How does your personality relate to what type of job is best for you? How does the psychological makeup of a person translate to professional choice? In the media realm, whether you are in editorial, marketing, publishing, public relations, film, or TV, personality is everything. Finding out the connection between your personality and profession can help you gain greater insight into the types of careers that are best suited for you.
Think about these questions: Do you make decisions based on facts or intuition? Are you innovative or pragmatic? Are you introverted or extroverted?
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Ira S. Wolfe, president of Success Performance Solutions and an expert on what makes a good employee-employer fit, uses various methods to assess personality. One such assessment tool is called DISC, which stands for how Direct an individual is with solving problems; how much energy he/she puts into Influencing other people; how energized he/she is when working at a Steady pace and how Conscientious he/she is at following procedures.
“A good personality fit drives successful employee performance,” says Wolfe. “A good job fit is the equivalent to having a top-performing engine in a car.”
Identify your inner inclinations
You’ve heard of the terms introverted and extroverted, but what do they really mean? In general, introverts are stimulated by the inner world of the mind. Because introverts enjoy thinking and analyzing their thoughts and feelings, they tend to be stimulated by nonverbal communication and work well independently. Conversely, people who are more extroverted tend to become easily bored when alone, but feel energized and charged by outside stimuli. Since they are stimulated by their environment and by others, these individuals prefer more communicative interaction, such press events, business meetings and gatherings.
According to Wolfe, “Freelance writers, for example, are more introverted. I’ve seen that creative types, in general, tend to be introverts. They have an idea and work through it themselves. They take time to factor and analyze decisions.”
Another area of consideration that hiring managers analyze is people who are structured and practical versus people who are impulsive and ideas-oriented. On the impulsive side, Wolfe says professions for these individuals include entrepreneurs, as well as those in the areas of advertising, PR and media relations. “They are creative, plus they are successful because are more of your risk-taker types.”
In today’s world, traditional office structures, particularly for many media professionals, have expanded into the realm of the virtual office. With that said, some people are better equipped to work remotely. What personality types are better suited? Wolfe believes that people who are structured, results-oriented and disciplined would be a good fit for remote positions. In contrast, “passionately extroverted types,” as Wolfe describes them, would not have enough stimulation to work from home.
Breaking down some of the media fields, here’s a look at some media positions and the personalities best suited for them:
Public relations is more suitable for an extrovert: The main premise of this field is for individuals who are comfortable in crowds, speaking to strangers and thinking on their feet. Similarly, in the sales and advertising field, a typical personality would be someone who is curious, an information gatherer, quick at making decisions, and results-oriented.
In the area of marketing and Web development, these professions are fitting for individuals who are innovative, open-minded, highly motivated and risk takers.
Most of the individuals in the field of writing are introverted. They work well independently and also have the creative insight to develop story ideas and carry them through to fruition.
Propel your professional life with your personality
According to a study conducted by the Recruiting Roundtable, only 50 percent of all new hires are the right fit for their jobs. Only 29 percent acquire talent that is a good fit for the organization. So, how does personality type pertain to professions? It can be broken down into three categories:
Category A — Introverts: These individuals tend to enjoy working well independently, are self-reflective, and like spending time alone. Freelance writing, screenwriting, Web design, graphic design, production, and copy editing are some great options for these types of individuals. Often, these professional types prefer to play a behind the scenes role. Think of famed filmmaker/producer/director, Alfred Hitchcock: He had an intense curiosity for filmmaking and spent 80 years of his life doing what he loved. He immersed himself in every aspect of the craft and had a meticulous attention to detail. He also, from a personality standpoint, was definitely more introspective; hence his creation of some intense psychological thrillers.
Category B — Middle of the road: Most likely, these types of people enjoy a quiet evening at home as much as time out in the limelight. Careers for these individuals could include editorial jobs, such as columnists, publishers, reporters, and film and television positions, as well as photographers. Think Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, from Sex and the City: She frequents local coffee shops during the day writing her column and spends her evening at the trendiest hot spots dining and clubbing to have tales to tell.
