Overview
A review of the speaker and the talk
The speaker was Win Sheffield who is a career coach. He speaks at the NYPL on job hunting and career management. He’s giving an upcoming talk on networking in October.
For this talk, an overview on the NYPL website says:
Do you feel you shouldn’t have to sell yourself? Are you uncomfortable around people who are talking about their accomplishments? Do you find yourself looking for ways to get out of conversations rather than into them? Perhaps instead you find yourself coming up with the answer while the person you are listening to goes on and on or maybe you like to take time to consider your answers. If you have had any of these experiences, you may be interested in this talk.
This talk is part of the NYPL Career Services series. You can read about the talk online: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2019/09/11/career-management-introverts.
I also included a link to the Facebook Live video at the end. But, if you don’t want to watch a 90 minute video, you can read my notes below.
My Notes
Ok, let’s get into my notes.
First we discussed the difference between introversion and extroversion.
- Remember that introverts are hired for skills related to being an introvert — such as reading, working independently, and deep thinking.
- The US is NOT an introverted country, but the UK and Japan are.
Phone Conversations
Turns out, no one likes talking on the phone.
We discussed why phone calls are annoying:
- The expressions and body language of the person on the other line are hidden.
- It requires an immediate response; you cannot mull over your answer.
Some tips to help make phone calls easier:
- Put up a mirror by the phone, to help you remember to smile.
- Stand up while on the phone, to project more energy.
Small Talk
Despite the stigma, small talk is good for introverts.
Although we kind of hate it, small talk is a good way to make connections.
It can help if you think of ideas in advance. Good topics can include the weather, food, transportation.
We also discussed talking about decorations or photos someone has on their desk or office. That can help put the other person at ease.
Tips on Meeting People
Show empathy
I can help to put yourself in their shoes. For instance, if you see someone is wearing new shoes…. Imagine they still need to break in their shoes. Their feet are uncomfortable!
Send questions in advance
It can also help to send questions in advance, particularly if you’re job hunting. This is a low-pressure method to ask for support. For instance, you can say:
“I’m not seeking a job from you or anyone you know, but I’m looking to move into [name job area] and I’d like to get your opinion about [the information you’re looking for].”
When having conversations with extroverts:
Extroverts can have a tendency to dominate the conversation. Sending questions in advance can be helpful, to help keep them on track.
Remember to talk to people with whom you feel comfortable:
- People who’s job it is to talk to you and provide help (help desk, customer support)
- Friends
- People in a non-authority role
The most important thing when meeting someone is talking about what you’ve already done.
Telling Stories
Tell people what you’ve already done by telling your story.
There’s a formula to telling a story about one of your accomplishments. It goes like this:
- Setup: What is the context of the story.
- Trigger: What changed to get the story going; aka “the challenge”.
- Plan: What was your plan.
- Unplanned outcome: How did things go off-track
- Chaos: How did that lead to chaos/unplanned expectations.
- Success: How did you resolve the chaos and get things back on track.
Where to use this method:
- Cover letters & resumes
- Elevator pitches
- Anytime someone asks you about yourself
It helps to practice though. (Tips below!)
But, what if the story is negative?
Someone asked if you should tell stories even if they’re negative. The answer is Yes. The reason is that without conflict/chaos, the story doesn’t show growth.
Q & A / Pro-Tips!
A technique to improve your storytelling.
Someone who identified herself as a writer asked a question. She said she worked from home alone so much that she was often surprised by the sound of her voice.
A suggestion was to make a video of yourself talking, or telling a story. Then you can see how you come across to others. But you have to do this at least 6 times, and watch it, if you want the best outcome.
A tip for extroverts
Another person asked about being an extrovert. She said that during an interview she becomes very extroverted. She wasn’t sure how to handle that.
As the speaker mentioned, introversion and extroversion is a spectrum. Not everyone is always introverted or always extroverted.
His suggestion for extroverts is to always take a breath before giving an answer. That helps them slow down.
Final Tips
Planning Ahead
- Conduct a job campaign, not a job search. A job search is you fitting yourself to the company. A job campaign means creating your own opportunity. Network, make small talk, etc.
- Be aware and optimistic
- Know your stories
Take thinking breaks
Smokers go outside to recharge with cigarettes. As an introvert, you should go outside to recharge and collect your thoughts.
Facebook Live
Here’s the Facebook Live stream. I may end up watching this again to refresh my memory. You get the handout / agenda here.
BTW, I was the one who said food is a good topic for small talk. 🙂
They recommend using headphones, if you have difficulty hearing.
Win Sheffield presents Career Management for Introverts. #SIBLEvents #WinSheffield #Introverts #JobHunt #JobHunting #CareerAdvice #CareerCounseling #Free #FreeLecture #LibraryProgram #NYPL
Posted by Career Services NYPL on Wednesday, September 11, 2019
I also published this on Medium: https://medium.com/@alliwalk/notes-from-career-management-for-introverts-from-the-new-york-public-library-c6c4f59f5b3