Career Guide US 2019

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Interviews can be scary for
introverts, but everyone is anxious
before an interview, whether you’re
an introvert or extrovert!
Suggestions: When polled
HR professionals and hiring managers,
they said that one of the best ways for
candidates to stand out was by
researching the organization beforehand.
Preparedness is an introvert super power
—use this to succeed! It will increase your
comfort and up your performance.
Find out all you can about the
company via their website, social media,
and news. Search for information about
the people who will interview you, so
you understand their role in the
organization. Locate this information
on the company site or on professional
networking sites such as LinkedIn.
Do you know anyone that works for
or has interned at the company? Talk to
them about the culture and ask for any
tidbits of information they could share
that might be useful during the interview.
Practice answers to basic interview
questions, instilling your personality
and experiences so you don’t sound like
you’re copying canned responses you’ve
read online. Written communication
is typically a strength for introverts, so
practice by writing out your responses
(but never read your written respons-
es in an interview!). Additionally, use
your written communication skills and
thoughtfulness after the interview to
send a thank you note or email. Lean on
your reflective nature to highlight what
you found most interesting and exciting
throughout the interview process.
Introverts’ creative skills can also stand
out in interview follow-up to make
employers remember you.
If you find the interview interaction
exhausting, prepare for that too! Refrain
from scheduling an interview squeezed
between a 9 am class and an 11 am
off-campus work shift. On the day of
the interview, take some time off before
and/or after to organize your thoughts,
and recharge yourself for social activity.
You’ll be charged up for the interview
and reassured knowing you’ve scheduled
much-needed quiet time for afterwards.
AN INTERVIEW QUESTION
After all our discussions about the
positives and negatives of introversion
and extroversion, are you ready to
discuss where you land? A common
interview question is “Are you an
introvert or an extrovert, and why?”
Maybe you’ve been doing your best
during the interview to hide your shyness
and highlight your listening skills, or
group, or one-on-one teamwork and
problem-solving qualities. There are
strengths and weaknesses for both
extroverts and introverts. For all, practice
is an essential element of your interview
success. Practice your interview skills with
a friend or a trusted advisor. Ask them for
honest feedback: are you saying too much,
or too little? Cheerful or reserved? Vague
or specific?
In summary, for interview success,
prepare, practice, recognize, and be ready
to communicate your strengths that
outweigh any weaknesses you may have,
no matter where you fall on the chart. AG
24 Ag & F ood CAreer guide
EMULATE ENERGY LEVEL
Extroverts could be too energetic;
introverts might be too reserved.
A potential employer told my
introverted friend post-interview
that they didn’t get the job because
another candidate had more “energy
and showed more excitement.”
Likewise, I’ve heard employers
remark that candidates can be too
bubbly, loud, and “in-your-face.” You
might be thinking, I can’t win!
The best advice is to emulate
your interviewer. Employers have
their own personal ranking on the
introversion–extroversion scale.
Take a few minutes to watch, listen,
and measure your interviewer’s
energy level including body language
and volume. Do they seem more
outgoing? Up your energy level.
More reserved? Take it down a notch.
Mind-reading is not a requirement.
You probably act differently around
your friends than you do with your
grandparents, so you’re already
familiar with adjusting your actions
to match the situation and the
audience. You’ve got this!
emphasizing your sociable personality
without being overbearing. No matter
where you land on the continuum, its
reassuring to know that a healthy work
team is a balanced mix of both. Imagine
team meeting productivity with a room
full of exclusively extroverts, or all
introverts—nothing would get done in
either meeting!
When surveyed ag
employers about what they are looking
for in students and new graduates, team
work was the skill set ranked highest.
Some may assume extroverts are
naturally team players, but introverts
aren’t averse to team work either.
Extroverts could discuss their desire to
work in a large team, or lead, while
introverts may emphasize their small
BE READY TO
COMMUNICATE
YOUR STRENGTHS
THAT OUTWEIGH ANY
WEAKNESSES
YOU MAY HAVE.