Choosing a career in the Holland Enterprising field can be an exciting journey for individuals who thrive on leadership, persuasion, and dynamic environments. If you enjoy initiating projects, influencing others, and taking calculated risks, an Enterprising career might be the perfect fit. This comprehensive guide will walk you through what it means to be an Enterprising type, key skills and traits, popular career paths, and how to make an informed career choice.
Understanding Holland’s RIASEC Model
The Holland Codes, also known as the RIASEC model, categorize people into six personality types based on their interests and preferred work environments:
- Realistic (R) – The Doers: Prefer physical activities that require skill, strength, and coordination.
- Investigative (I) – The Thinkers: Enjoy working with ideas and concepts, analyzing data, and solving complex problems.
- Artistic (A) – The Creators: Value creativity and self-expression, often drawn to unstructured environments.
- Social (S) – The Helpers: Enjoy working with people, helping others, and teaching.
- Enterprising (E) – The Persuaders: Thrive in leadership roles, enjoy influencing others, and are often entrepreneurial.
- Conventional (C) – The Organizers: Prefer structured tasks, working with data, and following established procedures.
Most individuals have a combination of two or three dominant types. For example, someone with an Enterprising-Social-Conventional (ESC) profile might excel in business management or sales leadership roles. You can learn your three-letter Holland type with the Premium Report of the Career Fit Test™.
What is the Enterprising Holland Type?
The Enterprising personality type, often referred to as “Persuaders,” is characterized by a strong inclination towards leadership, persuasion, and goal-oriented activities. Enterprising individuals are typically energetic, ambitious, and sociable, enjoying roles that involve influencing others and achieving organizational objectives.
Common Characteristics of Enterprising Individuals:
- Leadership Orientation: Enjoy leading teams and making decisions.
- Persuasive Communication: Skilled in influencing and motivating others.
- Goal-Driven: Focused on achieving success in business or politics.
- Risk-Taking: Willing to take calculated risks to achieve objectives.
- Energetic and Sociable: Thrive in dynamic, people-oriented environments.
How a Career Test Can Help You Choose an Enterprising Career
Taking a career test, such as the Career Fit Test™, can provide valuable insights into your Holland Code and help identify careers that align with your strengths and interests.
What the Career Test Measures:
- Holland Code: Determines your dominant personality types.
- Transferable Skills: Highlight abilities such as leadership, negotiation, and strategic planning.
- Interests: Identifies preferences for activities like managing projects, selling ideas, or leading teams.
- Personality Traits: Assesses characteristics such as ambition, sociability, and assertiveness.
Using your Career Fit Test™ results, you can explore Enterprising careers that match your profile, leading to greater job satisfaction and success.
Enterprising Careers
Enterprising careers often involve leadership, management, sales, and entrepreneurship. These roles require strong interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and a drive to achieve goals.
Categories of Enterprising Careers
Business and Management:
- Business Manager: Oversee operations, manage teams, and develop strategies to achieve business objectives.
- Marketing Manager: Plan and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services.
- Sales Manager: Lead sales teams, set targets, and develop strategies to increase revenue.
- Entrepreneur: Start and manage your own business venture.
Finance and Investment:
- Financial Analyst: Analyze financial data to guide investment decisions.
- Investment Banker: Assist clients in raising capital and provide financial advisory services.
- Real Estate Broker: Facilitate property transactions and advise clients on real estate investments.
Law and Politics:
- Lawyer: Represents clients in legal matters and provides legal advice.
- Political Campaign Manager: Develop and implement strategies for political campaigns.
- Public Relations Specialist: Manage the public image of individuals or organizations.
Sales and Marketing:
- Sales Representative: Sell products or services to customers and build client relationships.
- Advertising Executive: Develop advertising campaigns to promote products or services.
- Market Research Analyst: Study market conditions to identify potential sales opportunities.
Hospitality and Event Management:
- Hotel Manager: Oversee hotel operations and ensure guest satisfaction.
- Event Planner: Organize and coordinate events such as conferences, weddings, or corporate meetings.
- Restaurant Manager: Manage restaurant operations, staff, and customer service.
