Customer Reviews

Do What You Are : Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type--Revised and Updated Edition Featuring E-careers for the 21st Century

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I had several very smart and successful mid-career changers tell me this was a must-buy book, so I bought it.

I think it's also a must read for anyone putting together a business partnership or management team that seeks personnel that will complement each others' strengths.

I wish I had read this book years ago. The authors have written a book around the Myers-Briggs personality type concept. Many other career advice authors may devote a chapter to this, but the Tiegers have really delved into this more than others. For instance, each of the sixteen 4-letter Myers-Briggs personality types (INTJ, ENTP, etc.) gets a full chapter on that type, including the person's strengths, weaknesses, typical best job fits and 2 or 3 case studies of men and women with those personality types. After I took the test, I found their chapter on my particular type captured me almost perfectly and taken 20 years ago, would have predicted many of the career successes and challenges I've experienced.

The original pioneers of the Myers-Briggs methodology were Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katherine Myers. Starting in the 1920s they identified 4 different aspects of personality (introverted vs. extroverted, sensing vs. perceiving, etc.) to come up with 8 traits. There are a total of 16 possible combinations of these traits and these are the "personality types".

While some may find some fault with Myers-Briggs personality type theory, it's sure good enough to be a powerful, insightful tool. The official Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test has been around for decades and has been thoroughly researched and critiqued as well as widely used by millions.

The Tiegers also cover additional Myers-Briggs material I have not seen in other career advice books. An example is how your personality evolves with age -- certain Myers-Briggs traits become more pronounced at different times in life.

The buyer should be aware of two things, however, when they buy this book:

1. First, this book does not cover other aspects of career planning, self-assessment and job-hunting. It's 95+% personality type material. You'll still want to get another book (or books) on other aspects of career planning and job-hunting.

2. The true Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Test is copyrighted and available only through organizations, counselors and therapists approved by the Myers & Briggs Foundation -- see myersbriggs.org (their site has also has a lot of other useful stuff).

The authors cannot include the test, but they describe each of the 8 traits in sufficient detail that you can estimate what you are -- BUT you may be wrong, as I found out when I took the actual MBTI test. My estimate was very accurate for 3 traits and way off the mark for the 4th. As I read over the material in the book, I could see how I was wrong. I recommend paying the extra money, taking the real test and going over the result with someone certified by the Myers & Briggs Foundation -- they can interpret those results that may surprise you. After speaking with the counselor and re-reading the relevant sections of the Tieger book, I could see how I made my mistake. The meanings of some of the terms -- introverted, extroverted , judging, etc. -- are subtly different in the psychological type world from the way they're used in daily conversation.

There are thousands of people out there certified to do this and many college career placement offices also administer the test to students for free. You can also take the test online using a link at myersbriggs.org site and then discuss the results remotely with a trained counselor. Some of this control may be due to the foundation wanting to preserve test revenues, but it's also driven by concerns about untrained people administering it inappropriately (for instance, to identify some neurotic boss's idea of "bad personality types") or interpreting it incorrectly.

Also, I tried two different on-line free sites that offered seemingly similar tests to come up with a Myers-Briggs type. These tests gave wildly inaccurate and conflicting results -- I recommend staying away from them.

"Do What You Are" is about finding out what job is best suited for you based on your Myers-Briggs personality type. I was highly excited to read this book as most books don't take your personality type into consideration.

First off, you will probably get a lot more out of this book if you have already determined your Myers-Briggs personality type. The beginning of the book does try to help you determine your type, but it is mostly just picking one type over another when the actually score is really based on a continuum.

After determining your time, the book has a chapter for each personality type. Since you only have one personality type, you only need to read one of the 16 chapters.

The chapter written specifically for your type was just ok. The chapter was filled with examples of people who are that type. I just wanted to read about how my personality type applies to the job situation, not read example about my type. Eventually the chapter did get to what jobs would work best for you and things you should keep in mind when selecting a job. However, I was hopeing for a more in-depth explanation and analysis.

