11 Best Jobs For Introverts And Quiet Types

Best Jobs for Introverts: For People Who Hate People

A job option that is compatible with our personality not only helps us take a sensible career decision but also a step that decides whether we will have a fulfilling, satisfactory, and relaxing career or not.

Carl Jung’s Theory of Introvert and Extrovert Personalities

One of the most insightful personality theories that can aid us in understanding our personality type is Carl Jung’s theory of Introversion and Extraversion.

Carl Jung (pronounced “yoong”) was a famous twentieth-century Swiss psychoanalyst and the founder of analytical psychology.

Jung was an introvert himself and was the first to explain that introverts are the ones who are drawn to their rich inner world of feelings and thoughts to energize themselves whereas their counterparts, extroverts are the ones who are drawn to the external world of people and activities to feel energized.

Each person seems to be energized more by either the external world (extraversion) or the internal world (introversion).– Carl Jung

He even added that none of us are completely introverted or completely extroverted and each one of us has both the traits of introversion and extraversion, with one being more dominant than the other.

Are you an Introvert or Extrovert?

Are you curious to find out, where you fall on the Introvert-extrovert spectrum?

Just pick “true” or “false” for the below-mentioned questions:

I prefer spending time with few close friends instead of a large group.
I prefer expressing my ideas in writing.
I prefer deep conversations over small talk.
I observe and listen more than I talk.
I can dive into a work project, practice a hobby or engage in something creative for hours at the stretch, without getting bored.
I would prefer to text or email than talk on the phone with people I don’t know very well.

If you mostly answered true to the above mentioned, then you’re more of an introvert.

If you mostly answered false, then you’re more of an extrovert.

And if you answered “true” and “false” equally, you probably are an Ambivert.

Introverts vs Extroverts Career Choices

Now that you have identified your personality type, it will be easier for you to find the workplaces and relationships that will help you to thrive instead of draining you of your vital energy.

If you have identified yourself as an Extrovert or Ambivert, you will find a lot of career options but if you have identified yourself as an introvert, you would know that Introverts have a hard time finding a fulfilling career.

Wondering why? Well here is a list of obstacles that keep Introverts from finding a happy and fulfilling career.

Why Many Introverts Are Unhappy with Their Careers

1). Introverts are more likely to look for a job that’s meaningful

This is mostly because Introverts derive their motivation not only from their paycheck but also from the work that is meaningful and purpose-driven.

2). Office Structure & layout

Most of the offices have now adopted open office layouts that can bombard introverts with a lot of external stimuli making it difficult for them to concentrate on their work without distractions.

3). Job Interviews & appraisals are skewed towards extroverted traits

More often than not managers prize social ability over concrete competence and skills even if the job in question is not a people-facing role.

This environment is difficult for Introverts to thrive in because they do not like a lot of social interaction or people-facing roles.

4). Most managers are not trained to get the most out of their Introvert employees

Most managers don’t realize that introverts bring their unique skill set to the workplace and hence fail to make the most out of their unique skill set.

Introverts, feeling exhausted yet?

Being an Introvert myself, I can feel you.

I don’t feel any of these are the primary root causes of why Introverts feel unsatisfied in their careers. I think most of the Introverts feel unfulfilled at work because we were not raised to truly understand and embrace our Introversion traits.

As a result, we struggle to choose the education and career that would most suit our personality type.

Personally, I did not even know what an introvert is until my twenties let alone knowing that I was one.

But once I realized, there was no looking back as I took charge of my career choices and chose only those work assignments that suited my strengths & needs and gave me an opportunity to unleash my fullest potential.

For all my fellow Introvert friends here, I have compiled a list of Introvert strengths and best jobs that suits us Introverts.

Introverts strength in the workplace.

Our society is culturally conditioned to value the trait of extraversion over introversion. Right from a young age we are wired to believe that only extroverts can be effective leaders and get work done. We have been wired to equate extroversion with competence and skill.

But that has been changing as the world is waking up to the incredible strengths that Introverts bring to the workplace.

Introverts are focused, diligent, analytical, and extremely productive with very little oversight. That makes them great at executing tasks.

They are even great at planning as they are visionaries who can see the big picture perspective and connect the dots and come up with elaborate and detail-oriented plans.

And we have not even started talking about how great they are at being naturally creative, thanks to their quiet time and introspection that leads to their rich inner world.

Introverts can also be great leaders because they are very empathetic and sensitive and take time to listen to their team members. People are naturally drawn to them due to their empathetic and humane nature.

The Best Jobs for Introverts

The strengths listed above are the best guides for Introverts for finding a happy and fulfilling career.

Here are my top 11 career recommendations for introverts:

1) Legal Profession

When we think of the legal profession, we mostly picture extroverted people who are always up for debate? Right?

But that image is not pretty accurate. In fact, the majority of attorneys are in fact introverts.

Being a lawyer requires a lot of reading, research work, writing, and preparing for the case that requires a lot of focused attention which is an introvert trait.

