Job Search and the “Guardian, Loyalist, Responsible”

Type 6 of the nine Enneagram social styles thrives in environments that provide security. Sixes are hard workers and can be sometimes be difficult to identify, because Sixes exhibit so many traits found in other social styles. They often overwork, because they are continually striving for order and control, in a chaotic world, this means endless activity. The main driving force for the Six is fear and to protect themselves. They often work for organizations or groups with uniforms, rules, policies, or laws. This is why many Sixes work in the legal profession, police, Military, Fire Departments, Medicine or in Education.

Sixes can be found in almost any profession. Because of their high energy and achievements, sometimes Sixes can be confused with a Three (Achiever). They are so loyal and helpful to everyone that works with them that they can be confused with a Two (Helper). They also insist on doing things right, so they can be confused with a One (Perfectionist). The key to understanding the Six is that their basic motivation is to be safe. Sixes can exhibit tremendous courage as they strive to overcome their fear.

If the Six were an animal, they might be like a rabbit, maybe Crusader Rabbit. They only come out of their hole, if the coast is clear. They prefer to stay with their warren or group. When forced out into the open, they can operate efficiency especially when the group is watching their back and there are many other open holes available with plenty of friends to help them when danger is present.

This courage in the face of danger sometimes makes the Six look adventuresome (like a Seven) but the real reason that they appear to be adventuresome is that practice makes perfect. In constantly striving to overcome fear, they build up their courage. They often volunteer to be the point man on new assignments. The key to understanding a Six is that this courage comes from a desire to conquer their fear.

Being out of work is hell for a Six. All security is gone and they are no longer with their group. Anxiety can absolutely paralyze the Six and they can even suffer anxiety attacks. A good career coach can help the Six by creating a job search methodology that creates order and a process which the Six can use to bolster their courage. Having faith in the process can help motivate the Six.

Sixes need groups and search buddies to keep them from “freaking out.” Joining an association of their peers will keep them connected with their buddies and often the annual fees will be reduced if they are out of work. Sixes should volunteer for work assignments which keep them with other people, even if they are not getting paid. They can work off their anxiety in a productive environment and may even lead to a new career.

A career coach can help a Six with exercises that will help the Six to develop a professional job search action plan. A coach can help the job seeker to perfect the plan by understanding that the process takes practice. Once the Six accepts the plan and starts to execute, just a little success will go a long way with the Six. The Six can execute and when properly trained in the job search process and with their courage activated they can be working again quickly.

The Six needs to turn their job search plan into a career marketing plan and update it annually. Good dates to review the plan could be after New Year or on their birthday. Once the Six has a plan they believe in, the plan will become another stabilizing element in their life. A well thought out personal career plan can be one of the tools which protect the Six in a chaotic world where the average American keeps his job for less than four years. With an updated career plan the Six will never again be victimized by loss of a job.