THE 15 BEST JOBS FOR INTROVERTS

Contrary to popular belief, not all introverts are shy, soft-spoken, and socially awkward. In fact, some introverted personality types boast excellent social skills and form rich relationships — they just prefer not to put as much energy into social interaction, or simply desire more alone time to rest and recharge.

We all think and interpret things differently depending on our surroundings and the motivating factors at play. Like extroverts, introverts can adapt to their environments and a variety of workplaces. Nevertheless, introverts are often better suited to careers that offer a high degree of independence and self-reliance.

What Is an Introvert?

One of the most widely recognized theories on the psychological concept of introversion was introduced by famed Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who popularized the term. According to Jung, introversion is an "attitude-type characterized by orientation in life through subjective psychic contents."

Those who agree with Jung's interpretation believe that the typical introvert struggles to adjust to social situations and is overall reserved, sensitive, and contemplative. The popular Myers-Briggs personality test many of us have taken for job interviews is based on his theories.

German-born British psychologist Hans Eysenck presented another popular interpretation of introversion. His three-factor model proposes that introverts possess naturally higher excitation levels, leading them to avoid stimulating environments.

A more recent theory of introversion was presented in a research paper by Colin G. DeYoung, a professor of psychology. According to DeYoung, "People who score low in Extraversion are not necessarily turned inward; rather, they are less engaged, motivated, and energized by the possibilities for reward that surround them."

The 15 Best Jobs for Introverts

Regardless of which theory of introversion you subscribe to, being an introvert doesn't limit your career options. The best jobs for introverts listed below are extremely well suited for introverted personality types.

These careers provide work environments that allow for greater independence and one-on-one interaction. Individuals with superior listening and problem-solving skills are more likely to excel in these types of roles.

Job	Median Salary (May 2020)	Job Growth Rate (2020-30)
Psychiatrist	$208,000+	13%
IT Manager	$151,150	11%
Engineer	$83,160	6%
Architect	$82,320	3%
Psychologist	$82,180	8%
Technical Writer	$74,650	12%
Accountant	$73,560	7%
Scientist	$69,760	8%
Writer	$67,120	9%
Editor	$63,400	5%
Librarian	$60,820	9%
IT Specialist	$55,510	9%
Graphic Designer	$53,380	3%
Paralegal	$52,920	12%
Artist	$49,600	4%

Accountant

• Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $73,560
• Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 7%
• Common Education Requirements: Bachelor's in accounting, certificate in accounting

Accountants aren't necessarily known for their bubbly personalities, and you likely won't see any job descriptions for accountants that require an outgoing nature. This is what makes accounting an ideal career path for people who prefer to work alone. With the continual changes in tax laws and the expansion of global commerce, society will always need qualified number-crunchers.

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Architect

• Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $82,320
• Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 3%
• Common Education Requirements: Bachelor's in architecture, master's in architecture

A career in architecture works well for introverted personality types. While architects must meet with clients and other industry professionals, much of their time is spent working independently on planning and designing buildings. Architecture is a great career choice for people who enjoy using their creativity, focus, and problem-solving skills.

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Artist / Graphic Designer

• Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $49,600 (artists), $53,380 (graphic designers)
• Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 4% (artists), 3% (graphic designers)
• Common Education Requirements: Bachelor's in art, fine arts, graphic design, or a related field

Artists come in all personality types, with some working independently at home or in a studio, and others working in an agency setting surrounded by other creative-minded people. No matter what type of artist you are, you probably spend long periods of time alone developing your craft — perfect for imaginative introverts.

Graphic designers are good examples of artists who can work independently, especially as self-employed freelancers. To be a successful artist or graphic designer, you must have a solid portfolio of work to show potential clients.

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Editor

• Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $63,400
• Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 5%
• Common Education Requirements: Bachelor's in communication, English, writing, or journalism

Editors serve as the link between the writer and the reader. Often working alone, editors analyze texts for quality, clarity, consistency, and grammar. They also typically oversee content production and ideation sessions. A passion for detail and accuracy is a must-have for this occupation.

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Engineer

• Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $83,160
• Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 6%
• Common Education Requirements: Bachelor's in engineering

Engineers are currently in high demand, and these jobs typically pay very well. What's great is that both introverts and extroverts can thrive in engineering environments.

As an engineer, you'll use mathematical and scientific principles to find solutions to technical problems, working either independently or on a team. You can choose from among a wide array of specializations, such as aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering.

