At some point in most of our lives, we will have to work with the public.
This is great for outgoing extroverts but not for introverts who just want to keep to themselves and do their own things.
In fact, working with the public can cause a lot of serious health issues for introverts, both mental and physical.
It can cause a lot of anxiety and lead to severe burnout.
Most introverts would prefer to work behind the scenes with as few other people as possible.
A best-case scenario would involve being able to work completely alone at all times.
This is one of the reasons why working online has become so popular in recent years.
Let's take a look at the 30 worst jobs for introverts.
Introverts should Avoid THESE Jobs.
Do you dread getting up in the morning and going out to work with the public?
Would you prefer to simply stay at home and avoid people altogether on most days?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, then chances are you may be an introvert. This is not necessarily a bad thing.
It's just that introverts need to do things differently from others in order to protect their own mental and physical health.
There are many careers that are ideal for introverts.
The following are not!
1. Sales Rep
One of the worst jobs for introverts is to be a sales representative. After all, this is a job that involves nearly constant communication with the public.
A good sales rep will have amazing communication skills and be able to strike a bargain with pretty much anyone.
On the other hand, an introvert may simply let the customer have whatever they want to avoid having to deal with them for any length of time.
This type of work involves meeting people in person frequently. It also tends to involve working with a team.
These are both things that most introverts dread.
2. Customer Care Rep
One of the worst jobs for most people is being a customer care rep. If many extroverts don't even like it, just imagine the toll this type of work takes on introverts!
Even doing this type of work online can be a daunting task for many introverts who would prefer to have as little contact with the public as possible.
As a customer care rep, one is responsible for communicating with many customers.
In many cases, the customers are angry, making the situation even worse for introverts.
Sure, some of these jobs may offer fantastic salaries, but is a good salary worth risking one's mental health and possibly physical health?
3. Receptionist/Front Desk Clerk
A receptionist or front desk clerk is right there on the front lines, greeting people as they come through the door.
This is not the ideal situation for an introvert. It involves too much contact with the general public and more communication than introverts handle.
It also doesn't help that these jobs entail many other responsibilities. Customers coming in and out all the time means those other duties must be put on hold.
This is going to frustrate the introvert even more because they would much prefer to get those jobs done than have to deal with the public.
This is a job best suited for someone who enjoys multitasking and working with the public.
4. Performer
The idea of getting on stage to perform in front of a group of people can be almost paralyzing for the introvert.
In many cases (but not all), introverts have the tendency to lack self-confidence. To be a performer, one must be able to let go of their insecurities or at least hide them very well.
There is always the risk of getting booed, which can tear an introvert completely apart.
Then, there is always that risk of becoming famous and ending up with people always wanting to be around you.
5. Insurance Agent
It takes a special kind of person to be an insurance agent, and an introvert is definitely not that kind of person.
Not only does an insurance agent need to have excellent communication skills, but they also need to be able to sell.
They also need to be able to keep in touch with their clients. They offer upgrades or other services and field their questions and complaints.
This job can also involve cold-calling, which is terrifying for most introverts.
6. Journalist/Reporter
Journalism is a great career choice for many, and the salary is quite competitive. But, it is not a career option for everyone.
This type of work involves getting out and talking to various members of the public, from the man on the street to high-ranking politicians, celebrities, and others.
One needs to have many connections in order to do this type of work, and they need to enjoy talking to people.
Then, there is also the chance that a journalist would have to work with a team, which is also difficult for many introverts.
7. Marketing Coordinator/Executive
Anyone involved in marketing is going to have to be involved with the general public. The higher the position, the more stressful the job becomes in many cases.
People who work in marketing must work with customers, employers, stakeholders, and co-workers on a constant basis.
Don't forget the team retreats where people are expected to spend their downtime doing activities with others as a team.
Yes, this can be a high-paying career, but it may not be worth it for someone who is introverted.
8. Teacher
Teaching is definitely not a great career choice for introverts. Handling a room filled with students is a challenge for the toughest person, requiring a great deal of patience and people skills.
Not only is there the class to think about, but the introvert could also become quite overwhelmed by the number of people in the school.
Teachers also have to communicate with parents, and in many cases, it is because the parents are angry. This will just add to the stress for an introvert.
Even online tutoring jobs require you to work with other people and have great communication skills.
9. Public Speaker
This is just as bad as being a performer. No introvert wants to get up in front of a crowd to speak, even if it is a subject they are passionate about.
For many introverts, just the mere thought of speaking in public causes them to panic.
Added to this is the fact that most of the people in the audience will be strangers.
A lot of introverts do not have the communication skills needed to be public speakers. Nor do they have the ability or desire to hold the attention of the audience.
They would much prefer to help out behind the scenes instead.
10. Human Resources Manager
We've all heard some of the horror stories told by human resources managers. It's no wonder why this is not a job for introverts!
Someone in this line of work must deal with employees all day, and the interactions aren't always pleasant.
The human resource manager must settle disputes and always has to be diplomatic.
This job also involves dealing with strangers as well, such as potential candidates for jobs.
HR is the go-to department for many and not a department best suited for introverts.
RELATED: 35 Fascinating Psychological Facts About Introverts
11. Social Media Influencer
A relatively new career option for many is to become a social media influencer. Again, this is not a job for someone who dislikes being around people.
In fact, not only does an influencer work with the general public, but they also work with many different companies to promote their brands.
While it may seem easy because it is online work, an influencer is always the center of attention.
Most introverts would rather blend into the background than interact with thousands of followers.
Don't forget about negative and hurtful comments. These are things influencers must deal with every day.
12. Taxi Driver
Many people might think that being a taxi driver would be a good job for an introvert, but they would be wrong.
This is a terrible job for introverts because taxi drivers must make a lot of small talk with their passengers. In some cases, they even have to act as tour guides.
