Introvert vs. Extrovert
Introverts typically replenish their energy through alone time. Extroverts, on the other hand, find social situations energizing – and in a job interview, that energy can be interpreted as enthusiasm or confidence.
But that doesn’t have to mean the deck is stacked against introverts in the job interview game. Read on for my 5 best interview tips for introverts.
- Manage your energy. Plan quiet time before and after the interview so you feel fresh going into it. This will allow you to make a good connection with the people in the room.
- Make a strong first and last impression. Gear up going into the room: take a deep breath, smile, give a firm handshake, and make eye contact. Leave the interview in a similar fashion: a strong handshake, smile, and thank you. A positive opening and closing can make a world of difference.
- Recognize that your interviewer needs information in order to make the best decision about whom to hire. Your goal for the interview is to convey the information they need to recognize that you’re the best candidate.
Unless you’re applying for a very high-pressure job (like a CIA agent), the interviewer is not trying to trip you up. He or she wants you to succeed. They want to hire someone – why not you?
Here’s a great tip: imagine that your interviewer is an extroverted friend of yours, and they’re going to go tell the hiring managers about you. They “get” you already, they just
don’t know all the details about your relevant experience, skills, and what you’re like to work with – so you’re sharing the details with them, as someone you trust, so they can go
talk you up. - Don’t assume your interviewer has memorized your resume. The average time a hiring manager looks at a resume is 6 seconds. It’s okay to repeat things you mentioned in your cover letter or on your resume – in fact, I highly recommend it! You can lead with, “As I mentioned in my cover letter…” or “As you might have seen on my resume…” Although it may be repetitive, in this case you are doing yourself and your interviewer a favor.
Think of it this way: when you go to a doctor’s appointment, you can’t assume that what you’ve told the nurse or the medical tech has been repeated in full to the doctor. Likewise, you plan to repeat your health story from appointment to appointment to make sure everyone’s on the same page.
This isn’t rude or repetitive; it’s a service to your doctor and to your own health.
Likewise, telling your full story to the interviewer (even if you’ve told it in an earlier interview or in other documentation) is in service both to them and to your chances of getting hired. - Quote other people talking about you. It may feel challenging to talk about yourself at all, or mentioning your own accomplishments may feel embarrassing or awkward. Instead try sharing what other people have said about you and your work. “My prior supervisor appreciated X about my working style.” “My colleagues have said that my biggest strength as a team member is X.”
Remember: the deck is not stacked against you. With a little extra preparation, you can succeed at your next interview just as much or more so than your extroverted counterparts. I hope these interview tips for introverts have helped you feel more confident for your next interview.
If you’re ready for some extra practice and support, check out my Interview IQ program.
