The unconscious bias, or maybe it is conscious actually, is that extroverts are better candidates.
And for a lot of roles, particularly in finance, that is just not true because those qualities aren’t essential to getting the job done.
If you’re an introvert yourself, push the balance back in your favour by doing these 3 things:
Get references upfront
It’s always wise to get good references upfront to help you communicate just how good you will be in the role that you’re applying for. Proper references, but ban your referee from using any clichés like ‘asset to any business’ – these are generic and don’t have any impact.
Ask fantastic questions
Extroverts think with their mouths and it can cause them to say silly things sometimes. You’re an introvert though with powers of deep thought and analysis, so USE your advantage.
Before your interview, think about the key parts of the role or what the pinch points might be and prepare specific questions that show off your talent for understanding key details.
Maybe there’s a recent news article on the business that might have impacted on this role – you don’t have to show off by speculating how – you just have to ask the question.
Always follow up
Being an introvert, your next few days post interview may well be spent replaying the whole thing in your head and thinking of all the things you should have said.
Well, unless it was a complete and utter car crash, follow up with a short email to the interviewer. Write in plain, relatable language, that you just had to correct an answer that you gave and that you are genuinely really interested in the job. Sometimes, introverts can come across as negative or disinterested, particularly off the back of a question which causes your mind to go blank. This helps challenge those perceptions, as well as showing diligence.
Remember, don’t underestimate yourself, and use your personality to your advantage.
