Extroverts are those people who feel comfortable in large groups and thrive on human contact and interactions. They can also easily make friends and instantly make others feel comfortable. It’s the energy that comes from the human dynamic that they enjoy.
Your internal desire to be around others means some jobs won’t do as an extrovert. Extroverts wouldn’t be good in solitary jobs where they work alone. But then, there are other jobs where they shine. These are a few of the best jobs for extroverts.
Key Takeaways:
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The top three jobs for extroverts are sales representative, trial attorney, and entertainer.
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Most of these jobs require strong communication skills and active listening skills.
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It’s important for extroverts in the workplace to be careful oversharing, learn to listen to others, and include others in activities.
15 Best jobs for extroverts
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Average Annual Salary: $56,000
A sales representative is someone who presents a product or line of products to encourage others to buy. This position is excellent for extroverts because you have to be comfortable talking to different people and forming professional relationships with them.
You can be someone in the grocery store handing out samples and having a database of clients that they routinely call on to sell specialized items, or you can be someone in a boutique selling clothing. There are a lot of different directions you can go in if you want to work in sales.
The pay can also be drastically different, especially if you’re working on a commission basis – meaning you get paid more the more you sell.
Skills needed:
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Communication skills
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Social selling
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Time management and planning
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Negotiation skills
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Product knowledge
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Active listening skills
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Average Annual Salary: $162,000
Not all attorneys need to be as spot-on when it comes to appealing to the masses, but trial attorneys do. This is a great position for extroverts because you cannot but come off as unlikeable, timid, or uncomfortable to the jury. Introverts often don’t do as well as the extrovert attorney who will be likable and believable to the jury.
A trial attorney is almost like an entertainer in some respects. While you need to know the law and be ace at filing the paperwork at the right time and following the rules, there’s also a degree of showmanship that comes into play.
Skills needed:
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Communication skills
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Being able to work with a team
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Time management
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Negotiation skills
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Analytical and logical reasoning
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Knowledge of substantive law and legal procedure
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Average Annual Salary: $61,000
Speaking of entertaining, being an entertainer can be a great field for an extrovert, especially when interacting with the audience. Comedians, actors, magicians, musicians, and others are often extroverts who love being the center of attention and thrive on the positive vibes they get from their performances.
If you have a talent that you’re passionate about and identify as an extrovert, you might do very well if you follow your dreams.
Skills needed:
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Confidence
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Being able to network and market yourself
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Resilience, self-discipline and stamina
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Flexibility
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Being able to work with a team
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Time management
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Average Annual Salary: $46,000
Working in public relations puts you in the fray with people all day, all the time, which is perfect for extroverts. You’re expected to build relationships with some of the most influential people around and nurture those relationships.
You also need to be comfortable talking to the press and selling your clients or responding to them. You might have several clients, or you could work for one company and serve as the public face and voice of that company and brand.
Either way, this job requires someone very comfortable talking to individuals and crowds who can do so confidently and comfortably.
Skills needed:
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Communication skills
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Attention to detail
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Relationship building skills
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Knowledge and research skills
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Creativity
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Willingness to learn
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Politics
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Almost all politicians are extroverts, not just because of the way others perceive them but because this is a field that appeals to extroverts. Being a politician means being in the public eye all of the time.
Even when you’re not, you find a way to be the center of attention. Being forgotten is the worst thing to happen to most politicians, so it’s all about being noticed.
Of course, there is an element of wanting to help and be involved in government somehow.
Skills needed:
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Writing and research skills
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Public speaking and presentation skills
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Being able to understand your audience
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Networking ability
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Crisis management and problem solving
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Interpersonal influence
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Average Annual Salary: $44,000
Many extroverts get a charge out of events – weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, company launches, and other big bashes. When you choose to be an event planner, your life is a series of big parties and celebrations, one right after the other.
Event planning can be the ideal job for an extrovert because you not only need to be good with the people hosting the event, but you need to cultivate relationships with all sorts of contractors. It’s like constantly being around others and being at the top of your game. It can be exhausting, but it can also be exhilarating.