A taxi driver has to know their way around and about various local attractions, shopping, dining, etc.
There is a lot more to being a taxi driver than people give credit for. And, it definitely isn't a job for everyone.
13. Event Organizer
Another job that may seem ideal is being an event organizer. But, there is a lot more to this job than simply organizing things.
This line of work involves dealing with customers, vendors, venues, and others.
Event organizers need to have great communication skills and be able to bargain and solve problems on the spot.
While many introverts do love jobs that involve working out details, this is not the ideal career choice for anyone who has anxiety or doesn't like to deal with people.
In fact, seeing as how most introverts don't enjoy going to parties and public events, chances are they aren't going to enjoy planning them either.
14. Travel Agent
It's one thing to plan your own vacation. But if you are an introvert, you probably won't enjoy being responsible for planning vacations for others.
After all, this work involves dealing with customers, hotels, airlines, cruise lines, etc., and you will be expected to pull out all the stops.
In addition to setting up tours and other fun activities, you would be responsible for the safety of your clients.
This involves making sure they have good accommodations in safe areas.
Travel agents must do a lot of networking, which is a big no-no for most introverts. This is a job best left to the extroverts.
15. Tour Guide
Like being a public speaker, being a tour guide is a job that requires people to be in front of an audience, so to speak.
A tour guide must not only be knowledgeable about every aspect of their tours, but they must also be ready to talk about it all as well.
There may even be the chance that you would have to know how to speak more than one language.
It's hard enough for introverts to engage in their own language, a foreign one.
This is also a job that can be very physically demanding. Many tours involve a lot of walking great distances.
16. Real Estate Agent
A lot of people think that real estate is a great career where they can make a lot of money.
While this is true, it is not always the best option for introverts.
Remember, this job is about dealing with the public almost constantly. It involves making cold calls, and you would also have to deal with other agents, banks, insurance companies, etc.
Real estate agents must act as mediators between homeowners and potential buyers in order to get the best results for all involved.
Multitasking is another big part of this work, which isn't always something that introverts are suited for.
17. Flight Attendant
Many people fantasize about the glamorous, high-paying job of being a flight attendant.
But, there is a lot more to this job than most people realize.
This is one of the absolute worst jobs for introverts because you have to be “on” at all times.
You are expected to be able to communicate with passengers prior to, throughout, and after flights.
You will have to deal with unruly customers. You will have to deal with grouchy pilots and other co-workers.
If you don't like speaking in public, forget being an airline attendant. They must give in-flight safety talks and demonstrations.
18. Law Enforcement Officer
Another really bad job for introverts is law enforcement. In fact, it is likely one of the toughest jobs on the planet, even for extroverts.
The primary duty of a law enforcement officer is to enforce the law. But, there are a lot of people out there who would evade the law or even fight with an officer.
Officers must deal with the public, and this can include trying to handle angry mobs.
This is not something that an introvert can handle, and it can get quite dangerous.
They also have to appear in court and give statements. This would be terrifying for someone who hates speaking in public.
19. Healthcare Professional
Anything in healthcare is a noble profession but not always the best for someone who is introverted and has anxiety.
In this line of work, one has to deal with life and death. They have to talk to patients and their families, which can be very draining.
This is a job that requires one to have a lot of self-confidence, which is something that many introverts just do not have.
Also, healthcare professionals have to cater to patients constantly, and anyone who doesn't like being around people will not thrive in this type of atmosphere.
20. Bartender
A job that could be incredibly overwhelming for introverts is bartending. This is a fast-paced job that keeps you running.
It also involves dealing with many people, often at the same time. Then, some people feel the need to discuss their problems with bartenders, and yes, this does happen a lot.
A bartender needs to be the life of the party, whether they feel like it or not. Communication is key in this job.
Anyone who has any anxiety about working with the public should think twice before becoming a bartender, no matter how great the tips might be.
❤️ Related: 11 Big Misconceptions About Being An Introvert
Here Are 10 More Of The Worst Jobs For Introverts:
- Professor/Lecturer
- Babysitter
- Bank Teller
- Restaurant Server
- Counselor
- Retail Agent
- Ticket Collector
- Psychiatrist
- Lawyer
- Mediator
❤️ Related: Famous Introverts and the Amazing Lessons You Can Learn From Them
Things an Introvert with Anxiety should Look For in a Job.
When it comes to careers, introverts need to find ways to earn money and not end up overwhelmed and burning out.
There are many great jobs out there that are ideal for introverts. Obviously, in any job, one will have to be in contact with some people in some manner.
But, many jobs require very minimal contact with others, and these jobs are often ideal for introverts.
There are all kinds of things that can cause one to have stress on the job.
These include but are not limited to pressure to achieve, fear of job loss, inability to multitask, working with a team, and more.
These things can all cause an introvert to become too overwhelmed. This will take their anxiety to the next level.
Here Are 10 of The Least Stressful Jobs For Introverts:
- Online writer
- Online editor/proofreader
- Veterinary assistant/tech
- Factory jobs
- Artist/Graphic Designer
- Data entry
- Archivist
- Librarian
- Film/video/audio editor
- Medical transcriptionist
❤️ Related: Introvert Empath: What They Are & The Amazing Signs You Are One
On a Final Note
We are the way we are, and the world needs all of us, introverts and extroverts alike.
There is a place for everyone and the right job for everyone.
If you know you are an introvert, look for career opportunities that won't have you dealing with the public.
It may be best for you to look for online work that you can do at home while you are alone.
You may have a few clients to answer to, but it is a lot better than working with the general public.
❤️ Related:
Alan is the founder of Subconscious Servant. He has a passion for learning about topics such as spirituality and the metaphysical world. The thing he loves to explore most though is manifesting with the law of attraction ✨.