For most of us, getting a job is a necessity of life.
Sure, we can tolerate working. Yes, we can learn to enjoy putting our minds, hands, and hearts to work. But a serious problem arises when we find ourselves in jobs that are either (a) unfulfilling (b) too stressful, or (c) totally not suited to our personality type.
If you’re a quiet and introverted type, you’ll know already that our world is full of extrovert-friendly jobs. But what about the behind-the-scenes, non-people-centric vocations?
Is it possible to find a meaningful job as an introvert that fills us with energy instead of depleting us?
Is it possible to find our life purpose while holding down a job?
Yes, thankfully it is possible! Just because you’re a quiet person, doesn’t mean you have to give in to the false standards of success and happiness that our society bombards us with. Finding a truly fulfilling vocation takes a little more digging and unconventional thinking – but it is possible.
So let’s get started …
Table of contents
How to Find a Meaningful Job as an Introvert
Here’s the thing: most of us spend two-thirds of our days at work. In fact, many of us spend more time thinking about work-life (aka. drama) than thinking about our friends or loved ones.
To find a meaningful job is not just some fanciful luxury, it is a necessity.
When we find ourselves in jobs we hate, particularly as empathic and introverted people, it’s almost like a little part of our soul dies each day. I know that may sound absurd, but it’s true.
When we aren’t using our life force energy (what some refer to as the Soul) in a way that fulfills us, we feel deep in our bones that something is wrong. We have no creative outlet, no vision, no motivation, and no purpose when we’re in a job that is ill-fitted to us – and it takes its toll on our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
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Finding a meaningful job, while greatly coveted by most people, can only be achieved by the boldest of souls. You have to be willing to break free of the herd, be a lone wolf, and walk your own path to find a meaningful job – a path with heart.
This often involves questioning what you’ve been taught, challenging the preconceived ideas you have, and often deconstructing old beliefs about what “success” and “happiness” means.
There are many jobs for introverts out there, but how do you know which one is the right for you? First, you need to examine your mindset and do a little bit of self-exploration. Here are some tips:
1. Forget “respectable” – listen to your gut instinct
Janitor, garbage collector, truckie – doctor, lawyer, teacher …
“White-collar” jobs vs. “blue-collar” jobs …
they’re all superficial labels created by the mind. All jobs serve a purpose. Don’t base your career choice on what you think others will think about you. Choose an employment path you think would suit you best, not based on people’s opinions of what is and isn’t “respectable.” Listen to your gut instincts.
Remember: your worth is not gained from a title, a job, or from others. Your worth is intrinsic. You are intrinsically worthy. Don’t fall for the respectability ploy.
Unfortunately, many parents pressure their children to pursue “respectable” degrees as a result of society’s influence. In the end, children end up submitting to their parents to please them – but end up regretting it later.
Isn’t it a sad reality that everyone is trying to be who others want them to be. But who is listening to their true desires? Who is following their authentic life path? To refuse to conform to our parents, friends, and society’s expectations requires courage and grit. If you want to find a meaningful job as an introvert, you need to go against the grain.
2. Observe your strengths and weaknesses (and be realistic)
Arty, earthy, mathematically inclined … you must focus on your interests and skills when you consider a career. Are you good with your hands? Do you prefer intellectual, theory-based work? Sites such as careerpath.com can assist you.
Don’t forget to consider what you would least like in a job as well. What are you absolutely unwilling to tolerate or commit to? What are your weaknesses? What are your hot buttons and anxiety triggers?
When it comes to finding a meaningful job as an introvert, don’t forget to be realistic. It’s unlikely that you will find the perfect job (there’s no such thing!). There’s always bad in the good and good in the bad. For example, if there’s too much good in your job, you will grow complacent and take your work for granted (let’s face it!). On the other hand, the challenges, trials, and negativity you experience all help you to appreciate the good and fully experience any joy that comes in your work. The key is to find a job that has a fair balance of good and bad, comfortable and uncomfortable.
3. Develop more self-awareness by taking a personality test
How well do you know yourself? It’s crucial to introspect and develop more self-awareness to make intelligent decisions about your career.
One of the easiest ways to expand your self-understanding is by taking online personality tests. Even if you can’t be bothered to finish them, they will provide you with useful insights. They may also help you consider other dimensions of job-seeking that you hadn’t considered before. These following tests may help:
- Open Colleges’ Career Quiz
- iPERSONIC
- HumanMetrics
- SimilarMinds
- Typologycentral.com
- Fingerprint for success
- Alternatively, we have many free tests for you to take (I recommend this free personality test)
4. Think, how much is too much?
Money. It’s the main reason why people bother getting jobs. But how many things do you actually need?