Extensive List of Enterprising Careers
Here is an extensive list of Enterprising Careers (remember that any career emphasises two or three Holland types):
• Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, & Hearing Officers
• Administrative Services Managers
• Advertising & Promotions Managers
• Advertising Sales Agents
• Agents & Business Managers of Artists, Performers, & Athletes
• Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
• Arbitrators, Mediators, & Conciliators
• Architectural & Engineering Managers
• Biofuels Production Managers
• Business Continuity Planners
• Buyers & Purchasing Agents
• Chefs & Head Cooks
• Chief Executives
• Chief Sustainability Officers
• Climate Change Policy Analysts
• Compensation & Benefits Managers
• Compliance Officers
• Construction Managers
• Customs Brokers
• Demonstrators & Product Promoters
• Door-to-Door Sales Workers
• Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
• Education Administrators, Postsecondary
• Emergency Management Directors
• Entertainment & Recreation Managers
• Environmental Economists
• Equal Opportunity Representatives & Officers
• Facilities Managers
• Farm Labor Contractors
• Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural Managers
• Financial Managers
• Construction Trades Supervisor
• Correctional Officers Supervisors
• Entertainment & Recreation Supervisor
• Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Supervisors
• Firefighting & Prevention Supervisors
• Food Preparation & Serving Supervisors
• Gambling Services Supervisors
• Helpers, Laborers, & Material Movers Supervisors
• Housekeeping & Janitorial Supervisors
• Landscaping, Lawn Service, & Groundskeeping Supervisors
• Material-Moving Machine & Vehicle Operators Supervisors
• Mechanics, Installers, & Repairers Supervisors
• Non-Retail Sales Supervisors
• Office & Administrative Support Supervisors
• Passenger Attendants Supervisors
• Personal Service Supervisors
• Police & Detectives Supervisors
• Production & Operating Supervisors
• Retail Sales Supervisors
• Security Supervisors
• Food Service Managers
• Fundraisers
• Fundraising Managers
• Funeral Home Managers
• Gambling Managers
• General & Operations Managers
• Government Property Inspectors & Investigators
• Hosts & Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, & Coffee Shop
• Human Resources Managers
• Human Resources Specialists
• Industrial Production Managers
• Information Technology Project Managers
• Instructional Coordinators
• Insurance Sales Agents
• Investment Fund Managers
• Judges, Magistrate Judges, & Magistrates
• Judicial Law Clerks
• Labor Relations Specialists
• Lawyers
• Legislators
• Lodging Managers
• Market Research Analysts & Marketing Specialists
• Marketing Managers
• Media Programming Directors
• Media Technical Directors/Managers
• Medical & Health Services Managers
• Meeting, Convention, & Event Planners
• Natural Sciences Managers
• Personal Financial Advisors
• Postmasters & Mail Superintendents
• Project Management Specialists
• Property, Real Estate, & Community Association Managers
• Public Relations Managers
• Public Relations Specialists
• Purchasing Managers
• Real Estate Brokers
• Real Estate Sales Agents
• Recycling Coordinators
• Regulatory Affairs Managers
• Retail Salespersons
• Sales Engineers
• Sales Managers
• Sales Representatives of Services
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale & Manufacturing
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale & Manufacturing, Technical & Scientific Products
• Search Marketing Strategists
• Securities, Commodities, & Financial Services Sales Agents
• Security Managers
• Social & Community Service Managers
• Solar Sales Representatives & Assessors
• Spa Managers
• Supply Chain Managers
• Talent Directors
• Telemarketers
• Training & Development Managers
• Transportation, Storage, & Distribution Managers
• Travel Agents
• Treasurers & Controllers
• Umpires, Referees, & Other Sports Officials
• Urban & Regional Planners
• Wholesale & Retail Buyers
• Wind Energy Development Managers
• Wind Energy Operations Managers
To determine which careers best fit you, take a career test such as the Career Fit Test™.
Key Skills for Enterprising Careers
To succeed in an Enterprising career, you need a blend of interpersonal, strategic, and leadership skills.
Essential Enterprising Skills:
- Leadership: Ability to guide and motivate teams towards achieving goals.
- Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Negotiation: Skill in reaching mutually beneficial agreements.
- Strategic Planning: Ability to develop and implement long-term plans.
- Decision-Making: Making informed choices that align with organizational objectives.
- Problem-Solving: Identifying issues and developing practical solutions.
Interests and Personality Traits of Enterprising Individuals
If the following interests and personality traits describe you, an Enterprising career may be a great fit.
Common Interests
- Starting and running businesses – You enjoy initiating ventures, whether it’s a startup, a nonprofit, or a side hustle.
- Influencing and persuading others – You feel energized when convincing people, whether it’s closing a sale, pitching an idea, or winning votes.
- Debating and negotiating – You enjoy lively discussions, especially when they involve advocating for a cause or making deals.
- Taking the lead – You naturally step into leadership roles in group projects, organizations, or community initiatives.
Common Personality Traits:
- Assertive – You’re confident in expressing your ideas and aren’t afraid to speak up or take charge.
- Energetic – You bring enthusiasm and drive into whatever you do.
- Persuasive – You know how to influence others through speech, writing, or personal charisma.
