Signposts: Technophobes and Introverts Need Not Apply

I started reading the book "What Color is Your Parachute" as an assignment and an incentive to start a new journey. Richard Bolles really understands what's happening now in the job market. If you have been following along with the earlier posts I have pretty much followed what he describes in the first chapter. I was one of those thousands caught up with the massive changes in employment retention and hiring practices. I was also one of the many overwhelmed by the rapid pace of the Internet and its expanding capabilities.

I do have first hand experiences of those who are technophobes and the devastating effects these changes have had on them. I believe it is important that we don't forget that not everyone embraces the Internet's hold on them. I also believe that it is a grave disservice to literally push everyone to interact with their computer for every transaction. I can understand their fear. It is a fear that I share to some degree.

I am doing better. I am not as active as some people on the Internet and social media. I am still leery about doing much shopping online and other activities that could expose personal information. I still refuse to expose my SSN online and that cost me. I still strongly believe that an employer shouldn't be asking for that very personal information online. It is a matter of principle for me.

I also freely admit that I am an introvert. Many good writers are. A very good article written by Michela at introvertspring.com outlines perfectly the qualities of an introvert. You can read it here: "What is an Introvert?"  The job market today is increasingly geared towards extroverts. Even Bolles gets into this mindset by thinking that most job seekers have 80 friends and acquaintances that they can pester to get them in. I may be reading this wrong but you can read it for yourself.

Bolles does have some good advice. Researching a company before you interview is prudent and necessary. I "blew" a few interviews because I just wasn't prepared enough. I also have done some informational interviews both for my now chosen profession of historical preservation and to get my foot in the door with some non-profits. I think my biggest problem is that I just can't seem to get past my verbal inadequacy. I get frustrated and that makes it worse.

I do have to find some way to get past and use my strengths to land the sustainable job I need.