Enneagram Types & Careers (A Complete List)

This article will look at the type of jobs that are suitable for each enneagram type and also describe what work practices or habits motivate or demotivate them!

Enneagram Types & Careers – Best Jobs

Here are a few of the best jobs for each enneagram type:

• Enneagram 1: Lawyer, Politician, Doctor
• Enneagram 2: Religious Leader, Humanitarian Worker, Customer Service 
• Enneagram 3: Advertising Consultant, Marketer, Financial Analyst
• Enneagram 4: Actor, Personal Trainer, Hair Stylist
• Enneagram 5: Engineer, Computer Programmer, Author
• Enneagram 6: Banker, Police Officer, Professor
• Enneagram 7: Artist, Interior Designer, Travel Agent
• Enneagram 8: Lawyer, Advertising Agent, Marketing Strategist
• Enneagram 9: Diplomat, Psychiatrist, Librarian

For each enneagram type, we will look at more jobs that are best suited for them in the following section as well as the workplace practices that they like or dislike!

Enneagram 1 – The Idealist

The top careers for the enneagram type 1 are as follows:

• Lawyer
• Judge
• Social Worker
• Politician
• Guidance Counselor
• Journalist
• Doctor

Good Workplace Practices

This enneagram likes it when their boss values ethical work and does not pressurize them to achieve goals in whatever way they can – even if it means cheating others or committing fraud! They respect those people who do work in a fair and just manner and it motivates them to be part of a good company that has some values. They also like it when their work is valued and their team or subordinates listen to them properly!

Bad Workplace Practices

What upsets the enneagram type 1 is when their boss ignores their suggestions or they are perceived in a negative light. They also get demotivated when their work is met with undue criticism – it is important that others respect their hard work and take it into account before actually analysing their work!

Enneagram Type 2 Careers: Best Jobs

Here is a list of the jobs that are best suited to the type 2 enneagram:

• Religious Leader
• Humanitarian Worker
• Customer Service Representative
• Teacher
• Non Profit Leader
• Nurse
• Counselor
• Human Resource Manager

Good Workplace Practices

The type 2 enneagram is one that has the innate desire to help others. They are greatly satisfied when they can help someone with a personal problem they are going through because not only do they feel rewarded when someone helps them but they are helping a coworker with problems outside of work; they appreciate seeing the personal side of people.

It is very important that type 2 enneagram’s peers listen to them with regards to what they believe about a certain work task for example or how it should be done. A group of coworkers who disregard the opinions of a person or do not take them into consideration in work related matters is something the type 2 enneagram does not appreciate.

Bad Workplace Practices

It is very important that type 2 enneagram’s peers listen to them with regards to what they believe about a certain work task for example or how it should be done. A group of coworkers who disregard the opinions of a person or do not take them into consideration in work related matters is something the type 2 enneagram does not appreciate.

If the type 2 enneagram’s boss doesn’t appreciate or recognize the effort this enneagram puts into their work then it is a reason for them to be demotivated. The type 2 enneagram wants to be appreciated for their efforts which is a natural human requirement. They are dedicated to the work they do and want to be rewarded for that in a manner that gives them the recognition they need to keep them going!

Enneagram Type 3 Careers: The Best Jobs

Here is a list of jobs that are best suited for the type 3 enneagram:

• Advertising Consultant
• Marketer
• Financial Analyst
• Entrepreneur
• Surgeon
• Investment Banker
• Lawyer
• Politician

Good Workplace Practices

These people love when they have to meet new people and win over them! They are the ideal influencers you want on your team and this is because they are not only self aware but very ambitious to achieve what they have set out for! These people possess the traits that are necessary to be someone who is persuasive and compelling.

Hence, when employers know they have such people on the team, they need to find opportunities for them to meet new people and throw some business proposals at them!

Bad Workplace Practices

The type 3 enneagram becomes very upset if their boss does not give them appreciation for the work they do. They want to be recognized and appreciated by others. In the workplace, this is only possible if your boss accepts or approves of your work! This actually means you have done a good job!

Enneagram Type 4 Careers: The Best Jobs

Here is a list of jobs that are best suited for the type 4 enneagram:

• Actor
• Personal Trainer
• Hair Stylist
• Writer
• Photographer
• Designer
• Artist
• Dance Instructor

The Good Workplace Practices

The type 4 enneagram appreciates it when their boss takes the time out to get to know them and actually understand their needs and personal commitments. This not only means a lot to them but they also appreciate that their boss wants to know more about them in case they need some time off from work. 

