Job Search and the “Individualist, Romantic, Artist”

"The Artist” is number "four" of the nine Enneagram styles. “Fours” get their energy by being different and unique. Fours are creative, imaginative, and dramatic people. They are special and they want you to know it. The quality of their work can be exquisite.

At their best Fours are refined, compassionate and noble. At their worst they are moody, dramatic and overly sensitive. The ups and downs of four can be hard on those that live and work with them or want to help them. They don’t blend in easily to groups, so networking with them can be tough.

Fours often move us with their art which can inspire and convince. They often own specialty businesses which show off their skills or they can take menial jobs so that they have time to pursue their art. They are often found in jobs that demand creativity like advertising agencies, architecture or landscaping.

Fours can withdraw and become moody instead of pursuing a healthy job search. After all, the job they just left was an expression of their individuality. They can feel unappreciated and melancholy over where their career is headed. This can paralyze their effort and any attempts to help them are met with sarcastic comments from “the drama queen.”

Fours have great compassion and heart; they can help themselves in the job search process by helping others. By taking the focus off themselves and helping a search buddy or success team; they will actually be moving their search forward.

Fours need help in realizing that they are people and people in the United States lose their jobs every four years or less. They need a career plan that shows off their uniqueness and provides meaning to their entire career not just the current position. Fours need to envision a career that is worth having and one that provides purpose and meaning. Sometimes they need time to process the emotions of losing their last job and help envisioning a new path. This can take time and it may appear that are not making any progress, but be patient and don’t buy into the drama. A healthy four is a thing of beauty.