Introverts are also detail-oriented and can excel at professions like Paralegals that require a lot of in-depth research and extensive writing and do not even require you to be in the spotlight.

2) Creative fields

Introverts are naturally great at creativity and can excel at jobs that require creative content like videographer, writer, blogger, graphic designer, animator and the list is endless.

All these fields provide a creative outlet for the introverts where they can utilize their skills to the maximum and also provide work opportunities that are mostly remote so that they can work solo from anywhere.

3) Researcher

Research work is great for an introvert because it requires two things that Introverts are great at Extensive reading and written communication.

Introverts are generally very curious and observant and they like to read extensively so they thoroughly enjoy researching new topics.

Also since writing generally requires them to work solo and provides an outlet for their creativity.

Any job that requires a combination of extensive reading and writing is a dream job for an Introvert.

4). Financial Advisor

Jobs in the Financial sector may require a little bit of client interaction but most of the work requires countless hours behind a computer screen working on spreadsheets and complex financial statements. Accountants can find jobs where they don’t always work directly with clients, especially when you get into jobs requiring a Master’s Of Accountancy, usually at large corporations.

Financial jobs are great for Introverts because again they give them an opportunity for solo work that does not require a lot of people facing or coordination.

Also, it is a great role that can utilize the strengths of Introverts like detail orientation, analytical thinking, and big picture perspective.

6). Anything in IT

With the boom in the digital technology sector, there are a lot of jobs for techies like systems administrators, software engineers, and data analysts, or web developers.

Not only are these careers lucrative in terms of pay but they also provide an opportunity for introverts to utilize their creative problem skills and build something from grounds up.

In today’s digital world, it’s impossible for a business to thrive without social media presence and therefore the demand for social media marketing professionals and brand strategists has risen exponentially.

Introverts are a great choice for SMM roles as they are very good with pictures and words and storytelling. They are also great at brand strategy because they can easily understand the target audience due to their deep listening skills and empathy.

It’s easy to start a career in Social Media marketing by getting a certification or getting hands-on experience on your own.

It is also a great skill to learn to promote one’s own brand if you are a freelancer or entrepreneur.

So, this skill can help Introverts to pursue their own passion while building a career.

8) Counseling

Since Introverts have a deep need to find meaning in their work, they thrive in professions that require serving others.

For Introverts, there is no greater satisfaction than helping others and making a difference in someone’s life.

Counseling is a great profession for Introverts because it fulfills their need of finding meaning and purpose in their work by helping others and also utilizes their skills of deep listening and empathy to the fullest.

9) Anything outdoor or in nature

Introverts like to spend a lot of time in quiet contemplation and therefore they love being in nature.

Any job in outdoors that requires one to be in nature like a forest ranger, botanist, and landscaper is a great choice for Introverts because being surrounded by nature is very soothing and calming for Introverts.

10) Animal Care Specialist

Introverts also like to spend time with animals and find it highly rewarding and satisfying.

There are a lot of jobs at animal shelters, zoos or vet offices that can suit Introverts as they require little social interactions.

Although not very lucrative but these jobs can become a great side hustle for Introverts.

11) Whatever you’re passionate about

And here’s the big one. Just because we are Introverts doesn’t mean we can’t excel at whatever we set our minds to.

There are tons of Introverts who are rocking as CEO’s and entrepreneurs, HR leaders and the list is endless.

This one personality trait should not restrict you from following your passion and excelling at it.

In fact, knowing our personality type is only an aid because it helps us to chalk out our career path in a way that we can blossom into our highest potential.

So, if you’re an introvert, you should learn to respect and embrace the gifts that come with being an Introvert and follow your passion with no holds barred.

And also finding a community of like-minded people is a great way to stay motivated, so I have compiled a list of communities, blogs, and other resources that will help you to stay inspired and fully embrace the gift of Introversion.

Communities, books, and podcasts for Introverts:

1) Quiet Revolution

Quiet Revolution is a blog founded by Susan Cain that provides a lot of inspiring content and tips on how to embrace the Quiet Power.

2) Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

Again by Susan Cain, this book is a go to guide for any Introvert with tips, tricks and inspiring examples of leading Introverts of the world.

3) Success as an Introvert for Dummies

Success as an Introvert for Dummies is a book by Joan Pastor that’s basically a comprehensive guide for thriving as an Introvert in an Extrovert’s world.

4)The Introvert Entrepreneur Podcast

The Introvert Entrepreneur is a podcast by Beth Buelow where she talks about life and business from an Introvert’s perspective and provides useful tips, advice and resources for thriving as an Introvert.

References:

Books:

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Success as an Introvert for Dummies by Joan Pastor

11 Best Jobs for Introverts and Quiet Types

Carl Jung’s Theory of Introvert and Extrovert Personalities

Are you an Introvert or Extrovert?

Introverts vs Extroverts Career Choices

Why Many Introverts Are Unhappy with Their Careers