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Everything You Need to Know About the ISTJ Personality Type

ISTJ Hub Featured

The ISTJ personality type, or The Archivist, is represented by responsible individuals who take their duties and tasks seriously. Always looking for practical solutions, ISTJs are highly organized, and are people who like to feel in control of their environment. Therefore, they dislike change and don’t welcome spontaneity.

ISTJs are highly observant, in an effort to learn and understand the inner workings of things and systems. In addition, their amazing memory allows ISTJs to make connections between present and past experiences that others would otherwise miss. Therefore, an ISTJ will be among the first people to identify mistakes or problematic patterns.

In a nutshell, ISTJs are logical thinkers, focused on the present, with a great memory and amazing observational skills. They may seem cold and rational (especially compared to Feeling personality types), but they are just more in control of their emotions.

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In this in-depth guide to the ISTJ personality type, we will unravel the enigma of being an ISTJ by providing answers to the following questions and more:
  • What are the characteristics that make ISTJs stand out from the other 15 personality types?
  • What are their strengths and weaknesses?
  • Which famous people are ISTJs?
  • What are the best jobs & careers for an ISTJ?
  • How compatible are ISTJs with other personality types?
  • What are some ISTJ relationships and dating tips that one should know?

But first, let’s have a quick look at what it means to have the ISTJ personality traits.

The portrait of an ISTJ is often that of a distant person who is always observing their surroundings, while working hard to accomplish their tasks. The Archivist personality type is focused on their responsibilities, both in their personal and professional life, and they care about tradition. Moreover, they are neat and orderly and feel better in a structured environment.

As introverts, ISTJs need to spend time alone in order to organize their thoughts and ideas, and to replenish their energy. Nevertheless, they are rarely isolated from society since ISTJs can provide valuable insight and advice, and easily understand their role in a wide range of social scenarios.

When it comes to relationships, The Archivist is not too eager to open up. They like to take their time and observe the people who want to be close to them, be it as friends or romantic partners, in order to understand if there is any real ground for commitment. But once they ascertain that a potential relationship could form, that would be beneficial for all the parties involved, they will show their warm and fuzzy side, becoming loyal and dependable friends and/or partners.

The primary interest of an ISTJ is to become as efficient and effective as possible, in everything they do. They don’t like wasting time, procrastination is a foreign concept to them, and can’t understand people who wouldn’t give a 100% to their job. Always invested in their tasks, they don’t acknowledge low-quality half-hearted work, and winning an ISTJ’s respect is one of the highest honors one can hope to receive.

It’s better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.” – Jackie Joyner-Kersee 

ISTJ Facts

ISTJs are part of the SJ Temperament, alongwith the ISFJs, ESTJs, and ESFJs personality types. Those personality types included in the Melancholic temperament are also referred to as ‘thinkers’, because they are naturally good at analyzing complex problems and finding the most efficient solutions. As Sensing (S) and Judging (J) types, these people are also organized and have a strong work ethic.

Of course, each personality type sees the world based on their own preferences. For instance, the ISTJ stands out through these key facts:

  • ISTJs are dedicated and pragmatic individuals, who put their best efforts into all their tasks.
  • They observe the world around them and learn the inner workings of a system, in order to fully understand how it works.
  • ISTJs are organized and like to catalog the world around them, in an effort to make it as efficient as possible.
  • They have an amazing memory and can quickly identify patterns and mistakes before anyone else does.
  • ISTJs rely on systems and procedures because they trust the practical knowledge that was already tested.
  • They find it important to spend time on their own, to sort their beliefs and values.
  • ISTJs are predominantly logical but do have a sentimental side that only comes out in deeply personal relationships.

ISTJ Meaning in the 16 Personalities Type Indicator System

The system uses Preferences and Cognitive Functions to define 16 personality types that help describe various characters and tendencies. To keep things simple, the theory uses letters to describe a type’s main preferences.

