Today’s article on “Beautiful and Successful” will be about how to find a job for an introvert - a vulnerable, self-absorbed and extremely reserved person. After all, with such qualities it is often not only impossible to get along in a team, but even confidently passing an interview can be difficult.
And if you succeed, then you literally have to suffer at work, experiencing constant stress and developing nervous diseases. For psychological comfort, an introvert needs special working conditions and occupation.
Essence of the question
It happens that a person finds the ideal profession for himself completely by accident.
Michael Motylinski worked as a lawyer in California and hated his job. “I was constantly having to go to meetings and interact with a lot of people,” he says.
A sudden turn in his career came when Michael's brother asked him to perform a wedding ceremony. To do this, he had to take an online priest course, which did not require too much effort.
He later moved to the US Virgin Islands to practice law.
Image copyright Mary Latham Photography Image caption Michael Motylinski moved to the US Virgin Islands and became a full-time wedding celebrant, marrying 250 couples each year
“I’ve been asked several times if I know a wedding registrar,” he says. — I replied that I myself have a license to conduct weddings. Since this all started. Wedding planners and representatives of cruise lines started calling me. On the wedding day, people are usually absorbed in their own affairs, they get nervous over the smallest thing and don’t notice me,” he explains. “I usually stand at the altar or in the gazebo, and when the ceremony begins, I just read my speech.”
“After the ceremony, I try to remain unnoticed and then quietly sneak out the back door.”
Michael says that there is a place in his life not only for work. He bought a house by the sea, married a local girl, has two children, and a third child is on the way.
Jobs for introverts
Introverts do not like to work with people, moreover, the very thought of daily communication at work with unfamiliar clients scares them. They do not like to work in teams, speak in public, or give presentations. It is worth noting that the desire of introverts to avoid excessive communication does not mean that they are boring or uninteresting individuals. Rather, on the contrary, they often have creative talents, thanks to which they become famous.
According to statistics, introverts make up only 25% of the total number of people, and it is very difficult for this small part of the population to find their place in the modern world. The fact is that most professions now involve close communication - either in a team or with clients. It is worth noting that they should pay attention to certain types of activities:
• Auditors and accountants.
This profession involves minimal communication with clients and employees of the company. Most of the time, a specialist has to work only with numbers; of course, this may seem boring and monotonous to some, but not to an introvert.
• Technical writers.
The writer does not need to work in a team at all, since he can write at home, in a place that is more familiar and comfortable for him.
• Writers.
This type of activity requires an individual approach, and sometimes isolation from society will be appropriate. Working as a writer requires focus and certain talents.
• Designers and artists.
This type of activity is also individual in nature, as it involves a special approach to business and a personal vision of the world. A good designer needs to constantly develop, and for this there is no need to work in a team with anyone, since every creative person has his own path for development and self-improvement.
• Marketers.
Market research and analysis of indicators requires individual work. Of course, they have to communicate with people, but not so often that it causes discomfort for the introvert. For his work, it is important for him to find and be able to work with information.
• Translators.
This means working as a text translator, not simultaneous translation of other people's words. Such work does not oblige a person to constantly be in a team, since documents with completed translation can be sent by e-mail.
• Researchers.
Work as a researcher is also individual in nature, since a person does not need to actively communicate with people; what is more important is to concentrate on analyzing and drawing conclusions.
Alter ego
There are also completely different stories. A person who considers himself an introvert can suddenly change his field of activity.
Now Dan Neinen makes a living by telling jokes to audiences of several thousand people, although he began his career as an engineer at a Silicon Valley enterprise.
I can be compared to Clark Kent, who turns into Superman from time to time.
At his previous job, he had to give presentations on Intel products at various conferences. He liked to travel, but every time he shuddered at the thought of having to speak in front of an audience.
To overcome his fear of public speaking, he took drastic measures. He decided to enroll in a course with the author of The Bible of Humor, Judy Carter.
At the end of the course, each student had to perform at a real comedian show.
“The audience received my performance with a bang,” Neinen recalls. “I showed the recording to my colleagues, and I was asked to speak at a conference in Las Vegas in front of an audience of 250 people.”
The next time he took the stage, the audience numbered 2,500 people. This happened at a conference organized by his company for sales professionals.
Image copyright Dan Nainan Image caption Introvert Dan Nainan performed as a stand-up comedian at a conference in front of 2,500 people
“I showed a parody of Andy Grove [founder and head of Intel]. It was 8 o'clock on a Monday morning, so everyone was definitely sober, but they still enjoyed it. This was my third show."
Now he lives in New York and works as a comedian, earning good money from it.
According to him, due to the transformation from engineer to comedian, he developed a second self. “I can be compared to Clark Kent turning into Superman from time to time.”
“I think people who come up to me after the show are a little disappointed because I can’t make them laugh out loud at every word I say. In real life I'm much quieter and shyer, and people are really surprised by that."
This case is not an isolated one. For those who want to cope with social anxiety and shyness, exposure therapy is often recommended - classes in acting or public speaking.
Image copyright Thinkstock Image caption Extroverts also sometimes suffer from shyness and social anxiety
Gregory Pontrelli, head of HR consultancy Lausanne Business Solutions, emphasizes that these phenomena should not be confused with introversion.
“Extroverts also suffer from shyness and social anxiety,” he says.
