Careers Suitable for an Introvert in an Overly Extroverted World
Christy Wood - September 14, 2020
According to experts, introversion can greatly affect productivity and motivation of someone at work. This is especially true when the person is bombarded daily with things that trigger their anxiety. In a world where collaboration and teamwork are often associated with meetings and endless discussions, an introverted person may start feeling like they do not belong in the organization and may find situations like these draining and demotivating.
So how does an introvert thrive in the corporate world? According to research psychologists, between 16%- 50% of the population are introverts, so how are these people surviving and able to keep their jobs? If you are an introvert and struggling to find your own corner in the corporate world, you may need to evaluate yourself so you can find careers particularly suitable for your personality type.
Types of Introverts
According to Psychology experts, there are 4 types of introverts and each one responds differently to social situations. Check below to see where you belong.
Social Introvert – People in this category are not entirely shy but prefer to be alone if given a choice. They can socialize without issues but prefer hanging out with people they already know.
Thinking Introvert- These people can be around others without getting anxious about it but are often deep in their thoughts. You will usually find them alone and spaced out when in a group.
Anxious Introvert- Anxious introverts intentionally self-isolate and steer clear from other's attention. They feel awkward when around other people and may have poor social skills.
Restrained Introvert- These are the people who need extra time to get ready to join the rest of the world. They take some time warming up and do not like spontaneous activities and situations. They also fear and do not react well to sudden changes.
Choosing a Career That is Ideal for You!
If you are an introvert who is currently looking for a job, it is important that you are able to identify what type of an introvert you are so you can match it with the most suitable position for you. Self-awareness will allow you to recognize and compare possible anxiety triggers in certain jobs and identify which ones will allow you to work most comfortably and effectively.
Being able to determine in advance what will and will not work allows you to pursue a more satisfying and fulfilling job. When job hunting, try to look for positions that require less socialization and public speaking. Here are some of the things that you may want to look for:
- Jobs that allow or require independent work and less supervision
- Positions with a quiet work area or option to work from home
- Openings that allow one-on-one instead of group interaction
Careers for Different Types of Introversion
Below are some jobs that may work for the different types of introverts. They do require specific skills that you need to acquire or possess so go through the list and see if something will work for you.
Jobs for Social Introverts – These jobs only require limited or one-on-one interactions and allow you to work individually or alone most of the time.
- Civil or architectural drafter
- Database administrator
- Dental lab technician
- Electrical or electronic engineering technician
- Heavy equipment mechanic
- Industrial machinery mechanic
- Interpreter or translator
Jobs for Thinking Introverts – Jobs in this category offer limited interaction with people and allow you to be left to your own devices to use your creativity or imagination.
- Aerospace engineer
- Civil engineer
- Computer programmer
- Environmental engineer
- Graphic designer
- Industrial engineer
- Interior designer
- Web developer
Jobs for Anxious Introverts – These jobs allow you to work alone and focus your strength in doing your work. They require concentration and working quietly or alone which lessens social anxiety.
- Accountant or auditor
- Audio engineering technician
- Medical lab technician or technologist
- Editor or Copywriter
- Statistician
- Technical writer
Jobs for Restrained Introverts- This set of jobs is more laidback in nature which usually allows one to work on his or her own terms or with flexible schedules. More thinking and analyzing is done prior to work which makes them great for restrained or inhibited introverts.
- Biochemist or biophysicist
- Career or education counselor
- Conservation scientist
- Management analyst
- Market research analyst or marketing specialist
- Microbiologist
- Personal financial advisor
How to Look for Jobs Suited for Introverts
Assuming that you’ve done some self-assessment and have identified your introversion and career type it’s time to start working on obtaining that ideal job. Below are some of the things that you need to do in order to launch your perfect career.
Update Your Resume – Learn how to make a professional resume that will showcase not only your past achievements and work experiences, but one that will highlight your specific skills to help you stand out in a sea of job candidates.
Utilize LinkedIn- Update and make your LinkedIn profile stronger by filling out all necessary information and connecting with mentors and leaders from your industry. The more quality connections you have, the higher the chances of you getting referred to your dream job or connecting with your future employer.
Boost Your Skills- Jobs and job requirements are continuously evolving, upgrading to keep up with today’s technology so make sure you are equipped with the necessary skills. There are plenty of free courses online to help you get started. Consider this as an opportunity to stay productive while looking for a job.
Stay in Touch with Former Colleagues – Did you know that a referral is one of the most relied-upon hiring strategies that recruiters use when they are looking to employ someone? It is cost-effective and they already have confirmation of the new person's skills. So, go ahead and stay in touch with former colleagues or classmates even if it is via social media only.
There is no perfect equation to finding the best job for anybody, introvert or not. The closest thing is simply knowing what works for you to stay motivated and productive. Ideally, this introspection will help you set the course in finding that job that will allow you to be your best working self.