It’s important to develop one’s interpersonal skills so as to be able to convey one’s messages to the other people. Apart from that, confidence in public speaking enables one to pass job interviews to land a good job. That’s why people undergo various public speaking pieces of training such as oration, declamation, debate, and so on to gather the confidence to talk with other people.

However, this is a big problem when it comes to introverted people. Most introverts are known to be quiet individuals who prefer solitude, serenity, and tranquility than the loud buzzing of the crowd. It can be a nerve-wracking experience if you get in an interview with other applicants who want to land your dream job. It’s even worse if you sense that the other candidates are extroverts in nature. That means that they are confident, loud, and boisterous enough to express themselves as well as their desire to land your dream job.

How can you gain an advantage over your competitors without stripping away your innate introvert nature?  Read on

“When someone speaks to an introvert, her brain responds with a high level of activity. It is as if several lights start flashing on a control panel.”–– Laurie Helgoe

Make Personal Connections

One main problem with introverts is that they tend to have a small circle of friends. They can only relate with a small circle of friends, and that’s why they only feel comfortable around them. They start to get uncomfortable if they’re whom they don’t know personally. This situation can be disastrous if you are and introvert, and in an interview, as you’ll be forced to make connections with people you don’t know. But there’s no need to fret about it; there is a solution for that.

To make your job interview more bearable, you only need to imagine the people around you as your personal friends. Try talking with them. A simple greeting or a simple hi or hello is good enough. A shift in the mindset can dramatically improve your mood and boost your confidence when taking interviews. Just imagine yourself in a different setting; instead of thinking that a stranger is asking you questions, you friend is the one asking them. Your mind will be at ease, and you will find it easier for you to answer the questions as if you’re just conversing with a close friend. Of course, don’t forget to be polite, smile, and maintain eye contact. 

Take Your Time When Answering Questions

While most introverts are proven to have complex minds and that they think deeply, the problem is that their thoughts might be disorganized. This makes it difficult for them to convert their thoughts into words. This is particularly so because they’re not used to conversations. If that’s the case, we recommend that you take your time to organize your thoughts. Don’t be pressured by the fact that the other applicants can answer questions immediately.

If need be, don’t hesitate to ask for some time to formulate your ideas. One common misconception that people have is that quick response equates to a good and a high-quality answer. This is not the case in reality. The truth is, you can always compensate your slower response by giving out high-quality answers as this will give an impression to your future employers that you are a serious thinker and you analyze the situation critically before taking actions. 

Don’t be afraid to show your achievements

The problem with introverts is that they think like they’re bragging when talking about their accomplishments. In the real sense, this is not the case.  If anything, you need to be more expressive when talking about your achievement. You should be proud of your achievements because you’ve managed to acquire them through your skills and abilities despite being an introvert.

You should be proud because you’ve worked hard to earn it. Of course, you need to share it with politeness and don’t brag too much. Just say that those achievements have shaped you to harness your skills and abilities that may be needed in order to take this future job well.