The Introverts Guide to Job Search

Hello all! I wanted to keep with the job search theme this month – This is a very difficult job market right now, and it’s difficult for everyone – for both the entry level and experienced job seeker.

First, this blog should publish in late November, and that’s by design – I wanted to encourage you to keep digging for opportunities and putting yourself out there, regardless of the season, or holidays, or what conventional wisdom says about hiring slowing and stopping this time of year.

Some companies are hiring immediately, and are continuing to do so.. some are playing defense, stacking CV’s and waiting to see what the AI Santa Claus will bring them so they can adjust headcount needs, and are in abeyance until Spring.. Everything is variable and volatile right now.

As I always say, while the market is up and down, and all around, YOU the job seeker have to remain consistent and persistent as far as effort and enthusiasm.. Yes, It’s hard, but also yes, you don’t have a choice.

So, to my main point.. Introversion.. and having to keep putting yourself out there.. the need for a constant output of sustained energy.. sounds like polar opposites and they are. This is where the conscious leadership of the self becomes paramount.

Introversion Defined (Per Coach Tom)

Introversion doesn’t mean shy, nor does it mean anxious.. it certainly doesn’t mean defective or less than. Being an introvert just means that people and social situations can drain your energy faster that they drain other folks.. it can also mean it takes you more energy to perform a task. Tasks like reaching out to your network, filling out repetitive applications, resume writing, following up on interviews, etc.

Where Introverts Are Vulnerable

Most of you who are introverts have developed workarounds to get you through the times you have to be “on” or in motion.. It’s the “off” times you have to worry about. By “off times” I mean those moments between the “on times”.. When you are gearing up, and winding up your energy to face or do whatever, that’s when the doubts can creep in, anxieties can manifest, and you might conclude it’s better to not push forward at this time.

Conversely, the time after you’ve expended energy on a task can be equally damaging – You might recount the times it hasn’t worked, or exhume the bones of every past failure. Keep this up, and you will kill your enthusiasm for doing anything, including looking for a job.

The First Key – Fortify Yourself First

Develop the habit of waking up early, and not checking your phone or email for a hot minute. Write down things you are grateful for, and what you can appreciate about yourself.. If you are of a religious mind, pray. Speak positive affirmations, hit the gym, do yoga, walk the dog, just do something.. move and breathe and love on yourself..And decide you are unstoppable.  this is taking responsibility for your energy.  LIFE HACK -  Do this throughout the day, and watch things improve.

They key is to be mindful of what energized you, and how you recharge your batteries, and DO those things.

In my coaching practice, a phrase I hear often is “yes, I know I should do those things but I don’t”.. Which is the subject of a future blog post.

The Second Key – Search & Interview Like a Scientist

One thing that many introverts deal with is this nagging feeling that life would be better if they were different. I’m here to tell you, you don’t need to undergo a personality transplant. You are you, and we are all about maximizing YOU.

Instead of “selling yourself”. Look at it as reporting data.. when you discuss your background and accomplishments, you are just reporting on a research subject, that happens to be you. Have you ever had to present and defend a conclusion or thesis or finding? This isn’t much different, and you’ve been here before.  The key is to not dis – regulate your nervous system by thinking you have to flip into sales mode, because there’s no flipping, and no mode.  You stay you.

I mentioned enthusiasm before – We immediately think of  rah rah bounce off the walls tiktok video enthusiasm.. For we introverts, that’s difficult to muster, and hiring managers don’t necessarily want that, although they do want to see serious interest shown. We can be serious, but don’t forget to be interested and ask great questions.

The Third Key – Remember Your Superpowers

Did you know that introverts have superpowers? Here’s a short list:

• You listen before you talk (interviewers love this)
• You think before you speak (you give better answers)
• You prepare thoroughly (you rarely get caught off guard)
• You form genuine connections (people remember you)

Homework -  What can you add to the list?

The Bottom Line

Never think you have to be the loudest person in the room. Be the most prepared. Be the most thoughtful. Be the person who asks the best questions.

You don't need to change who you are to find a great job. You need to use who you are strategically.

Take small, consistent actions instead of forcing yourself into exhausting situations. Prepare like crazy. And remember: your ability to focus deeply and think carefully isn't a job search liability – it's exactly what makes you valuable.

The companies looking for scientists aren't looking for salespeople. They're looking for people like you – thoughtful, thorough, and genuinely interested in solving problems.

Now go report your findings. The data on you is pretty impressive.

Bio: Thomas Patrick Chuna, CHM, is a seasoned talent acquisition and organizational development specialist with nearly 30 years of recruiting experience across diverse verticals, including life sciences, bioinformatics, biopharma, and biotech. As Chief People Officer, he has built comprehensive hiring processes for technical and leadership roles while facilitating programs that enhance productivity, communication, and leadership effectiveness.

A certified Hiring Manager, DiSC consultant, Outplacement Consultant, and Certified Xchange Guide Facilitator, Tom specializes in helping organizations navigate change while building and developing leadership teams. He is an experienced webinar conductor and blogger on career and organizational transformation topics.