Organisational Behaviour

Holland’s Six Personality Types

Six Occupational Personality Types

by - John L. Holland
John L Holland, Ph.D., professor emeritus at Johns Hopkins University, is a psychologist who devoted his
professional life to researching issues related to career choice and satisfaction. He developed a well-known
theory, and designed several assessments and supporting materials to assist people in making effective
career choices. His theory and assessment tools have helped millions of people worldwide and are
supported by hundreds of research studies.

Holland proposed personality job fit theory which identifies six personality types and proposes that the fit
between personality type and occupational environment determines satisfaction and turnover.

Holland’s Theory
Holland found that people needing help with career decisions can be supported by understanding their
resemblance to the following six ideal vocational personality types:
 Realistic (R)
 Investigative (I)
 Artistic (A)
 Social (S)
 Enterprising (E)
 Conventional (C)

Work settings can also be categorized by their resemblance to six similar model work environments.
Because people search for environments that allow them to express their interests, skills, attitudes and
values, and take on interesting problems and agreeable roles, work environments become populated by
individuals with related occupational personality types.
According to Holland, if personality type matches the work environment, success and satisfaction can
improve. The idea is that “birds of a feather, flock together,” and that people with the same personality
type tend to enjoy working with each other. For example, Artistic people enjoy working with other Artistic
people.

Additionally, people with the same personality type tend to create a work environment that rewards
thinking and behaving like that type.

Holland’s Six Personality Types

The descriptions of Holland’s personality types refer to idealized or pure types. Holland’s personality types
are visually represented by a hexagonal model. The types closest to each other on the hexagon have the
most characteristics in common. Those types that are furthest apart, i.e., opposites on the hexagon, have
the least in common.

Listed below are the six Holland Occupational Personality Types. The descriptions of “pure types” will rarely
be an exact fit for any one person. Personality will more likely combine several types to varying degrees.

Personality Preference Personality Jobs (Congruent

Dimension Characteristics options)
Realistic Prefers activities that require Shy, genuine, stable, Drill Operator, Mechanic,
(Do’er) physical skill strength and conforming, practical Farmer, Assembler,
coordination engineer
Investigative Prefers activities that involve Analytical, curious, Mathematician, Research
(Thinker) thinking, organising, Independent Worker Economist, News
understanding Reporter, Professor
Artistic Prefers ambiguous and Imaginative, Emotional, Painter, Musician, Writer,
(Creator) unsystematic activities that allow Idealistic, disorderly, Architect
creative expression impractical
Social Prefers activities that involve Sociable, co-operative, Teacher, Social Worker,
(Helper) helping and developing others understanding, friendly Counsellor, Doctor
Enterprising Prefers verbal activities where Ambitious, Energetic, Lawyer, Businessman,
(Persuader) there are opportunities to Ambitious, Real Estate Agent, PRO,
influence others and obtain domineering, self- Sales person, Marketing
power confident professional
Conventional Prefers rule regulated, orderly Confirming, Efficient, Accountant, Corporate
(organiser) and unambiguous activities Accurate Practical, Manager, File Clerk,
unimaginative, inflexible Editor

 Realistic (R)
Realistic individuals are active and stable and enjoy hands-on or manual activities, such as building,
mechanics, machinery operation and athletics. They prefer to work with things rather than ideas
and people. They enjoy engaging in physical activity and often like being outdoors and working with
plants and animals. People who fall into this category generally prefer to “learn by doing” in a
practical, task-oriented setting, as opposed to spending extended periods of time in a classroom.
Realistic types tend to communicate in a frank, direct manner and value material things. They
perceive themselves as skilled in mechanical and physical activities but may be uncomfortable or
less adept with human relations. The preferred work environment of the realistic type fosters
technical competencies and work that allows them to produce tangible results. Typical realistic
careers include electrician, engineer, veterinarian and the military.
 Investigative (I)
Investigative individuals are analytical, intellectual and observant and enjoy research, mathematical
or scientific activities. They are drawn to ambiguous challenges and may be stifled in highly
structured environments. People who fall into this category enjoy using logic and solving highly
complex, abstract problems. Because they are introspective and focused on creative problem
solving, investigative types often work autonomously and do not seek leadership roles. They place
a high value on science and learning and perceive themselves as scholarly and having scientific or
mathematical ability but lacking leadership and persuasive skills. The preferred work environment
of the investigative type encourages scientific competencies, allows independent work and focuses
on solving abstract, complex problems in original ways. Typical investigative careers include
medical technologist, biologist, chemist and systems analyst.

 Artistic (A)
Artistic individuals are original, intuitive and imaginative and enjoy creative activities, such as
composing or playing music, writing, drawing or painting and acting in or directing stage
productions. They seek opportunities for self-expression through artistic creation. People who fall
into this category prefer flexibility and ambiguity and have an aversion to convention and
conformity. Artistic types are generally impulsive and emotional and tend to communicate in a very
expressive and open manner. They value aesthetics and view themselves as creative, non-
conforming and as appreciating or possessing musical, dramatic, artistic or writing abilities while
lacking clerical or organizational skills. The preferred work environment of the artistic type fosters
creative competencies, and encourages originality and use of the imagination in a flexible,
unstructured setting. Typical artistic careers include musician, reporter and interior decorator.

 Social (S)
Social individuals are humanistic, idealistic, responsible and concerned with the welfare of others.
They enjoy participating in group activities and helping, training, healing, counselling or developing
others. They are generally focused on human relationships and enjoy social activities and solving
interpersonal problems. Social types seek opportunities to work as part of a team, solve problems
through discussions and utilize interpersonal skills but may avoid activities that involve systematic
use of equipment or machines. Because they genuinely enjoy working with people, they
communicate in a warm and tactful manner and can be persuasive. They view themselves as
understanding, helpful, cheerful and skilled in teaching but lacking in mechanical ability. The
preferred work environment of the social type encourages teamwork and allows for significant
interaction with others. Typical social careers include teacher, counsellor and social worker.

 Enterprising (E)
Enterprising individuals are energetic, ambitious, adventurous, sociable and self-confident. They
enjoy activities that require them to persuade others, such as sales, and seek out leadership roles.
They are invigorated by using their interpersonal, leadership and persuasive abilities to obtain
organizational goals or economic gain but may avoid routine or systematic activities. They are often
effective public speakers and are generally sociable but may be viewed as domineering. They view
themselves as assertive, self-confident and skilled in leadership and speaking but lacking in
scientific abilities. The preferred work environment of the enterprising type encourages them to
engage in activities, such as leadership, management and selling, and rewards them through the
attainment of money, power and status. Typical enterprising careers include salesperson, business
executive and manager.
 Conventional (C)
Conventional individuals are efficient, careful, conforming, organized and conscientious. They are
comfortable working within an established chain of command and prefer carrying out well-defined
instructions over assuming leadership roles. They prefer organized, systematic activities and have
an aversion to ambiguity. They are skilled in and often enjoy maintaining and manipulating data,
organizing schedules and operating office equipment. While they rarely seek leadership or
“spotlight” roles, they are thorough, persistent and reliable in carrying out tasks. Conventional
types view themselves as responsible, orderly and efficient, and possessing clerical, organizational
and numerical abilities. They may also see themselves as unimaginative or lacking in creativity. The
preferred work environment of the conventional type fosters organizational competencies, such as
record keeping and data management, in a structured operation and places high value on
conformity and dependability. Typical conventional careers include secretary, accountant and
banker.