Therefore, for the ISTJ type, the four letters describe their main Preferences: Introversion (I), Sensing (S), Thinking (T), and Judging (J). This means they are introverts, focused on the present, with deep logical thinking abilities, who value structure and organization.

The ISTJ description wouldn’t be complete without knowing about their Cognitive Functions. These help us understand how this personality type sees and interacts with the world. As you’ll see below, there are four functions, neatly stacked (as the order is important) in order to define the type’s main methods of thinking and perceiving.

ISTJ Preferences

What does ISTJ stand for? More often than not, the answer to this question is a portrait of the type designed using the four preferences (as we did below).

  • Introversion – Characterized by a focus on one’s inner world. Introverts need to spend time alone and are drained by large groups or numerous social interactions. ISTJs are definitely introverts, as they need time with their own thoughts, values, and beliefs. This, however, doesn’t mean they don’t need social connections or that they are isolated.
  • Sensing – People with this preference are well aware of their surroundings and process information through their senses. As Sensors, ISTJs are very observant and pay attention to the smallest details. They are also highly practical and, for as much as possible, avoid getting tangled in idealistic issues.
  • Thinking – Those with this preference are inclined towards logic and analysis when making decisions. The Archivist personality type is a deep-thinker, with a focus on facts and reliable information. They are objective and result-oriented, even if people’s feelings may get hurt in the process.
  • Judging – Characterized by a need for structure and order. The ISTJ personality type fairs best when there’s a well-detailed plan they can follow. They also prefer highly-structured environments, with a well-established hierarchy.

ISTJ Cognitive Functions

As we already mentioned, Cognitive Functions allow us to better understand how a personality type perceives the world. But, before we start talking about the ISTJ function stack, it’s important to understand that each function can direct its energy inwards (Introversion) or outwards (Extraversion). This difference tells us a bit about the intensity of the function and how the individual uses it.

Now that this is out of the way, let’s talk about the ISTJ function stack (Si, Te, Fi, Ne).

  • Introverted Sensing (Si) – The dominant function of the ISTJ stack. ISTJs use this function to observe their surroundings and take in all the information they can get. They stay focused on the ‘here and now’, memorizing the important aspects for later recollection. Since the energy is focused inwards, ISTJs can imprint the experience in their memory and use it to identify patterns or glitches with incredible speed and accuracy.
  • Extraverted Thinking (Te) – The auxiliary function of the ISTJ stack. Even though this function is not as powerful as the dominant one; because it is extraverted, it’s often the first thing other people notice about ISTJs. Te is the reason why people with ISTJ personality traits come off as logical and (sometimes) cold. Due to their Te, ISTJs focus on objective data and facts when making decisions. In addition, they don’t like abstract information and always look for rational explanations for events.
  • Introverted Feeling (Fi) – The tertiary function of the ISTJ stack. Since it’s directed inwards, this function gives the highly logical ISTJ a nudge towards their own feelings and values. Therefore, there may be times when the logical, fact-based solution is not the best, and their Fi will provide a “gut feeling” that something isn’t right. Of course, ISTJs have the tendency to ignore it and move forward with their first option.
  • Extraverted Intuition (Ne) – The inferior function of the ISTJ stack. This function allows ISTJs to open up to the world and learn how to enjoy new ideas and experiences. However, since it’s inferior (the last in the stack), its influence is weak and usually shows up in adult ISTJs.

ISTJ Description

Now that we know about the ingredients that create the delicious mix that is the ISTJ, let’s have a more in-depth look at the full picture.

For this, we’ll browse through some of the ISTJ characteristics and personality traits that make them unique and remarkable. We will also mention some ISTJ strengths and weaknesses and focus on how these can influence the decisions and path an ISTJ can take in life.

Quick note: Since we will touch on personality traits and characteristics only briefly, make sure to check our in-depth analysis on the ISTJ’s compatibility with other types.

ISTJ Personality Traits

People with the ISTJ personality type are often described as reserved, organized, and practical. They like a structured environment, with clear rules, and a well-established hierarchy. In addition, they are detail-oriented and put emphasis on tradition and loyalty.

