Author Interview: Paul D. Tieger, author of...
Paul D. Tieger, author of Do What You Are, Third Edition shared his secrets of how you can unlock the secrets of Personality Type to discover the career that is right for you May 14th on Yahoo.
Yahoomc: Thanks for joining us, Paul!
author_paul_tieger: Glad you are here with us...
author_paul_tieger: I think the secret of finding a perfect career for you is understanding who you are.
author_paul_tieger: Hopefully, I can answer questions that will help you figure out the most satisfying career options.
Yahoomc: First, tell us a little bit about the book...
author_paul_tieger: Do What You Are is the first book that links personality type with career satisfaction.
author_paul_tieger: And we think that the greatest satisfaction comes when people use their natural strengths.
author_paul_tieger: Personalilty type helps you know what those strengths are and what kinds of environments you need to work in in order to be happy.
author_paul_tieger: There are 16 different personality types,
author_paul_tieger: and people of each type find satisfaction in different types of jobs.
author_paul_tieger: Do What You Are lists between 75 and 100 potentially satisfying careers for every type.
oldonesix: What if the "right" career is totally different that what you have been doing and involves significant new education or training and starting at
the bottom?
author_paul_tieger: I guess that depends on a lot of circumstances, like how old you are, what kind of resources you have in terms of time, money, motivation to get a
different education.
author_paul_tieger: BUt the real bottom line is is the work you've been doing unsatisfying and if it is, then you should be doing something different.
Yahoomc: Why leads people to take jobs that are wrong for their personalities?
author_paul_tieger: LOts of things!
author_paul_tieger: First of all, most of us make important career decisions at a time when we don't really understand ourselves or what we need to be satisfied.
author_paul_tieger: Secondly, many of us are forced by circumstances – economic, family obligations, etc.
author_paul_tieger: to do things we don't really want to do but need to do in order to put bread on the table.
author_paul_tieger: SO I think the key is knowing as much about yourself as you can,
author_paul_tieger: early enough,
author_paul_tieger: so that you can avoid making some of those bad career decisions.
Yahoomc: What's the first stumbling block that many young people hit when they get out of college?
author_paul_tieger: Not knowing themselves.
author_paul_tieger: Many people have preconceived notions of what they will do for a living.
author_paul_tieger: Sometimes parents have told kids from a very early age that they were going to be doctors or lawyers,
author_paul_tieger: So the first stumbling block is not knowing yourself. But that's easily remedied.
heres_groucho: Paul, are the 16 different personality types based on the Meyers–Briggs assesment?
author_paul_tieger: Yes they are. Actually it's the other way around. The Myers–Briggs type indicator or MBTI is based on personality types.
author_paul_tieger: The MBTI is the most well respected, popular personality instrument in the world. It's been around for about 40 years,
author_paul_tieger: it's used by most Fortune 500 companies to help people find satisfying careers.
author_paul_tieger: Be more successful managers, create more productive teams, and many other uses.
author_paul_tieger: But you don't have to take the MBTI to learn your personality type.
author_paul_tieger: You can do that at www.personalitytype.com
imapoorman: I am very happy as a park ranger but I am hard pressed to pay all of my bills and support my three kids. How does one choose between
the job of their dreams and the dreams of the people they love?
author_paul_tieger: I don't mean to be flip, however, that is a common dilemma among people whose passion doesn't always pay them as much money as they need
or would like.
author_paul_tieger: And the choice is always an individual one, what's right for me and what's right for my family, but no one can make that decision but you.
hjacobs10: What if you're past that out–of–college age and STILL don't know yourself?
author_paul_tieger: The first question I would ask is how out of that college range are you?
author_paul_tieger: Many people think at 45, for example, that it's too late to start a new career.
author_paul_tieger: But the reality is these days most people work until at least 65.
author_paul_tieger: So if you are 45 you've probably got 20 more years of doing something —
author_paul_tieger: you might as well do something you like or even love!
Yahoomc: What's your definition of a "perfect" job for a person?
author_paul_tieger: This is going to sound silly,
author_paul_tieger: but there is a very easy test to determine if you are in the right job.
author_paul_tieger: Ask yourself the question, Do I like what I do for a living? Most of the time....
author_paul_tieger: If the answer is yes, you are in the right job.
author_paul_tieger: The perfect job for someone is really one which uses that person's greatest gifts and natural strengths.
author_paul_tieger: If you are in a job that does that, you usually feel energized, satisfied, look forward to most days on the job, and if you are not,
author_paul_tieger: usually just the opposite is true.
heres_groucho: I recently took the MBTI in a counseling course and *surprise*, I'm not suited to the job I'm doing now...how does your book differ
from lists of occupations that our instructor gave us with the results of the assesment?
author_paul_tieger: Good question. Do What You Are goes way beyond just providing a list of careers.
author_paul_tieger: It helps you understand specifically what you need by giving you a list of Ten "Career Satisfiers".
author_paul_tieger: When you review the list of satisfiers, you will see many items that you can use to compare with potential jobs.
