By: Resa Brinkley
Play to Your Strengths
Know which jobs will be a better fit for your personality and gear your resume towards those. An event planner might be too draining a position for an introvert to sustain, while working from home as an independent contractor might not be fulfilling for an extrovert.
In the interviewing process, know which formats might suit you best. Extroverts will likely shine in a group setting, so receptions and other events are a perfect setting. That doesn’t mean that introverts can’t do these events well. Quite the contrary! Sure, one-on-one interviews are likely your strong suit, but that’s not because introverts are shy. Instead, you prefer to eschew chit-chat in favor of substantive discussion, so you should find a small group within the event to strike up a conversation with.
Fake It Til You Make It
Extroverts should embrace the lulls in conversation to allow for others to speak so that they do not overwhelm the conversation or the audience. Introverts should take the time out of their schedule to know how to prepare and then recharge. This may mean not scheduling back-to-back interviewing weekends or events.
Hone Your Listening Skills
Extroverts may be tempted to stay in the spotlight, but you should practice trying not to be the center of attention, and instead defer to the more important people in the room or those with seniority. Introverts, on the other hand, when they feel the need to take a break can instead learn about others’ needs or goals within the organization. Both should have questions prepared to lead the conversation and give others a chance to speak. Observation and active-listening are both underutilized skills these days.
By: Resa K. Brinkley, MPA
Health Professions Advising Coordinator