Personality assessments are a great tool to use in the job search process because they give you the language to be able to talk about yourself as well as discover your passions and values. There are many different types of personality assessments out there. One of the most popular is the Enneagram because of its complexity and how it takes the whole person into consideration. I would like to share some insight into the Enneagram and how it could help you with planning for a career.
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What is the Enneagram?
The Enneagram is “a sense-making tool or a framework that enables the development of self-knowledge and meta-awareness” (Integrative9.com). The Enneagram consists of nine (“ennea” is Greek for nine) personality types that deal with core motivations, core desires and core fears that influence behaviors and how a person shows up in the world. There are many layers of the Enneagram such as centers of intelligence, wings, subtypes and triadic styles. Check out the Enneagram Institute's website for a full history of the enneagram and how it works.
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Discovering Your Type
With the Enneagram, there isn’t a singular test that will give you your type since it's based on your own core motivations and desires. The process requires a lot of self-reflection and research. However, some of the online assessments give you a great place to start with finding your number. One of the most popular versions is the Riso Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI) and you can find a shortened, free version online here: http://tx.ag/RHETI.
After taking the test, the next step is to read about the various types to figure out which type that resonates the most with you. Here’s a quick list of some resources that may help:
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The Enneagram Institute https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions
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Integrative 9: https://www.integrative9.com/enneagram/introduction/
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Book: Wisdom of the Enneagram by Don Riso & Russ Hudson
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Book: The Enneagram Made Easy: Discover the 9 Type of People by Elizabeth Wagele & Renee Baron
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Book: The Essential Enneagram: The Definitive Personality Test and Self-Discovery Guide by David Daniels & Virginia Price
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Finding Purpose & Passion
Because it uses core motivations and desires, the Enneagram is a great tool in finding a career path that will be meaningful and fulfilling for you. Connecting the Enneagram and your career path is not meant to stick you into a box or a certain career, but rather show you how you can find work that will be fulfilling based on your type. Here are some examples of how different enneagram types may want to seek different types of careers:
- Type 1: Careers that are detail-oriented and structured, such as an accountant or architect
- Type 2: Occupations that involve helping and caring for people, such as a doctor or professor
- Type 3: Directorial or entrepreneurial careers
- Type 4: Communications and media jobs, such as writers or designers
- Type 5: Specialists and researchers (ex. engineers, analysts)
- Type 6: Practical decision makers (ex. lawyers, business managers)
- Type 7: Content creators or consultants
- Type 8: Executives and planners
- Type 9: Intuitive and flexible careers (ex. teachers, counselors, artists)
Overall, the Enneagram is a powerful tool that can be used in a variety of ways, including in your career. This is simply a starting point and I hope that it inspires you on a path towards self-discovery.
The Career Center offers a presentation on the Enneagram & Careers every semester that discusses the connection between the nine types and careers, as well as many other helpful events. Check out our event calendar for more information: http://tx.ag/CareerCalendar
Written by Amarette Renieri, Career Advisor for General Studies, University Studies & Undecided Students