author_paul_tieger: — Sort of a blueprint for your ideal job.
author_paul_tieger: It also helps you to conduct a job search in your own unique style using your strengths and avoiding your weaknesses.
author_paul_tieger: It is a very pro–active approach.
heres_groucho: What about if you enjoy the work you do, but the peripherals of the job (shift work, for example), are increasing difficult?
author_paul_tieger: I would try to change the peripherals if you can,
author_paul_tieger: and in fact the brand new edition of Do What You Are shows people how to make their current jobs more satisfying and more in sync with their
personalities when people cannot change jobs.
jtrapp331: I have come to a turning point in my life and am frustrated because I haven't found a job that I really LOVE. I don't even have the faintest
idea what job would make me happy or at least complete.
author_paul_tieger: I would strongly recommend that you figure out your type and from there
author_paul_tieger: you will be surprised at how many satisfying options may appear to you.
Yahoomc: What about taking time away from work? Whether it's to travel or spend time with family, etc.
author_paul_tieger: I think that time is always a wonderful thing, the problem is very few people can afford to do it.
author_paul_tieger: If you can afford the luxury of traveling for a year after college before you start working for the rest of your life, I'd say go for it!
author_paul_tieger: Time off for reflection and recreating is always a good idea.
author_paul_tieger: The problem is relatively few people can afford to do that.
twig4bluejean: Do you believe all people must have a job? outside the home to make them happy?
author_paul_tieger: Absolutely not.
author_paul_tieger: I think some people thrive and find incredible satisfaction by working in the home.
author_paul_tieger: I'm certainly not saying that people can't or shouldn't stay home, especially to raise children. That's a great joy.
j2a4s6: So what made you write this book
author_paul_tieger: I learned about personality type about 20 years ago.
author_paul_tieger: As a novice career counselor.
author_paul_tieger: And realized that the general public could benefit from the book that would help them understand themselves and their career needs.
author_paul_tieger: So I wrote the book with my wife and partner, Barbara.
author_paul_tieger: And we must have done something right,
author_paul_tieger: because eight years later, over half a million people have found it helpful.
author_paul_tieger: Along the way we wrote three other books about personality type –
author_paul_tieger: one is about parenting, called Nuture By Nature,
author_paul_tieger: another is a communication/sales book called, The Art of Speedreading People,
author_paul_tieger: and the last is a book about couples called Just Your Type.
author_paul_tieger: Information about all of these can be found at www.personalitytype.com
twig4bluejean: Please tell me more about personality types?
author_paul_tieger: There are four aspects of personality type.
author_paul_tieger: The first is one's orientation to the world –
author_paul_tieger: whether people are more extroverted or introverted.
author_paul_tieger: The second has to do with the different ways we take in information,
author_paul_tieger: in a concrete, realistic, practical way as sensors do,
author_paul_tieger: or in a more intuitive, big picture, possibility–oriented way as intuitives do.
author_paul_tieger: The third aspect has to do with the way we make decisions.
author_paul_tieger: Logically, analytically, objectively as thinkers,
author_paul_tieger: or based on our feelings and values, as feelers.
author_paul_tieger: And the last aspect concerns the way we like to live our lives —
author_paul_tieger: in a plan–ful, organized, decisive way as Judgers,
author_paul_tieger: or in a more flexible, spontaneous way as Perceivers.
author_paul_tieger: Everyone has a natural, in–born preference for one or the other of each aspect.
Yahoomc: Can you explain the personality/career connection?
author_paul_tieger: For example, people who are more extroverted usually enjoy jobs with a lot more interaction than people who are introverted.
author_paul_tieger: Intuitives like jobs that use their imagination and require creativity and involve doing new things, rather than routine things.
author_paul_tieger: Feeling types are most satisfied in helping jobs.
author_paul_tieger: Such as elementary school teachers, health care providers and sales people.
author_paul_tieger: And judging types do better in jobs where there is a clear structure, and they get to use their organizational and decision–making abilities.
author_paul_tieger: These are just a few examples.
author_paul_tieger: But for each complete type, such as an ISTJ or ENFP, there are dozens of jobs that are most likely to lead to satisfaction.
jtrapp331: What jobs are good for the ENFP type?
author_paul_tieger: The key to satisfying jobs for ENFP's is doing something that allows them to use their creativity.
author_paul_tieger: work with a variety of interesting people, involves helping people in some way,
author_paul_tieger: is consistent with their own personal values and beliefs, and is done without too many rules.
author_paul_tieger: Some typical ENFP jobs include journalists, advertising account executives,
author_paul_tieger: entrepreneurs,
author_paul_tieger: marketing consultants,
author_paul_tieger: and counselors of all types.
author_paul_tieger: Again, these are just a very few ENFP jobs.
imapoorman: I am an extroverted intuitive thinking judger. what are some careers to which I am aptly suited?
author_paul_tieger: ENTJ's often need to be the boss.
author_paul_tieger: They are wonderfully creative problem solvers,
author_paul_tieger: visionaries,
author_paul_tieger: and people who are driven to get things done.
