Big Five Personality Type Neuroticism vs. Emotional Stability: Best Jobs and Careers for High and Low Neuroticism Personality Traits

Have you ever stayed up all night agonizing over a mundane detail of a project, even though everyone else says it’s perfect? Do your friends and loved ones frequently say, “you complain and worry too much?” Do you get easily frustrated with co-workers over little things?

Yes? Then you're likely wearing the neurotic badge of honor of the “crummiest” of the Big 5 personality traits.

But wait, it’s not all bad news!

While this personality trait is not explicitly "bad," it can affect your relationships and life. Like other Big 5 personality traits, neuroticism exists on a spectrum. Some people have high neuroticism, others have low neuroticism, while the rest fall somewhere in between.

Knowing and understanding the character of this personality trait will help you find ways to mitigate your responses to life stressors and improve your overall well-being.

Without further ado, Let’s delve right in!

People with high neuroticism also have some positives, especially regarding their careers, though the negative usually overrides the good.

An example of the traits of people with high neuroticism is that they're not good at focusing on one particular thing for long periods. This lack of focus may affect them in a career that demands intensive hours of concentration.

A person with high neuroticism could be indecisive due to feelings of anxiety and paranoia. Their emotions get the best of them. They may find it hard to work harmoniously with co-employees in a workplace.

On the positive side, people with high neuroticism don’t make hasty decisions and think a lot before taking the final step. This is valuable in a position that needs management and leadership.

Moreover, they tend to be realistic and self-aware. They don’t have a boastful attitude to work. They’re always looking for drawbacks in situations, so they’ll cross-check all important information properly in projects with many risks.

High neuroticism allows people to be in touch with their emotions; therefore, they are capable of the empathy and sympathy necessary to build cohesion for teamwork.

Do you want to be sure of your potential career match? Take this easy career test to learn how you score on both Holland's interests and the Big Five personality types.

What Career Should I Go Into If I Am High In Neuroticism?

Pursuing careers that complement your personality can improve your job performance and boost productivity. Once you understand your personality's technical strengths and weaknesses, you can mesh them with potential careers that match. According to Holland's theory, people align or go to environments that match their personalities.

They would easily engage in activities using their abilities and values. As stated earlier, neurotic people tend to worry constantly; they can excel in careers with less pressure and anxiety. They can explore the negative feelings as an avenue for them to detect problems and solve them. Once they feel secure in a space that allows them the freedom to express themselves, they're excellent employees.

Some career choices for high neuroticism scorers are: 

• Artist
• Writer
• Freelance Designer
• Accountant
• Yoga Instructor
• Florist

Each person has a different combination of personality traits; therefore, the degree of neuroticism and behavior differs.

What Job Should I Have If I Score Low in Neuroticism?

People with low neuroticism rarely experience negative feelings and react well to them. They're known to experience less stress and worry, allowing them to manage crises effectively. It's easy for them to thrive when their composed temperament is needed.

Potential job ideas for those who score low in neuroticism are:

• Social Worker
• Surgeon
• Diplomat
• Fire Fighter
• Police Officer
• Psychiatrist
• Lawyer

How Do I Know If Have the Big Five Neuroticism Personality Type?

Understanding your core personality will help you identify your values and find great ways to interact with others. Knowing what's good or bad about your personality can allow you to accept, then change what needs to be rooted out.

You may already have a sense if you're low or high on neuroticism, but taking an objective measure is the only sure way to determine your trait. BrainManager offers two Big Five personality type assessments—one that focuses on jobs and careers and a more comprehensive one that focuses on your personality traits as a whole.

Both will help you to learn more about yourself and help you better understand your behaviors.