The best ISTJ careers, productive side-hustles, and hobbies worth considering are contained within this post.
The most common of all types, and highest among men, the ISTJ is the most logical, hard working, and practical of the 16 personalities. In terms of letters, it’s the direct opposite of the ENFP and the way the two interact with and perceive the world couldn’t be more different.
ISTJs are highly analytical and make important decisions by swifty weighing the pros and cons and then taking action. Take a look at the following list of career options and see if any strike your fancy. Dive in and do your own research and then follow through on your plan.
ISTJ Intro
I want to share a brief overview of the ISTJ type, but feel free to skip down to the list of ISTJ careers, side hustles and hobbies below if you have a pretty good grip on this one. Otherwise, keep reading for a quick run down of the unique facets of the ISTJ.
ISTJ stands for Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging.
The dominant function of an ISTJ is their Introverted Sensing (Si). This is the function ISTJs use to build their internal logic center by remembering details and experiences. This gives ISTJs their black and white analytical traits.
The secondary or auxiliary function of an ISTJ is their Extraverted Thinking (Te). This is how they interact with the world around them and make decisions. Sometimes this plays out when ISTJs tell others what they should do in a given situation, and while the intention is altruistic, it’s not often taken positively. However, mature ISTJs with a more developed Te learn when to say something and when to keep a lid on it, and make great managers, leaders, and teachers.
In terms of career paths and work, the ISTJ would do well to find work that fits within their skills and strengths in a quiet, organized, and structured environment. They don’t tend to have a problem finding motivation as a hard working type, but need to find a stable career to ensure their security and well being.
For a more in depth look at the ISTJ cognitive stack and how they work check out this site.
In general ISTJs:
- Prefer logic over feeling.
- Can become impatient when others struggle with decision making.
- Are no-nonsense, get things done types.
- People of their word. If they say they’ll get it they most definitely will.
- Prefer to work alone.
- Have a strong sense of integrity.
- Trust the proven method of getting things done or accomplishing a goal.
- Would much rather work on a project they are interested in lieu of being with other people at a party or event.
- Can be blunt and abrasive. Tact isn’t in their vocabulary.
- Are great at following through and finishing a task or project to completion.
- Prefer factual discussions and details vs. focusing on big picture ideas.
- Are reliable, dependable, loyal, and strong members of a team.
Aren’t 100% sure of your type? Go here to take a free test and figure it out (but read other type descriptions too if you aren’t confident in your score). Quickly browse the career list on that site, but come back here for a better look into how your type affects the changing landscape of jobs in our millennial age.
ISTJ Careers
The happy and productive ISTJ looks for a career in which they can do the most good but also have security and stability. They’d rather not jump from job to job and prefer instead to dive into one and give it their all.
Let’s dive into this list of the top five ISTJ careers.
1) Police Officer
Police officers, while not the safest of ISTJ careers out there, is a relatively stable job once you attain it. As long as you continue to show up and put the work in (which you will), it will turn into a very rewarding and beneficial career not only for you, but to enforce societal roles and expectations.
2) Mathematician
Math doesn’t lie, nor does it fight back. A career as a mathematician has you working less with people and more with numbers, data, and cold, hard facts. They also help to solve real world problems which is a boon for the ISTJ who wants to make a deeper impact with their work.
3) Computer Programmer
Programmers can make good money with their work, and the need for them isn’t going anywhere fast. You could find an exciting job in a startup or app, but you’ll probably prefer a job with a more stable company. Get a degree and beef up your skills in this area and you’re pretty much guaranteed to do well.
4) Mobile App Developer
Got an app for that? You do! Become an app developer and channel your creative side. You’ll be able to work for yourself to grow your own business, take jobs as a freelancer, or become an app developer for a reputable company. Go here to read more about what it takes to become an app developer along with some tips on how to make it a profitable venture.
5) Video Game Tester
This is a real job! But it might not be what you think it is… It’s not all fun and games, it’s actually quite challenging.
If you love video games and can learn to give constructive feedback (and don’t mind repetitive tasks), a career as a video game tester might be in the works. The job of a video game tester is to break the game, and not necessarily play it, so it could become boring. However, if you enjoy figuring something out and are up to the challenge of searching for glitches, bugs, or other mistakes, you’ll do well here.
