What Would You Like to Know?Stickyminds Column About Reviewing Resumes for an Agile Team

Are Introverts at a Disadvantage in Interviews?

October 4th, 2006

At the SD conference a few weeks ago, a colleague asked me this question. (I’m using the Myers-Briggs terminology:If you’re wondering, I often describe introverts as people who need to think in order to speak, and extaverts as people who need to speak in order to think.)

Well, the answer is Yes and No. If introverts haven’t considered a question before, and they don’t take the time to think, they could be at a disadvantage. But so can extraverts. While I can be charming when I think out loud, I sometimes (!!) circle aroung the point. I can take too long to answer the question, which can make an introvert nutso :-)

The key for all people is to prepare for interviews. If you’re a candidate, practice. If you’re part of a hiring team, practice. You’ll still hear/ask some questions you haven’t thought of before, and that’s ok. But you’ll be ready for more of them.

Entry Filed under: interview


4 Comments Add your own

  • 1. Adam Jacobson  |  October 5th, 2006 at 7:42 pm

    I’d consider your terminology.
    On all the MB tests I’ve taken, I score strongly as an introvert. Yet, I still enjoy conversation and interview well (even though my interviews are generally pitching clients).
    However, I think the point is well taken and indicates that interview skills and job skills are not the same thing.

  • 2. gregbo  |  October 8th, 2006 at 9:36 pm

    I definitely need to think in order to speak, especially on tech interviews when asked questions I’ve never been asked before. I don’t even like to speak while I’m working the problem out because I don’t want to lose my train of thought and risk giving an incorrect answer. When asked to do something on the board, I prefer to work it out silently, write out the answer, and then explain it.

  • 3. Ragu Sivanmalai  |  October 25th, 2006 at 8:22 pm

    While reading this article I want to invite users for a discussion in my blog.
    Right brain or left brain
    Introvert or extrovert
    But the question about google is
    Information or Insight
    Can google get Gods mind?
    This was one argument in 2004.I want to validate this argument with diverse opionions by comparing the current trends of google like the one which is described in the post above
    http://ragusivanmalai.blogspot.com/2006/10/can-google-get-gods-mind.html
    Come on Google users

  • 4. Dave Freireich  |  February 1st, 2007 at 9:00 pm

    I own a software engineering search firm. We are publishing prep pointers on our blog at:
    http://coresearchgroup.blogspot.com/
    Tell us what you think.

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