Just as fortune favors the bold, the job hunt seems to favor the extrovert, which is so annoying to my introverted military veteran and spouse clients.
Even as a notorious extrovert, I can see exactly why the introverts (who disproportionately outnumber extroverts in the military, according to some research) would complain:
Networking
Networking is the greatest source of active job leads. More than introverts, extroverts are comfortable reaching out to past contacts and following up on introductions.
Interview
Hiring managers expect to get instant, articulate and well-thought-out responses to essentially random interview questions. Extroverts easily think out loud while introverts prefer to think first and talk later.
Hiring
Research suggests 80% or more of the hiring decisions from traditional interviews are based on first impressions of immediate rapport and likability. Extroverts thrive on new situations and meeting new people. Introverts can come across as more reserved in social settings and sacrifice more energy when talking to new people.
Paycheck
Highly extroverted workers are 25% more likely to land a top-paying job, even though introverts may be better leaders.
It does not seem fair. Even when people recognize that there are differences between introverted and extroverted job candidates among veterans and spouses, they seem to be telling the introverts to buck up, look alive and act like an extrovert. Doesn't anyone see that there are so many natural job-hunting advantages for introverts acting like introverts?
I do. That's why we put together our newest transition master class: The Introvert Advantage: How Introverts Can Beat Extroverts to the Job Offer. In this 60-minute class on Thursday, July 20, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, you will learn:
- How to identify your introverted powers on the job hunt and make them work for you and the hiring manager.
- How to network like an introvert (not an extrovert) so you move straight into the interview.
- How an introvert's interview prep makes all the difference to your job offer and salary.
If you are an introvert and want to know how you can use your natural powers on the job hunt, sign up today and join us on July 20.
Jacey Eckhart is Military.com's transition master coach. She is a certified professional career coach and military sociologist who helps military members get their first civilian job by offering career-level Master Classes through our Veteran Employment Project and on her website, SeniorMilitaryTransition.com. Reach her at Jacey.Eckhart@Monster.com.
Find Your Next Job Fast
Transitioning military, veterans and spouses may be qualified for the job, but they are missing the secrets of civilian hiring. Find out everything you need to know with our FREE master class series, including our next class. You can view previous classes in our video library. Questions for Jacey? Visit our Facebook page.