Workplace Practices: The Bad Ones

Enneagram type 4s hate it when they don’t get the opportunity to grow! They want to explore new areas relevant to work that can allow them to try out new skills. They want to grow in a way that allows them to create a unique identity. So doing the same thing everyday or something common is definitely not an option for them!

Enneagram Type 5 Careers: Best Jobs

Here is a list of the jobs that are best suited for the type 5 enneagram:

• Engineer
• Computer Programmer
• Author
• Scientist
• Scholar
• Mathematician
• Technician

Factors: The Good & Bad Ones

Here are the factors that make working easy for the type 5 enneagram:

• Independence: This enneagram appreciates it when they have enough space to work freely and without much supervision

• Recognition: It is important for this enneagram that their boss recognizes their skills and capabilities so as to give them the right tasks and resources

• Good Coworkers: The type 5 enneagram enjoys when others, especially the people they work with, understand their interests and their work. They need someone to share what they are doing.

Factors that make working difficult for enneagram type 5’s:

• Privacy: If they do not get the privacy or space they need, it will be difficult for enneagrams of this type to work properly.

• Ignoring Them: The enneagram type 5 hates it when their boss ignores them or their suggestions because they strongly believe in the recommendations they pass on!

• Information Overload: They do not like it when too much is going on! They dislike when their peers overload them with information and tasks.

Enneagram Type 6 Careers: Best Jobs

• Banker
• Police Officer
• Professor
• Nurse
• Caregiver
• Paralegal
• Administrative Assistant

Good Workplace Practices

The type 6 enneagram prefers to work in a safe and supportive environment that they are familiar with and do not want too many new things to pop up suddenly! They like the comfort zone they are used to and that is what allows them to get work done efficiently.

Environments that are full of new stimuli, threats or uncertainty are ones that they type 6 enneagram does not prefer. If they have to work in such an environment then they would prefer to be protected in a manner that guarantees their safety. All in all, if you want to get the best out of the type 6 enneagram, it is necessary to provide a safe and supportive environment.

Bad Workplace Habits

Although the type 6 enneagram enjoys a close relationship with their peers, they do not like relationships that are emotionally overwhelming. They want to play a supportive role in their peer’s lives but not to the extent that they are immersed in their issues so much so that they themselves become overwhelmed! They need distance!

Enneagram Type 7 Careers: Best Jobs

Here is a list of the best jobs for the enneagram type 7:

• Artist
• Interior Designer
• Travel Agent
• Tour Guide
• Photographer
• Publicist
• Travel Writer
• Bartender

Enneagram Type 7 & The Workplace

This is how enneagram type 7s feel good at work:

• New Ideas: These individuals love to explore new ideas in the workplace. They want to discover new things and study them and prefer surprises and new stuff rather than the same old routine everyday!

• Boss Gives Them New Tasks: These individuals get bored easily hence they appreciate it when their boss helps them grow and learn more skills by giving them new types of work or having them take a shift in another department.

The enneagram type 7 feels unhappy at work:

• Monotony: they dislike old routines and look forward to new projects. If they are stuck in the same position with the same old work, they will feel demotivated! 

• No Growth: If the upper management does not provide opportunities for these enneagrams, they will feel drained and bored and maybe even demotivated which will affect their work. Hence, they dislike it when they are given the same tasks again and again.

Enneagram Type 8 Careers: Best Jobs

Here is a list of the best jobs for the type 8 enneagram:

• Lawyer
• Advertising Agent
• Marketing Strategist
• Politician
• Financial Advisor
• Business Owner
• Sales Director

Positive Workplace Practices.

When a type 8 enneagram is asked to contribute to a certain discussion or decision that is about to be taken, they are greatly motivated and feel satisfied or happy because their opinion is being sought. These individuals have a store of knowledge that they want to share or use to help make better decisions especially at the workplace!

Negative Workplace Practices

If the boss wants complete authority in whatever is happening at the workplace, this can greatly demotivate the type 8 enneagram because they want some authority when it comes to deciding the direction of work at the workplace.

Enneagram 9 Careers

Here are the jobs that best suit the enneagram type 9:

• Counselor
• Social Worker
• Human Resources Manager
• Veterinarian
• Diplomat
• Psychiatrist
• Librarian
• Editor
• Religious Worker

Good Workplace Practices

This enneagram remains happy at work when they work in an environment where people are warm and friendly and listen to each other!

Bad Workplace Practices

What demotivates this enneagram type is working in a company where there is too much competition and workload and they cannot think openly on tasks because they have to worry about deadlines!

Conclusion

This article took a look at all the enneagram types and what jobs suit them the best. For each enneagram type, the article highlights good and bad workplace practices that have an impact on their motivation and productivity.

References

https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-9

https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-2

https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-2

https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/