Jobseeking often takes people out of their comfort zones.
However, if you’re not overly
outgoing, or often feel as if your voice gets lost in the crowd, the prospect
of promoting yourself to find the best job can be tough. And whether it’s writing
a CV, attending an interview, or even applying for the right roles, for those
with a more insular personality it can be a nerve-racking experience.
More of a thinker than a speaker?
Here are some top jobseeking tips for introverts:
Choose the right
role
First things first: try and identify
the perfect position.
List all the things you think you do
well, and find the jobs that best match your skills. If you’re most comfortable
when working individually, for example, there are plenty of jobs which may suit
you and compliment your personality.
Be realistic. There’s nothing to say
that an introvert can’t excel in a customer facing position. However, if the
thought of having to stand up and present to a room full of clients on a daily
basis brings you out in a cold sweat, you will probably not be happy in this
kind of career.
Find the right type of job for you,
and your CV and interview will stand a much greater chance of success.
Concentrate on
your strengths
When it comes to looking for a job,
it’s easy to see shyness as something which could hold you back. But this
definitely needn’t be the case.
With this in mind, play to your
strengths as much as possible. This rule applies to your approach to
jobseeking, as well as your CV. When writing your personal statement, talk
confidently about yourself using quantifiable terms such as ‘successfully’,
‘proven’, ‘experienced’ and ‘track record’, words that will place the emphasis
on your accomplishments.
Which brings me onto…
Make the most of
your achievements
For many introverts, learning how to
shout about their achievements can be difficult.
However, highlighting your
accomplishments is an absolutely essential part of the jobseeking process,
whether in your CV, or at an interview. It’s also a practical way to
demonstrate what you can do.
If you struggle to talk about your
successes, ask a colleague, former manager or professor to talk about some of
the main things you’ve achieved. Just think of it as reporting the facts,
rather than tooting your own horn.
At interview, bring a portfolio of
your work or certificates along with you. This can help to clearly demonstrate
what you are capable of, whilst letting your work and achievements speak for
themselves.
Don’t be
apologetic
Shy types often find themselves
apologising when there’s really no need.
This can suggest a lack of
confidence, so is always best avoided when it comes to your interview.
Cliché advice time: Be who you are,
and be proud of it. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not.
Practice
OK, so it may seem stupid to stand in
front of the mirror and rehearse what you’re going to say at an interview.
However, the more you practice and the more you go over your lines, the more
confident you’ll be when it comes to the real thing.
You could also try asking a (very
close, non-judgemental) friend or family member to run through a couple of interview
questions with you. Just make sure it’s someone honest and supportive, who
you’re completely comfortable with.
Whichever method you choose, try and
keep your cool, speak slowly and maintain eye contact. Which obviously, can be
easier said than done if you’re relying on the mirror for feedback…
Make notes
Always take a pad and pen into an
interview with you. No exceptions.
Not only will this allow your
interviewer to talk uninterrupted, it also means that you won’t miss out on any
of the points you want to bring up. And if you don’t feel like you can speak up
during the questioning stage, you can always bring up your points when given
the chance to ask questions at the end of proceedings.
Note taking is even more important,
when it comes to group interviews, especially if you find it a struggle to make
your voice heard over more dominant interviewees. Simply write all the points
down, and make sure to mention these if you get a chance towards the end.
Very Important
Finally, even if you forget what you
want to say during the interview, sending a well-written thank you email
afterwards is a good place to include any nervous omissions.