While the book does an excellent job of focusing on your personality type, it does next to nothing to help you with determining your interests, passions and goals, all of which are vital to picking the correct job.

So... if you know your Myers-Briggs type, which you should before you read this book, you only really need to read 10-15 pages out of this book. If you are really stuck on what job you are best suited for, pick this book up or just skim it in the bookstore. 3 out of 5 stars.

Wow, what a mixed bag of reviews we have! It seems that DWYA is one of those books either you love or you hate; there is not much in between. I would like to give a career counselor's point of view and hopefully address some of the reviewer complaints.

The Tiegers make a sincere effort to put personality typing and careers in layperson's terms. That is not an easy task. However, in the interest of time and space, much is glossed over or left out completely. Thus, it would seem that the Tiegers want the reader to be intrigued by personality theory and do additional research. I would personally recommend books like "Gifts Differing" or "Please Understand Me." However, I also realize that many are less interested.

For that reason, I use handouts that condense sections of DWYA to provide some clarity for those taking the Myers-Briggs. Those interested in the MBTI should go to a professional counselor to take the test. The "rough indicators" that the Tiegers and others have created are not very useful. While the MBTI may serve as a good tool in understanding the self and career development, personality preference is only one factor that influences career decisions. Other things that come into play include work values, interests, education, skills...the list goes on. So if you expect DWYA to present you with THE career, you are likely to be disappointed.

With that in mind...

Before one begins DWYA, one must understand a few parameters of career development. Several readers were upset that they had no interest in the careers for their type and felt shafted. That happens more often than you might think. However, the Tiegers go to great lengths to say you are by no means limited to careers discussed. The different lists of careers only state the most popular choices for each type. Your actual choices are only limited by your imagination! You will need to explore other areas of yourself and apply them to different careers. A good career counselor can help you with that.

Someone mentioned the lack of blue-collar and "unskilled" jobs. While not as prevalent as some would like, the Tiegers DO try to give the trades fair time. However you tend to see the trades more among the "SP" types (e.g., ISTP, ESFP). This may be disconcerting to those of other types interested in blue-collar work. Again, all types may be found in blue-collar work. The challenge is to look at the characteristics of different blue-collar jobs and see if they are right for you. Sound like a lot of work? It is, but worth it.

The so-called unskilled jobs are tricky. At the risk of sounding prejudiced, the worker whose abilities are limited to "unskilled" labor is highly unlikely to be concerned with finding work that is a good personality match. Such workers tend to be much more concerned with finding work just to survive. Anything else is gravy. If DWYA appears skewed towards an educated, white-collar audience, it is because this demographic tends to be far more interested in finding personal fulfillment through career, rather than working to survive.

Aside from the weaknesses of the personality sorter and somewhat limited scope of careers discussed, DWYA does a very good job of applying the different personality type characteristics, not only to individuals, but also to jobs. The Tiegers also take another step by explaining how certain personality traits could impact the job search, as well as job functioning. Examining one's strengths and weaknesses and how they impact the self and career is an invaluable skill. As always, keep in mind that everyone is different. What works for one person may not work for another, even if they share the same personality type. Another positive aspect: The Tiegers' infectious upbeat attitude. Nothing phony about it. Trust me.

You may also need help with implementing the information in DWYA, as well as polishing your job search skills. Thus, I recommend you supplement DWYA with books on career interests and development, as well as interviewing professionals in jobs that interest you. And don't forget your friendly neighborhood career counselor. :)

Bottom Line: Two things--1) DWYA is enjoyable reading, but should not be your sole reference. Make a point of using other references as well. And take the full MBTI if you can. 2) Nothing and no one can tell you what your ideal career is or what to do with your life. Once you have gathered the necessary career information, the choice is all yours!

Happy Career Planning!

