The Great Office Escape

After I wrote my article Bad Career Choices and the Enneagram, I realized that there weren’t really all that many websites/books/studies done out there that linked this exciting personality type system to various compatible careers. And many of the ones that are out there are very general and give very “obvious” answers that may not always be accurate. So, I have put together a list of careers by type that really examines where the skills of a particular type can be put to work. Some of these careers will be new to you, if you’ve read other guides. There are a few surprises in here!

Once again, if you do not know your enneagram personality type, click here to figure it out.

Type 1 - Just about all the 1’s I know seem to flourish in environments that are fairly predictable and routine. They don’t like surprises, drastic change, and rules that are not clear. Your average 1 has an incredible ability to remember random bits of information, and will rarely make mistakes when it comes to details. They are like human calculators. They are also one of the few types that doesn’t necessarily want to tear their hair out in the typical office job. Sometimes I wonder if life would be easier if I were a 1.

Suggested Careers for 1’s: Anything where there are plenty of clear rules and a pecking-order. Administrative and Executive Assistant, Secretary, middle manager at any large company, Accountant, Investment Banker, Broker, Urban Planner, Attorney (1’s make the best lawyers of all the types because of a keen attention to detail), Technical Director, Computer Programmer

Type 2 - One of the common misconceptions about 2’s is that people think they will flourish in helping professions. In reality, 2’s spend so much of their time thinking about how they can make others comfortable, that a career in such a field would actually probably push them over the top. They don’t need a career where they help people directly. They need to feel that they are helping INDIRECTLY, by working for a group that shares a cause they believe in! If you are a 2, save the selfless behavior for outside the office. You’ll be happy you did, as this enables you to separate your work life from your home life.

Suggested Careers for 2’s: Any kind of work for any non-profit organization, religious leader, teacher (especially elementary school and below), fashion designer, retail and salesperson, waiter/waitress (only at a nicer restaurant), chef, graphic designer, firefighter, detective, caterer, wedding planner, stay-at-home-parent

Type 3 - While it is true that 3’s like professions in which they can rise to the top and be admired, what they really need is to feel liked and respected by their co-workers and peers. It is less important than you might think for a 3 to be “uber-successful.” They really just want to be happy at work, like anyone else, but also to shine and be desired in their field. Getting employee of the month at a fairly menial job might be more important to a 3 than making a high salary but being ignored and taken for granted. Oh, and they also love to be around important and influential people.

Suggested Careers for 3’s: performer, entertainer, agent (sports, travel, literary or insurance), public relations director, executive assistant, personal assistant (but only to someone who is very important), gossip columnist, merchandise/salesperson, political activist, politician, school principal, life and business coach

Type 4 - As stated in my earlier article about bad careers for the enneagram types, 4’s have trouble finding meaningful work. There are “good” careers for a 4, but since they are so idealistic, it’s never easy to find the right fit. Such an idealistic type is most suited to work that can be customized somewhat, and where there is some room for self-expression. They would be miserable in a stiff environment where every day was the same and everybody looked the same.

Suggested Careers for 4’s: Relationship counselor, matchmaker, grief counselor, crisis-line operator, missionary, holistic health practitioner, yoga/dance instructor, physical therapist, masseuse, artist, writer, cartoonist, social commentator/surveyor, dancer, actor

Type 5 - Type 5 is similar to 4 in many ways. They are deep, independent, and not mainstream. However, their range of interests trend more toward the mental rather than the emotional. 5’s love science and technology of all kinds, and a career in one of these fields would definitely be optimal. 5’s also have the gift of being able to work independently, which is critical in research positions, which they also like. It’s fortunate that we have 5’s to populate some of these positions, which more extroverted types would shy away from/become bored with. Those 5’s are also just smart!

Suggested Careers for 5’s: stock/bond investor/advisor, risk-management advisor, chemical or electrical engineer, architectural drafter/engineer, astronomer, physicist, inventor, environmental planner, chessmaster (ha!), game designer, physician, medical researcher, viral pathologist, software designer, technical support worker, webmaster, web designer, database administrator, book/product tester/reviewer

Type 6 - I have read a lot about phobic/counterphobic 6’s in various enneagram books and I must say that it’s hard to buy into the hype. A “counterphobic 6″ is really just a mood they might go through on a bad day. And certainly when considering a career, a 6 should think about who they really are, which is friendly, adaptable, cautious, careful, meticulous, dutiful and a great team player. They are not daredevil lawbreakers and would not be happy in occupations with high risk, no matter how “counterphobic” they may be feeling!

Suggested Careers for 6’s: government worker, administrative assistant, paralegal, teacher/professor, child-care worker, auditor, escort/security guard, financial aid counselor, secretary, public notary, actuarial scientist, credit/loans officer, health and safety inspector, banker, technical support staff member, insurance underwriter

Type 7 - One place you will not find a happy 7 is in an office on a beautiful summer day. In fact, you might not find a happy 7 in an office on a nasty, stormy day either. They are more likely to be out there chasing the storm, taking pictures of it. But only for a week or two when they will happily go by the title “storm-chaser.” 7’s change direction, focus, and career so often that it’s difficult to even write this section for them. Unlike the other 8 types, a “career” for a 7 really is just a passing fancy that will change from one moment to the next, like the weather. A 7 should definitely seek self-employment or a fun job of some kind, or they will struggle.

Suggested careers for 7’s: entrepreneur, small business owner (multiple businesses and muses are good), tour/travel/adventure guide, travel-writer, game designer, artist, food critic, fiction writer, park ranger, professional athlete, musician, dancer, photographer, professional gambler, DJ, nightclub owner, cruise ship entertainer

Type 8 - 8’s love to be successful, but what they want even more is autonomy. Like 7’s, 8’s hate being told what to do, and love coming up with their own answers to problems. Most true leaders become leaders because they are willing to shoulder the responsibility and make the decisions that others are reluctant to make. 8’s are natural leaders for this reason, and because they are never afraid to take responsibility. They are also extremely honest because they are unafraid of criticism. This trait makes them awesome candidates for managerial positions.

Suggested Careers for 8’s: event coordinator, financial advisor, career counselor, organizational psychologist, CEO/CFO/CAO, marketing manager, director of sales, restaurant owner/manager, politician, grassroots movement organizer, broker, health care administrator, market strategist, advertising executive, president of the world

Type 9 - When you ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, a 9 may give you an answer like, “myself” or “a daddy” or “I don’t care.” Don’t be surprised. 9’s aren’t exactly “career” oriented, especially at younger ages. Usually they are so laid-back about life that they can be relatively content anywhere. That doesn’t mean that they will be happy with or succeed at any old job, but it does mean that this type has some career flexibility. It’s important that a 9 do something productive so they don’t end up sitting around all day and letting life pass them by. The more stress-free the career, the better.

Suggested Careers for 9’s: product tester, electronics/automotive salesperson, retail clerk, delivery driver, school counselor, teacher, animal trainer, veterinarian, film editor, musician, musical instrument tutor (9’s almost universally like music), writer, clothing designer, artist