Job interviews can feel overwhelming for introverts. They’re required to meet new people, step out of their comfort zone, and perform under pressure. This high-stakes setting can amplify anxiety, prevent them from showing their true potential, and keep them from performing their best.
If you’re an introvert looking to shine in your next job interview, or even an extrovert who wants a few extra tricks up their sleeve, these 13 actionable interview tips will help you feel calm, confident, and in control.
Before The Interview
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1. Practice, practice, and…practice again.
Over-preparing will give you a sense of mastery that can calm your nerves and improve your self-confidence and performance. Research the company, understand the job description, review your resume, and define your career goals. Write out the questions and answers you want to practice and edit them with a critical eye. Then, practice with someone else playing the employer (mock interview), even if it is only on the phone. You may need to do this more than once.
Before the interview, do a dress rehearsal in your interview attire and in person, if possible. If you can afford it, engage a professional—it is well worth the investment. If not, practice with someone whose opinion you trust.
2. Record yourself and review.
Use your phone or computer to record your practice sessions. Watching or listening back can reveal things you may not notice in real time, like filler words, slouched posture, or a monotone voice. This is a great self-awareness tool for both introverts and extroverts.
3. Prepare talking points and confidence-boosters.
Prepare a list of key accomplishments, skills, and stories you want to highlight. These talking points can serve as mental anchors during the interview and key answers to those tricky behavioral questions (remember to use the “Experience + Learn = Grow” technique). Consider writing out a short elevator pitch about yourself so you feel more ready when you’re asked, “Tell me about yourself.”
4. Prepare notes that you can refer to during an interview.
Usually, it is perfectly expected for you to have a few copies of your resume, and a pen and paper, perhaps in a portfolio or folder. Don’t write in full sentences, and keep your notes to the top page of your pad. Leave plenty of space to jot notes in a different color ink so that they are easy to pick out. You can write questions for the employer and reminders about your key strengths on the next page.
5. Wear comfortable, suitable clothes that boost your confidence.
Think about the setting and your personal style and kick up your attire one more notch. We recommend dressing one level above the company’s dress code. Make sure that your clothing fits you well and is comfortable to wear sitting, standing, and walking. It should also look good front and back. Ask someone else’s opinion.
Wearing something that feels “like you” can help reduce the awkwardness introverts often feel in formal settings. You will already be nervous enough—no need to add to it by allowing your mind to stray toward your outfit!
6. Visit the location early so you can visualize the setting.
This will also ensure that you know about any construction or other anomalies that may impact your arrival time and can react with a calm, cool demeanor. If it’s a public location, a quick reconnaissance will provide additional information to increase your comfort level and limit any fears that can be fed by the unknown.
During The Interview
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7. Breathe instead of saying “um,” “uh,” or other fillers.
As an introvert, you may get especially nervous when you have to speak in a public or unique situation—such as an interview! Instead of filling the silence with random syllables, breathe in. Typically, we stammer when we are trying to find the right words and feel the pressure. Focus on breathing in once and then breathe out while you think. This is usually enough to buy you time to find your language.
8. Strike a thoughtful pose to buy yourself time.
As introverts (or even extroverts!) we sometimes worry that the interviewer will wonder if we have “spaced out” or “lost it” if it takes too long to speak. If you have a pose you normally strike when thinking (a hand on your chin?), do that. Or, you can rephrase the question while searching your mind for the perfect words.
Sometimes, the introverts I work with feel comfortable saying something like, “That is a good question, I am processing that as we speak!” A combination can also be employed, of course. This shows self-awareness and thoughtfulness—traits employers often value.
9. Smile—and let your personality show.
Really—remind yourself to smile! When I worked as a telemarketer, many years ago, I learned that people can hear you smile when you speak. It is true. Well, if people on the other end of a phone can react to a smile, doesn’t it stand to reason that an in-person smile will make even more of a positive impression? Take the interview seriously, by all means, but show your humanity as well.
A recent introverted client became comfortable sharing the fact that he is an introvert during the interview. It works really well as a prelude to your answer to, “What is something you have to work on?” or “What is your greatest weakness?”
10. Keep your answers positive and forward-focused.
There is no need to provide anything but the best of your best during the interview. Unless asked specifically about a weakness or a project that has gone wrong, keep your mouth shut. Even then, always put a positive spin on things, and highlight what you’ve learned and how good you have become at planning and avoiding X, Y, and Z (use the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model for answering behavioral interview questions).
If you are introverted, you may be harder on yourself than anyone else. The last thing you want is to give your mind something to gnaw on while you try to be “in the moment” during an interview.
11. Ask insightful questions to turn the interview into a conversation.
In order to avoid an interview feeling like an inquisition, ask questions. Approach the interview as if it were a conversation: you listen, you respond, you interact, and the interviewer does the same. If you can nudge the interview in this direction, you will feel a lot more confident and comfortable than if the interviewer is asking all the questions!
12. Watch your body language—your nonverbal communication matters.
Leaning forward shows that you are interested and alert. Crossing anything sends the message that you are closed off and negative. Leaning back in your chair may give the impression that you don’t care or are arrogant. Be careful not to fidget, doodle, or make faces while the interviewer is speaking or you are thinking. Practice good posture and open gestures to project confidence—even if you’re not feeling it yet.
After The Interview
13. Reflect, review, and improve for next time.
When you are safely out of sight, but before you get home, write down some notes about anything you might want to include in a thank-you note, ask in a follow-up or next interview, or could improve on the next time you interview for a job or need to speak in a public or unusual situation!
Bonus tip: Send a thoughtful thank-you email.
Introverts tend to be good writers, so use that to your advantage. Send a thank-you note to everyone you spoke to during your interview. Recap a key point from the conversation and reiterate your enthusiasm. This helps leave a lasting impression and adds a personal touch.
Job interviews can be especially draining for introverts, but they don’t have to derail your chances. We hope you found these 13 interview tips helpful, and now you have the confidence to ace your next job interview!
With preparation, self-awareness, and a few smart strategies, introverts can absolutely succeed in interviews—and even enjoy the process.
Good luck!
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