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Before discussing strategies for working with and improving the career communications of introverts, it is critical to first have an understanding of the term beyond the layperson's view that extraverts are "sociable" and introverts are shy. Introversion and extraversion are described by Jung as attitudes or orientations of energy (Myers, Mccaulley, Quenk & Hammer, 2003). Extraverted energy and attention flow out to objects and people in the environment, eager to interact with the world and open to new experiences. Introverted energy and attention are drawn into inner experience and reflection, clarifying concepts or ideas and thinking things out before talking or acting.
The American culture values quick communications, typically an extravert skill. Many introverts have learned to change their behaviors to meet these expectations, especially during job search. This can make first impressions deceiving and lead to communication complications when working with introverts and extraverts. As career professionals serving both extraverts and introverts, understanding introverts, including possible chameleon behaviors, is vital to supporting all clients. While changing behaviors can be okay for some introverts, others will quickly burn out from chameleon behavior, resulting in shutting down communications.
"The bias against introversion leads to a colossal waste of talent, energy, and, ultimately, happiness" (Cain, 2012). Most career professionals do not have a bias against introversion; but still there is benefit in exploring specific techniques in uncovering key information to help introverts delineate their value and coaching them in communicating this information in interviews and networking conversations.
Extracting Accomplishments from Introverted Clients for Resumes & More
Introverts typically need time to think before they openly speak (Cain, 2012). Based on the Myers-Briggs definition of introversion, it is common for introverts to need time to think deeply about answers to questions before answering (Myers, Mccaulley, Quenk & Hammer, 2003). If pushed to answer quickly, an introvert may shut down and not answer, or may answer without the rich details career professionals know to be of value in career communications.
Many career professionals prefer to interview their clients to draw out information for preparing their career communications, as this is typically a strong process for digging out the most powerful accomplishment stories. Yet many people, introverts included, prefer to work in quiet, private places (Scott, 2004). Therefore, this...