According to John Holland's personality theory, most people fall into one of six different personality types.
These personality characteristics include: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.
Let’s examine each of these characteristics to find out which one best relates to you. You might find that several of these personality types fit you – and that’s okay.
However, try to find the one that fits you the best overall.
Here is a brief overview of each characteristic:
Doer (Realistic)
Realistic people are independent, and enjoy working with their hands. They are down-to-earth, and very practical. They enjoy being outdoors, and prefer to working by themselves. They enjoy using tools and machinery.
Realistic people:
- Enjoy working with tools and machines
- Value practical things that you can see and touch
- Like activities that let them see the results of their work
- Tend to be down-to-earth
- Prefer to work with their hands
- Like to work with things – rather than people
- Prefer occupations which involve them in building or repairing things
Thinker (Investigative)
Thinkers are inquisitive people, and like solving intellectual problems. These are people who enjoy mathematics and science. These are curious people who enjoy independence, and they typically avoid working in a leadership or selling role.
Investigative people:
- Enjoy math and science
- Like solving problems
- Prefer working by themselves on projects
- Think"outside the box"
- Ask questions
Creator (Artistic)
People who have artistic personalities value creative arts – like music, drama, art, books, movies, crafts, design, etc. They are very expressive, and enjoy being independent. They don’t like repetitive activities, and prefer doing new things on a regular basis. These people don’t want to be considered part of the “norm” of society – they are people with unique tastes and enjoy being original. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help determine whether or not you have an “artistic” personality type:
- Do you enjoy being independent?
- Do you like working in unstructured environments?
- Do you enjoy art, music and drama?
- Do you have a variety of creative interests?
- Do you enjoy trying new things?
- Are you a risk-taker?
- Are you emotional?
- Do you like unique styles of clothing?
Helper (Social)
People with social personalities love helping others. They are very helpful, friendly, and trustworthy. These people make wonderful counselors, nurses, and teachers because they are – by nature – very nurturing. They get energized by helping other people, and there’s nothing else they’d rather be doing.
- Do you like working in groups?
- Do you like being around people?
- Are you sensitive and understanding to those around you?
- Do you cooperate well with others?
- Would people consider you a friendly?
- Are you generous with your friends?
- Would you prefer being out with friends than alone at home?
Persuader (Enterprising)
People with an enterprising personality enjoy persuading people to their ideas. These people enjoy arguing their point of view, and like to sell others on whatever it is they believe. They are energetic individuals who are very ambitious and sociable. They are typically well-spoken, and know how to persuade. They value success in politics, leadership and business.
Here are some questions to ask yourself to help determine whether or not you have an “enterprising” personality type:
- Do you have strong leadership skills?
- Do you have a powerful, energetic personality?
- Are you self-confident?
- Do you enjoy being a leader?
- Do you like getting measured for your work?
- Do you have great verbal skills?
- Are you adventurous?
Organizer (Conventional)
People who are organizers prefer to work in organized environments. They see themselves as orderly, and able to follow a plan. They are detail-oriented, and enjoy working with numbers, records, or machines.
- Are you practical?
- Do you enjoy playing by the rules?
- Are you neat and organized?
- Do you like to organize information and/or things?
- Do you thrive in well-ordered environment?