- Goal-oriented – You set ambitious goals and work hard to achieve them.
- Competitive – You thrive on challenge and often compare your performance to others’.
- Sociable – You enjoy networking, meeting new people, and working in collaborative environments.
These traits make Enterprising individuals especially effective in careers that involve leadership, entrepreneurship, and public engagement.
Combining Enterprising with Other Holland Types
While Enterprising might be your dominant type, many people find their best-fit career by understanding their top 2 or 3 Holland Codes. Here’s how Enterprising blends with other types:
Enterprising–Social (ES)
You enjoy leading and helping others. Careers such as executive coaching, public relations, nonprofit management, or political consulting may be a good fit.
Enterprising–Conventional (EC)
You like leading while also appreciating organization and structure. Careers in business operations, bank management, human resources, or project management are a strong fit.
Enterprising–Artistic (EA)
You’re creative and persuasive, making you a natural in advertising, branding, content marketing, or public speaking.
Enterprising–Investigative (EI)
You’re a strategic thinker and problem solver who also enjoys leading. Consider careers like financial planning, corporate strategy, or economic consulting.
What to Study for an Enterprising Career
If you’re exploring college majors or professional training, consider these fields that align well with the Enterprising personality:
Business & Management
- Business Administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Marketing
- Hospitality Management
- International Business
Communications & Media
- Public Relations
- Communications
- Journalism (with a focus on media management)
- Advertising
Law & Government
- Political Science
- Pre-law
- Public Administration
Finance & Real Estate
- Finance
- Economics
- Accounting
- Real Estate
Certifications and Training
In addition to formal education, certifications can enhance your Enterprising skillset. Consider:
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Real Estate Licensing
- Digital Marketing Certifications (Google, HubSpot, etc.)
Tips for Succeeding in an Enterprising Career
1. Build Your Network
Success in Enterprising roles often depends on who you know as much as what you know. Attend networking events, join professional associations, and actively use platforms like LinkedIn.
2. Practice Your Pitch
Whether you’re selling a product, pitching an idea, or interviewing for a job, you’ll need to communicate clearly and confidently. Practice your elevator pitch and hone your presentation skills.
3. Embrace Lifelong Learning
The business world changes fast. Stay current with trends in your industry, marketing strategies, finance, and leadership. Podcasts, webinars, books, and online courses are great resources.
4. Set Goals and Track Results
Enterprising people thrive on progress. Use goal-setting systems, such as SMART goals or OKRs, to stay focused and motivated.
5. Learn to Manage Risk
While you may enjoy taking bold steps, successful entrepreneurs and leaders also know how to analyze and manage risk. Use data and planning to make informed decisions.
Common Challenges for Enterprising Types – and How to Overcome Them
While Enterprising individuals often excel in leadership and persuasion, they may encounter a few stumbling blocks.
Overconfidence
You may sometimes charge ahead without thoroughly assessing a situation. Tip: Pause to gather facts, listen to others, and reflect before making big decisions.
Impatience
You might want to move faster than your team is ready for. Tip: Cultivate empathy and patience by practicing active listening and coaching.
Delegating
Enterprising types often have a “do-it-all” mentality. Tip: Learn to delegate, trust your team, and focus on strategic tasks only you can do.
How the Career Fit Test™ Can Help You Launch Your Enterprising Career
If you’re still wondering, “What’s the best career for me?” or “How can I use my Enterprising strengths to thrive?” — the Career Fit Test™ can help.
What You’ll Discover:
- Your Holland Code – Confirm whether Enterprising is one of your top traits.
- Your Top Transferable Skills – Understand your most marketable abilities (e.g., leading, persuading, managing).
- Your Strengths Summary – Identify what sets you apart in the workplace.
- Your Career Mission and SMART Goals – Get a personalized action plan.
- Your Ideal Jobs – Based on your complete profile, not just your interests alone.
The Premium Report also helps you develop a targeted resume, LinkedIn profile, and interview prep tailored to Enterprising careers.
Conclusion: Is an Enterprising Career Right for You?
If you’re someone who dreams of starting your own business, leading a team, running for office, or climbing the corporate ladder, a career in the Enterprising category could be your ideal path.
Use your natural charisma, strategic mindset, and drive for success to create a fulfilling career. With tools like the Career Fit Test™, you can clarify your direction, build confidence, and make smarter choices as you navigate your career journey.
Next Steps:
- Take the Career Fit Test™ to discover your Enterprising potential.
- Create a list of career paths that align with your top 3 Holland Codes.
- Set one SMART goal this week to move forward in your career journey.
- Connect with a mentor or coach who thrives in an Enterprising career.