The old truism says that money is the root of all kinds of evil. You don’t have to look very far to see the thefts, manslaughters, adulteries, perjuries, and other atrocities that stem from the desire to obtain money.
Your life is limited – don’t waste your time in a job that demands too much from you. It may pay well, but what for? Ask yourself what is important: fancy houses and cars, the latest iPhone or TV, big houses and mortgages … or something else that doesn’t depend on the external world? Happiness, enjoying time with your loved ones, savoring the present moment, learning new skills, and walking a spiritual path are all inner riches you can easily access without excessive money.
So ask yourself, how much money is too much? You need to think about this question carefully. Many people work themselves silly for their entire lives, never really stopping to realize that (1) they don’t have to, (2) overworking decreases their overall quality of life and wellbeing, and (3) they don’t need that much money to live on anyway.
Financial security is important, yes. But be pragmatic and realistic. Calculate how much money you’ll truly need to adequately support yourself and your loved ones, without the soul-draining excess. While you’re at it, check out the supremely interesting philosophy of minimalism for inspiration. Less is more, when all is said and done.
5. Toss a coin (literally)
Eventually, you’ll stumble across a few intriguing job options – but how do you choose between them? My solution is simple: toss a coin. But why do something so seemingly flippant? The answer is that tossing a coin helps to reveal what you really want unconsciously. If you find yourself hesitating over the side the coin landed on after you flipped it, this is a good indication that you either need to (a) rethink both options or (b) choose the other option, as deep down you know it’s a better choice. Note: before you flip a coin, remember to make sure you give a thorough think about both of your options. You don’t want to make hasty, impatient decisions and use the coin as an excuse to “get it over and done with.”
6. Deathbed meditation
To some, this may sound macabre. But if you truly want to find a meaningful job as an introvert, think back on your life from the perspective of your deathbed. What would you be most proud to have committed to? (This is also a great way to personally answer the eternal question, ‘what is the meaning of life?’) Whatever your mind and heart focus on is your answer, your path. It may seem intimidating and unreachable, but by setting small, actionable steps, you can get there.
30+ Jobs for Introverts
Now that we’ve examined how to find a meaningful job as an introvert, let’s look at some suggestions. Take these purely as inspiration. If you have any other ideas about jobs for introverts, please comment below to help make this list more comprehensive:
- Actuary
- Animal groomer
- Animal trainer
- Animal walker
- Archivist
- Artist
- Astronomer
- Auditor
- Biochemist
- Blogger
- Boat/ferry operator
- Bus Driver
- Cleaner
- Data Entry Officer
- Editor
- Factory worker
- Farmhand
- Freelance writer
- Gardener
- Geological engineer
- Geneticist
- Government librarian/library assistant
- Greenhouse tender
- Landscaper
- Mail poster (Postie/Mailman)
- Mathmetician
- Medical laboratory technician
- Mortician
- Musician
- Online counselor
- Pilot
- Records manager/officer
- Software Developer
- Statistician
- Truck driver
- Vlogger (youtube creator)
- Web Programmer
- Writer
- Zoologist
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Finding a meaningful job as an introvert is unique for everyone. What your heart and soul feel drawn towards may not be what society deems as “successful” or “acceptable.” Ignore those f*ckers. Walk your own path! Listen to your destiny! You have a right to listen to your calling and follow it, even if that means moving one millimeter at a time. Eventually, with commitment and dedication, you will get there.
Tell me, after reading this list of jobs for introverts, which one appeals to you the most? Also, feel free to leave your own recommendations below.
Medical Lab Tech is not really a job for a true introvert. it requires you to interact with patients, other medical staff and most importantly doctors and nurses on a regular basis. If patient interaction is bad (drawing blood, trying to answer questions about complicated testing procedures in layman’s terms for people who don’t know anything about them, having people yell at you because you can’t release their results directly to them, wisenenheimer’s asking you if you can help them give a semen sample, dealing with drunks, drug addicts, sick people etc), nurses are far worse. Nurses almost entirely seem to be composed of type A personality people who are hyper aggressive, over-worked, over-stressed and looking to chomp the fluffy bunny lower in the food chain and dump it downhill, if you know what I mean. First grade bullies is how I describe them. Every time the telephone rings it is like a turning on a porch light and watching the bugs scatter, as the techs scramble to get too busy to answer and deal with the blood thirsty nurse on the other end, who wants to know why that stat CKMB and Troponin that takes 20 minutes to run,… Read more »
This article has really inspired me to look closely at my options in life. I can see from your picture that you are very beautiful. Many people have told me that I’m very attractive and I’m afraid they believe it goes hand in hand with being an extrovert. I have always been placed in front of the public by my employers and just figured I had to adapt to have a job. I see now that that is not necessarily true. Thank you.
