Should You Include Your Personality Type on Your CV: A Guide for Professional Success

In today's competitive job market, creating a compelling CV is essential. One decision you might face is whether to include your personality type, a potentially double-edged sword that can either enhance or detract from your candidacy. This article will explore the pros and cons, offering guidance on how to best present your personality while focusing on professional qualifications.

The Pros of Including Your Personality Type on Your CV

1. Self-Awareness: Including your personality type can demonstrate to employers that you possess self-awareness. This shows that you understand your strengths and weaknesses and how well you fit into different work environments. Employers value this trait as it reflects your ability to adapt and contribute effectively to a team.

2. Cultural Fit: Certain companies prioritize specific personality traits and may view your inclusion of a personality type as a way to assess whether you would be a good fit for their team dynamic. This can be particularly useful when applying to roles within organizations that value specific personality traits.

The Cons of Including Your Personality Type on Your CV

1. Subjectivity: Personality types can be highly subjective and may not effectively convey your skills or qualifications. Employers may not fully understand or interpret personality types in the same way, making them less useful than concrete skills and experiences.

2. Limited Space: CVs often have limited space. Use this space wisely to highlight your professional qualifications and experiences, which are more impactful and quantifiable than personality traits.

3. Potential Bias: Employers might unconsciously favor or disfavor candidates based on personality types, leading to unfair assessments. This can undermine your objective credentials and the fairness of the hiring process.

Recommendations for Including Your Personality Type

Before deciding to include your personality type on your CV, consider the following recommendations:

1. Placement: If you do choose to include it, consider placing it in a section about personal attributes or skills. Ensure the focus remains on your professional qualifications and experiences to maintain a positive tone and avoid overemphasis on personal traits.

2. Examples: Instead of explicitly stating your personality type, demonstrate it through examples in your work history or a cover letter. This allows you to show how your personality has positively impacted past roles and contributed to success.

When Should You Mention Your Personality Type?

Consider mentioning your personality type in your resume only if it directly pertains to the job and emphasizes how you are the best qualified candidate for that position. Alternatively, mention it if it shows how well you will fit in with the company culture. In the digital age, it's important to tailor your resume to the specific job and company culture.

Alternative Approaches: Cover Letters and Other Documents

If you feel compelled to add personality to your resume, consider a more effective approach. Instead of including your personality type directly on your CV, you can make the first page of your resume a cover letter where you spell out these details. The second page can be a professional, impersonal resume.

Using this format, you blend two purposes into one document: a personal narrative that humanizes you, and a professional resume that highlights your qualifications. This balance can make your application stand out while maintaining a professional tone.

Remember, it's a delicate balance to strike. As with any creative and personal touch added to a resume, ensure that it enhances the overall professional image rather than detracting from it. Tailoring your approach to each job application can help you present the best version of yourself to potential employers.