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IT Specialist / IT Manager

• Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $55,510 (IT specialists), $151,150 (IT managers)
• Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 9% (IT specialists), 11% (IT managers)
• Common Education Requirements: Associate in computer science or information science/technology, bachelor's in computer science or information science/technology

Information technology jobs may not require an outgoing personality, but they do call for a passion for computers and information systems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, IT jobs are projected to grow 13% — much faster than the average for all occupations — between 2020 and 2030.

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Librarian

• Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $60,820
• Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 9%
• Common Education Requirements: Bachelor's in library science, master's in library science

Libraries are quiet places, so it makes sense that this profession would attract introverts. An influential 1992 study found that almost two-thirds of librarians who took the Myers-Briggs personality test fell into the introverted category.

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Paralegal

• Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $52,920
• Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 12%
• Common Education Requirements: Associate in paralegal studies, bachelor's in paralegal studies, certificate in paralegal studies

Paralegals help attorneys stay organized. Duties may include assisting with trials, organizing case files, performing research, and preparing legal briefs. Though you'll be working alongside lawyers and other professionals, you'll spend most of your time conducting research and gathering information.

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Psychologist / Psychiatrist

• Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $82,180 (psychologists), $208,000+ (psychiatrists)
• Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 8% (psychologists), 13% (psychiatrists)
• Common Education Requirements: Doctor of psychology, doctor of medicine

While psychologists and psychiatrists both interact with clients and patients, they do so by listening deeply and empathizing with others. Empathy and listening skills are common among introverts — who are often sensitive and caring individuals — and are critical to becoming a successful mental health practitioner.

As a psychologist or psychiatrist, you'll typically work one on one with clients and small groups to assess, diagnose, and treat the psychological and behavioral conditions related to your clients' physical and mental health.

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Scientist

• Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $69,760
• Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 8%
• Common Education Requirements: Bachelor's or master's in a life sciences field, such as chemistry, biology, or physics

Because social interaction is not generally a job requirement for scientists, introverts tend to thrive in scientific fields. Scientists are rational, curious, and inquisitive — all traits that describe introverts as well.

Scientists work independently or with others and spend much of their days conducting research to advance knowledge in a particular field. Some of the different types of scientists you could become include an anthropologist, a chemist, an epidemiologist, and a zoologist.

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Technical Writer

• Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $74,650
• Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 12%
• Common Education Requirements: Bachelor's in communication, English, or writing

Technical writers produce instructional and technical manuals, including how-to guides and other supporting documents, in order to communicate complex information in an easy-to-understand manner. Being able to work independently is a key component of this job.

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Writer

• Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $67,120
• Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 9%
• Common Education Requirements: Bachelor's in communication, English, writing, or journalism

Writing — whether fiction or business copy — is an excellent career path for introverts. Writers let their words do the talking for them, and it's a craft best pursued alone, making it appealing to independent types.

As John Green, author of the bestselling 2012 novel "The Fault in Our Stars," said, "[Writing is] a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story but don't want to make eye contact while doing it."

Looking For a Job? Some LinkedIn Connections Matter More Than Others

 

When it comes to seeking a new job, making connections on LinkedIn can be key to landing an offer. But building a large network on the platform isn’t as crucial as cultivating the right kinds of connections, new research shows.

While networking on digital platforms can open doors, research published this week in Science suggests that the specific types of connections job-seekers make online matter in terms of their ability to secure new positions.

“YOUR DIGITAL NETWORK CAN HAVE LASTING IMPLICATIONS ON HOW YOUR CAREER PROGRESSES, NOT JUST OVER THE NEXT YEAR, BUT OVER YOUR WHOLE LIFE.”

The research breaks new ground on how to network on the professional channel LinkedIn and pinpoints the connections that are likely to yield the most job offers. The implications are significant for career planning and recruiting, and demonstrate how powerful digital networks can be for advancement—especially important in a hot labor market at a time of economic uncertainty.

“Your digital network can have lasting implications on how your career progresses, not just over the next year, but over your whole life,” says Iavor Bojinov, assistant professor and Richard Hodgson Fellow at Harvard Business School, who is one of the study’s authors. “If you are connecting with people who are strong ties, that’s not as useful, but if you are connecting with people who are extremely weak ties, that’s also not as useful. Moderately weak ties are the ones that are the most helpful.”

