Job Winning Interview Tips for Introverts
How many times have you heard a person say, “Oh, I love interviews!” Chances are, not many. Interviewing is tough for most people – you’re getting put on the spot in a high stakes situation that you have a lot invested into the outcome! If you’re naturally outgoing, interviews might be a bit on the easier side for you because you’re naturally good at small talk. However, if you’re introverted, like nearly half of the population, promoting yourself face-to-face with a stranger might just sound like your worst nightmare.
Never fear, introverts! As a former Director of Talent Acquisition, I’ve got some tried and true tricks up my sleeve to help impress any hiring manager or recruiter. The most important thing that introverts can do when it comes to interviewing actually happens well before the interview. This means you’ll need to prepare, prepare, prepare!
If you take my job interview tips and start putting them into practice as soon as you hear about a job that you’d like to apply for, your confidence cup will be overflowing!
1. Be Prepared for Small Talk
Many introverts find small talk awkward or downright pointless. Writer and introvert Diane Cameron says that, “introverts crave meaning, so party chitchat feels like sandpaper to our psyche.” Because introverts need meaningful conversation in order to feel stimulated and engaged, you might have to find ways to make “chit-chat” suitable for your personal preferences.
In the days before your interview, come up with a few questions or comments that you can throw out there for the interviewer to respond to. For small talk with a little more substance, ask what the best places to get lunch in the area around the office are, or great place to take a short walk – a question to which you have a vested interest in the answer.
First impressions are very important in an interview and the goal here is to build a rapport with the person that you will possibly be working with. By bringing some quality – but brief – questions and comments to the table, you’ll start off on the right foot.
2. Highlight Your Introvert Qualities
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being an introvert! It might seem like there are things that come more easily to people who are naturally outgoing but at the core, you probably have a lot of the same skills that will make you a valuable addition to the team.
I understand that self-promotion can be one of the most difficult things for introverts but it’s your time to SHINE! One of the best ways that introverts can prepare for an interview is to make a list of all of your best qualities as the relate to the job. For example, a 2008 study in the Journal of Motor Behavior stated that introverts take longer to process information because they do so in a way that is more thoughtful than extroverts. Introverts listen well, consider multiple angles, and then offer a well-thought out answer or solution.
It might not be a bad idea to mention to the interviewer that you are an introvert and inform them of the steps you take to overcome the challenges you face. One of the easiest ways to impress recruiters and hiring managers is by telling them how diligently you work to get the job done.
For example, if asked about a time you overcame a challenge, you might have a story about how you, an introvert, faced your fears and completed a task that was difficult for you. Or you might walk them through the steps you take to be an effective communicator despite your disdain for confrontation.
3. Recharge and Decompress Before and After the Interview
All of the energy that you have to exert during the job search and interview process can leave anyone feeling exhausted, but especially introverts – they don’t call it an “introvert hangover” for nothing!
Before the interview, do something that makes you feel relaxed but also energized – maybe a light workout, some yoga, meditation, or a bath. Maybe you have a friend that always knows exactly what to say to give you the confidence you need; give them a call.
After the interview, find a way to decompress and shake off all of the nerves you’ve just accumulated – go for a long walk, sit in a coffee shop with your favorite drink and your headphones playing your favorite songs. Maybe, you just need to go home and take a nap! Whatever feels right to you.
Remember that the job search is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t expect too much from yourself or your efforts right away. Make sure you aren’t scheduling interviews too close together either –David Hall writes in his book, Minding your Time: Time Management, Productivity, and Success, Especially for Introverts, about the importance of fitting an appropriate amount of “recharge time” into your schedule so that you don’t feel worn out.
Be patient, don’t get discouraged, and treat yourself to something you like after every interview. It’s a huge accomplishment just to make it that far and you deserve it!
You’ve already got it goin’ on!
Remember that just because you might be naturally quiet, prefer digital communication, or aren’t always the first one to speak up in a meeting, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t more than qualified for the position you’re applying to.
That being said, as an introvert preparing for a job interview, you will have to utilize your thoughtfulness and diligence to start getting ready for the big day ahead of time – work on your demeanor and small talk so that you are ready to show up more open and relaxed than you typically would in a first interaction. That effort will take energy, so honor your need to recharge and recover however you see fit.
I want to hear from my introverted Girl Bosses! Any takeaways or additions? What are your top tips for other introverts that are on the job hunt? Let me know here or on social media @thelatoyabaldwin!