An Introverts Guide to Overcoming Interview Anxiety

Let's be honest; interviews create a nerve-wracking environment for anyone. The situation can be harder when you're an introvert like me, preparing for an engineering, manufacturing, or architecture interview in which you'll face personality-related and technical questions from someone you don't know. Ranked right below public speaking, interviewing for the socially introvert is difficult to think about, much less follow through with confidence.

Being introverted is very common in the technical field and is a trait, in part, that makes you outstanding in your career in the first place. Introverts are known for being great problem-solvers, focused, and thought-provoking, all of which are needed in today's technical roles. Yet, these great attributes can also trip you up a bit when you're in a meeting with new people, talking about yourself, both of which can be outside our comfort zone.

Rest assured, we've created "An Introverts Guide to Overcoming Interview Anxiety" to help you prepare for the necessary but sometimes difficult, interview. Interviews are an excellent opportunity for your situation, and there are proven ways to turn your personality to your advantage. Even if you are an introvert, you still have a great chance of success in an interview by utilizing your critical thinking capability, listening, and being well prepared. Overcoming your natural personality traits is not a piece of cake, yet, with a bit of practice and by following a few tips and tricks, you'll nail your technical interviews and land that exciting opportunity you want. 

 Tips for Introverts to Remain Invincible in the Interview

Being an introvert is not something that should halt your success in an interview for a technical job. As much as you prepare for it and follow these tips and tricks, you will respond to questions confidently. 

Here are tips for the most reticent candidates to perform better in their interviews, especially in technical job interviews such as engineering and manufacturing professions, and start your ideal job. 

1. Polish Your Small Talking Skills 

 For a shy person like you, it is natural to dislike small talk. We'd much rather get to the heart of the conversation and build from there. We enjoy problem-solving and deeper-meaning conversations, so chit-chat makes us a bit impatient. However, it's very advantageous to be rapport-building and learning shared interests to grow relationships and trust in an interview setting. Certainly, this is a hindrance for such individuals who're not a fan of small talk, but it will take you to the offer stage if you work on it. 

 While sitting in the interview, the ultimate purpose is to build up a connection with the interview manager and other attendees. This engagement requires an inquisitive behavioral pattern that shows your interest in discussing the position with them extensively. 

Here you have to use your skill and engage the interviewer and hiring manager with a mutual interest topic. Ditch the usual small talk topics, and your audience will genuinely appreciate engaging with you. Compliment them on their office settings, or mention something positive you've heard about the company or person. If you noticed something interesting or peculiar in their LinkedIn profile, mention this. If you have something in common with their backgrounds, such as a college or previous company, be sure to mention this before the formal Q&A begins.

Smile often and bring on the charm as much as possible earlier in the conversation. Just as you're forming thoughts on the person you're meeting, they're doing the same. So compliment them and be as upbeat as possible throughout the meeting, but especially at the start of the conversation. State something like "It's great to be here" or "I'm excited to meet with you". This sets a positive tone and puts you in a positive and upbeat mindset that will be matched by the person or people you meet.

 2. Take Time to Prepare and Focus on Your Fundamentals 

It can be energy-draining to spend long periods with someone which you're unfamiliar. However, to grasp the opportunity of the offered job, you need to prepare for it. 

For this purpose, you need to have a decent amount of time to mentally prepare for the interview and remember that you're expected to show your knowledge of the technical skills required for the position.

Before your interview, take time to review the job description's duties and take personal notes about projects you've completed that align with the bullet points. This refreshes your memory of details that'll come in handy when you're in the moment with the hiring manager. Jot down project and product names, software used during this project, and the result or application. These details will be very interesting for the interviewer and helps them picture you being successful in the position. Practice this step as much as possible before your interview, and you'll thank yourself later.

Once you have rightly answered the fundamentals, you will have built confidence, helping you tackle high-profile open-ended questions. 

3. Communicate Your Strong Technical Expertise 

If you're interviewing for a job that comprises deep knowledge in your area of expertise, this is your strongest and most significant edge. Typically, interviewers will ask questions related to your interpersonal styles and "soft skills," and it may not be the most comfortable part of the interview. Being a more private person, you may not be used to talking about yourself at length and having the spotlight on you for an hour or two. 

Interviews in your area will include a technical portion focusing on your expertise. Answering these questions will be much easier for you because you are confident about the answer. This confidence provides you the necessary energy and momentum to keep questioners engaged in showing them that you are the right person for the job. 

Bear in mind that your technical background is your strength, so be very straightforward and thorough while answering technical questions. Be sure to keep your answers concise and focused on the question you were asked; however, provide detailed information until they appear satisfied with your information. Ask follow-up questions like, "Does that answer your question thoroughly?" or "Was that what you were asking about?".

 4. Prepare to Solve Hypothetical Technical Problems in a Different Way 

We have discussed that technical interviews will be related specifically to the role for which you're applying. However, after answering fundamental job-related questions, you may be asked hypothetical and purely technical problems that could get solved with various solutions. Typically, the interviewer will be analyzing your approach to manage and solve a technical problem. For example, the interviewer may ask, "How would you create a machine that would assemble this pen?" or "What is your process for starting a new conceptual design process?" There can be multiple ways to answer the question. The interviewer is curious to learn your approach to problem-solving and how process-oriented you are.

Be sure to ask clarifying questions to understand the problem clearly. Managers are seeking naturally curious problem-solvers, so a few questions upfront will score a point. If you choose some different way to solve that complex technical situation, be ready to give examples of how you've completed a similar task.

You will be given open-ended questions, so be very much clear about your thought process and how you would tackle the issues.

5. Talk About Their Company 

Going for the interview, keep in mind that you have to make your hiring manager realize that you are genuinely interested and are the best-suited candidate for the job. 

Showing your interest in the company's success stories and ongoing projects will help you create a good impact and leave a great impression. Research company news articles for recent information about their products, innovations, or culture. Also, and if possible, network with current or former employees about inside company information. Ask questions or discuss what you've learned and how this impacts the companies day-to-day or long-term plans. 

Doing your homework about the company and manager(s), you'll meet give you conversation topics at the ready and reinforces that you're genuinely interested in the opportunity. For a quieter person, it can be harder to communicate your interest in the opportunity. But having researched these areas shows you took the time and consideration of them. Also, having more information at hand helps you be more comfortable with the interview overall and adds confidence to the meeting.

While answering technical and behavioral questions might not be in your comfort zone, it is necessary to advance your successful career.

Even if you are an introvert in the engineering or manufacturing professions, you can still have a leading-edge abiding by the tips mentioned above to tackle your interviews with confidence. Being well prepared will pay off as you advance your career and land that exciting job you're seeking.

Tom Goettl, VP at Konik PrimeStaff, writes about career and leadership topics for the architecture, engineering, and manufacturing fields. Connect with us on LinkedIn.