So if you’re looking for words that would help describe an ISTJ, here are a few of the most commonly used ones:

  • Detail-oriented
  • Honest
  • Realistic
  • Observant
  • Logical
  • Orderly and organized
  • Intense
  • Determined
  • Analytical
  • Fair
  • Independent
  • Driven
  • Rational
  • Quiet
  • Objective
  • Dependable
  • Direct
  • Reserved
  • Trustworthy
  • Serious
  • Methodical
  • Decisive
  • Planner
  • Committed

If you wish to know more about the personality traits that make ISTJs who they are, please check our in-depth analysis of the ISTJ personality traits.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The following strengths and weaknesses are representative of the ISTJ type, but they don’t necessarily apply to each individual. Therefore, be sure to take everything as general guidelines, and not as specific instructions.

ISTJ Strengths:

  • Detail-oriented and focused on the present
  • Realistic, objective, and practical
  • Observant and good at identifying patterns
  • Logical and efficient
  • Orderly and organized
  • Result-oriented and determined
  • Dependable, loyal, and committed

ISTJ Weaknesses:

  • Stubborn in their belief that they’re right
  • Judgmental of those who don’t respect traditions
  • Tend to blame themselves for failure
  • Insensitive in their pursuit of logic
  • Resistant to change

ISTJ Percentage

ISTJs are one of the most common types among the 16 personalities, with around 11.6% of the general population. They come in third, after ISFJs (13.8%) and ESFJs (12%). Coincidentally, these two types are also part of the SJ temperament, where ISTJs are in third place, followed by ESTJs (8.7%).

Here are a few more interesting ISTJ facts:

  • Together, SJ types make up 46.1% of the general population.
  • There are more male ISTJs (16.4% of all men) than female ISTJs (6.9% of all women).
  • ISTJs types tend to place themselves among the four highest in college GPA.
  • Most likely of all types to say they want “everything done by the book.”
  • Most likely the personality type to say that success is primarily determined by hard work.
  • Most likely that personality type to experience cardiac problems or hypertension.

We have to mention that some of these facts are not entirely accurate. Even the distribution of the various types is different from one site to another. However, it is generally accepted that ISTJs are among the most common types and that most of their representatives are males.

ISTJ Nickname List

As the popularity of the personality theory grows online, we also start to see different approaches to the 16 personalities. For instance, one common nickname for the ISTJ type is the Logistician. Of course, even though the name is different, the definition of a Logistician is the same as that of an Examiner.

But there are other labels, and it may be helpful to know the most common ones:

  • Trustee, according to David Keirsey, an American psychologist, and Professor
  • Planner Inspector, according to Linda Berens, a human and organizational development practitioner
  • Super-Dependable, according to Alan Brownsword, author of Psychological Type: An Introduction
  • Investigator, according to Jonathan P. Niednagel, developer of Brain Typing
  • The Inspector, according to the Truity website

And last but not least:

  • Responsible Realist, according to the official 16 personalities website

And, as a bonus, here are a few other unofficial nicknames for the ISTJ type used by people online:

  • Pragmatist
  • Accountant
  • Duty Fulfiller
  • SLI
  • Gabin
  • Responsible Executor
  • Analyzer
  • Systematizer
  • Trustee
  • Monitor
  • Guardian
  • Traditionalist
  • Scholar
  • Proficient Provider
  • Loyalist
  • Sentinel
  • Collector
  • Nerd
  • Workaholic
  • Practical Traditionalist
  • Data-Driven Nerd

Famous ISTJs

People with the ISTJ personality type are often inspiring through their dedication and character strength. Always focused on achieving their goals, ISTJ people don’t accept failure as an outcome. They take it as a learning experience and keep moving forward until they get desirable results. Therefore, they usually manage to succeed in their endeavors, which is why ISTJs can get at the top of their field. Moreover, some of them are famous for doing so.

