Six Job Interview Tips for Introverts

Interviewing for a new employer or position can be an intimidating task for most. For those that are introverted, the level of intimidation is drastically increased.

Interviews typically involve conversations with someone unfamiliar, in a new setting, and with many unknown variables. This can be stress inducing, especially for those that prefer familiarity. Introverted people have to work harder to prove themselves during interviews because of the fact that they can not share their personality as easily as an extroverted person may be able to.

Fortunately, although excelling at an interview may take some additional effort, introverts are just as equipped to succeed and land their dream job as anyone else. Below are six interview tips that can help introverts prepare for and nail their next job interview.

1. Confidence Is Key

In general, introverted people tend to appear less confident than extroverts. Some possible reasoning for this is that they are concerned with pleasing people or refrain from sharing their wins aloud. Their own self confidence appears non-existent.

Ironically enough, introverts actually have higher self-confidence levels than extroverts. Showing off that confidence level up is key for any job interview.

Employers want to see that the potential new team member is confident in their ability to do the job, succeed, and continue to grow. For introverts, this may take some preparation beforehand. Some actionable ways to do this are by practicing daily affirmations, jotting down personal traits that they are proud of, and embracing their unique qualities.

Going into an interview feeling full of self-worth and practicing positive self-talk can leave a lasting impression on the interviewers and result in a job offer.

2. Do Research

Doing research on the employer is a great way to help reduce the pre-interview stress that is likely to occur. Going into the appointment with a solid foundation of knowledge can help build confidence and make a positive impression. This is another naturally occurring desire of introverts, making this an easy tip to execute.

The deeply rooted need to understand and gather information is incredibly beneficial in most facets of life, especially prior to an interview. Ultimately, employers want to know that the person they are interviewing is genuinely interested in helping their company succeed or grow.

Demonstrating that the time and effort was put in to learn more about their brand and mission is just one example of a way to impress them.

3. Sell The Benefits of Introversion

Being an introvert comes with many incredible traits that can benefit an employer in a wide variety of ways. First and foremost, introverts are incredibly thoughtful. They continuously seek to learn new information and reflect for far longer than those with extroverted personalities.

This also means that they lack impulsivity, which is a huge plus for employers. Most interviews include questions that involve sharing more about the candidate, whether it be a positive quality or a negative.

One of the most popular interview questions of all time asks about strengths and weaknesses. This would be the perfect opportunity to share two traits of introverts, ensuring both are spun in a positive way.

For example, share that one weakness is a high level of independence. Although this could be used as a weakness, for most employers, it will be considered a positive as they know they won’t need to provide excess guidance or instructions. There are many other excellent introverted traits that can be used as well, such as being non-emotional, reserved, considerate of others, and genuine.

4. Exercise Beforehand

Nerves are a natural response to exciting or potentially life-changing experiences. Although they are not a bad thing by nature, they can get in the way of being completely clear-headed during an interview.

Going for a long walk outdoors or getting some form of moderate-level exercise prior to the interview is one way to burn off some of the energy and mentally prepare. Exercise has actually been shown to improve a person's ability to think, which is incredibly advantageous in a job interview. Plus, it tends to improve the mood of the person exercising as well.

Stress or nerves can lower mood and result in an irritable or unfriendly demeanor. Since introverts naturally appear less friendly due to their reserved nature, this is the antithesis of the goal of the interview.

Additionally, exercise can provide some valuable alone time, which is necessary for recharging the social battery of introverts. This preparation can go a long way as the interview requires significant amounts of energy and engagement.

By taking advantage of this solo quality time, the demands of the interview can be less taxing overall. Making sure to get out and break a sweat alone can reduce stress and increase the chances of landing the job.

5. Practice, Practice, Practice

Practicing interview questions is a simple but efficient way to enter the interview feeling more prepared. One great tool to help with this task is the book Answers to the Top Interview 20 Questions.

Doing this with either a friend or partner can help make the exercise even more realistic and powerful. This also helps the introverted interviewee begin the thinking process as their thought time is considerably longer than extroverts.

Having already thought about many of the popular interview questions beforehand, there is less pause time during the actual interview. This can help the interaction flow and feel natural, which might be challenging otherwise.

6. Ask Questions

Wrapping up an interview by asking a question is non-negotiable when it comes to a successful interview.

Asking questions in the beginning and middle of the interview is an added bonus that can really wow employers. Inquiring about aspects like the typical work day, the company’s mission, their history, or even the interviewer themselves can show initiative and genuine interest.

For introverts, the desire to learn more comes naturally and makes this an easy task to do. Asking for clarification or having the employer expand on information is a method that can demonstrate high levels of interest in the position.

Another important aspect of asking questions is demonstrating listening skills, which is something introverts excel at. The employer can gain an understanding of exactly how well the interviewee is able to listen and reflect.

Although introverts know how thoughtful and attentive they are, proving this to others can be a difficult task. This exercise is one excellent way to show employers these positive traits in action.

Conclusion

Although interviews can certainly be challenging for introverts, with the right preparation and execution, landing a dream job can be more than feasible. These actionable tips can ease some of the often-experienced nerves and aid the interviewer in understanding the true nature of an introvert.

Having a skilled introvert on the team is an excellent way to ensure the job is done in a thoughtful, thorough, and detail-oriented manner. Going into the next interview with prior knowledge, confidence, and a clear mind can make all the difference.