Introverts taught me everything I need to know about how to ace an interview. Yes, introverts. Surprising from an extrovert like me, I know.
Because I am easily the biggest extrovert you will ever meet in military life. Normally, extroversion is a huge advantage in the job market, especially when it comes to networking at a giant conference or social event. I practically fizz in the company of large groups of strangers. So many people. So little time.
Yet my extroversion turned out to be a disadvantage when it came to job interviews. Even though I could naturally think on my feet and keep the conversation going, I kept blowing it in the interview -- until I started taking lessons from the introverts.
Who Thought Up the Interview Process?
I'm pretty sure we extroverts are to blame for the whole idea of thinking the best candidate for a job could be identified from a first impression. The research shows this is definitely not the case.
Yet we keep relying on the traditional practice of the interview. Fortunately for all of us military job seekers, the introverts have it all figured out. Here are the lessons introverts can teach to us all about acing the interview.
1. Introverts Know This Is Not a Conversation
As the transition master coach for Military.com, I've helped more than 21,000 veterans, transitioning military members and spouses with their job hunts. I can tell you that the fatal flaw of most extroverts is that we don't prepare for the interview. After all, it's just another conversation.
Introverts know an interview is not a conversation. An interview is a prescribed series of questions that you can prepare ahead of time.
According to the research, interviewers judge the quality of the spoken answer to see whether it is intelligent, qualified, structured and straightforward (not rambling). You don't get that kind of answer by winging it or "looking over the questions" 10 minutes before the interview. You prepare questions like an introvert.
2. Introverts Prepare in Writing
When you think "prepare," think like an introvert. Introverts are more likely to prepare for the interview, because they are uncomfortable with the idea of thinking up a random answer on the spot.
Write down answers ahead of time. You are not going to read the answers verbatim. It is the act of writing that prepares you and decreases the chance of drawing a blank during an interview question.
3. Introverts Dissect the Job Listing
We extroverts do not read a job listing. We skim it. We think we are saving time, but really we skim it because the whole process triggers all of our secret anxieties.
A skilled introvert will study the job listing, pulling it apart to identify the top skills they are most likely to be asked about and prepare an answer.
Find out more about how to answer interview questions effectively in our FREE master class, "How to Nail the Job Offer: Interview Skills for Veterans."
4. Introverts Identify what the Interview Wants
Extroverts typically don't analyze what the interviewer wants, then figure out how they can give it to them. Extroverts focus on what they will bring to the job.
Introverts are already anxious. They try to get inside the head of the hiring manager, figure out what they want and identify what they might talk about that would deliver that result. Here is a hint: The top three skills listed in the "what you will do" section are the things hiring managers want most.
5. Introverts Practice Being the Hiring Manager, Not the Candidate
When I practice interview skills with my introverted clients, I do it differently than with extroverted clients. Instead of putting them in the hot seat as the interviewee, I make them play the part of the hiring manager first. I make them come up with the questions, not the answers, and I try to answer.
Then I flip it around so that they are the interviewee. It is amazing how well-prepared they are during the second round.
6. Introverts Access AI Tools
Introverts do not prefer to think out loud or try out new skills in public. That's why they are more likely to use AI interview tools such as Prepper, ChatGPT or LinkedIn.
These tools will offer you sample interview questions for a particular job listing. You give your response either in writing or orally. They give you feedback so you can improve your answer before you interview with a real person. It's that simple.
7. Introverts Get the Insurance
Every introvert I ever met has at least one question that they worry the interviewer will ask -- the question they most want to avoid. It can be anything, but you worry about this question all the time.
- What if they ask me about why I only had this assignment for three months?
- What if they ask me why I didn't have command?
- What if they want to know what kind of salary I expect?
The solution? Prepare an answer to the worst possible question. It is amazing how once you have prepared this, everything else comes easy.
Interviewing is a skill most military and spouses have not had to learn so far, but those skills are absolutely essential in the highly competitive job market. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, you can learn the skills you need to ace the interview and land the job. Check out our FREE master class about interview skills and next-level negotiation to learn all the techniques that help our military community the most.
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