WHEN TYPE-CASTING FITS

HAVING the right personality for a role can be as important as possessing the right skills when it comes to career success. Someone who cannot sit still likely will not thrive in an office, just as a perfectionist may struggle to think on their feet.

Chris Golis, business mentor and author of The Humm Handbook, separates personalities into seven categories and says certain types suit certain roles.

However, hope is not lost if the two are not a match, as personality traits can be learnt like any skill.

THE MOVER

These people are extroverts, driven by the desire to communicate.

“This is a person who likes dealing with people, so they like dealing with the front desk,” he says.

“They suit people-orientated businesses such as fast food, hotels and hospitality.”

DOUBLE CHECKER

These workers are detail-oriented, compassionate, sympathetic, agreeable and loyal to their organisation.

“They are in nursing, teaching, administration and public service,” Golis says.

“Payroll management system paymasters are double checkers. You don't want a mover because they tend to gloss over the details.”

ARTIST

Golis classifies artists as creative people, such as those working in fashion, design, photography and anything else which is visual.

He says they tend to be emotional and sensitive. Their weakness, however, is avoiding conflict.

POLITICIAN

The politician’s greatest strength is an ability to make decisions.

“They are verbal, very good with words and persuasive in arguments,” Golis says.

“They join an organisation and focus on getting to the top. At school, they take part in school sports and become the head girl or boy.”

This personality suits work in defence, sports, police and media.

ENGINEER

Engineers are hands-on and good at project work and making things.

“They are obsessive compulsive about what they do and tend to focus on one project and get it done,” Golis says.

This personality is common in IT, construction, engineering and manufacturing.

HUSTLER

Golis says hustlers love dealing with money and acting as middlemen.

“Not only are they flexible with the truth, but actually believe what they are saying,” he says.

“They will tell one person X and another person Y and get them together and make a deal.”

Hustlers tend to work well as real estate agents and investment brokers.

NORMAL

These workers are emotionally stable and often the ones who are running the offices.

“Their first question in a new job is ‘Where is the procedures manual?’,” Golis says.

“They are very controlled, speak logically and rationally, and have high self-control.”

Normal personalities suit procedure-driven work such as in law, accounting and administration.