10 Best Enneagram Type 7 Careers & Careers to Avoid

30 August 2023

Being an Enneagram Type Seven sounds all fun and joy until it’s time to choose a career path. But not because Sevens don’t have a lot of choices. On the contrary—for them, the world is so full of shiny opportunities that every decision they make feels like they are missing something else! Needless to say, this is also the case with Enneagram Type 7 career choices.

Due to the aforementioned, it is crucial for Sevens to identify their strengths and make sure these are put to good use. This article will provide an overview of Sevens’ talents, skills, and professional needs and answer many vital questions about Enneagram Type 7 career choices.

Enneagram Type 7 Overview

Sevens are the bubbly, curious kids of the Enneagram who live for the moment and are eager to feel all of life's joys. They bounce from one idea to another, always looking for new and exciting experiences. Meeting new people inspires them, and they are usually the life of the party wherever they show up.

Sevens love their freedom and find it hard to settle, whether in a relationship, job, or place. Change and novelty are what fuels their enthusiasm, and they will always find a way to bring something new into their lives. While doing so, they exhibit a lot of creativity, an irresistible sense of humor, and charm.

Spirited and energetic, these individuals are hedonists who explore the world with childlike inquisitiveness. They make friends and connections easily and can make any conversation interesting, but keeping them motivated for a longer period of time is a real challenge.

Nevertheless, Sevens are usually well-educated regardless of their official education because they learn on the go and pick up a lot of information. However, despite being talented in many areas, the Sevens’ lack of devotion may prevent them from achieving success. After all, impulsivity and a lack of self-discipline are the biggest challenges for them in general.

Moreover, facing the serious side of life is always challenging for an Enthusiast. They tend to avoid unpleasant feelings, tough conversations, and situations and are very resourceful in finding ways to avoid conflicts.

Enneagram Type 7s Career Aspirations

The first thing Enneagram Type Seven looks for in a career is diversity. They need the stimulation that comes with change and enjoy adapting to new challenges. Therefore, trying new things, developing new skills, and juggling multiple tasks at once feels thrilling for them.

Freedom and independence are also high on their list of life and job priorities. The typical nine-to-five office day is a nightmare for these people—they need flexible schedules and room to make their own decisions. Moreover, they will resist being micromanaged or pressured to fit into social norms at any cost.

Sevens also enjoy interacting with others, and it is important for them to work in a harmonious atmosphere surrounded by positive people. If that’s the case, they find collaborating and networking inspiring and stimulating.

Additionally, since they are very creative, they need a job that stimulates their restless minds and offers room for creative expression. In fact, creative thinking is one of their biggest advantages regardless of the line of work they choose, and they enjoy using it.

Finally, despite the fact that mere profit is never enough for them to accept the job and feel inspired, financial stability still matters to them, as they want to be able to indulge their various appetites.

What Are Enneagram Type 7 Career Struggles?

The biggest struggle related to an Enneagram Type 7's career is dedicating themselves to one chosen career. They typically need more focus and determination in most careers, as they are so easily overwhelmed by boredom. Repetitive tasks, rules, and routines do not make them more disciplined—on the contrary, Enneagram 7 become stressed and scattered.

Essentially, the underlying cause of this struggle is their inability to deal with unpleasant emotions. They usually have no emotional regulation skills and are, therefore, amazing as long as everything flows smoothly. But the first time they hit a bump in the road by facing a dull task or request, they feel the urge to run away and jump to something new.

Moreover, when they are deeply devoted and passionate about their job, they may struggle with being too committed—to the point of obsession. Sadly, this often leads them to neglect other aspects of their lives. Such enthusiasm may also cause them to accept too many commitments at once and then struggle with following through.

Finally, the dread of procrastination hangs over their heads each time they are faced with a task that doesn’t spark joy in them. They are masters of avoiding unpleasant tasks, meetings, and conversations, which sooner or later backfire in the form of spoiled relationships or status at work.

And let’s not forget to mention their ambivalent attitude toward authorities. Sevens can tolerate them as long as they are supportive and don’t impose too many strict rules. Still, any attempt to micromanage this personality type or control them in any way will only make them more rebellious.