I bought this book as part of an online class. The class guided participants through the book. This book provided valuable insight on traits and characteristics that I have and the types of careers I am best suited for. As part of the book, the reader does a Myers-Briggs test to determine their personality type. I have done Myers-Briggs testing in the past but never with the explanation about each type that this book provides. The book provides an write-up about each type - allowing those of us who cross types to hone into the exact type we are. Based on this, the reader can then read the career section devoted to their type. I found out that I am in the right career - however I am not using my strengths and preferences correctly.

This book provides great insight...I recommend it to anyone trying to determine their entry-level career or for those of us facing 'mid life' career dilemmas.

I enjoy reading and studying the MBTI and personality theory. I picked up the Tiegers' book at a book sale and certainly do not regret it. The book is well written and fills an urgent need: it attempts to help the concerned reader answer the ages old question, what am I supposed to do with my life? All sixteen types are given ample attention and the book offers many suggestions for pursuing a career based on your personality type. Each section has detailed, real life examples of successful matches between personality types and careers.

However, I have a few concerns about the book that prevent it from receiving a five star rating. The book does not mention entrepreneurship at all (a minor point). It also does not give an explanation that I recall regarding how the Tiegers reached the conclusions they wrote about. In my case I was indifferent to many of the suggestions that they gave as career choices for my type, and was actually turned off to several. Capability is different than interest. Another problem is that socialization or other experiences in a person's life may lead to an enjoyable career that is not what a reading of the innate preferences and combination of preferences may suggest. The Tiegers addressed these concerns...somewhat. In my specific case I concluded that my potential career goals and career path need to involve different ideas and suggestions than what the Tiegers asserted.

That said, I still recommend the book. Someone who is younger, college or high school age, for example, or someone (probably still younger aged) who is completely unhappy in their job might greatly benefit from reading the book and acting on its advice. A mediocre resource is probably better than no resource, and Do What You Are is not mediocre - it's good, but not great.

Like many books about career, and many books about personality types, this book sidesteps critical thinking about type and about career. As a previous reviewer noted, the book addresses primarily "professional," white-collar career options -- with a few artistic and skilled trade options thrown in. It does not really address people who work outside of that narrow landscape.

Carl Jung himself once wrote that categorizing people by type would be "pointless." He intended that the typing system be used (by psychoanalysts) as a way to understand where an individual person might be coming from; the "true north" of the person's unique perceptual, motivational, emotional, cognitive, and (yes) spiritual compass; and the best route to helping the person glimpse beyond a limiting worldview while clarifying the authentic convictions to which his or her unique life has led.

It has been dumbed down and used instead to "help" people level out their personalities to fit into institutional environments and cookie cutter job descriptions (fix themselves) and/or "find a niche" -- seek out an institutional environment or cookie cutter job description that is tolerable enough that they won't cause trouble by seeking "too much" change.

"Do What You Are" is certainly validating. Reading it, one can see why certain jobs have worked and others have not. However, the message seems to be, "You can find someplace where conformity won't be too hard." It avoids like the plague the notion that type is merely a starting point for unique development and the more radical idea that jobs may be mere skeletons upon which human beings flesh out unique WORK.

I've taken personality tests before as part of my college entrance exam and for work and to be honest most were outdated, general and at times mind-boggling. Authors Paul Tieger and Barbara Barron put a stop to these confusing tests as they pool their years of expertise and share their knowledge in their revised and updated, Do What You Are.

Readers will walk away with a thorough understanding of the sixteen personality types and correlating job fields that will enable readers to preview recommended career choices and learn how these personality types apply to their field of choice.

As I read Do What You Are I especially enjoyed one area: Part Two: The Formula for Career Satisfaction. In this section of the book the authors explain that while our basic personality type doesn't change, the ability to access all type preferences does change, and it is in this process, which happens naturally, that most of us allow ourselves the opportunity to become a well-rounded person. Simply stated, we age, experience life, and mature.

