The Personality of a...

With my recent quest of finding a job that I would love, I've realized that many employers are requesting Personality type testing nowadays. I completed another "test" today and as anxious as I am to hear back from the employer, I am also curious to know what they say about me in general.

Tonight I went out and took a couple of random internet free tests. Considering you get what you pay for, I did find it quite relevant to who I am. Now I only hope this employer that I REALLY want to work for sees me as a good fit as well.

Here are some of the highlights. The results were quite extensive, but I won't paste all of the feedback.

Here is one of the places I found this particular "test" :

And my results:
Extraverted Intuitive Feeling Judging
Profile: ENFJ

ENFJs are the benevolent 'pedagogues' of humanity. They have tremendous charisma by which many are drawn into their nurturing tutelage and/or grand schemes. Many have tremendous power to manipulate others with their phenomenal interpersonal skills and unique salesmanship. But it's usually not meant as manipulation -- ENFJs generally believe in their dreams, and see themselves as helpers and enablers, which they usually are.

ENFJs are those whom we associate organization and decisiveness. Their offices may or may not be cluttered, but their conclusions (reached through feelings) about people and motives are drawn much more quickly and are more resilient than those of their counterparts.

ENFJs know and appreciate people. Like most Feelers in general, they are apt to neglect themselves and their own needs for the needs of others. They have thinner psychological boundaries than most, and are at risk for being hurt or even abused by less sensitive people.

Extraverted Feeling rules the ENFJ's psyche. As extraverts, their contacts are wide ranging. Face-to-face relationships are intense, personable and warm, though they may be so infrequently achieved that intimate friendships are rare.

Introverted iNtuition
ENFJs are blessed through introverted intuition with clarity of perception in the inner, unconscious world. Dominant Feeling prefers to find the silver lining in even the most beggarly perceptions of those in their expanding circle of friends and, of course, in themselves. ENFJs are continually looking for newer and better solutions to benefit their extensive family, staff, or organization.

Extraverted Sensing
Sensing is extraverted. ENFJs can manage details, particularly those necessary to implement the prevailing vision. Something to be bought can be had for a song; the same something is invaluable when it's time to sell.

Introverted Thinking
Introverted Thinking is least apparent and most enigmatic in this type. In fact, it often appears only when summoned by Feeling. At times only in jest, but in earnest if need be, Thinking entertains as logical only those conclusions which support Feeling's values. Introverted Thinking is frequently the focus of the spiritual quest of ENFJs. These essences of inner thinking are the mysteries of Deity for which this great Feeler's soul searched.

ENFJs are Idealists. They have a natural talent for leading students or trainees toward learning, or as Idealists like to think of it, they are capable of calling forth each learner's potentials.

In whatever field they choose, Idealists consider people their highest priority, and they instinctively communicate personal concern and a willingness to become involved. Warmly outgoing, and perhaps the most expressive of all the types,

Idealists are remarkably good with language, especially when communicating in speech, face to face. And they do not hesitate to speak out and let their feelings be known. Bubbling with enthusiasm, Idealists will voice their passions with dramatic flourish, and can, with practice, become charismatic public speakers. This verbal ability gives Idealists a good deal of influence in groups, and they are often asked to take a leadership role.

Idealists tend to be well developed or well rounded individuals. Certainly their insight into themselves and others is unparalleled. Without a doubt, they know what is going on inside themselves, and they can read other people with uncanny accuracy. Idealists also identify with others quite easily, and will actually find themselves picking up the characteristics, emotions, and beliefs of those around them. Because they slip almost unconsciously into other people's skin in this way, feeling closely connected with those around them, and thus show a sincere interest in the joys and problems of their employees, colleagues, students, clients, and loved ones.


Idealist women tend to be very romantic. They love to give and receive tokens of affection, such as an original poem, a hand carved box, or an item which reminds them of some shared experience. Men often appreciate their compassion and empathy along with their belief in others. When dating, they hope they’ll get to know each other through deep conversation.

Here fishy fishy

Why is it during lent all we hear about is McDonalds 2 for $2 fish sandwich with oozing tarter sauce, Arby's fish, BK's fish, the Culver's fish platter and all the other gazillion ads for fish on Fridays? If you drive around town you see the VFW, every single catholic church and various other organizations promoting the "fish fry" on Friday evenings.

Doesn't anyone appreciate the flavor of fish beyond lent? Seriously folks, its one day a week we catholics don't eat fish for approximately six weeks.

I am wondering how I can market this to the sushi restaurants. Just imagine, two rolls for $2! Now thats a deal I wouldn't pass up!

If I could get people to do more than just read this silly blog, I'd ask you to tell me what your favorite fish samich is during Lent...

