Job Interview Tips for Shy People

Remember this
You can be very successful in life and be very successful as a person even if your an introvert or even if your shy. Examples? Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts.

Job Interview tips for shy people

I went through ten interviews as a young law school graduate in Chicago before I landed my first legal job. I've never thought of myself as being outright shy and I was an honors student, but in a city full of aggressive, intelligent, outgoing, law grads competing for the same jobs, it was more than a little intimidating. I knew I'd always been an introvert and I didn't know how to compete so to speak with my aggressive extroverted counterparts. Eventually, by sending out a cover letter to every State's Attorney's Office in the state I found a job in a mid-sized city with a great boss as a criminal trial prosecutor in spite of my quiet bearing. I was very happy there for twenty years. But when I was hired I knew they really needed somebody right away. I still wonder where I'd be if I wasn't in the right place at the right time. I know I'm not the only one out there - shy introverts in extrovert's jobs. After years of thinking about it I want to pass on some tips that will help you out.

The #1 Tip, Be better prepared than the competition for each interview
It might seem like basic advice to get ready for an interview but an introverts self-consciousness is often their downfall. Sites like Monster.com will give you suggested answers to hundreds of questions interviewers like to throw at applicants. Adapt the answers to fit your goals. Figure out what you'd like to say if the question is asked. Put brief answers on note cards and grill yourself until you can answer any question, anytime, anywhere. Don't stop until you are comfortable with about 100 questions. It may seem silly but this approach is what an introvert needs to calm down, have confidence and not be nervous. At the interview, you know your material so well the answers come out like their off the top of your head. It really takes the pressure off. This is 99% of it. You will come off sounding better than the most outgoing person who is winging it. And know as much as you can about the company your interviewing with.

Be aware of your body language
Shy people sometimes unintentionally come across as cold and standoffish. It's due to body language. The introverted want more personal space and may fidget. To avoid this sit up straight in your chair, fold your hands together and rest them on the table. Keep them there. If there's no table, sit up straight and keep your hands folded in your lap. Do not cross your arms across your chest. It's a sign your on the defensive.

Try and get your friends to help you out
Shy people have smaller comfort zones than extroverts are generally more confident when they're in their comfort zone, so when you go out to a job interview, it's a good idea to bring along a close friend along for moral support. I used to be so nervous about getting through an interview that by the time I walked through the door I was a nervous wreck. Do your interview homework ahead of time. Going to breakfast with a close friend before the interview or lunch and then hanging out for a while will help keep your nerves from fraying. And you know you have a friend not far off when the interview is over.

Keep your expectations reasonable
Every shy person who has ever interviewed has made the mistake of putting too much pressure on themselves. Before every interview I used to think I have got to get this job. And it is a mistake. With that kind of mindset you stop listening and just start guessing at trying to say what the interviewer wants to hear. The idea is to see if you're a good match with the company, not to get an offer from every interview you go to. You cannot control the outcome of the interview, but you can control your nerves and expectations.

Go over your checklist the night before
The day before you interview take a look at your checklist. Clothes ready, resume/references ready, company fact sheet ready, route to the interview ready, parking spot ready, traffic and travel time, ready. etc. Leave nothing to chance so you don't have to rush.

Be glad your ann introvert
Aggressive outgoing candidate may seem like they're the total package, but quiet types possess different qualities that can be just as appealing to employers. Those traits are an advantage especially if the interviewer is an introvert him or herself. Your introverted so your deeper and a better listener. Your better at observing others and you see things others don't notice. You often have insight into situations and people that the extroverts don't catch. That boosts your value. All these qualities can be very attractive to right interviewer. So have some confidence from knowing that people can be drawn to your personality and make a little more effort to stay open and smile when your going for that job. It wasn't long after I got my job that my boss confided in me that he didn't like know it alls and people who loved to hear themselves talk As an attorney my specialty was letting defense attorney's tell me everything they wanted to tell me about their client and their defense. I just listened and usually wound up learning all I needed to know.

A.C. Law has also written Why Time Moves Faster As We Age

SOURCES:
Monster.com career-advice.monster.com/interview-preparation/Ten-Tips-to-Boost-Your-Interview-_2/home.aspx