Being Shy is Tough, Especially in Interviews
Being shy is tough. It causes emotional stress. Shyness partially stems from a desire to say and do the right thing in social situations, such as in interviews. The idea of making a mistake can be scary, it's easier to hang back, observe, and say nothing. But that is not possible in an interview situation, where you are expected to shine.
Here are a few tips that could help:
Put Yourself in the Interviewer's Shoes
Try to imagine the impact your shyness has on the interviewer who is trying to connect with you. They are feeling stressed too. Well, the good news is there are a few things you can do that can improve the situation for both you and the person interviewing you.
A Joke can put you both at ease.
Use the simple technique of making a small joke to let interviewers know that you really don't fear them. Displaying a sense of humour is a subtle means of showing your confidence and intelligence. Find a spot early in the interview to share something funny. It might be about the weather, the traffic, or some other aspect of your local geography. All it takes is a quick amusing comment to break the tension and build rapport.
Use Shyness to your Advantage!
So, you’re shy. This means you're pensive and sensitive, curious, a good listener, and able to work alone. Those are great qualities, so own it! Instead of trying to hide the fact that you’re an introvert, explain how your introverted nature is an advantage.
Do you like to organize your thoughts before responding to questions? Let the interviewer know. It can be an effective way to educate them on your personality and share a bit about yourself. Here’s an example: “As an introvert, I’ve found that I’m able to listen to all sides of an argument and to weigh what everyone is saying carefully and equally. I’ll ask more follow-up questions if I need to, but I won’t give an answer until I know I’ve got the right one.” And, if nothing else, as a shy person, a moment or two of silence may help you recharge your batteries while you produce the perfect answer.
Make a Good First Impression
Practicing is great, but eventually, it’s GO time.
Fair or unfair, an interviewer makes a judgment about you in less than a minute. That doesn’t give you a lot of time to create a good first impression, so make those first few seconds’ count. When you walk in the room or hop on a call, give the interviewer an enthusiastic greeting. Start the interview on a confident, friendly, and professional note.
A few other tips:
Know in depth what you have written in your resume, it is the syllabus of your interview.
Be your best self, be confident of your identity.
Don't regret not knowing an answer, simply move on.
Don't expect selection, expect a healthy discussion.
Keep perspective, don’t give undue importance to an interview, as the higher the importance, the higher the nervousness. Don't forget there is life above everything.
After the Interview, take Time to Recharge.
An interview can be exhausting and stressful for anyone, but even more so for introverts. Let yourself rest, relax, and recharge, so you’ve got the energy to keep going with your job search.
To summarize, remember - while interviews may feel harder if you’re shy, it’s important to know that you have advantages in these situations too. Get to know your strengths, prepare your Star Stories, and use your inherent listening skills to your advantage.
Check out this post from Indeed’s Career Guide for 20 more great Tips: How to Not Be Nervous at an Interview | Indeed.com Canada
If you feel self-preparation isn’t enough, and you want extra help, contact us at Calgary Career Hub. We can help guide you through the process. Reach out to us at Calgary Career Hub or call (403) 201-4122. We’d love to hear from you!
This Tip created with input from Flexjobs.