What is MBTI? Application of MBTI personality test in HR

What is MBTI? This is a question that many HR professionals are interested in. In the following article, Viindoo will help readers learn about the concept, evaluation criteria, notes when taking the MBTI test and how to apply these results to recruiting personnel for businesses. See now!

1. What is MBTI?

MBTI is a test with multiple multiple choice questions used to assess a person's personality. The results of this test show how a person perceives and makes decisions about problems that occur in life.

Currently, the results of the MBTI test are widely applied in life, especially in recruiting personnel for businesses. Business recruiters can use this test as a basis for assessing a candidate's personality as well as the candidate's suitability for the job corporate culture. 

2. Evaluation criteria in MBTI personality test

Currently, the MBTI personality test is based on 4 different criteria that make up 16 personality groups. The 4 assessment criteria in the MBTI test include:

• Natural tendency: Introversion >< Extroversion

Extraversion is a criterion that shows that a person is inclined towards the outside world such as objects, people, and activities. People who follow this trend are often sociable, open, or talkative, but sometimes thinking is not thorough, quite impatient and hasty.

Contrary to extroversion, introversion is turning to the inside of a person, about thinking, introspection, thought or imagination. Introverts often tend to focus on their own inner thoughts without much influence from the outside world, talk less, show little emotion, think outside.

• Decisions and options: Emotions >< Reason

Emotional people tend to make decisions based on their own emotions such as love, hate, anger, etc. Meanwhile, rational people focus more on their own thinking and analysis. People who are inclined to reason often rely on logical and scientific reasoning to make decisions before problems encountered in life.

• Perception of the world: Intuition >< Senses

People with an intuitive inclination will tend to analyze and process the collected information and data to make predictions. Intuitive people often use speculation, imagination, and a tendency to look to the future.

Sensory people often perceive the world around them through colors, smells, and images. They often live in the present, tend to choose rational, realistic.

• Action way: Flexibility >< Principles

People who are flexible tend to act and decide depending on the situation, not just based on the available route and plan. On the other hand, principled people tend to act according to a preset plan, less likely to do anything out of the ordinary.

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3. Notes when taking the MBTI test What is it?

Here are some notes when taking the MBTI test:

• Need to be honest and answer questions based on their own thoughts without being influenced by any factors.
• Take the test in a calm mood, without too many strong emotions.
• Personality and behavior of each person will not be fixed but change over time. Therefore, the test should be performed several times at different intervals for the most accurate results.

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4. Overview of 16 MBTI . personality groups

4.1 INFJ – Protector

This is one of the rare, rarely seen personality groups. People with this personality type often have strong opinions about what they care about. They always fight fiercely for what they consider important and meaningful. Guardians are often a combination of idealism and assertiveness, with a tendency to persist in pursuing a long-term goal.

Advantage:

• Warm and reliable in all relationships.
• Sensitivity and concern for people around.
• They tend to be idealistic, setting high standards for themselves and those around them.
• Know how to listen.
• Good communication, always trying to achieve the best relationship.
• Be serious about your goals and commitments.

Defect:

• Often lives quite closed, does not like controversy, criticism.
• Not good at using money or other everyday tools.
• Set excessively high expectations for both yourself and others.
• It's hard to let go of a relationship even if it's going to go bad.

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4.2 INFP – Idealizer

People with this personality type are often closed, quiet and relatively shy. They often seek balance and harmony in the life around them, always wanting to create something positive. Idealists always find the good in others, no matter how small. Therefore, they always give others respect and sympathy.

Advantage:

• Rich in love and care.
• Express positive attitudes.
• Always aiming for a long term relationship.
• Tends to care about those around him, fosters good relationships.
• Sensitive to what others feel.
• Often responsive to the needs of others, flexible and diverse.

Defect:

• Dislikes criticism and conflict.
• Hard to let go of a relationship that tends to be bad.
• Live discreetly and shyly, with little expression of emotions.
• Often tend to take responsibility for themselves and blame themselves.
• I don't want others to discover my inner world.

4.3 INTJ – Scientist

This is a personality group that tends to be confident in their own knowledge. They are often seen as intelligent and quite mysterious. People with the INTJ personality type often find their own strengths in one or more areas. INTJs are assertive, confident, and perfectionists, always eager to improve the ideas or systems they come into contact with.

