As a career and business coach who specializes in helping introverts, you can imagine the tension I hear about all that career transition stuff, including:

• networking
• finding the best careers for introverts
• writing about oneself on LinkedIn
• starting a new business
• feeling understood and valuable at work.

Can you relate?

For clarity, introverts are NOT at a disadvantage when it comes to career transition or starting a business, but they might feel more stressed by it, at first.

My primary work struggle related to introversion was in valuing and speaking up about my talents and accomplishments. With a lot of help, including seeing a career coach, I eventually hit my stride with speaking confidently, authentically, and thoughtfully.

It was also very important to me to choose a career path that fit my introverted nature. Sometimes it’s the workplace or the wrong type of work that is so exhausting. (How to know what part needs changing.)

I’ve gathered a few resources that might help ease the stress of the career or business transition for other introverts. (For support with these steps: Career Clarity Course for Introverts.)

STEP 1: Learn About Introversion

When you understand it, you’ll find it’s much easier to rise above the common worries about it. Here is a good starting place:

• Being Introverted Is a GOOD Thing!
  This is a blog post I wrote with an overview of introversion and the misled prejudice against it. You’ll find links to more learning resources, and an introvert quiz from there.

STEP 2: Learn About Introvert Advantages and Challenges at Work

Introverts have many advantages when it comes to the skills needed for finding and excelling at work. For instance, introverts are often naturally good at creating meaningful one-to-one conversations and writing thoughtfully. Both of these are critical for networking and workplace communications, and some career paths too.

On the flip side, introverts often struggle to speak up about their accomplishments for fear of bragging. Actually they struggle to see their accomplishments at all.

Introverts also worry about having the perfect thing to say. They can get caught in analysis paralysis — because introverts love to think, think, think, …and think again.

As you can tell, the challenges are all based on worries and fears and not facts. Learning about what’s actually going on can help quiet those fears. A couple starting places:

• Why You Get Tongue-Tied When Describing Your Work
• Networking Secrets from an Ex-Wallflower (that’s me)

STEP 3: If You Don’t Know Your Right Career Path, Learn How To Choose.

Most people are doing it wrong, which also happens to be the exhausting way.

I’ve created these resources for you to learn a better way:

• Myths and Truths About How To Find Your Right Career Path
• Career Clarity for Introverts: Course to Uncover the Best Use of You Now
• Best Careers for Introverts

STEP 4: Find Introvert-friendly Support

You’ve heard all the “get over it” advice and “get out there networking” tips. Ugh. Instead, find a team of authentic support from people who understand introverts.

Support could be from understanding friends, a thoughtful career transition group program for introverts, or a coach for introverts like me.

If you need a résumé or website copy, consider hiring a résumé writer or web copywriter who is empathetic to your challenges. Introverts need someone who can draw out your accomplishments and nudge you a little when you claim you haven’t done that much. And someone who can stop you when you go into analysis paralysis. Don’t just hire the first one you find.

I have someone wonderful on my team who does introvert-friendly job search support. Just pop me a note and please say what you’re seeking.

STEP 5:  Take SMALL Steps Forward, and Avoid Overwhelm

If you’re feeling overwhelmed in the process, it’s time to take a break and regroup. It doesn’t have to be so hard. Something is off.

Small steps help reduce stress. Big steps increase stress, and can end up stopping you. I explain how to find the right-sized next step for you in the video found here:

The Introvert’s Easy Path To Going Forward Without Getting Overwhelmed

Writing Prompts to Help:

• Where do you feel challenged in your work transition?
• How is introversion helping you in your work? 😮

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments box below. Or ask yourself those questions quietly at home.