Since the ISTJ type is among the most common of all personality types, there are ISTJ celebrities in almost all walks of life. Moving forward, we’ll name a few famous ISTJ people, but if you wish to learn more, make sure to check our epic list of famous ISTJ people – it has over 100 amazingly inspiring names on it!

But real-life ISTJs are not the only ones who inspire us. There are a ton of impressive ISTJ characters in movies, books, and other works of fiction. ISTJ personality traits help authors create powerful leading characters and equally great villains. Moreover, such characters give us, the audience, a better view of the ISTJ personality portrait.

ISTJ Actors

The task to portray different characters on screen is not an easy job. It requires an impressive work ethic and dedication, but it’s nothing an ISTJ can’t do. Even though they favor logical thinking over emotions, this doesn’t mean ISTJs are not empathic. As actors, ISTJs can relate to the characters they play and work hard to deliver an accurate portrayal.

Here are some amazing actors who exude ISTJ personality traits:

  • Robert De Niro, American actor, producer, and director (Taxi Driver; The Godfather; The Irishman)
  • Natalie Portman, Israeli-born American actress, and director (Black Swan; Star Wars; Thor)
  • Christopher Lee, English actor, singer, and author (The Lord of the Rings; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones; The Wicker Man)
  • Denzel Washington, American actor, director, and producer (The Equalizer; Man on Fire; Training Day)
  • Anthony Hopkins, Welsh actor, composer, director, and film producer (The Silence of the Lambs; Hannibal; The Remains of the Day)

ISTJs in Business

If we take a look at the ISTJ personality profile, it’s easy to see they prefer the comfort of what’s known. They are strong believers that previously established systems and processes are the best and they don’t like change. Therefore, it’s easy to conclude that ISTJs are not visionaries and they may not be suited as entrepreneurs.

In reality, some of the most successful businessmen of the world exude strong ISTJ characteristics. And they made it by being patient, diligent, and focused (like a true ISTJ would). Here are a few great examples:

  • Jeff Bezos, American e-commerce entrepreneur, industrialist, media proprietor, and investor; the founder and CEO of Amazon
  • Warren Buffett, American businessman, and philanthropist; CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, and a very successful investor
  • John D. Rockefeller, American business magnate, and philanthropist; co-founder of Standard Oil
  • Henry Ford, American industrialist, and business magnate; founder of Ford Motor Company

ISTJ Athletes

An ISTJ’s organization and focus apply nicely in the world of athletics where the competition is strong and even a fraction of a second can decide your victory. In addition, after being professional players themselves, many ISTJs choose to continue in the field as coaches, which is a very suitable position for this personality type.

  • Jackie Joyner-Kersee, American track and field athlete; winner of three gold, one silver, and two bronze Olympic medals.
  • Evander Holyfield, now-retired American professional boxer. He was the undisputed champion at cruiserweight (late 1980s) and at heavyweight (early 1990s).
  • Jack Nicklaus, American golfer (retired), nicknamed “The Golden Bear.” Considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time.
  • Michael Krzyzewski, American college basketball coach. He was the head men’s basketball coach at Duke University.
  • Tom Landry, American football coach, and former professional football player. He was the first head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (for 29 seasons).

ISTJ Leaders & Politicians

The ISTJ personality type is the kind of politician or leader who focuses on their tasks and delivers results. Moreover, they can make difficult decisions, even if it doesn’t make everyone happy, and know how to hold their ground in front of those who try to intimidate them.

Here are a few great leaders that exude ISTJ characteristics:

  • Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany
  • Condoleezza Rice, Director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, diplomat, political scientist, civil servant, professor, and the first black woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State
  • George H. W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States
  • Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States
  • George Washington, the first President of the United States

ISTJ Fictional Characters

Since their main personality trait is logical thinking, ISTJ fictional characters make for inspiring fictional characters. They can be fair and honest leaders, skilled specialists, dutiful soldiers, cynical loners, or fantastic villains. The ISTJ characters are determined, focused, and reliable when painted in a positive light. On the other hand, as villains, they are afraid of change and try to control everything in their environment.