Another key element is realizing that we may choose jobs based on pressure. As the authors state, "Pressure to be what you aren't can cause lifelong confusion. If you are obliged to fit into a certain group mentality that really doesn't suit you (this could be a family dynamic, a school or community setting or a professional environment), you may end up denying your true nature and not enjoying your required role." How many of us have fallen into that trap? Our parents want us to be doctors or lawyers yet we yearn to be an architect so we spend years in jobs we hate to gain acceptance from those we love.

All in all, Do What You Are is an excellent reference tool that can be used over and over, year after year. So whether you're getting ready to graduate high school and are trying to figure out what to study or whether you're contemplating a job change, I think you'll find every aspect of this book helpful and insightful.

Armchair Interviews says: Helpful information for many aspects of your life.

I was skeptical when I first heard of type theory. I thought it was just another pop psychology fad. It first came to my attention when I joined the MENSA society over 15 years ago and there was a place for the four letter Meyers-Briggs type code in the personal data section (and I didn't know what they were talking about.) So, I looked into it. When I found that it was based on Jung's theories it intrigued me. Maybe there was something to it. I was lucky enough to be able to have it administered professionally at the local community college (where I was also introduced to this excellent text.) I was amazed at what it confirmed about my personality. This simple four letter classification code is actually MEANINGFUL! Until that time, I had pretty much concluded that nothing associated with the academic world could have any real meaning, value, or relevance to actual life and actual people (other than a few extreme, atypical, cases that happened to fit pet theories.)

Now I am quite convinced that if you know this code you know volumes about how other people see the world and interact with it. Moreover, it can be huge help in picking careers and environments that are compatible with your own personality. That is where this excellent book comes in, it gives remarkably accurate profiles and breakdowns of representative careers for every one of the 16 types. There is a discussion of why the career works for that type, as well as, possible pitfalls.

While there is some evolution over time, most people seem to behave "true to type" though out their lifetime. If you would "Know Thyself", this test, and this book, are a powerful place to start.

I would like to add two caveats here. First, have this test professionally administered by someone who is certified. It is too important to mess it up. The test taker needs to sit down and concentrate on giving answers that fit how they actually ARE and not how they WANT to be. Secondly, anyone who wrongly uses this test to "screen" people for employment should be sued out of existence. I have heard of certain mindless bureaucrats in personnel offices comparing applicant's type codes with a "black list" and rejecting them because that don't want one of THOSE in the office....

Finally, my only real complaint about this specific book lies in the fact that almost all the career paths mentioned are of a professional or skilled nature. I could see where ordinary, working class, unskilled people with only a high school education could feel left out after reading this book.

This is my second time to use this book. I read the first edition years ago, and now that the career change bug is biting again, I thought I'd try it again to help me clarify my thinking about what I want. It's confirmed the direction my interests seem to be headed in, and has given me some additional ideas to work with.

My only complaint is that it doesn't have a questionnaire to help define your personality type. You read descriptions of the various elements, and figure out which in each pair of traits describes you best. I'm close to the middle on the Judging/Perceiving scale, with characteristics of both, and was having a hard time figuring out which side I was really on. A 72-item questionnaire that I found on the Internet was what finally helped me get a handle on that. I hope the next edition will include something similar.

If you thought a book about finding the perfect career for you would be boring, think again! I bought this book for my sister who is a Junior in High School and is just starting to think about her future... where she wants to go to College, what to major in, what career she might be interested in pursuing, etc.

The book turned out to be a hit with the whole family! Even my Dad who has owned his own business for 16 years, sat down, figured out his personality type (using a simplified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator system- very easy to use!) and browsed the career suggestions for himself. We had fun reading the personality types of all the family members and confirming the strengths and weaknesses we saw in each other. We had a lot of laughs doing this! And I think it opened all of our eyes to what we're really like.

It is very helpful with suggestions about what kinds of jobs certain personality types would excel in and be happy in. I definitely recommend it to someone who is seriously searching for a new career or just starting out. A few dollars well-spent!

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