Category C — Extroverts: These people are charming and gregarious. Most of these types are great in the professions of PR, publicity, marketing, advertising and sales. Being out in the public, immersed in the action, at the forefront of the comings and goings on the town, is what these personality types thrive upon. Any Entourage fans out there? Jeremy Piven’s character, Ari Gold, is a perfect Category C example. He’s a mover and a shaker. He talks the talk and walks the walk. He’s great at multitasking, putting out fires, working under pressure, stroking egos and sugarcoating the worst of the worst and the best of the best.
Find your perfect fit
Given everything you now know about personality and profession, is your career choice the perfect fit? In talking to some media professionals, there was a strong correlation between their personalities and their chosen vocation. Find out more about these media professionals who found a fitting vocation for their hidden Hitchcock, curious Carrie or animated Ari.
As a corporate speech trainer in NY, Stephanie Grayson-Zane is a prime example of how one’s personality can shape one’s professional choice. Whether prepping for media appearances, helping clients pitch products, books, or services, or preparing for an award-winning speech, Grayson-Zane fits into a Category B, Carrie-type personality. She is creative, communicative and also a bit reserved, depending on the situation.
With a MA in communication sciences, Grayson-Zane took her friendly personality and enjoyment for listening to others and turned it into a career as a corporate speech/media trainer. In this capacity, she makes corporate communication and media events more interesting and thereby more effective.
“My role is to help clients connect and communicate more effectively with their audience,” says Grayson-Zane. “I believe that good storytelling shouldn’t be limited to theater and creative pursuits, but also has an important role in the workplace and in the business world, in general.”
For account director Todd Fraser of LA-based INK, Inc., Public Relations, personality is his business. As an athlete-turned-actor-turned-PR guru, how do these roles encapsulate Fraser’s personality?
“As an athlete, you practice to react without thinking. As an actor, you make a character as believable as possible. As a publicist, you immerse yourself in your clients’ work,” says Fraser. The one commonality in all of Fraser’s roles is flexibility and the ability to change according to the specified role. It’s apparent that Fraser is highly competitive, focused and driven. Ari Gold, watch out.
“I’ve always responded to the ‘chase’ and have gravitated toward professions that are results-oriented and constantly changing,” says Fraser.
The field of public relations is a suitable career path for an extrovert personality, as being a people-person is a large portion of this profession. In addition, working well independently, acting as part-writer, part-salesperson and part-psychologist are essential ingredients for a full-fledged PR professional.
A big factor, according to Fraser, is the ability to stay encouraged and positive, after countless times of rejection. “Remember that all the passes make the successes that much sweeter.”
Editor-in-chief of Home Entertainment Magazine Geoffrey Morrison certainly has the inner Hitchcock genius within. His love for writing and entertaining were blended together for a perfect fit with a magazine dedicated to the senses. Home Entertainment Magazine bills itself as ‘featuring the finest in audio/video technology and design.’
Here’s the interesting spin about Morrison: although he loves entertaining, he isn’t necessarily outgoing. With his personality type being more of an introvert, he actually needed to adjust and adapt to fit the job. “This job forces me to do something that, in my daily life, I wouldn’t do,” he says. And, being adaptable is something that is essential as an editor.
Morrison started his professional studies in college, majoring in music. He moved on to doing audio for movies. Through all of it, however, he was a writer. “Getting people to pay me to write was amazing,” he says. “Having people read what I wrote and (hopefully) be entertained by it, is still fantastic.”
For new, aspiring writers, Morrison encourages them to find their voice. “If you have a unique voice, chances are you’ll be able to find an audience.” Morrison knows this firsthand: In the home entertainment world, he continues to walk the walk and write the talk.
Whether you are an introvert, extrovert, the next aspiring screenwriter, PR guru, columnist, editor or corporate media trainer, remember this: Be who you are and love what you do. At the end of the day, follow your personality and your professional passion is sure to follow.
Michelle Paquette, MA, is the owner/president of All Ways Consulting, an LA-based company, offering business consulting and strategic planning to members of the media industry. She is also a freelance writer.
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