Advantage:

• Mind is quick, flexible and intelligent.
• Determined and independent, hardworking and determined to achieve goals.
• Imaginative, outspoken and honest.
• Can become an expert in something if they want to.

Defect:

• Perfectionism and arrogance.
• Always analyze things too rationally, lack empathy, empathize with others.
• Dislikes environments with too much structure, too many rules and regulations.

4.4 INTP – Thinker

People with the INTP personality type tend to love theory and want to analyze and improve things. This is the leading logical thinking group. People with the INTP personality type often prefer to solve difficult problems rather than doing simple, boring routine tasks.

Advantage:

• Honest, imaginative and enthusiastic.
• Open-minded, open-minded, easily accepting new things.
• Be rational and have an objective view of all problems.
• Caring about the people around, often following the will of others.
• Unaffected by criticism or criticism.

Defect:

• Not good at expressing their feelings.
• Easily angered, often ignored in conflict situations.
• Often cynical and difficult to trust others.
• Tends to be self-doubtful.

4.5 ISFJ – Nurturing Person

This is considered the most altruistic personality group. People who follow the inclinationISFJ often benevolent, selfless, believing in the best of people. Nurturing people usually respect the law and follow the fine customs and traditions of the nation. At the same time, these people are also quite introverted and it is not easy for others to learn about themselves.

Advantage:

• Very enthusiastic in work, honest and hard-working.
• Careful, meticulous and reliable in all matters.
• Always ready to share, empathize with others on all issues.
• Warm, close and friendly to everyone.
• Always know how to listen and build good, long-term relationships.

Defect:

• Doesn't like conflicts in any situation.
• Do not like to reveal personal needs and feelings. This sometimes creates pressure and frustration.
• Dislikes and difficulty adjusting to a new environment.
• Often too humble and shy.
• Too much perfection leads to overload at work.

4.6 ISFP – The Artist

People who follow the ISFP personality tend to love exploring and pursuing new things. They do not like constraints, always opposed to forms of control. These people are also quite sensitive to the emotions of others. People with this personality type are often attracted to a laid-back, liberal and spontaneous lifestyle.

Advantage:

• Friendly, warm to everyone, following the wishes of others.
• Be decisive in every situation.
• Sensitive to the feelings of others.
• Serious about commitments and want to keep a long-term relationship.
• Optimistic in all cases.

Defect:

• Don't like financial management.
• Dislikes conflicts and negative comments and criticisms.
• Suspicious and very realistic.
• Does not easily express personal feelings and thoughts.
• Likes to enjoy life, it sometimes feels quite lazy and slow.

4.7 ISTJ – Responsible Person

This is the most popular personality group in the world. People of this personality type are often said to respect the truth and easily absorb different information. The ISTJ personality type is usually very thorough in everything and doesn't assume anything.

Advantage:

• Honor what you have promised.
• Know how to listen to others.
• Deal with conflicts rationally.

Defect:

• Too rigid.
• Often think they are right.
• Too important in winning - losing.
• Difficulty empathizing with others.

4.8 ISTP – Mechanic

People with ISTP personalities tend to think rationally and logically. People with this personality type often know how to keep their energy up to do more important work. ISTP personality group is quite humorous, optimistic and generous in all matters.

Advantage:

• Always stay positive and optimistic.
• Be confident, respect the privacy of others.
• In fact, not afraid of conflict or criticism.
• It's easy to let go of a bad relationship.

Defect:

• Doesn't show a lot of emotions, is easy to stay private and withdrawn.
• Need private space.
• Difficulty empathizing with others.

4.9 ENFJ – Giver

This is a personality group with great appeal, charisma and good eloquence. They always tend to care and bring out the best in others. ENFJs often orient their own lives according to the wishes of others. At the same time, they are also quite reserved when expressing their feelings and emotions.

Advantage:

• Good communicator, able to inspire others.
• Funny, fun.
• Strive for a win-win outcome in the relationship.

Defect:

• Sensitive to contradictions and conflicts.
• Not focusing on your own needs.
• Often blames themselves.
• Sometimes too rigid and inflexible in some cases.