10 Best Career Paths for Enneagram Type 7

The multitalented and daring Sevens are not afraid to try and make mistakes, so they usually change quite a few careers before they understand what they want to do in life. Here are some ideas for careers that would allow them to show all the versatility and creative power of their minds:

#1. Interior Designer

The field of interior design is an excellent choice for a Seven because it requires creativity, originality, and adaptability, and it also offers plenty of versatility. They enjoy bouncing from one project to another, and in the interior design business, that would be part of their daily routine.

An additional benefit of this job would be the opportunity to meet new people. An interior designer has to know their clients' needs well, which implies learning about their lives, interests, and routines, which would make Sevens’ curiosity blossom.

#2. Personal Trainer

Being on the move is a natural state for a Seven, and the constant changes and challenges of adapting to new clients' requests inspire them to give their best. Their enthusiasm is contagious, so their clients enjoy working with them, as they make everything light and fun.

Moreover, personal trainers don’t have a fixed work schedule, don’t deal with any kind of authority but their own, and are free to organize their schedule how it suits them best. Needless to say, such freedom is exactly what Seven needs.

#3. Travel Agent

Person holding a globe against a scenic backdrop

Sevens’ hunger for new experiences is insatiable, which is why they would enjoy the job of a travel agent. Discovering new places and cultures while constantly meeting new people and switching from one task to another is not a challenge but a pure pleasure for their adventurous, playful spirit.

#4. Photographer

Have we mentioned that Sevens often have a keen eye for beauty? Their creativity and playfulness allow them to see the world in a fresh and unique way, which they can translate into beautiful images and pieces of art.

Plus, this is also a career that allows plenty of freedom and flexibility, so they can pursue their passions free of typical work environment constraints.

#5. Copywriter

The job of a copywriter requires limitless creativity and the ability to understand the social milieu and trends and intuitively read the consumers’ demands. Highly developed communication skills and verbal intelligence are also necessary. So, it is clear why an Enneagram Type Seven would excel in this line of work.

On top of that, copywriters usually work in fast-paced environments with lots of variety on a daily basis. They juggle multiple projects and cooperate with designers all the time, which is altogether very stimulating for Sevens.

#6. Actor/Performer

Sevens often have all that a good actor needs to succeed—talent, looks, emotional expressiveness, adaptability, charisma, and charm. The acting could also help them grow personally through their character’s drama and thus deal with all kinds of emotions, not just the pleasant ones.

However talented they might be, a career in acting also requires a lot of persistence and the ability to face criticism and rejection, which is something Sevens struggle with. So, they may need support to overcome these initial setbacks, but if they do, they can be very successful in show business.

#7. Sales Representative

Rare are the people who can resist Seven’s charm and charisma. While they typically use these traits to have fun and enjoy life, they may also find them very useful in sales. A career in this field is dynamic and fast-paced and includes lots of social interaction and a positive mindset, so Sevens often easily find their way into it.

Additionally, flexibility in schedule and location of work that come with a career in sales is also something Sevens look forward to.

#8. Marketing Specialist

The marketing field is generally very inspiring for Enneatype Seven because it demands precisely the traits that are Seven’s natural strengths. Marketing specialists are required to be creative and constantly come up with fresh ideas for marketing campaigns and strategies.

They also have to constantly learn about the ever-changing trends and adjust their tactics accordingly. Plus, they have to be convincing in presenting their ideas and capable of charming clients or coworkers to get them onboard. No need to explain why Sevens would excel at this, right?

#9. PR Manager

No one is better than Enneagram Type Seven at embellishing harsh reality and turning problems into challenges—that’s the positive side of their need to avoid unpleasant feelings. As PR managers, Sevens would enjoy the constant social interaction and challenges of protecting the company’s image, showing up in public, and being in the limelight.

#10. Journalist

The job of a journalist is exciting and demands constant learning. So, Seven’s natural curiosity, inquisitiveness, and ability to learn quickly are great assets in this niche. Their creativity can shine as they look for topics to write about and research, not to mention the freedom and autonomy this kind of career brings.

How Enneagram Type 7 Wings Impact Their Career

Every Enneagram type can take on the traits of their neighboring types, which in the case of Seven are Type Six and Type Eight. These are called Enneagram wings, and it is common to have one of the wings more dominant than the other.

This practically means Seven has two subtypes, 7w6 and 7w8, and they show slightly different tendencies in their career choices.

