As an introvert, extroverted jobs have given me the opportunity to try out what works for me – understanding my limitations better.
My first job was in an ice cream shop. Getting ice cream included interacting with customers—sometimes long, overwhelming lines—as they sought ice cream, milkshakes, or sundaes on hot summer afternoons. But even as someone who gets stressed out by the crowd, I had fun with it. (However, I breathed a sigh of relief when I found out go home relatively quiet.)
Most of the jobs I’ve held since my days as an ice cream maker are considered “extroverted”: in higher education positions related to knowledge dissemination, sales/business development, as a teaching assistant abroad and in my graduate program, and as a museum guide.
Estimates, such as Susan Cain’s estimates Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, show that introverts make up one-third of the US population. And in general, in extroverted jobs around the world, there are probably more of us than you think, either by accident or on purpose. masquerading as an extrovert.
Introverts bring value to the workplace, whether it’s an introverted or extroverted job. Through experience in an extroverted job I learned a lot about myself and the nature of introversion. And I hope the following insights will help other introverts in similar situations recognize their own needs and what they bring to the table.
7 things I learned as an introvert working in an extroverted job
1. I now know my limits and don’t overextend myself.
This is one of the most valuable pieces of information about my introversion that I have gained from working as an extrovert. Extroverted jobs gave me the a chance to try what works for me and what we don’t as an introvert. I’m sure I understand my limitations better than if I rarely had “extroverted” jobs.
These limitations are all about my own well-being as an introvert, not about putting myself in a box and setting limits for myself. For example, I know when I run out of energy and I should spend the next hour doing a quiet individual task rather than joining the impromptu conversation in the hallway. I know when I need my lunch walk in nature or naps when I can be more sociable. And I know I shouldn’t overload a Monday with meetings, as I need a significant amount of time to myself at the beginning of each week to offset the overload I often feel.
2. I’m not as shy as I thought (but it’s okay to be shy).
i learned the difference between being “introverted” and “shy” when making theatre throughout middle school, high school, and college. But extroverted jobs have taught me that I can walk up to people, make phone calls, or speak in front of a group without having to try myself… most of the time.
In college I worked in a relatively quiet office for work-study, which I enjoyed and which suited me well. This meant occasional interaction with people outside of the small staff, and that was great balanced work in that regard. But I also volunteered as a university tour guide, which I really liked. This experience helped me to realize that if so genuinely passionate Whatever I have to talk to people about, I’m not shy because the talk comes naturally.
That said, I’m still incredibly shy when it comes to networking (talk about knowing my limits!). And that’s okay, because I’d rather make connections more organically, like chatting with others at a conference while waiting in line for food or before a lecture starts. However, if mingling-focused networking events are anything like high school, they would vote “most likely to go home early.” (See “knowing my limits” above.)
3. I can put on an extroverted mask, but it’s not always necessary.
Yes, introverts pretend to be extroverts. A 2019 study psychologists at the University of California-Riverside, published the Journal of Experimental Psychology, based on the theory that extroverts are happier than introverts, they tested whether introverts would be “happier” if they pretended to be extroverts for a week. The study found that they he did they tend to be happier the week after they spend more time interacting with others than usual, though the study left the door open to speculation about future questions, such as what the effects would be on introverts who pretend to be extroverts after a longer period of time.
As for me, if I imagine myself in situations where I pretend to be an extrovert: Sure, I like to do “extroverted” things in moderation, and they make me happy, whether at work or in my personal life. However, the extrovert mask, as natural as it may seem to put on at times, is not me — “Fake it till you make it” doesn’t work. In order to be happy at work, I’ve learned that ultimately I need coworkers who see me—and accept me—without this mask. I am happiest when use mine introvert superpowers (such as listening, creativity, empathy, intense focus and imagination) to my extroverted work.
4. I need space for concentrated work.
Introverts love to have their own sanctuaries – and they should. Experience in extroverted jobs has taught me that I you need that quiet space and time at workwhenever possible.
I can working in an extroverted, open-floor office… sometimes. When I was in this situation at a few different jobs, I had fun chatting with co-workers, but I had to go out and take time for myself during breaks. I felt like I was in a fishbowl – anyone could look at me at any time.
I’ve learned through work that I can enjoy being more social and have more energy to make real connections with others when I have my own. a place where I have alone time to be productive all day.
Do you ever struggle to know what to say?
Someone asks, “Why are you so quiet?” A co-worker corners me when you are exhausted. A friend strives to plan you don’t have the energy for it.
Later he thinks I wish I had said something.
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5. There are times of the day when I have more “extroverted” energy than others.
I’ve learned that the energy I need to interact with people only partially matches my energy level in general. Mornings and early evenings are my times of higher energy. But those aren’t necessarily my higher extroverted energy times.
For example, first thing in the morning I need to be alone with my coffee and exclude quiet tasks (like answering emails) so I can catch up and start preparing for other work on my schedule. In fact, this is one of the times of the day when my energy is highest (for example, I do most of my writing in the morning, before work, or on weekends). But that doesn’t mean I also have extroverted energy at that time. I realized that I had to do it intensively introverted friend individual tasks that focus on the beginning of the day to prepare for the rest of the day.
I had one once you have time alone to recharge and maximizes productivity, however, mornings are a great time to interact with others – perfect for meetings, presentations, etc. After about noon, however, I hit the afternoon slump, which lasts until about 3:00. But funnily enough, extroverted activities, whether it’s chatting with co-workers or doing a more extroverted job, help you get through this slump. By late afternoon/early evening, when my energy picks up and I wind down from the workday, I’m ready for introverted solitude again.
6. I can handle tough conversations… as long as I have time to prepare for them.
A tough conversation doesn’t always include one open confrontation, which I (like many introverts!) struggle with. Other types of tough conversations are almost as scary, even if they don’t focus on a specific conflict with an individual. Over the years, whether it’s telling someone that their favorite ice cream flavor is out of stock or that they need to improve a grade to pass a class, it’s never been easy to tell someone something they might not want to hear.
However, tough conversations are often required in extroverted jobs that involve working with people. Handling tricky conversations is an area I was unfamiliar with I could be confident in, and I attribute this to my extroverted works.
As introvert who likes to prepareI plan what and how I will say it. I they tend to be empathetictherefore, I am instinctively aware of how the other person will react. If time allows, I’ll go through several versions in my head of how to start to make sure I find the most compassionate way possible to address the issue at hand with the person I’m talking to.
7. A well-rounded working day makes me the happiest.
If I’ve been working on a repetitive task that has started to wear me out, I love when it comes to the opportunity to interact with others, whether it’s a shared interest that helps me get to know the person better, or even a fun, light conversation.
I do it I enjoy small group chats or 1:1 conversations where I can genuinely connect with others; As an introvert, I usually prefer this to talking to or participating in a large group. But as it was when I was a tour guide, I sometimes like to talk with larger groups, depending on the situation. However, at the end of the working day, time spent alone is a pleasant introverted relaxation.
All in all, as an introvert who has worked in mostly extroverted jobs, I’ve learned that a well-rounded work day makes me happy. Balance a creative projectsconstant, repetitive tasks and interacting with others is what works best for me because it allows me to use some of my introverted strengths, push through my limitations, and learn more about myself. That’s all any of us could hope for, right? 
My fellow introverts, what have you learned during your extroverted jobs? I’d love to hear it in the comments below!
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