Skills needed:
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Organization skills
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Communication skills
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Client first approach
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Problem solving skills
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Negotiation and budgeting skills
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Creativity
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Average Annual Salary: $38,000
Not all extroverts thrive in huge groups, constantly dealing with large amounts of people. Some extroverts prefer smaller group interactions or one-on-one situations. This type of extrovert would be excellent as a life coach.
Extroverts are ones to sit by and simply listen to others. They want to do something, get involved, and help somehow. This is why being a life coach might be a better choice than being a counselor or a psychologist.
Those jobs inspire others to think for themselves and life coaches get to tell people what’s best for them. It’s a shortcut to success for their clients, and it fuels the life coach’s days with meaning and a sense of connectedness.
Skills needed:
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Clear and effective communication skills
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Active listening skills
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A willingness to learn
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Flexibility
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Being able to be approachable and personable
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Being able to provide relevant feedback
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Probation/Parole Agent
Average Annual Salary: $41,000
Extroverts do well well as parole agents or probation officers because they can innately understand and speak the language of the people they’re talking to. They can morph a bit to be more relatable and likable. This makes it possible for the people they’re talking to maybe listen to what they’re saying and make good choices.
A probation officer or a parole agent is similar to a life coach in many ways. While you work within the government and your clients are people who have committed crimes or the families of those people, you’re still trying to help others get their life on track and take the right steps for success.
It doesn’t always work because some criminals don’t want to change, but those that do can make the agent feel pretty good and makes the job very rewarding.
Skills needed:
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Strong communication skills
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Active listening skills
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Interpersonal skills
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Substance abuse treatment knowledge
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Critical thinking skills
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Organizational skills
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Pastor/Minister
Average Annual Salary: $39,000
Being a pastor or minister is an easy career choice for extroverts with strong religious beliefs. This job combines some showmanship, life coaching skills, and event planning and comes up with what might be your dream job.
In this job, you need to be comfortable speaking to large groups and inspiring them, but you also need to do this on a one-on-one basis.
Religious leaders form the moral compass of their group, always leading the way and constantly being surrounded by other people who look up to them. It’s an easy career choice for the right religious-minded extrovert.
Skills needed:
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Personal skills
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A passion to share the Gospel
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Leadership skills
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Communication skills
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An Understanding of weakness
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Active listening skills
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Adventure/Tour Guide
Average Annual Salary: $29,000
Many extroverts are also adventurous by nature. This can lead you to exciting hobbies and pastimes that can become a career.
If you’re an extrovert and you’ve become quite proficient at white water rafting, mountain climbing, biking, camping in the wilderness, etc., then you might be able to turn that into a dynamic career. This job could give you the freedom to do what you love daily and show others the ropes simultaneously.
If you’re as adventurous, being a tour guide can be a thrill for extroverts because it lets you constantly interact with new and interesting people.
Skills needed:
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Excellent communication skills
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Engaging storyteller
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Knowledge of the tour area
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Strong empathy and understanding
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Charismatic personality
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A sense of humor
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Average Annual Salary: $36,000
Hairstylists need to be great with other people to put them at ease, so they trust them to do their hair. Extroverts have this skill and can easily handle small talk, but they can also handle deeper conversations and the occasional bit of gossip here and there.
The best hairstylists have mastered being a people-person so much that they can determine if the person in their chair wants to talk or if that person would rather avoid conversation.
If you have an introvert, then your extrovert skills might be off-putting. The good thing is that your ability to read others lets you determine how you’ll approach them.
Skills needed:
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Customer service skills
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Physical stamina
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Time management
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Creativity
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Communication and active listening skills
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Organization and tidiness
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Average Annual Salary: $22,000
The bartending profession is known for extroverts who listen to people spill out their problems. Of course, not all bartenders do this, and not all bars are set up for lonely people to sit and share their stories, but all bartenders typically need to be good with people.
A bartender who can make each person feel like they matter at that moment and can serve a drink with a smile will earn a big tip, making this profession very lucrative for some in the business.
If you have that extra skill to listen to stories and dole out a little sage advice here and there can do even better and earn repeat customers.