Software programmer use to be an independent career until the socialists took over (I’m joking….sort of). But in all seriousness this new XP programming/Agile format that is being taken on in corporate IT departments is killing the career for the independent types. No longer can I work alone on a problem and every two hours there is always someone at my desk bugging me about the progress on my task. I’m very upset because I thought this career would be perfect for a deeply introverted person like myself but the agile methodology preaches collectivism and team problem solving that I don’t think I’m suited for. Worst of all, I use to work in a work environment where I had my own desk and my own space but now that is being taken away in place of “shared spaces” and “open working areas.” What’s a loner to do? I went to school for this crap and now I need to find something new
I remember when my parents were telling me to go get a part-time job as a teenager. I had told them I wanted a job where no one will see me so I don’t have to talk to people…. lol My first job was at a fast food, taking customers’ orders and making minimum wage. Then I worked in a call centre. Boy was that very stressful for an introvert like me! I only lasted 2 months there. Even though that call centre job paid well, I wasn’t very happy there. I loved the people I worked with though… And then I got a job as a graphic designer and that was definitely my favourite job. I loved it. I didn’t really have to talk to people that much. I’m now currently a stay at home mom and doing some freelance work and also make cakes on the side. I love it.
Just found this website. Good stuff. I will send some jobs/careers your way to add to the list. Just a little tidbit too, mortician is no longer referred to as this. I once considered becoming one, and this is how the traditional terms are different; (undertaker is a funeral director, mortician is an embalmer). Just thought it might clarify.
I currently work as a Security Officer. I recently went to school for private Investigation but cant do that due to me having a red car and not having the money for a paint job. These two careers are great for introverts but they can be very boring at times and emotionally unfulfilling. I am naturally introverted but I enjoy jobs that involve marketing from home. The problem is the it is not enough money because I am new and I am still learning. Due to my financial debt, I am force to look for a second job and the only thing that will work around my main job is a retail position. I am still not sure what career I really want to do and im 29. If anyone have any suggestions, I would appreciate it.
I earned my Cosmetology License in early 2012. (Not at all a job for introverts lol) but growing up, its how i made money. I like making people beautiful. I’m not a people person and i’m the most socially awkward person you’ll ever meet. I can be social here and there but I mostly always want to be alone. I’ve worked at a few salons and never have problems with coworkers, but most days its a pain to get through the day. I’d rather get it done and go home you know? No pointless interaction. Its hard to find a job where you don’t have to be bothered too much. I’m not a lazy person at all. Working makes me feel good while being idle will drive me mad. Its good to know there are lots of people like me :)
I worked for a Hallmark store for 12 years; not exactly a job for an introvert. I’ve always felt uncomfortable around a lot of people, and even worked in a factory for 13 years, sitting at a machine all day. I chose the retail job, because I liked shopping there, and thought it would work for me. I think forcing myself to interact with people all day pulled me out of my shell, but then I always felt exhausted by the end of the day. I lot of people i worked with, mostly extroverts, wouldn’t understand that, since they seemed to love being the center of attention. I am currently unemployed, not by choice, new management pushed me out to save money. I saw the list of jobs that could work for an introvert, but they aren’t choices that are an option for me. I have a really strong work ethic, but I’m having a hard time finding any job right now. A lot of jobs require going back to school, or having a year’s experience in a certain field. I feel lost right now, if only I can be paid to read books at home all day, or watch… Read more »
It’s not money. It’s the “love” of money that is the root of all evil. Which I think means that we loose ourselves in the pursuit of it as a god. I am an employmentally challenged introvert. I am trying to be really honest when I apply for jobs. I will let you know how that goes. (But hopefully not as honest as Jim Carey in “Liar, Liar”.)
Let me tell you that a web programmer / developer is NOT a job for introverts. It may seem like all you do is sit and code at a computer but the reality is you have to be VERY social. That means team-work, pitching concept ideas to clients, and a lot of consultation/meetings.