Careers for ESTP Personalities
Do others see you as vibrant and enigmatic? Do strict rules and structures make you feel boxed in?
If so, you may be an ESTP. Extraversion, sensing, thinking, and perceiving are the four words that make up this psychological type—one of the 16 identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. ESTPs account for about four percent of the population. These individuals enjoy being the centre of attention and are the likeliest to make a lifestyle of risky behaviour. They love to live in the moment and dive into action, rather than carefully deliberating before making a move. This makes school and other organized environments a challenge for ESTPs; the regimented, lecturing approach of formal education is opposite to the hands-on learning they prefer.
In the workplace, ESTPs think on their feet and are great at making quick decisions in the heat of the moment. They are popular and have solid networking skills, which can be huge assets in the working world. This social intelligence, coupled with their boldness, makes a career in entrepreneurship, sales, business, marketing, or even acting a great fit.
This article will be covering the following careers:
| Career | Avg Salary | Satisfaction | Your Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneur | $83k | 4.0/5 | |
| Marketing Manager | $92k | 3.2/5 | |
| Sales Representative | $60k | 2.6/5 | |
| Sales Manager | $75k | 2.8/5 | |
| Real Estate Agent | $57k | 3.1/5 | |
| Actor | $50k | 4.2/5 | |
| Bartender | $39k | 3.1/5 | |
| Paramedic | $37k | 3.3/5 | |
| Athlete | $66k | 4.2/5 |
Are these careers suited to you? Our comprehensive career test measures your personality traits and interests and matches you to over 800 careers.
1. Entrepreneur
Restrictions, rules, and highly structured environments drive ESTPs crazy. They live life on their own terms, making them brilliant entrepreneurs. Unlike other personality types, ESTPs enjoy taking risks. They are unafraid of testing unconventional ideas, launching new ventures, and learning whatever skills they need to get the job done—all powerful traits that will help fuel their career in entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneur
The word entrepreneur refers to a person who has identified a need and has an innovative business idea to fill that void.
2. Marketing Manager
ESTPs are the most adept of all the personality types at managing and influencing other people. They excel at selling themselves and their ideas to others. As marketing managers, they are fearless and innovative. When campaigns go well, ESTPs know how to capitalize on their success and keep the momentum going; when they fail, they are quick to adapt, adjusting their strategy to make the most of the situation.
Marketing Manager
A marketing manager is someone who manages the marketing of a business or product.
3. Sales Representative
ESTPs are naturally bold and have excellent business negotiation skills, making any tense, competitive environment a great fit. They thrive as sales representatives, using their enigmatic personalities to attract and develop positive relationships with their clients. Wiley and persistent, ESTPs know how to pitch almost any product or service. They will enjoy the thrill of building their own success, one sale at a time.
Sales Representative
A sales representative is someone who showcases and sells a product or products to businesses, organizations and government agencies, rather than selling directly to consumers.
4. Sales Manager
Sales managers sit a step above sales representatives, helping sales teams of all sizes set quotas, boost their performance, and achieve their long-term sales goals. Most management positions are well-suited to ESTPs, as they provide them with the flexibility to do things their way and allow them to use their gift of earning others' confidence. But a managerial position in sales is an especially good match for this energetic, outgoing personality type.
Sales Manager
A sales manager is someone who is responsible for leading and guiding a team of sales people in an organization.
5. Real Estate Agent
Charming and popular individuals that they are, networking comes naturally to ESTPs. These qualities make it easy for ESTPs to get along with just about anyone—especially in the real estate world. Real estate agents act as brokers between two parties: the buyer and the seller of a property. Not only do they have to understand the needs of each party, they also have to negotiate skillfully in order to get the best price and conditions for their client.
Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent is someone who helps people to either buy or sell a home or a piece of property.
6. Actor
ESTPs make great performers. Their sense of style and presentation, combined with their expressive capacities, allow them to excel as actors. Because ESTPs have a strong understanding of those around them, they are skilled at adapting their behaviour, speech, and posture to embody almost any character. As actors, they are especially well-suited to taking on leading roles, in which they can truly enjoy the excitement of the spotlight.
7. Bartender
Social and action-oriented, ESTPs make great bartenders. Their fun, exuberant personality is often just what their customers are looking for, and ESTPs can spend hours behind the bar, chatting with whoever happens to walk in. But they also know how to work hard. When things get busy, ESTPs are quick to pick up the pace, whipping out drinks, doling out change, and cleaning countertops with ease and efficiency.
Bartender
What do a Moscow Mule, Aperol Spritz, Manhattan, Daiquiri, and Whiskey Sour have in common?
8. Paramedic
ESTPs are curious, energetic people with a taste for action—as are those who drive ambulances and save lives with their own two hands. Their ability to react quickly and pragmatically is a major asset in a career as a paramedic. Their people skills also come in handy, especially when dealing with highly distressed or anxious individuals. While other personality types might lose their cool during an emergency, ESTPs know how to stay calm, assess the situation, and do whatever needs to be done to get things back on course.
Paramedic
Paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) care for the sick or injured in emergency medical settings.
9. Athlete
The thrill of competition, of pushing themselves to the physical limit to rack up just one more point for the win, has no comparison for ESTPs. While other personality types might find it difficult to manage the rigorous training sessions, restrictive diets, and intense practices, the excitement of the game makes it all worth it for ESTPs. Although almost any sport could be a fit, these extraverted individuals will feel (and perform) their best in team settings.
Athlete
What do you think of when you hear the names Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, and Tom Brady?