  • Captain Raymond Holt, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
  • Harry Potter, Harry Potter series
  • Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice
  • Elsa, Frozen
  • Lord Voldemort, Harry Potter series

ISTJ Compatibility

ISTJs are introverted thinkers who need time and space before they can form strong bonds with people. However, they are not loners and know how to behave in social situations. But they don’t really enjoy social niceties, like small talk or catching up, and only have a few close relationships. Therefore, it’s only natural that they won’t be buddies with everyone.

If we take a look at the four temperament types, it’s easy to see that the NF temperament types (ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, INFP) are opposite to SJs. This is because NF types share Intuition (I) and Feeling (F) preferences, while SJ types share the opposite ones, Sensing (S) and Judging (J). As a result, ISTJs tend to feel a bit annoyed by the idealism and focus on emotions that make the NF types who they are. Since they are focused on the present and like structure, ISTJs have a tough time understanding the more visionary types.

This doesn’t mean they won’t be able to get along or have personal relationships with individuals from each of the 16 personality types if they really want to. It’s just a matter of compatibility and openness.

If you want to learn more about ISTJ relationships and how they get along with other personality types, you can read our in-depth analysis on the same.

Romance

The Archivist personality type takes commitments extremely seriously, and this is a trait that shines through in their romantic relationships as well. They feel the most comfortable in a traditional family setting, with classic gender roles and family structure.

While it may not sound very romantic, but ISTJ relationships are based on logical thinking. They are not the ones for random hookups or meeting strangers at a bar – this type of dating has too many unknown factors for the highly organized and observant ISTJ. They prefer dating a person they already know (a colleague, acquaintance, or even a friend) in a classical dinner setting.

This personality type doesn’t fall in love easily and needs time to get to know a potential partner before they can open up and show their vulnerable side. ISTJs take relationships seriously and are willing to devote their time and energy to their partner, once they are convinced it’s the right path to take.

ISTJs can be amazing partners for any of the personality types, but their best match in romantic relationships is with ESTPs or ISFJs.

ISTJ and ESTP

It may be difficult to believe that an ISTJ would ever feel comfortable sharing their life with a Sensing (S), Perceiving (P) type, but it seems that in this case, the differences only enhance the attraction. Of course, there will be frustrations, but as these two types get to know each other they’ll adore the things that make them unique.

They do have common ground in the fact that both love practical, real-world matters. In addition, both types are straightforward in their thinking and communication and favor logic over emotion. It also helps if the two partners get to share common past experiences like growing up in the same area or going to similar schools.

Overall, the ISTJ relationship with an ESTP can be a beautiful learning experience for both types, as the ISTJ learns to loosen up and enjoy life while the ESTP learns to be more organized and focused on getting results.

ISTJ and ISFJ

These two personality types are quite similar in their preference for practical, real-world matters. They also feel comfortable in a structured, well-defined environment and prefer traditional roles in family and society. In addition, both types trust the knowledge gathered by others before them and are not eager to experiment with new things.

However, the difference between the Thinking (T) and Feeling (F) preferences can be quite upsetting if it’s not addressed in time. The ISTJ is logical and doesn’t feel comfortable with people who use their emotions to make decisions. On the other hand, subjective thinking is a strong trait among ISFJs who pour their heart and soul into every decision they need to take. So, if they manage to understand each other’s point of view in this direction, an ISTJ’s relationship with an ISFJ should go on smoothly.

Friendships

As friends, ISTJ types have a strong sense of loyalty and once you’ve earned their trust and respect, they will commit for life. However, they are very meticulous about who they call friends, which is why their circle is usually small.

They like to find people who share their view of the world (most likely SJ temperament types) but they also enjoy having extroverted friends with whom they can relax and taste life. For ISTJs, friendship is important and shouldn’t be treated lightly but it shouldn’t require a lot of effort and compromises either. Therefore, they put a lot of thought into who can be part of their circle.

