Investigative (I): The Thinkers

Investigative types want to know why. They're the people who keep asking questions after everyone else is satisfied, and who enjoy a hard problem because it's hard. For them, understanding something properly is its own reward.

What Investigative types enjoy

• Asking questions and finding out how things work
• Experiments, research and testing ideas
• Maths, science and logical puzzles
• Analysing data or evidence to reach a conclusion
• Reading deeply about a topic that fascinates them
• Working independently on a complex problem

Strengths you might notice

• They tend to be curious and observant, and they notice details others miss.
• They often think carefully before acting, and they like decisions to be based on evidence.
• Many are comfortable with abstract ideas and long, focused work.
• They often enjoy learning for its own sake, well beyond what an exam requires.

Work settings that suit them

Investigative types tend to do well where curiosity is part of the job: laboratories, research teams, hospitals, technology companies, universities, and any role built around analysing information and solving problems. They usually value time to think and some independence in how they work.

How Investigative combines with other types

On Holland's hexagon, Investigative sits between Realistic and Artistic. An Investigative-Realistic person often enjoys applied science and engineering, where ideas are tested in the real world. An Investigative-Artistic person often enjoys work that mixes analysis with originality, such as research that needs new ways of seeing a problem.

Investigative sits opposite Enterprising. Someone whose code mixes the two might enjoy roles that turn analysis into decisions, such as strategy or starting a science-based business.

If this sounds like you

If you're the one who wants to understand the reason behind every answer, Investigative may be one of your top types. The careers below all start with I; take the assessment to see your full three-letter code and how it compares.