While it’s normal for everyone to be nervous about an upcoming job interview, those of you who are more introverted can find the interview process more stressful than others. Introverts tend to be more reserved and more quiet by nature. They also struggle with things like small talk, answering questions on the spot, and self-promotion. This makes a job interview downright frightening for some. Luckily, there are things you, as an introvert, can do to prepare for a job interview and combat your personal struggles.
Prepare for the Interview
In the days leading up to your next job interview, take the time to properly prepare for it. As an introvert, being bombarded with unexpected questions is an overwhelming experience that can make you feel backed into a corner. Being properly prepared can help take the edge off of the process and give you a better chance of nailing the interview.
Plan Out Your Day
Try to schedule your time so that your job interview is the only major part of your day. Socialization of any kind takes a lot out of you as an introvert so it’s only natural for a job interview to be just as taxing if not more so. Having some alone time to prepare for the interview beforehand and then taking time to recover from it afterward can help you deal with the stress of the day properly.
If you have a job, take that day off if you can. However, if you can’t take the day off, schedule your interview early in the morning instead of after the workday. Scheduling an interview after work can be tough because you would have already dealt with a full day of social interactions and might be drained by the time you sit for the interview. The bottom line here is that you want to have as much physical, mental, and emotional energy available for the interview so do what you can to plan out your day so the interview is your main priority.
Similarly, if you’re actively applying for jobs, it’s possible that you have multiple job interviews instead of just one. Be sure to schedule each interview on its own day instead of having a day packed with multiple meetings. If you have an interview where you’ll be meeting with multiple people in one day, ask for some time between meetings so you can catch your breath and reset your mind as well as your emotions.
Do Some Research Beforehand
This isn’t a new idea but it’s still a good trick for introverts to prepare themselves for an interview. Research the company you’re interviewing with as well as the job title you applied for. Go to the company’s website and social media pages to see what they’re about and what they’ve been doing recently. If you know the name and title of who you’ll be meeting with, feel free to do some research on them, too.
You should also go to job sites that have company reviews from employees published. Job sites may also have information from other applicants about the interview process including the questions they were asked. This is an excellent tool for an introvert because it’ll give you a better idea of what to expect and will help you feel less nervous.
Be Ready for Standard Questions
If you’ve been through job interviews before, you know that there are always some questions that are always asked. It’s best to prepare your answers to these questions beforehand so you can answer them on the fly without being caught off guard or feeling uncomfortable.
Some common interview questions are:
- How would you describe yourself?
- How do you handle pressure or stress?
- What’s your greatest strength?
- What’s your biggest weakness?
- Do you work well with others?
- How do you handle failure?
- What sets you apart from others?
- What would your coworkers say about you?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- What attracted you to this position?
- What do you like to do in your free time?
Prepare your answers to these questions and any others you think might be asked. Then, practice your answers in front of a mirror or with a friend or relative. Doing this will help you improve your answers and get you comfortable with speaking them aloud.
In a lot of job interviews, the interviewer tends to ask you if you have any questions about the job, the company, or just general questions. You may want to prepare some in case you’re asked this during your interview. You won’t be surprised and left stammering for a response.
Some common questions to ask are:
- What is a typical day like in this position?
- Who does the position report to?
- What are the prospects for growth within the company?
- When is the expected start date?
- What are the biggest challenges of this position?
- What’s the best part about working for this company?
- Would you like my list of references?
- When can I expect to hear back from you?
You can have these questions written down or memorize them if you’re comfortable doing so.
Prepare Stalling Techniques
Even with preparing your answers and questions, there will likely still be times when you’re lost for words. To help you deal with this, practice subtle stalling techniques to use in the moment. This can be something as simple as saying, “Great question, let me think about that” or asking to circle back to something later on. Click here to know more about it.
Handling Small Talk
When you’re getting ready for a job interview, you may focus heavily on the questions and answers as well as talking about yourself and your job history. However, no matter how much you want to avoid it, small talk is inevitable.
Before the interview starts there is usually an informal conversation between you and the interviewer. This is when lasting first impressions are made. While preparing for your interview, come up with some possible lines to help ease you into small talk. Talking about the weather, your commute, or complementing the office décor are always safe options. No matter what, remain upbeat and engaged.
What to do During the Interview
After doing all you can to prepare for your interview, there is still more that you can do as an introvert during the interview. While you might be concerned that your quiet demeanor or shy personality will make your interviewer see you as weak or unassertive, there are things you can do to combat this.
Play up Your Personality
Being an introvert isn’t a bad thing. During the interview, draw focus to this personality trait and sell it as one of your strengths. Most of the time, introverts are creative, detail oriented, and independent. These are all qualities that successful companies look for in their employees.
To help you do this, think about your accomplishments in your field and see how they are related to your introversion. Maybe you completed a project abandoned by more flighty coworkers or you came up with a solution for a seemingly endless problem in your former company. Highlight these so the interviewer sees your subdued personality as an asset.
Start and End Strong
You always want to make a good first impression when you step into the interview. By starting off with a firm handshake and an upbeat attitude, you can make a lasting impact that will be hard to erase during the interview.
Similarly, ending the interview just as strong as you started it can help the interviewer remember you in a positive light. Even if you felt like the interview was a little lackluster, ending it with another firm handshake and a genuine smile can help smooth things over. Say something like, “Thank you for this opportunity, it was a pleasure meeting you,” too.
Mirror Your Interviewer
Even though you’ll be nervous during the interview, you can try to combat your nerves and your own introversion by matching your interviewer’s tone. If you see that they’re more informal than you anticipated, try to match that in your own way. By doing this, you can be sure that you’re on the same page or at least close to it.
Similarly, mirroring their gestures subtly is a way to form a bond with your interviewer. For example, if they sit back in their chair during the interview follow suit a minute or so after. You don’t want to go overboard so do this sporadically and imperceptibly.
Remember to always make and maintain eye contact and don’t let your calm demeanor come across as too aloof or disinterested. In general, creating a human connection with your interviewer is a great way to make a good impression despite being more reserved than other extroverted candidates. These simple tricks can help you do that easily.
If you think being an introvert is a disadvantage in a job interview, there are plenty of things you can do to harness your strengths and turn things in your favor. By properly preparing yourself and learning to play up your assets, you can overcome your own doubts and ace your job interview with ease.
Author Bio:
Jordan Perez is a human resource expert with over 10 years’ experience helping HR managers and employees create better work relations. She’s also an avid freelance writer who has been published in online magazines and cooperate websites. When she is not engaged in HR developments, she loves hitting the road to see new places. She regularly posts at Resume Pundits.