INFP sales (good fit?)

In this guide, we will discuss “INFP sales and if there is a good fit between this personality type and sales-related jobs. Also, we will talk about INFP’s personality traits, characteristics, recommended jobs, careers that are not recommended, and some additional considerations.

INFP sales: Is it a good fit?

You may be asking yourself if INFP personality types are meant to have a job related to sales.

First of all, consider how being an INFP personality type doesn’t automatically mean you were born for sales or that you need to get a sales-related job.

Moreover, you may have started a job in sales and already makes you feel miserable, unhappy, but you may be thinking “How is this possible if, I know some INFPs that excel at sales”.

This doesn’t mean you automatically have to be very good at them.

In contrast, some might argue that INFP are not salespeople, just as Kirsten Moodie from Personalitygrowth.com indicates it is, “simply because they often despise the job itself. They don’t enjoy having to push someone to purchase a product, and would rather let people make their own choices. INFPs might feel like sales is a bit manipulative, and might even go against their internal morals. INFPs believe in always trying to do what is right, and want to make a real difference in the world. If they are stuck in a sales position they will have a hard time motivating themselves to succeed in such a career.”

However, if you do work as a salesperson, you actually enjoy it but not the way you are told you need to sell, invincibleinfp.com states how “There are companies that will force you to use scarcity and other selling tools. That’s fine if you believe the product will help the person. Scarcity sometimes gets people to move on important things in their lives that they otherwise would have ignored. But if you’re selling something you don’t believe in, you’re going to have a hard time convincing your heart that it’s worth it”.

This may mean you could ‘hate’ the sales technique or approach rather than the job itself.

Subsequently, you may be an INFP that enjoys and excels at sales but you may also not feel comfortable at all selling and as we have mentioned, some believe INFPs are not salespeople but it will actually depend on the level of comfort, motivation, and interest, doesn’t matter what the role is.

However, let’s see some of the careers that are said to be the most suitable for the INFP personality type.

INFP marketing jobs are also a nice fit for you with these personality traits.

INFP personality

As you may know already, INFP stands for:

• Introversion
• Intuition
• Feeling
• Perception

According to indeed.com, “INFPs are highly curious, inquisitive, and innovative individuals, they are usually optimistic in their world view and can be an inspiring team member. INFPs comprise just 2% of the population. They are highly creative, easily find connections in hidden patterns and enjoy abstract thinking.”

Moreover, “In professional environments, INFPs tend to focus on the bigger picture and aren’t as concerned with the details. They aspire to change the world and seek to learn new things. While INFPs typically bring enthusiasm and intensity to projects, they can find it difficult to sustain their excitement over long periods of time.” 

Moreover, they are described as sensitive, caring and compassionate, which can explain why they are often associated with arts/humanities or education/healthcare job roles.

It is said INFPs are able to see the best in any situation and they genuinely concern about the safety and wellbeing of others and themselves.

Recommended jobs for INFPs

According to what we have mentioned, the recommended jobs according to this personality type are in the field of:

• Arts and humanities: as writers, fine artists, multimedia artists or animators, etc.
• Commercial media and communications: as copywriters, editors, graphic designers, photographers, film editors, videographers, interpreters or translators, etc.
• Business and technology: as technical writers, content strategists, Human resources managers, fundraising managers, UX designers, etc.
• Education and healthcare: as librarians, museum curators, archivists, guidance counselors, mental health professionals, physical therapists, massage therapists, etc.

Moreover, any job that can spark the compassion and caring side, but there is more to it.

They tend to be spontaneous and flexible, idealists who prefer ideas and concepts over facts and details.

Let’s talk a bit more about strengths and weaknesses.

INFP Strengths and weaknesses

According to medium.com, here are some of the strengths that are characteristic of INFPs:

• Open-minded: INFPs are always looking to break the rules. Naturally flexible, they steer away from stuffy conventions and seek alternative ways of thinking.
• Hardworking: As INFPs usually think in terms of the bigger picture, they are great at seeing a target and striving towards it, even when the going gets tough.
• Imaginative: INFPs are blessed with rich imaginations, meaning they can often find creative solutions to everyday problems.
• Intuitive: Not only can INFPs read emotions in others, but their ingrained sense of right and wrong can also help them use their ‘gut feeling’ to make tough decisions.
• Idealists: they get energized by ideas and the process of creative problem-solving. They make decisions based on feelings and values, and are sensitive and empathetic.
• Integrity: they value authenticity and are always striving to find truth and meaning in the world around them.
• Compromise: they will happily make compromises to reach a goal or help others develop, always willing to listen to other people’s points of view, and ready to collaborate to reach their goals.
• Dedication: they are dedicated and passionate about achieving their goals.

In contrast, here are some of INFPs weaknesses:

• Overly sensitive: Some INFPs can take criticism too personally. Naturally averse to conflict, they may alter their principles to fit those around them.
• Impractical: Though not true in every case, some INFPs can neglect simple tasks if they don’t fit in with their wider objective.
• Unanalytical: INFPs tend to steer clear of facts and data and instead rely on their emotions to make decisions. This could be conceived as reckless.
• Selflessness: they can be too selfless at times, where the opnions and ideas of others can weigh more than their own compromising too much.

What careers are not recommended for INFPs?

Before we mention the careers that INFPs should avoid according to their test results and their personality type, remember that this should be used as a reference and guidance.

This means you can succeed in any environment, as long as you feel capable and satisfied with it. 

In contrast, let’s talk about the careers that are not recommended for INFPs.

Since it is said INFPs often prefer to have alone time and may even be more productive in quiet places, sales positions can become draining and stressful.

The careers that may not be the best choice for INFPs include:

• Sales manager: it is a job that puts an INFP in competition with their colleagues and encourages conflict, it would not be ideal for this personality type since it could make them feel uncomfortable.
• Military:  adherence to rules and routine are some of the things characteristic to the job, this type of personality needs to avoid.
• Law: morality is a sensitive subject for INFPs in which a career in law might cause problems, especially if they are asked to belive and fight for causes they don’t agree with. 

Why is this blog about INFP sales important?

If you are considering a job in sales, make sure not to decide to depend solely on your personality type but also what you are passionate about, your motivations, your goals, etc. here we discussed how INFPs seem to be more in tune with jobs related to health, education, arts or humanities, to name a few but if you feel you might excel at sales and it is one of your strong suits then give it a try and if it doesn’t work, at least you know you tried.

In addition, when you think about pursuing or starting a new job role, it is important to consider your strengths and weaknesses, know yourself, so you can actually make a decision based on what you know would be good for you and not just because of the result of a test.

Which you can still take it as advice and reference for future decisions.

Please feel free to leave any comments or thoughts about the content of this article!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about INFP sales

References 

Moodie, K. (2017, Dec.) Here’s How Good You Are at Sales, According to Your Personality Type. Retrieved from personalitygrowth.com.

Indeed.com: “Best Careers for INFP Personalities”

Medium.com: “Jobs for your personality: How to Own Your INFP Career”

Wikijob.co.uk: “Career Matches for INFP Personalities”

Invincibleinfp.com: “Can INFPs work in sales?”