The study, conducted along with Stanford University Professor Erik Brynjolfsson, Professor Sinan Aral of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and two LinkedIn employees and recent Stanford and MIT Ph.D. graduates Karthik Rajkumar and Guillaume Saint-Jacques, involved more than 20 million LinkedIn members, who made 2 billion new ties and created 600,000 new jobs over a five-year period.

Are acquaintances more helpful during a job search?

For decades, social scientists have debated whether casual acquaintances—or arms-length relationships—are more helpful than good friends in discovering new job opportunities. The theory, known as the “strength of weak ties,” has been an influential principle in the business world and the practice of networking.

Acquaintances, the thinking goes, are more likely to have information that you don’t already have access to within your circle of close friends, and therefore are more valuable in discovering options you didn’t already know about.

“This social theory, which has been influential over the last hundred years, says that weak ties are more beneficial for employment opportunities, promotions, and wages than strong ties,” says Aral. “The theory has borne out in surveys and anecdotal information, but despite having over 65,000 citations in the last 50 years, there have been no large-scale experimental causal tests of this theory as it relates to employment.”

Enlisting a LinkedIn algorithm

To put the theory through a rigorous test, the research team exploited LinkedIn’s People You May Know (PYMK) feature, which uses an algorithm to suggest new connections to members. LinkedIn constantly improves the algorithm by introducing new versions and testing them using randomized experiments for relevance. The team was able to tap into that process.

First, Bojinov and his colleagues leveraged an experiment conducted in 2015 on LinkedIn’s PYMK algorithm that randomly varied the prevalence of weak ties for 4 million members. During the experiment, 19 million new connections were formed and they led to 600,000 new jobs. Using the data, they analyzed how connection strength impacted the likelihood of finding a job at a connection's employer. They then examined a larger experiment from 2019 on 16 million members, creating 2 billion new connections and observing 70 million job applications.

“We used this experimental data to provide the first large-scale causal test for the weak tie theory and its impact on the labor market,” says Saint-Jacques.

The researchers analyzed whether a connection led to a new job and how strong that connection was, based on how many people the pair had in common in their networks, and the intensity of their interaction by looking at how much they communicated.

When they crunched the numbers, the team found that weak ties yielded more jobs than strong ties, but with diminishing returns as the ties got weaker.

The sweet spot in networking seemed to be “moderately weak ties,” providing people with diverse connections that broaden opportunities, but not bogging them down with an echo chamber of more than a dozen friends in common. A moderately weak tie might be someone three or four years ahead of a job-seeker in the same industry, whom the job-seeker met at a conference; while an extremely weak tie might be someone five or six years ahead of the job-seeker in a different industry.

Where weak ties work best

The researchers found that the usefulness of ties varied according to the specific situation.

Weak ties are especially helpful, they say, in fast-moving industries such as technology and research and development, where it’s essential to keep up with the latest information in the field. “In those type of industries, information is evolving very rapidly, so weak ties can help you access that efficiently,” Rajkumar says.

Adds Brynjolfsson: “The strength of weak ties effect was true on average, but was even stronger for jobs in more digital industries.”

The research team also found that weak ties are more important for people engaged in remote work, where they might not hear the latest information in their field around the proverbial water cooler. “If you’re working remotely, you’re not on the factory floor interacting with people every single day,” says Bojinov. “You really need to focus on getting yourself exposed to novel information.”

Lessons for job seekers and recruiters

The study demonstrates the usefulness of cultivating a digital network, whether it’s on LinkedIn, Twitter, or other digital networks, before job-seekers need to use them.

“PEOPLE ARE REALIZING HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE DIVERSE TEAMS, AND BY HAVING A DIVERSE DIGITAL NETWORK, YOU WILL BE MORE ABLE TO FIND MORE DIVERSE CANDIDATES.”

Bojinov, who previously worked as a data scientist for LinkedIn, suggests workers connect not just with their immediate coworkers, but also people they meet at conferences, workshops, networking events, and collaborations across companies. In addition, he says, workers should be receptive to the people reaching out to them.

“If the algorithms are working right, then those people may be just a little bit junior or senior to you, but they might still expose you to novel information,” he says.

The principle works in the opposite direction, for hiring managers as well. Managers should be expanding their networks so when it comes time to hire, they have access to a wider, possibly more innovative, selection of candidates, he says.

“People are realizing how important it is to have diverse teams, and by having a diverse digital network, you will be more able to find higher quality candidates,” Bojinov says.