Brits could be in the wrong job for their personality
29 March 2007
Are you really a zany squiggle but come across as a pushy triangle? Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, personality defines a person, but in many cases we may not be making the most of our potential - working in unsuitable jobs or taking completely the wrong career paths.
According to new research released by BUPA, the UK's leading independent health and care provider, up to 75 percent of Britons could be doing the wrong jobs for their personality. The poll, which assessed personalities according to symbolic shapes and colours (see attached map and key), finds that over 21 million people could quite literally be square pegs in round holes, or triangles trying to fit the role of a squiggle.
A new fun and free personality test is available at bupaworld.com, to allow people to discover their own shape and colour. For every person who forwards the test on to a friend, BUPA will donate 10p to Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The research also found that Northerners are more likely to live and work in tune with their personalities than Southerners. Residents of Carlisle and Sheffield come across as happiest with their lot whilst people in Bournemouth, Bristol and Southampton appeared to be unsure of the direction that their lives are going in.
In terms of personality matches to professions there were some surprises. Despite their reputation as being tough cookies, 40 percent of bankers and accountants were assessed as warm, people-orientated "circles" . In contrast, creative types working in the arts topped the list of strong and assertive leadership "triangles" with a 50 percent score, and just six percent were identified as expressive and eccentric "squiggles" !
The poll also found that 40 percent of secretaries had the personality of leaders whilst just ten percent of politicians and civil servants demonstrated the people skills, logical and analytical personality traits of "squares" . Reassuringly, those in education and healthcare did, with over 60 percent assessed as best suited for their roles.
The poll confirmed that we simply don't know ourselves very well. Over 2,000 people were quizzed about their existing jobs, and social and professional aspirations and more than 50 percent of respondents misjudged their personalities.
Reassuringly, we are not a nation of squares. Nationally, a third (33%) of people came out as warm, friendly "circles" whilst a further third (32%) are secretly rather assertive, ambitious "triangles" . The balance is split evenly between impulsive, rather extrovert "squiggles" and the people friendly, task-orientated "squares" (15% vs 14%).
Dr Aric Sigman, a leading psychologist, commented, "It is important to understand our individual personalities in order to find the right fit. Failure to do so means you could spend great chunks of life feeling like a square peg in a round hole. As this research shows, most people simply don't know themselves very well. No wonder latest government statistics show that only 17 percent of people never feel stressed at work."
The fun research was conducted by BUPA, and given a light-hearted interpretation by Dr Aric Sigman, as the health and care provider launches its new advertising campaign, BUPA World, which uses shapes to represent people and places. By using shapes rather than people the advertising is designed to communicate that there is a health and care solution to suit any individual.
