Jobs for the shy

[Tamaralara]

Hello all
Just wondering what everyone thinks would be a good job for someone shy/ quiet with zero confidence

[roxyfoxy89]

Not sure but I'm watching this thread with interest!

[Everythingmagnolia]

Audio typist?

[Shaniac]

I think theres an element of talking to people in all jobs. Things like cleaner might be good as you will only have to talk to your client whether domestic or commercial business and the rest of the time you are alone cleaning. Have you looked up courses to help with shyness?

[Lurkingforawhile]

Some of my team at work (public sector) struggle with shyness. We work together on skills to help them occasionally talk to customers but that’s not in their core role. Those I’m thinking of tend to work with data and systems. We need all different types of people in our teams to make us as good as possible.

[shrill]

Ime go for whatever job you would like. Workplace needs a good variety (diversity) and when you think about it, being shy can also be a valuable asset.

Confidence can come with good environments.

[Lurkingforawhile]

@shrill is spot on there

[CharlotteCollinsneeLucas]

Whatever you're good at. I'm a teacher. Hopeless at small talk. Almost physically sick the first few thousand times I stood up in front of a class. But I know my stuff and I love the job and you wouldn't guess I'm shy seeing me teaching now.

The way to develop confidence is to do what you're good at. What are you good at?

[Changethetoner]

science - doing research in a lab - I don't suppose a lot of social skills are required for that.

[PetCheetah]

DM knows someone very shy who does a programming job. He has to share an office but none of them are allowed to speak incase they distract each other!

[Kljnmw3459]

I found temping a good one but I still had to occasionally speak to people. Quality assurance is mostly good but maybe too many meetings for a really shy person. Medication might be useful and hypnotherapy if you can afford it. CBT as well.

[InTheLongGrass]

@Changethetoner

science - doing research in a lab - I don't suppose a lot of social skills are required for that.

I ended up going to conferences and trade shows. There were times as a research scientist I was totally peopled out. But there are big chunks of time when you could be fairly isolated.

Everything is going to involve people. Do what you love, and find a place in a team where others strengths complement your strengths.

[RaspAsYouChokeOnTheToupee]

Honestly I think most jobs will now have an element of talking to people. However, if you start at the bottom of that area, you likely won’t have to talk to many people. As you grow in the role, your confidence will develop and you’ll be able to talk about your area. So, if for example, you start with data entry, that’s a job in which you won’t need to talk to too many people. As you progress, you start to analyse the data, that will involve an element of explaining what you’ve done to other people. But you’ll have done the work, you’ll have the knowledge so it will just be sharing that. It’s easier when you know what you’re talking about.

I’m shy at first, I really struggle with talking to someone new for the first time. I hate networking at conferences because I’m just an awkward lemon. Once someone else has done the hard work for the first few meetings, I can then talk quite normally with them. Throughout my career I’ve got better at making small talk and can kinda bumble my way through now. I have to give presentations in my job, which I still have despite having done hundreds of presentations now. My job can involve a lot of talking to people. Some days I’m just talked out. It’s tiring. It doesn’t have to be actually talking to people for me, it can be a day of emailing nonstop. It does get easier with time, you get less shy but when I’ve had a lot of interaction at work I really just need to switch off at home and recharge.

[Elouera]

I agree that all jobs require some form of social interaction at some point. Either talking to a customer/client or your boss at some stage. What are you into? What did you enjoy at school? Are there certain senarios with others you cope well with? What interactions do you find difficult?
Some ideas:

• proof reading? Can be done from home, or via a company and linked to certain professions or areas. Medical, proofreading student university work, research etc
• computer programming or coding
• photography (depending on the area and if you say do weddings, medical photography or just on your own)
• art/craft

[JaJaDingDong]

Programmer, or whatever they're called these days - someone who writes code.

[rainonarainyday]

Some kind of data inputting type job. Stock allocation is one in retail. If you move up into management or stock merchandising you would have to have meetings, but at the low level you would just do what you were told. The thing is shy doesn't mean doormat, and if you can't talk to anyone then you do tend to be walked over. I'm
shy, but I'm also a bit anarkist, only a bit mind 😁 I mean there are certain rules for the greater good ( that suit me ha ha.) The problem is expressing yourself when you are shy.

Although a lot of actors are shy, they can perform, but real life is more unpredictable than a script.

[legallybland]

Teaching! You adopt a different persona.It's easy to act when you're a teacher - there are very clear roles and expectations and you can prepare thoroughly. I teach adults and listen a lot more than I speak. I'm good at supporting shy / nervous students because I "get it".

I used to be a librarian and didn't like it because I had to do too much small talk!

[Tamaralara]

Im not that good at anything tbh
No qualifications
Im doing a ta course but I don’t think il actually be confident enough to land myself a job through it

[Tamaralara]

@Kljnmw3459
What medication

[legopolicelady]

You need to exercise to get rid of those anxieties. If you're a TA then you should have a least a bit of experience socialising with others.

[Tamaralara]

@legopolicelady
Im not a ta
Im just enrolled at college to start a course on it

[Lindyhoplass]

I know where you're coming from. I find it hard in medium sized teams where you're meant to be one big group. I'm much better with just a couple of people.

Recently started an NHS office job, the work is fine but finding the office a bit hard going. I wish I was just on my own as I find it so hard to fit into groups and at my age, I don't really try anymore. I'm a quit, low-key person, and can't be any different.

[CharlotteCollinsneeLucas]

What age children would you like to work with? Do you like children/teens? If you do, you can make being a TA work for you.

What do you enjoy? Just in general.

[Kljnmw3459]

@Tamaralara depends if you want to address the physical symptoms or the mental symptoms. For physical symptoms there are beta blockers. For mental symptoms there are variety of different ones such as some anti-depressants. It's definitely worth talking to a GP about it. They will be able to advise the suitable ones for you.

[Tamaralara]

Thanks @Kljnmw3459
I never knew I could take anything such as these medications
I think i will look into it and book a doctors appointment