7w6s are more inclined to look for security and a harmonious environment than typical Sevens. These individuals need to feel safe to be able to express their creativity. For that reason, they may be less prone to risks and find it easier to meet the demands of a typical work environment.

Some of the best jobs for Enneagram 7w6s are the careers of strategists, media planners, HR specialists, social media managers, etc.

On the other hand, 7w8s are daring and energetic entrepreneurs, full of ideas and enthusiasm. They are realistic and action-oriented, and they usually know what they want in their careers. If they don’t become entrepreneurs, they will rise to leading positions in their line of work, as they can’t tolerate having anyone above them.

Some of the best jobs for Enneagram 7w8s are those of marketing and sales managers, performers, professional athletes, and investment bankers.

Enneagram Type 7 Careers to Avoid

While some Enneagram types seek stability and predictability in their careers, these feel dreadful for the vivacious Seven, who can’t stand feeling bored. Unless they follow their genuine passions, these people become scattered, irritable, and frustrated workers prone to making mistakes in the simplest tasks.

With that in mind, here are the Enneagram Type 7 careers to avoid:

Administrative Officer: Sevens are not detail-oriented, and repetitive tasks kill all their enthusiasm.
Financial Planner: They are big spenders. Thinking in advance, let alone planning, is not their strongest suit in any way, particularly not in finances.
Medical Doctor: Doctors deal with a lot of stress and unpleasant feelings on a daily level, which would feel exhausting for Sevens who want fun and excitement.
Police Officer: They have such a low tolerance for rules that they couldn’t imagine themselves imposing any kind of rules on others.
IT Professional: Jobs in IT are usually very isolating, and Sevens need a lot of social interaction.
Psychotherapist: Sevens are compassionate and warm people, but dealing with problems scares them off.

What Kind of Organizational Culture Would Enneagram Type Prefer?

Enneagram Type Seven thrives in an organizational culture that promotes independence, creativity, and flexibility. They need to be free to experiment and make their own decisions—only in such an environment can they use all the creativity they are endowed with.

Versatility and diversity are also important aspects of the organizational culture of Sevens. They enjoy working on unique and exciting projects and grow by exploring all their different interests. Moreover, they also appreciate growth opportunities and need constant challenges to develop their skills and maintain their interest in the job.

Finally, they need to be surrounded by positive people with whom they can exchange ideas and opinions. After all, plenty of social interaction makes them feel fulfilled and inspired.

How Enneagram Type 7s Behave in Teams

Friends Colleagues Chatting in a Coffee Shop

Sevens bring their enthusiasm and positive energy to the team, and people enjoy working with them. They are the source of creativity, and everyone turns to them when in need of a fresh approach. On top of this, Sevens are always willing to help and support their colleagues and easily connect with all team members regardless of their differences.

Open-minded and versatile, they make work feel like play. Working in a team is perfect for them since working alone may make them feel isolated. However, their short attention span may be a challenge in certain situations, but in general, their creativity flourishes in teamwork.

Enneagram Type 7 Managerial Style

Sevens are the kind of managers employees usually genuinely love. That’s because their sense of humor and passion are irresistible, and people feel energized after interacting with them.

Since Sevens are not fans of authority, their managerial style is relaxed and easygoing. They trust their employees and leave a lot of room for them to express their creativity and solve work problems independently. Moreover, they also have no trouble delegating the work appropriately, which makes them very efficient.

Finally, Sevens are not the type who will be afraid of ambitious employees but the type who will support their growth. They may have trouble handling administrative aspects of the job, but they usually find a way around it.

Key Takeaways

Now that we’ve learned what it takes for Type Seven to be successful in what they do, let’s round off with some key insights about Enneagram Type 7 career choices:

Sevens are creative, multitalented individuals who need variety and creative challenges at work. They excel in careers that allow them to follow their passions without being constrained by formalities and strict rules.
Curiosity, imagination, and enthusiasm are their greatest assets, which make them shine in creative industries, show business, and all fields of work that encourage such traits. Meanwhile, bureaucracy, repetitive tasks, and dead-end jobs deeply frustrate them.
Due to their adventurous nature and need for change, Sevens tend to switch jobs often. They are not afraid to try new things and often embark on entrepreneurial journeys, as they like to be independent.

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