ISTJ and ISTJ

Who thinks more like an ISTJ than another ISTJ? Two ISTJ friends share similar values and principles, tend to care about similar issues, and have no problem expressing their thoughts to one another. Still, ISTJs can be quite stubborn in their convictions and ideas, a fact that can be detrimental to their friendship if they don’t learn to let go.

ISTJ and ISTP

Both introverts with Sensing (S) and Thinking (T) preferences, ISTJs and ISTPs can be great friends if they learn to let go of their differences. As Perceiving types, ISTPs are curious about the world and enjoy being in the moment. On the other hand, ISTJs are not comfortable with change and don’t really enjoy the care-free attitude that ISTPs have regarding schedules and plans. If they learn to loosen up, they will get to discover an amazing friend in their ISTP counterpart!

Parenthood

As parents, ISTJs feel responsible for raising honorable and respectable future members of society. More often than not, ISTJs also serve as role models for their children and expect them to follow in their footsteps or take on traditional paths. The ISTJ parent works hard to make sure their children are well-cared for and happy and doesn’t allow any outside interference that may be damaging.

Since organizing is one of their greatest strengths, ISTJ parents will establish a structured environment for their children and expect them to fit right in. They are also quite strict and apply high-standards when it comes to their little ones. As a result, children with different personality types (especially NF temperament types) may have a difficult time getting along with an ISTJ parent.

The Archivist believes in the tough love paradigm and expresses their love through rules and strict demands. Of course, ISTJs may show a more vulnerable side from time to time, but this type of parenting can be tough on young children and can lead to conflict during adolescence. That’s why it helps if ISTJs have a Feeling partner that can serve as an intermediary and mediator in conflictual situations.

In summary, ISTJ parents must learn to open up and listen to their children’s feelings (even though it may seem difficult).

ISTJs at Work

Fond of a highly structured work environment with a clearly-defined hierarchy, ISTJs are at their most comfortable when there’s a plan to follow. In all aspects, The Archivist personality type is the image of a dutiful employee who will happily take on more responsibilities to help complete the task on time.

ISTJs are intelligent, practical, and curious about how things work. They are also observant and deeply grounded in the present. All these traits make them great for positions that require attention to detail and resistance to routine-induced boredom. In addition, they base their thinking on facts and reliable information and take their time to form an opinion. However, once they’ve reached a conclusion, it is difficult to change their mind or convince them that there could be other solutions.

In short, as long as they have a “how-to” manual at their disposal, ISTJs could tackle almost any task. But, in their desire to get more responsibilities, ISTJs tend to overburden themselves, which can lead to burnout. As long as they are aware of this habit, the ISTJ employee is a true asset to any company.

To learn more about their work habits and the best career paths for an ISTJ, make sure to read our in-depth piece on ISTJ careers. In the meanwhile, we’ll have a look at the top three career paths recommended for this personality type.

ISTJ Careers to Consider

The ISTJ type is interested in rules and regulations and cares about structure and hierarchy. They also have a fantastic memory and use logical thinking to find the best practical solutions. In addition, they are dependable and meticulous, which means they are happiest in positions where they can take on responsibilities.

In addition, ISTJs put a lot of value on work well-done and try their best to deliver high-quality results within the specified time frame. They are introverts who enjoy spending time alone with their thoughts and ideas. Therefore, the best ISTJ career matches involve a certain degree of responsibility and logical thinking.

Based on all the traits mentioned till now, here are some of the best ISTJ career choices to consider:

Finance and Auditing

Traits like logical thinking, attention to detail, calm under stress, and high organization skills make ISTJs the ideal candidates for a career in Finance. Moreover, their love for rules and regulations and their curiosity when it comes to the inner workings of things and systems make them perfect for jobs as auditors or inspectors.