Find more careers and take things to the next level with this three pack bonus below. This 30 page resource guide includes everything you need to master your career, crush your side hustle, and find the perfect hobbies for your personality. Embrace your Myers-Briggs type and commit to learning more about how to maximize your personality with these resources:
☑️Purpose vs. Passion career amplifier to do better in whatever career you choose. Includes a list of 80 careers by personality type.
☑️A getting started guide for killing it with a side hustle (and 80 side hustle ideas with matching personality types).
☑️A Checklist of the best hobbies to check off your bucket list for every personality type.
?Sign up now and amplify your success in work, life, and beyond. ?
ISTJ Side Hustles
Let’s move beyond ISTJ careers, and check out some of the best side hustles for the ISTJ type. It’s important for all types to add a few side hustles to their portfolio? Why? Because even if you have a great job it’s not guaranteed.
We should always be building our assets so that we aren’t dependent upon any one thing.
1) Online Courses
ISTJs make a good fit for building an audience and then selling an online course of some sort. Since you are adept at diving in and going deep with a subject, you’ll be able to create valuable content. Just make sure you get with people and ask for their feedback on your course before selling it, you may not be the best judge of your own material.
2) Resume Editor
You most likely know exactly what to look for in a resume or could very easily figure it out. People do in fact pay for this service on websites like Fiverr. I used to have a gig editing resumes myself, but as an INFJ it wasn’t a good fit. I bet you have more luck than I did.
3) Spinlister
Did you know you can list a bike for rent on a site like Spinlister? Even if you don’t have your own ride, you could turn this into a nice side hustle with a little time, capital, and hustle. As a savvy INTJ you’ll quickly figure out the best approach to making this a valuable side business
4) TaskRabbit
If you tend to be a jack of all trades and enjoy doing random household tasks for people, TaskRabbit is a potentially good side hustle option. Let your inner helper and strategist out and enjoy a little extra money on the side.
5) Voiceover Artist
ISTJs tend to enjoy side hustles where they can let their creative sides out, but do it a non-social environment. Becoming a voiceover artist will let you express the S side of you as you’ll need your senses in tune in order to do a good job. As an added bonus, you’ll never have to see your face on anything, just your voice! If that’s too much, you can opt for jobs that require a change of accent leaving you in anonymous bliss.
Here’s a cool post on how to become a voice actor.
Go here to download the side hustle success formula and other personality bonuses.
ISTJ Hobbies
The best ISTJ hobbies are ones where you can take a step back from changing the world and recharge. We can’t be on 100% of the time, so do remember to take time for yourself and do what you love most. Hobbies should bring you joy, energy, and passion. You’ve found the right fit when you can get lost in what you are doing and don’t even notice the time passing by.
Here are five ideas for ISTJ hobbies:
1) Bitcoin Mining
Bitcoin mining is a way to make money online with finding Bitcoin. I’m listing it as a hobby here because for most people they’ll never make any money with it, unless they invest, and even still that might not be the best idea.
The INTJs have Crypto Mining in their list of side-hustles, but for you it’s just a fun hobby. Sure, it might turn into a fun side hustle or full time gig later on, but for now, just have fun with it. It’s important not to get too carried away on any one thing.
2) Coin Collecting
Instead of mining for ethereal online currency, you might enjoy collecting real coins instead. Coin collecting is popular among the ISTJ type, even if it’s more of an old time hobby. Try and see for yourself, you don’t even have to tell anyone ?.
3) Model Trains
Model trains are still popular among adults and anyone with a creative side.
4) Poker
Poker is a perfect hobby for the ISTJ. All you have to do is sit there, bet big, and watch the money roll in. Since you are great at strategy, keeping a straight face, and judging what others can (and should) do, poker might just be the perfect fit. I love it, but sigh, I’m not very good.
5) Trivia Night
Everybody needs to get out from time to time and be with other people. The ISTJ is no exception. Since you have extensive knowledge of random facts and love to be right, trivia nights seem like a no brainer.
You could opt for game night instead, but the high stakes of trivia night is more your style. Your teammates will revere you for saving the day and leading them to victory! Hazzah!
Want more? Download the full list of bucket list hobbies here.
What are your favorite ISTJ careers, side hustles and hobbies? Share below!
Recent Comments