author_paul_tieger: In business they are often executives or managers.
author_paul_tieger: They are natural consultants in any field of their interest.
author_paul_tieger: And they also have an affinity for computer technology.
author_paul_tieger: Though often in a managerial capacity.
wildh1: So is your philosophy just based on Myers–Briggs/Jung or are there other psychological theories that have influenced your work?
author_paul_tieger: Good question. I think many things are important, such as a person's interests, values, and abilities —
author_paul_tieger: the traditional measures of career satisfaction.
author_paul_tieger: However, all three of those change over time.
author_paul_tieger: So they are less reliable predictors of career satisfaction.
author_paul_tieger: So although I consider lots of other approaches, I think personality type is by far the most useful.
rachaelp2: what do you suggest for someone who has interests all over the place and has trouble committing to one specific area?
author_paul_tieger: The key for this person is to learn to focus.
author_paul_tieger: Someone can have a ton of great ideas but unless they can implement any of those ideas they can spend their whole life just squandering their
inspiration.
author_paul_tieger: So some types, most of Perceivers, have difficulty closing down options.
author_paul_tieger: But it's the balance of our different personality preferences that really leads to our greatest success.
HouRockFan: Hey.. I'm a high school junior with a high class rank..high SAT score, and good overall grades.. but unsure of what career to pursue.. any
advice.. for someone with high grades etc but unsure of a career?
author_paul_tieger: I'm glad you asked the question.
author_paul_tieger: In a few months a special program for high school juniors based on personality type will be available on line.
author_paul_tieger: It will help juniors determine their type and link them to dozens of potentially satisfying careers,
author_paul_tieger: and also enable them to learn a great deal about each of those careers,
author_paul_tieger: as well as get a sense of which college majors would be most appropriate for them.
author_paul_tieger: The program is called Do What You Are For Students,
author_paul_tieger: and you might want to check the website www.dowhatyouare.com to see when it will be activated.
wildh1: I did the Myers–Briggs about 10 years ago and I just did another one recently and I found that my personality type has changed. Is this common
for people to change over time?
author_paul_tieger: I don't believe that anyone changes their personality type,
author_paul_tieger: but it is common for people to change the way they come out on the Myers–Briggs,
author_paul_tieger: but that doesn't mean that your type has changed,
author_paul_tieger: it just means that the MBTI, like every psychological instrument, is imperfect.
author_paul_tieger: Also personality type is a developmental model.
author_paul_tieger: That means we change over time our ability to use different parts of our personality,
author_paul_tieger: but we do not change our personality type. That's with us from birth, or before.
author_paul_tieger: THe key to a satisfying career for ESFP's is doing work that lets them work with people, help them in a real and concrete way,
author_paul_tieger: often gives them a lot of personal freedom, and doesn't chain them to a desk someplace.
author_paul_tieger: And allows them to be spontaneous and have fun in their work.
author_paul_tieger: Lots of ESFP's end up in health care,
author_paul_tieger: in entertainment,
author_paul_tieger: in customer service jobs like tour guides,
author_paul_tieger: or certain kinds of sales.
Yahoomc: How can you accurately reflect your personality in a resume or cover letter?
author_paul_tieger: Actually, it's not very difficult at all to do.
author_paul_tieger: For example, if creativity is a big part of your personality type, as it is with most people who are intuitives,
author_paul_tieger: then you should be able to note many examples of where you used your creativity.
author_paul_tieger: If sensing is a big part of your personality then you should be able to also demonstrate the qualities such as being realistic and factually accurate in
many activities or past jobs that you've had.
rachael_amber: If you weren't in this profession, what would you most like to do, and why?
author_paul_tieger: That's a great question. Let me admit that I am an ENFP, and like most ENFP's have had a variety of jobs,
author_paul_tieger: including real estate salesman, organizational consultant, waiter, musician, trial consultant, fund raiser, silk screen printing owner...
author_paul_tieger: The point being ENFP's like to do many, many things and seldom have one, or even two careers.
author_paul_tieger: If I had my druthers, and if financial circumstances someday allow it, my ideal job is to be a philanthropist, like the old TV show The Millionaire.
roxygirl7667: I REALLY REALLY AM THANKFUL FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION THANKS A BUNCH!!!!! THAT REALLY ASSURED ME
OF WHAT I WANT TO BE NOW
author_paul_tieger: Well thank you Roxy!
author_paul_tieger: I'm glad I was able to be helpful.
author_paul_tieger: And I encourage you all to really figure out in more depth what your personality types are,
author_paul_tieger: and believe that everyone can have a job they really like and even love, that pays them a decent wage....
author_paul_tieger: But the first step is finding out what you need and which jobs are right for your type.
Yahoomc: Thanks for joining us, Paul...
Yahoomc: The name of the book is "Do What You Are"...
Yahoomc: and be sure to drop by the website...
Yahoomc: www.personalitytype.com
Yahoomc: to find out which career is best for you!
Copyright 2001; Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.