Skills needed:
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Communication and active listening skills
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A good memory
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An outgoing personality
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Stamina, strength and dexterity
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Basic math skills
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Flexibility
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Average Annual Salary: $46,000
Teaching is a great job for many extroverts because it opens the door to communication in group and one-on-one settings.
It all depends on the type of teaching you choose to do, but that’s the great thing about this job; you can customize your training and certifications to fit your interests.
From working with preschoolers to one-on-one training with adults, you can take many different paths as an extrovert who wants to teach others.
Skills needed:
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Critical thinking
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Communication and active listening skills
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Patience
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Organization skills
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Leadership skills
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Time management
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Average Annual Salary: $59,000
Being a great nurse takes a lot of different talents, and being an extrovert can help you manage your dynamic day-to-day interactions.
The number one thing a nurse has to do is deal with patients. An extrovert who is good with people can instantly put them at ease without even trying, which can make the entire experience better for the patient and those surrounding them.
These nurses breeze into the room with a sense of confidence and concern that makes patients and their families feel like they’re in good hands. Then, it’s time for their medical training to come into play as they do their job. That underlying extrovert nature sets the stage for success.
Skills needed:
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Communication skills
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The ability to work with others
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Problem solving skills
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Attention to detail
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Decision making
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Physical and mental stamina
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Average Annual Salary: $44,000
An employment recruiter helps businesses and companies find new employees. Being an extrovert is incredibly useful in this profession because it’s all about making and maintaining relationships.
Recruiters need to be good at selling the job and then selling their candidate. Others deal with more skilled professionals, and it’s their job to maintain many relationships until the right job comes along and then match the individual’s skills to the job.
This process can take years of building relationships with others, so being able to read people and stay connected is a huge benefit.
Skills needed:
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Communication skills
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Attention to detail
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Marketing skills
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The ability to multitask
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The ability to use technology
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Relationship building skills
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Tips for extroverts in the workplace
It’s important to remember that not everyone is an extrovert and will have the same needs as you, especially in the work place. Keep these tips in mind when searching for and when you start at a new job.
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Choose the right career. When deciding on where you want to know, you should consider what you need in a work setting. If you like working in a large setting where everyone is social, picking a job that has a hybrid option may not be beneficial for you if half the office is not there every day.
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Be mindful of oversharing. When you’re an extrovert, talking comes naturally. It’s important to remember the oversharing line. Not everyone in the office needs to hear about every detail of your life.
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Learn to listen to others. Being the center of attention may come naturally to you, but for others, it’s hard to speak up in a group setting. Try letting some of your more introverted coworkers talk, and use your active listening skills to show them you are engaged and listening to them.
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Schedule one-on-ones with introverts. If you have to schedule a meeting with one of your introverted coworkers or you tell them you need to talk, it’s essential to do it one-on-one. It’s also a good idea to tell them what it is about about prior to the meeting, so they are not sitting there nervous until the talk..
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Include people in group settings. When there are a lot of extroverts in the office that do stuff together all the time, some introverts may feel as if they are not invited because they don’t talk as much. Try inviting those you notice don’t come to lunch or after-work drinks. They may just need that little push.
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Block your schedule. Try blocking small breaks into your schedule to get you up from your desk and have a little socializing. This can help recharge your battery and help you feel more motivated.
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Be mindful of working hours. Little breaks to socialize are great, but be mindful that others are still trying to work. If you decide to have a conversation with someone do it at a low volume or try going outside and talking.
Best jobs for extroverts FAQ
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What do extroverts thrive on?
Extroverts typically thrive on social settings and being the center of attention. When you are an extrovert, you seek out social stimulation and you are often not afraid to introduce yourself and talk to new people. You often thrive on being in larger group settings and don’t need or like a lot of alone time.
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Are extroverts successful?
More extroverted people who are more confident, sociable, or assertive, have a 25% higher chance of getting a high-earning job. Extroverts are not the only ones who can get a high-earning job, introverts can also get one in the correct environment. Individuals should look for careers that they can thrive in when looking for a job.
References
Author
Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.
