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RIASEC vs MBTI: Understanding the Difference & How to Use Both

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RIASEC vs MBTI: What's the Difference?

"My MBTI is INFP, what job should I get?" "I got 'Artistic' on RIASEC. Is this a personality test too?"

When planning a career, you likely encounter two major tools: RIASEC (Holland Codes) and MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). While both help you understand yourself, their targets and goals are fundamentally different. Understanding this distinction is key to building a robust career map.

1. The Core Difference: "What" vs "How"

The biggest difference lies in the central question each test asks.

  • RIASEC (Career Interest Test): "WHAT do you like to do?"

    • Focus: Interests, Topics, Preferred Activities.
    • Examples: "I like fixing machines", "I like teaching people".
    • Outcome: Matches with specific job titles or industries.

  • MBTI (Personality Test): "HOW do you perceive and judge?"

    • Focus: Communication Style, Energy Source, Processing Habits.
    • Examples: "I gain energy from solitude (I)", "I decide based on logic (T)".
    • Outcome: Matches with work style and organizational culture.

In summary:

  • RIASEC tells you "What subject matter" will make you happy.
  • MBTI tells you "What work style" will make you comfortable.

2. Correlation Between RIASEC and MBTI

While not 100% aligned, there are common correlations. Knowing these overlaps can give you a 3D view of your profile.

| RIASEC Type | Common MBTI Traits | Shared Focus | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Realistic (R) | ISTP, ESTP, ISTJ | Tools, concrete facts, objective results | | Investigative (I) | INTJ, INTP, ENTJ | Logical analysis, intellectual curiosity, theories | | Artistic (A) | INFP, ISFP, ENFP | Creativity, expression, flexibility, individuality | | Social (S) | ENFJ, ESFJ, ENFP | People-focused, empathy, harmony, helping | | Enterprising (E) | ESTP, ESTJ, ENTJ | Action-oriented, goals, leadership, influence | | Conventional (C) | ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ | Systems, order, rules, detail management |

(Note: These are general trends, not absolute rules.)

3. Combining Both for Career Success

Merging insights from both tests provides specific and actionable career advice.

Example A: "I want to be a Developer"

  • RIASEC: Investigative (I) - You love solving complex puzzles. (Good fit!)
  • MBTI: ENTP (Extrovert+Intuition) vs ISTJ (Introvert+Sensing)
    • ENTP Developer: Suited for fast-paced startups, R&D, and architecture design where novelty is key.
    • ISTJ Developer: Suited for stable maintenance, financial/security backends where precision and reliability are key.
    • Conclusion: Same job title, different Role/Environment.

Example B: "I want to do Marketing"

  • RIASEC: Artistic (A) + Enterprising (E) - You want to sell creative ideas.
  • MBTI: ENFP vs ESTJ
    • ENFP Marketer: Brand storytelling, creative content, social media (Using Intuition/Feeling).
    • ESTJ Marketer: Performance marketing, data analytics, budget management (Using Sensing/Thinking).

Conclusion: The Career Success Formula

The formula for optimal career satisfaction is:

(RIASEC Interest) + (MBTI Style) = Ideal Job Satisfaction

  1. Use RIASEC to find the Field you will enjoy. This gives you your Job Title.
  2. Use MBTI to find the Environment you will thrive in. This gives you your Company Culture or Work Style.

To get the full picture, analyze yourself through both lenses today!

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