The Archivist personality type is meticulous and enjoys following clearly established rules and processes. They are a stickler for patterns and can easily identify mistakes or mismatches before anyone else can. In addition, this area of work doesn’t have any emotional implications since everything is based on data and high-quality information.

Lastly, the introverted ISTJ will have the chance to spend time alone with their work for extended periods of time. And when there’s a need for collaborative work, they will usually interact with like-minded people who have similar mindsets, and think logically.

Here are some examples of ideal jobs for ISTJs in this field:

  • Accountant
  • Auditor
  • Financial Manager
  • Personal Financial Advisor
  • Financial Clerk

Business and Data Analysis

The Archivist personality type uses logical thinking and is meticulous in every aspect of their lives. In addition, they love to organize their work environment and know how to follow the rules. Therefore, they have what it takes to work in fields like Business and Data Analysis.

Since their mind automatically searches for the most practical and result-oriented solutions, ISTJs can provide valuable help to businesses looking to optimize their work process and productivity. And that’s because, by using data and information, the ISTJ mind will be able to identify patterns and see connections others would easily miss.

Moreover, since they get to work with highly standardized tools and documents, a job in this field can be extremely satisfying for an ISTJ. That’s because they love taking on responsibility and they feel at home in a highly organized environment.

Here are some examples of great jobs for ISTJ in this field:

  • Business Analyst
  • Operations Research Analyst
  • Management Consultant or Analyst
  • Statistician
  • Business owner

IT

The world of Information Technology (aka IT) covers a wide range of jobs for people from all walks of life. In all fairness, probably all 16 personality types could find a job they’ll enjoy in this amazing and diverse world. However, when it comes to ISTJs, they are usually the ones behind the screens, working with data and developing programs and applications.

As they are incredibly adept at dealing with highly-structured systems and can easily focus on the tiniest details, ISTJs usually feel comfortable in positions like computer programming, database programming, or system administrator.

Here are some examples of jobs for ISTJ in this field:

  • Computer programmer
  • Database Administrator
  • Information Security Analyst
  • Network or Computer Systems Administrator
  • Software Developer

ISTJ Humor

The ISTJ humor is dry and witty, but not everyone can appreciate it. Moreover, they don’t share it with just anyone – they have to be in a social setting where they are comfortable enough to show their less serious side.

In addition, ISTJs also enjoy sarcasm and can create layered puns designed to attract curious and witty minds into their world. Therefore, if you think your ISTJ friend isn’t interested in humor, you better pay more attention to how they formulate their thoughts, especially in a comfortable and familiar setting. Also, keep in mind that they tend to amuse themselves with the little puns that only they can get.

And, if you want an inkling into what it’s like to appreciate ISTJ humor, think about Captain Raymond Holt and his husband from the TV show Brooklyn Nine-Nine. They both exude ISTJ personality traits and their brand of humor is quite unique.

ISTJ Memes

Due to the diversity and richness of humor in the online world, it is easy to find all sorts of memes and other fun creations that depict all the personality types. Of course, ISTJs were not left alone and there are entire channels dedicated to ISTJ-like humor on platforms like Pinterest, Reddit, and Instagram.

If you’re curious, check out our article on ISTJ humor and have a bit of a laugh with the memes we found.

ISTJ Quotes

When it comes to quotes, things get a bit more serious – after all, we’re talking about ISTJs here!

The internet is filled with inspirational quotes that help us understand the world from the point of view of another person. For instance, here are a few interesting quotes from ISTJ celebrities:

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” – Henry Ford 

Time goes on. So, whatever you’re going to do, do it. Do it now. Don’t wait.” – Robert De Niro

You must accept that you might fail; then, if you do your best and still don’t win, at least you can be satisfied that you’ve tried. If you don’t accept failure as a possibility, you don’t set high goals, you don’t branch out, you don’t try – you don’t take the risk.” – Rosalynn Carter

As you can see, ISTJs are all about efficiency and productivity, even when they try to be inspirational.