Physiognomy & Hiring, Part 1: The Four Temperaments

Physiognomy & Hiring, Part 1: The Four Temperaments

In the modern workforce, competition is fierce—not just for job seekers, but for companies hunting the right talent. While technology, globalization, and cultural shifts have opened new doors, they’ve also created serious challenges. HR departments struggle to sift through hundreds of applicants. Job seekers apply for roles that don’t suit their nature. The result? Mismatched teams, burnout, and inefficiency.

But what if there were a timeless tool—rooted in both psychology and tradition—that could give hiring and job placement a serious edge?

Enter physiognomy, and specifically, the Four Temperaments.

The Four Temperaments—Choleric, Sanguine, Phlegmatic, and Melancholic—are ancient archetypes rooted in both classical medicine and face reading. Each temperament corresponds to a certain facial structure, energy level, and style of behavior. While not a substitute for experience or qualifications, understanding someone’s temperament can reveal what kind of role they’ll thrive in.

The Choleric: The Natural Boss

  • Facial Traits: High, straight forehead; chin level with the forehead and slightly jutting; strong jawline with an obtuse angle

  • Body Type: Muscular, wiry, brown skin tone, low need for sleep

  • Traits: Goal-oriented, dominant, willful, decisive, commanding

Best Fit: CEO, strategist, engineer, entrepreneur, military officer

Cholerics are born to lead and build. Their no-nonsense energy, drive, and long-term vision make them perfect for roles where direction, efficiency, and strategy matter most. They’re not afraid to take control or make tough calls. In hiring, this is the temperament to place at the top of the pyramid.

The Sanguine: The Charismatic Seller

 

  • Facial Traits: Tilted-back forehead; 90° jawline; protruding chin

  • Body Type: Athletic with long muscles and large bones, reddish skin tone

  • Traits: Charming, impulsive, outgoing, excitable, high-energy

Best Fit: Sales, PR, entertainment, marketing, politics

Sanguines bring charisma to the table. They’re persuasive, people-oriented, and emotionally expressive. These are the front-facing stars who naturally attract attention and convert leads into customers. In job searches, Sanguines should look for high-social, high-stimulation roles.

The Phlegmatic: The Reliable Manager

 

  • Facial Traits: Rounded or straight forehead; indistinct jawline; chin at forehead level

  • Body Type: Large and fleshy, pale white skin tone, with slow but steady energy

  • Traits: Calm, enduring, supportive, emotionally stable

Best Fit: Manager, administrator, counselor, HR, logistics

Phlegmatics are your stable core. They’re patient, tolerant, and reliable—perfect for management, mediation, and support roles where long-term vision and team harmony are key. While they may not crave the spotlight, they’re the ones holding the structure together behind the scenes.

The Melancholic: The Creative Visionary

 

  • Facial Traits: Receding chin; tilted-back forehead; downward jawline from ear to chin

  • Body Type: Slim, fragile, yellowish skin tone

  • Traits: Sensitive, imaginative, idealistic, moody

Best Fit: Artist, writer, designer, researcher, philosopher

Melancholics are idea-driven, inward-looking, and emotionally rich. Though not naturally assertive or practical, their depth and originality make them invaluable in roles that require vision and subtlety. In hiring, look for Melancholics when innovation and artistry are priorities.

The workplace is evolving, but human nature remains constant. By applying face reading and the Four Temperaments to hiring and job searching, we can build stronger teams, find better fits, and avoid costly mismatches. The right person for the right role isn’t just about a résumé—it’s about temperament, energy, and natural design.

Want to discover which temperament you are—or who you should hire next? Visit our Services page and book a personalized face reading today.

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