Interviews for Introverts
Published on September 24, 2019, at 9:03 a.m.
by Ali Cushing.
It’s 7:43 in the morning. You went over your notes for what seemed like hours last night. You think to yourself, “I got this, right?” Nonetheless, you can’t seem to fight the overwhelming urge to sneak out the back exit of this unfamiliar office building and crawl back into bed. If this scenario sounds all too familiar, you might just be an introvert about to enter an interview.
It is common knowledge that fear is quick to overpower one’s emotions during stressful times. Nearly everyone finds interviews to be nerve-wracking, and this high-stress situation can be particularly tough for introverts. Introverts tend to struggle in one-on-one settings with the expectation of self-promotion and small talk.
Interviews, where interviewers are quick to judge potential employees, often favor extroverts, who are typically very charismatic and have no trouble making a solid first impression. If you’re among the roughly 50% of people who identify as an introvert (Psychology Today), no need to panic. By utilizing these tips, you can still ace the interview and land your dream job.
Prepare
Preparing for an interview is a fool-proof way to becoming more comfortable in an interview setting. If you prepare before your interview — researching past company projects as well as digging into your interviewers’ online presence — you will naturally have more to talk about. LinkedIn is a valuable tool that can give you further insight into your interviewers and their interests.
Also, know where you are going — both physically and emotionally. Nothing will deter your confidence more than getting lost in 7 a.m. traffic and arriving in a frazzled state, late to your interview. In addition, know where you are going regarding your career goals. Let your future employers know that you have aspirations and skills that can add value to their organization. The outcome of your interview will reflect highly on the amount of your preparation.
Dress to impress
Dress in a professional, yet personalized manner. As an introvert, showing up with a clean-cut appearance may be a better way to establish a good first impression right off the bat. Feeling mentally and physically prepared will allow confidence to flow more easily.
Sell your introvert qualities
The key to surviving an interview as an introvert is making the qualities you possess stand out as essential assets to your interviewers. Introverts are naturally good listeners, and listening skills are praised in a stable work environment.
Also, emphasize your analytical traits. Introverts do not seek the spotlight, which can be a good thing within large work settings. Susan Cain, author of “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” gave a Ted Talk in February 2012 inspiring people to embrace their introverted qualities. Cain stated, “Introverts tend to be very careful, much less likely to take outsize risks — which is something we might all favor nowadays.”
Be yourself
Last, and most definitely not least, be yourself. Regardless of how you perform in a high-stress setting, you have skills that are valuable to potential employers.
In times of uncertainty remember these wise words from Susan Cain: “There’s zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.”