Random Spew

I start a new job tomorrow morning. Its a temporary one, but its work and I've missed having to go to work.

Thomas turns 4 on Thursday. Its hard to believe.

I had no money this weekend and had more fun since Thursday spending time with the ones that mean the most to me.

I'm lacking in the ability to write a story or even pull one thats already written.

I'm just tired of being awake.

Its a big week for me.

Oh, and I had the best interview I've ever had on Friday and I'm really kind of hopeful to hear from that company.

Not looking forward to being a number at Wells.

My mom, dad, sister, brother and sister-in-law are the most beautiful people in this world.

I'm really concerned that the people I love don't realize how important they are to me.

I will do better at showing my love and appreciation.

The Table Setting in Each Chapter

We are generally the better persuaded by the reasons we discover ourselves than by those given to us by others.
- Blaise Pascal
My music is what gets me through life. I tend to burn a couple of CDs each time I go pick up or drop off Thomas. Its funny listening to music that had such an emotional impact on me a year ago, hearing those songs brings back memories, and with those lingering thoughts, it allows me realize how days come and go and sometimes it doesn't feel that I'm making headway through my current challenges, big or small, there have still been many chapters opened and closed in this past year. With each chapter, my journey continues and tonight, I'm actually looking forward to seeing whats in the future.

I look around to those closest to me and I see so many new situations or changes to people's lives, and I wonder if they even really take notice in the path that we are each individually walking. Sometimes they are small, but the ones I'm thinking of tonight are fairly large and will have great impact on our future.

A new job, a new house, a new addition to the family, moving in with a boyfriend, new relationships being formed - even the simple things as winter ending and spring peaking its head around the corner. Sometimes I believe we all take too much for granted.

Since that CD was made, I've experienced loss. A romantic relationship, an appeal, a job, a car and most importantly, time with my son. I've moved back to Des Moines, struggled with finding work and furthering my education. I've been in survival mode for so long, I think I've forgotten how to live.

But if I look at the positive, or with the cup half full attitude, I've gained so much more knowledge and experience and feel more ready to live than I did even a couple of months ago.

In turn for the one romantic relationship I've lost, I've been reintroduced to the real Melanie again. The one that wasn't conformed and walking on eggshells. I've began dating again and knowing exactly how I do and do not expect to be treated and most importantly on that note, I learned to enjoy sleeping alone and after learning how to be alone, I've come to enjoy some of its benefits.

Being further apart from Thomas has taught me the value of time spent with someone you love. I have accepted that the mother/son relationship I have with my T can never be compared to the experience of parenting my parents gave to me as a child, or that my sister and brother do with their children. As with any role we have with our children, I am no different in that Thomas and I must make it our own and not allow influences and exchanges of the outside interfere.

In the past year I've come to face and admit that I may not like his father, but I have gained respect for him in his role as Tommy's caretaker and dad. I do trust him with our son as well as support and respect their father/son bond. I pray and hope that as the years progress, we can continue to put our feelings aside and always work together for the sake of our child's well being.

Money and me - well, we weren't exactly in a bonding state this past year. Being poor, without a means to support myself, depending on the aid of unemployment benefits, family and friend's support and some charity on and off, I gained a new sense of respect for the American dollar. This is the one area that I've not been fully "turned around" on in the past year, but my outlook on money and the value of money - what it does and doesn't buy - has drastically changed.

The job thing... well yeah, just don't take it for granted. Period.

My round about point tonight (I told you my thoughts were rambling)... the CD made over a year ago was in direct reflection to the losses I was feeling at the time. I save all of my playlists in iTunes and name them the same as I do the CD - by date. When I played the CD from a month ago or even a week ago, the tunes are different. They are more positive, upbeat, and I feel that defines how I am managing the stress I am facing today. It depicts how influenced so many of us are by our surroundings, even the subconscious ones like our music or our relationships or our attitude in general.

There are new chapters forming all the time though. If you would have told me a year ago what the next 12 months would have unfolded for me, I would have possibly checked myself into a mental ward after a huge panic attack, but I'm here. I lived and survived and even learned a few things along the way.

We all do have a path and being reminded that every single choice - each new opportunity - is a fork in the road. I recommend when approaching your fork in your own travels, you bring with you a knife to protect yourself, a spoon to help dig you out when you get in over your head. Remember your plate can be your raft and I've even used my napkin as a white flag of surrender when need be. Most importantly, without a doubt, drink from the cup that give you joy as often as you can. Oh, and good 'dinner' music along the way will keep you strong!

Thanks to all of you who have been intertwined throughout my chapters, helping me keep my table setting in tact!