If the thought of ‘working a room’ brings you out in a cold sweat, you may be an introvert! Impressing potential employers can be a nerve-wracking task, especially if you lack confidence. But there’s plenty you can do to make sure you get noticed.
- Recognise your strengths: the greater your understanding of what you’re good at, the more likely it is that others will recognise these strengths. Try drawing up a list of your best qualities and life achievements (even if you don’t think they’re particularly relevant). Activities such as volunteering and being a member of a club or society are significantly valued by employers, as they lead to a better understanding of who you are. Perhaps try having a friend/relative write a similar list for you, to see what they think are your main strengths. Don’t be scared about writing down some negatives, too. Being asked about a personal negative trait is a commonly asked question in job interviews, and an answer backed up with how you’ve tried to turn that negative into a positive will go down well with any interviewer. Try not to be too harsh on yourself, though!
- Compliment yourself indirectly: introverts and those suffering from shyness tend to walk hand-in-hand with modesty. Boasting is typically something you try and avoid. Interviewers want to know what you can offer to the role you’re interested in or applying for, and what makes you different from the other applicants. Answering a question in an indirect manner such as: “Tell me why you would make a good leader” can eliminate the feeling of arrogance, while promoting your matching characteristics to the employer at the same time. Using the CAR method (circumstance, action, and result) is a great template in these situations. Answering by revealing a previous experience such as, “I was leader for one day on a World Challenge exercise – this is what I did, and from this I learnt this” will present the relevant information while eradicating any feeling that you’re being boastful.
- There is always space for preparation: when entering any group situation, it’s never a bad idea to do a little preparation beforehand. If you’re planning to go to a career fair and there is a certain employer attending, it’s always worth having a plan in place for what you’d like to ask them. “How did you end up in your current role?” and “What are the positives/negatives for working at…?” or “What is your typical day like?” are all valuable questions. In your preparation, outline what you want to learn/gain from the experience, as well as noting down anything you would like to share yourself. This way you are sure to get what you want from your day at the careers fair, while making a positive impression on the employer and minimising any nervous sensations at the same time. Our in-depth post on how to shine in unique social situations such as career fairs will give you even more practical tips like these.
- Embrace social media: you’re off to an event that a prospective employer or senior executive is attending. Do your homework through social media by following them on Twitter, or explore their LinkedIn profile. Even better, visit their Facebook page to find out more about their company culture and prepare some topical questions – showing that you’ve done your research in this way will undoubtedly impress.
- Be true to you: introverts typically excel in one-to-one conversations. Whether you’re meeting a potential employer, networking at an event, or you’re simply in a ‘bar scenario’, play to that strength. An introvert is unlikely to want to ‘work the room’, so carry on doing what you do well.
- Always follow up the interview: we all know that feeling post-interview where we wished we had expanded on a particular topic, or talked about a particular project. Writing a follow up email after the interview will allow you to do this. You can thank the interviewer for their time, say what you learned from the experience, and confirm how interested in the role you are. There is always space to say “I would like to expand my involvement in this project further”, or “I just wanted to add”. This will help to suppress those nagging thoughts in your head.
- Recharge those batteries: even Duracell bunnies run out of steam eventually. Introverts require that time and space to collect their thoughts, so make time for this. If you have two social events in a row, allow yourself a little time to prepare for the next. This can be done through a simple short walk, or however works best for you. This way you won’t dread what’s to come, as you will have allowed yourself suitable time to re-energise.
- There’s always one: that person who always initiates the conversation. The reality is that networking events are full of people hoping someone will talk to them. We all know the sense of relief when someone starts chatting to you, so why not give it a go? Allow yourself to dictate the path of the conversation by introducing yourself first and asking questions. Asking a question indicates interest and following up with more questions, (so long as they are relevant) shows you are paying close attention. This way the other person is doing the main bulk of the talking, while you come off as the confident individual.
- Phone a friend: although this time you can do this without Chris Tarrant playing the middle man. Organising a friend to come along to a networking event can help to ease concerns and anxiety. It can give you a boost of confidence when you walk into the room, and ensures you won’t be left in the corner alone. While you both mingle and get to ‘small talk’ with new people, it can simply allow you to introduce one another to individuals you’ve just met.
- Smile, it goes a long way: the age old saying could not be closer to the truth. A smile immediately draws people to you and invites conversation. Smiling can also help you to feel confident, as it lets off endorphins which make you feel good. Walking around with a glum expression will not attract others in a social setting to strike up a conversation.
Being an introvert is no bad thing. You’re probably intuitive and creative, and your diplomacy could come in handy in the boardroom one day! You may find social interaction and self-promotion a little awkward sometimes, but as long as know how to play to your best qualities, you’ll be just as impressive as the most confident extrovert.