It's Shyness, Not Arrogance

Job-hunting is always harder for introverts — from networking to interviewing, so much of job-hunting is focused on how well you can interact with people and make good impressions — skills much better suited for extroverts.

And you’re right, shy people can be easily seen as arrogant. In fact, when I first met my wife, I was sure I would never have anything to do with her socially because she appeared to me as someone who was arrogant and superior. Later, of course, I discovered that she was simply a shy person around people she didn’t know.

The best advice I have for you is to find a way to channel some degree of extroversion when you really need it, such as in networking and interviewing situations. So much of job-hunting deals with first impressions, and while you can overcome negative first impressions with a lot of effort, it makes more sense to try and manage that first impression. You don’t need to be “Ms. Perky,” but you do need to appear friendly and approachable.

You might consider working with a career coach or other professional who can work with you in developing some simple exercises and running through some mock interviews so that you become comfortable in these situations.

Finally, I think you need to overcome this issue about being an actress. The best job-hunters — the most successful job-hunters — know how to act in interviews. Acting is not lying; acting is adjusting your job-hunting to fit the current situation.

If you decide to consider a career coach, use the Quintessential Careers Directory of Life and Career Coaches.