's accuracy.

Actually the accuracy comes from the fact that we have TONS & TONS of data and evidence,and the results have been replicated over and over, hence why it's fairly accurate..

Anyway, it comes down to whether you're actually interested in those tests or not. I used to be skeptical, until I started getting value out of it. but it's not for every one

Thanks for your input!

PC509 · August 2018

UnixGuy wrote: »

Actually the accuracy comes from the fact that we have TONS & TONS of data and evidence,and the results have been replicated over and over, hence why it's fairly accurate..

Anyway, it comes down to whether you're actually interested in those tests or not. I used to be skeptical, until I started getting value out of it. but it's not for every one

The Wikipedia page points out a lot of the same criticisms from people a lot smarter than me, too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers–Briggs_Type_Indicator

That's for the "long form" of the MBTI. The simple online version I still put up there just above the Facebook quiz that tells me I look like Sloth... which is strangely accurate.

It has it's purpose, but those criticisms are similar to mine. Valid, but I guess it really depends on how you use the results. I wouldn't make any life changing decisions, career decisions, etc. on it, but it's interesting to see how you conform or don't conform to the results.

Edit: Also, I tend to question a lot of things.... I guess you could say it's part of my personality!

Panther · August 2018

I've taken it before.
I wonder though if it causes confirmation bias?

Myers Briggs personality test, have you done it?

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