Have you ever been asked what your strengths and weaknesses are during an interview? It’s one of those cliché questions, yet it can reveal a lot about a person and how they view themselves.

Many people aren’t even aware of what to say unless they have been told by an objective outsider. If this question doesn’t come naturally to you, take your soul for a spin and make it a priority to learn how your personality works this year.

Although determining your best workplace path through personality may look different for each person, today we’re sharing two personality tests that are a great start. Knowing who you are and why your brain works in particular ways will help reveal your strengths and weaknesses, and it can also help determine professional direction.

16 Personalities

Similar to the very popular Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the website 16personalities.com is part of a theory that there are only 16 personality types in the world. 

The core theories of each fall into one of each of these traits:

• Mind: Extroverted or Introverted
• Energy: Intuitive or Observant
• Nature: Thinking or Feeling
• Tactics: Judging or Prospecting

Take the quiz to determine the four traits most associated with your personality and what category your type belongs to – analysts, diplomats, sentinels, or explorers.

The test to determine your own letter combination is free to take and opens up a world of self-awareness. After taking it, you will find yourself nodding your head and finally understanding the WHY and how your brain works.

Start the test here and make sure to pay close attention to the “Workplace Habits” section.

The Enneagram

The Enneagram is defined by nine personality types (also called “enneatypes”), which are represented by the points of a geometric figure called an enneagram.

The nine types include:

1. The Reformer
2. The Helper
3. The Achiever
4. The Individualist
5. The Investigator
6. The Loyalist
7. The Enthusiast
8. The Challenger
9. The Peacemaker

Take the test here and make sure to pay extra close attention to what your key motivations are as well as personal growth areas – both can be helpful when it comes to your career.

How our team leverages personality types for “swim lanes”

Our team at Hay There Social Media has a variety of personalities, which has worked to our advantage and made it possible for us to work together successfully for the past decade. We leverage each of our individual strengths by sticking with tasks we call our “swim lanes.” This helps us to seamlessly divide and conquer, and also keeps morale high because we are able to do what we enjoy most.

There is not one type that is more superior than another, and it’s fascinating to learn how well we can complement others through working together.

Additionally, our team has even asked our clients to take personality tests to we can get a peek at how their brain works. This insider knowledge can be a helpful tool when working to set-up a successful partnership built on mutual understanding of needs.

Applying this knowledge in the workplace

Once you know your type, read up as much as possible. Knowledge truly is power! Discuss with your colleagues and ensure your superiors understand why some tasks and projects may work better for you than others.

While some of the points shared with both tests can be unsavory to read at times, it’s important we look to them as a window into why we are the way we are and use that knowledge to propel ourselves in a positive direction.

If you aren’t able to identify the areas in which you have weak habits, it’s harder to grow. These blind spots can be limiting in the workplace and may even set you up for failure if you end up taking on work that just isn’t a fit for who you are. On the other hand, knowing where you can use your strengths will set you up for success and lead to less work-related stress.

Social Media Tip: Once you learn your Enneagram number or personality letters, check them out on social media by adding a hashtag to your type. It’s such a validating way to know you are not alone in your thinking and feelings!

No matter where you fall on the spectrum of personality, knowing yourself and how you work best when it comes to your profession is beneficial. Make it a goal this year to get to know yourself better. Your friends, family, and business will all benefit from your self-awareness.

Chime in: What is your personality type or Enneagram number?