Archetypes
Simplified personality data
What's an Archetype?
CareerExplorer archetypes represent the distilled essence of our members’ personalities. As the world’s leading career test, CareerExplorer developed archetypes specifically focused on the kinds of behavioral traits that affect people’s preferences for work, how they think, and how they work with one another.
Our archetypes are rooted in Holland Codes, which is the most basic building block of our career test. Holland Codes are a basic and highly reliable personality test that buckets people into one of six personality types that affect career choices. The six Holland Codes are Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Together, they are often collectively referred to by the acronym “RIASEC”.
The reality is, no one is purely artistic or purely realistic. We are all a blend. Each of our 30 archetypes represents a unique cocktail of Holland Codes. We here at CareerExplorer hope your archetype helps you learn a bit more about yourself and gives you some guidance as you take our career test and explore our careers.
Happy career exploration!
Realistic Archetypes
Supporters are practical, self-reliant people that have a caring and nurturing nature. They value working with things they can see and touch and like …
Learn more about SupportersInnovators are best at using mindful action in their work. They like to work with a hands-on approach prefaced by deep thought. They have …
Learn more about InnovatorsCreators constantly use their imagination and like creating physical manifestations of their work. They are very content when they are able to build, assemble …
Learn more about CreatorsBuilders love active jobs and have a knack for paying attention to detail. They prefer outdoor, mechanical and physical activities. They use precision while …
Learn more about BuildersInventors are skilled physical workers and have the ability to take the role as a natural leader. They enjoy fixing, building, and repairing things. …
Learn more about InventorsInvestigative Archetypes
Explorers are naturally inquisitive people with a social side. They spend a lot of time in their minds investigating ideas. They tend to be …
Learn more about ExplorersArchitects are analytical thinkers who like to work in the physical world. Their diverse nature translates in their ability to think intellectually and apply …
Learn more about ArchitectsScholars are intellectuals that pay attention to fine details. They spend a lot of time in their mind investigating and exploring new ideas. They …
Learn more about ScholarsGroundbreakers have a diverse nature that allows them to spend time mulling over theories as well as expressing ideas. They can usually persuade other …
Learn more about GroundbreakersEnthusiasts are inquisitive and curious about things and like to solve problems in a methodical and rational way. They have the ability to express …
Learn more about EnthusiastsArtistic Archetypes
Visionaries are all about creating their own artistic empires. They crave independent and unstructured spaces where they can be creative. They value aesthetics and …
Learn more about VisionariesLuminaries thrive when they are working with ideas and people. They like expressing their creativity to others. Being part of meaningful relationships where they …
Learn more about LuminariesPhilosophers love being creative with their ideas. They have active imaginations and love exploring anomalies and sometimes scientific curiosities in the physical world. Philosophers …
Learn more about PhilosophersDesigners have a great need for self-expression and love doing work that articulates their vision. They like being original with anything they put their …
Learn more about DesignersComposers love expressing their creativity, though they prefer working in organized environments. Their artistic side craves freedom and expression. At the same time, they …
Learn more about ComposersSocial Archetypes
Empathetic and sensitive, caregivers are natural generators of positive energy. They thrive in social settings, especially when cultivating creativity. Expression and originality are important …
Learn more about CaregiversProtectors are always willing to lend a helping hand to other people. They enjoy work that is physical and allows them to interact with …
Learn more about ProtectorsMentors are friendly, outgoing, and natural influencers. They thrive in environments where they can interact with people. Mentors enjoy being part of a team, …
Learn more about MentorsGuardians love helping people. They have a natural ability to work with others, but also find time to work in solitude where they are …
Learn more about GuardiansThe Advocate is a people-person that is both helpful and inquisitive. Advocates like to spend time mulling over ideas but also make nurturing relationships …
Learn more about AdvocatesEnterprising Archetypes
Mavericks are natural influencers and love to express their artistic selves. They like to use their intuition when developing new ideas and generally have …
Learn more about MavericksMasterminds are diverse in their ability to take on the role of a leader but also like to be alone with their thoughts. They …
Learn more about MastermindsCaptains enjoy deal-making and directing. They are good at talking to people and use this skill to persuade others. They are also naturally competitive …
Learn more about CaptainsHumanitarians are natural leaders and thrive in interactive environments. They are energetic, confident and drawn to social causes. Their entrepreneurial spirit makes them masters …
Learn more about HumanitariansKingpins are leaders who prefer an organized structure for running the show. Success is important to the Kingpin and they feel at home when …
Learn more about KingpinsConventional Archetypes
Researchers are curious people with a knack for organization. They love gathering information and making sense of it—accuracy is very important to them. They …
Learn more about ResearchersTechnicians are very detail-oriented people with a knack for body-oriented tasks. They prefer structure and order over ambiguity. They are very practical in their …
Learn more about TechniciansAnchors have an affinity for detail-oriented tasks that provide a lot of structure. Despite this typically antisocial activity, the Anchor is nurturing and caring. …
Learn more about AnchorsProducers like activities that require attention to detail. They like structure, though on some occasions like to find ways to express their creativity. These …
Learn more about ProducersStrategists keep the show running by pursuing organizational goals. They appreciate rules and regulations that keep things running smoothly, and like working with data …
Learn more about Strategists