Additionally, Pontrelli doubts that there is an ideal career for introverts. Even in sales, which is considered the domain of extroverts, a variety of skills are needed.
“Some companies make the big mistake of screening applicants based on psychological tests and weeding out candidates they think are unsuitable,” he says.
“It’s worth hiring both extroverts and introverts - this will give you a variety of points of view. This will help make the right decisions, create new developments and better understand customers.”
Personal qualities: reserved, unsociable
Many psychologists agree that the sales field is definitely not suitable for introverts, since skills such as improvisation and free communication are important here.
In addition, it is difficult for an introvert to occupy a leadership position, but at the same time, such individuals make good managers if they have to deal not with people, but with objects.
Although it is difficult to find a job for an uncommunicative introvert that is not related to people today.
It is also believed that introverts and large corporations are incompatible, working as a psychologist will be an extremely painful task for him, and tutoring will develop internal anxiety, since he will have to let unfamiliar people into his personal space.
The answer to the question of what kind of work is suitable for introverts is simple – a minimum of interaction with people.
The area of interaction with machines (IT and automated manufacturing), plants (landscape design, botanical gardens) or animals (veterinary medicine) is ideal.
Strengths of an introvert:
- creative ability, creativity
- good memory
- analytic skills
- carefully considered decisions
Tip 4. Be able to overcome isolation, but do not give up loneliness
Many “inners” are truly comfortable only when alone with themselves. As a result, in order to feel good, they need breaks during which they will rest from society. It is also important to at least sometimes “throw down the gauntlet” to this peculiarity of yours. A great opportunity is meetings in which you will actively participate. Another option is lunch with colleagues.
Every introvert has their own ways of overcoming themselves. For example, the CEO of Yahoo, Marissa Mayer, promises herself that she will sit in the company of colleagues for no more than 40 minutes. And if she doesn't want to stay until then, she leaves. So it’s much simpler: to know that you need to sit for a certain time, after which you can immediately leave the room.
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How to find a job for an introvert - a vulnerable, self-absorbed and extremely reserved person? After all, with such qualities it is often not only impossible to get along in a team, but even confidently passing an interview can be difficult. And if you succeed, then you literally have to suffer at work, experiencing constant stress and developing nervous diseases. For psychological comfort, an introvert needs special working conditions and occupation.
Introvert is not a vice, but a lifestyle
According to scientists, introverted and extroverted psychological personality types can easily “get along” in one person, but one always prevails. You cannot be half introvert and half extrovert; one type is more likely to manifest itself in different situations.
An introvert (inward-oriented) experiences discomfort when actively communicating with a large number of people, constantly refuses corporate events, loses a lot of energy during communication, and can only regain strength alone or at home.
This is why not every job is suitable for introverts.
Personal qualities: reserved, unsociable
Many psychologists agree that the sales field is definitely not suitable for introverts, since skills such as improvisation and free communication are important here.
In addition, it is difficult for an introvert to occupy a leadership position, but at the same time, such individuals make good managers if they have to deal not with people, but with objects.
Although it is difficult to find a job for an uncommunicative introvert that is not related to people today.
It is also believed that introverts and large corporations are incompatible, working as a psychologist will be an extremely painful task for him, and tutoring will develop internal anxiety, since he will have to let unfamiliar people into his personal space.
The answer to the question of what kind of work is suitable for introverts is simple – a minimum of interaction with people.
The area of interaction with machines (IT and automated manufacturing), plants (landscape design, botanical gardens) or animals (veterinary medicine) is ideal.
Strengths of an introvert: creativity, creativity, good memory, analytical skills, carefully considered decisions
Networking and well-prepared improvisation
The high degree of competition today is by no means on the side of introverts, since extroverts are more attractive to them compared to reserved and even slightly “inhibited” applicants.
But you can still find a suitable job for an introvert if you follow a few tips from Sympaty.net:
Networking is a real salvation for an unemployed introvert.
The point is to find a job through your network of people you know. At the same time, check whether the “five handshakes rule” works. Actively use the Internet: announce that you are looking for a job on social networks. Do it creatively (record, for example, a video resume - read our tips on how to do this here) - likes and reposts are guaranteed. During a period of temporary unemployment, take care of your personal accounts - make them more presentable. Communicate with the HR manager over the phone. If the call takes you by surprise, don't hesitate to ask for a moment to take your notes and collect your thoughts. But remember that phone-related jobs are not suitable for introverts. If you are scheduled for an interview, try to ensure that the interview takes place in private with the employer. Having too many people in a room won't do you any good. The ideal option is an interview via Skype. Write down all the information that you will need during a personal meeting with the employer (the same as in the case of a telephone conversation) in a notepad. Create a short resume, write down your strengths, professional achievements, advantages - in general, everything that is asked about during the interview. Psychologists, speaking about what kind of work is suitable for closed introverts, come to the conclusion that this is any position where you need to analyze. Therefore, during the interview, ask more questions (make a list in advance), of course, if your interlocutor is not an introvert. Concentrate on work aspects, show that the work is interesting to you, “dig up” as much information as possible about the company in advance, come up with several interesting ideas. The employer will definitely appreciate this, and you will be able to fend off tricky questions. During the interview, show your full potential and do not agree to several interviews in one day - you will need at least one evening to recuperate.
Remember that it is simply vital for a pronounced introvert to find a job that will charge him with energy and not deprive him of it. Otherwise, every evening you will feel like a squeezed lemon.