4.10 ENFP – Inspirer

Inspiring people are often very aware of the emotions of themselves and those around them. They are very enthusiastic and dynamic, but their words are always convincing to others. ENFPs generally love freedom, security, and stability. These can be easily seen in their daily activities.

Advantage:

• Always loyal and eager to contribute.
• Friendly and reliable under all circumstances.
• Always want to build a win-win relationship.
• Enthusiastic and active.

Defect:

• Doesn't like controversy and criticism.
• Too demanding perfection in the relationship.
• Often immersed in work.

4.11 ENTJ – Operator

People with this personality type are often sharp, rational, and have a charismatic personality. These people are always eager to conquer challenges and have the potential to become leaders in the future. In the world of ENTJs, mistakes are unacceptable. So they are sometimes quite perfectionist and meticulous in their work.

Advantage:

• Straightforward, transparent, passionate and strong.
• Always set very high standards.
• Serious, respectful of commitments, eager to learn and strong will to progress.

Defect:

• Difficulty listening to others.
• Too entangled in win-lose debates.
• Be domineering and rude at times.
• Strict with carelessness.

4.12 ENTP – Visionary

People with this personality type often love arguments. They also often keep the debate under control. At the same time, ENTPs are usually quite honest and straightforward, not liking anything too verbose. People with this personality tendency are often rational, difficult to feel the feelings and emotions of others.

Advantage:

• Enthusiastic, optimistic, easy to persuade others.
• Good communicator, enjoy building relationships.
• Easy to adapt to new environment.

Defect:

• Easily attracted to the new, bored with the old.
• Likes to argue is often the reason behind arguments.
• Lack of tolerance, empathy for others.

4.13 ESFJ – Interested person

Altruism and sociability are the two most characteristic features of this personality group. People of this personality type tend to live quite traditional, preferring to follow the law or rules. They are often sensitive about social status, concerned with other people's views. At the same time, this personality type is often serious and respects commitments.

Advantage:

• Love to help, friendly with people.
• Optimistic and attractive to others.
• Respect your promises, always try to do your best.
• Quite traditional and rooted in thought.

Defect:

• Dislikes conflicts and criticism.
• Difficulty accepting negativity.
• Too concerned about fame and the views of people around.
• Need affirmation from others.

4.14 ESFP – Performer

Cheerful and impulsive are traits that make people unique and attractive to this personality type. ESFPs have a high aesthetic capacity. This is the most prominent ability of this personality group. ESFPs are always eager to find interesting things and share them with others. This makes them more sociable with the people around them.

Advantage:

• Excellent aesthetic capacity.
• Good communication ability, flexible and easy to adapt to new environment.
• Enthusiastic and fun with everyone.
• They often have many unique creative ideas.

Defect:

• Too pragmatic sometimes.
• Easily get bored of the old ones.
• Often used money wasted.
• Tends to come out of conflicts without confronting them.

4.15 ESTJ – Guardian

Tradition, principle, and stability are the three characteristics of the guardian personality type. They tend to be extroverted, enjoy communicating with others and building relationships. These people are often very dedicated and responsible for their work and promises.

Advantage:

• Upbeat, enthusiastic and friendly.
• Less affected by conflicts.
• Reliable, always striving to get the job done.
• Serious in commitment and relationships.

Defect:

• Difficult to empathize, often always wanting to lead others.
• Easy to hurt others, always thinking that he is right.
• Uncomfortable with change, difficult to adapt to new.

4.16 ESTP – Executor

People with the executor personality type tend to be more concerned with the present than the future. They are often flexible and not rigid in matters. Laws and rules are often seen as a reference for them.

5.2 For employee management

When understanding the personality of each employee, the administrator will have more effective human resource management measures. This will help managers control conflicts at work and increase work efficiency in the business.

5.3 For employee evaluation

MBTI helps managers to classify and evaluate personnel in the most objective way. As a result, businesses can manage human resources more effectively, optimizing operational performance within the organization.

Post by Viindoo helped readers to explain What is MBTI? and 16 personality groups. Hopefully, the above article will help businesses better understand how to effectively apply the test in the human resource management process.

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