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Are you an out-of-work introvert? Take a look at any job-hunting strategy book for introverts, and you will see that most of the information is career-oriented — how to choose full-time, professional work when you're a solitary type. The most often-suggested job titles for introverts — writer, artist, computer programmer, lab technician, research librarian, architect — all require special talents, a college degree, or advanced training, and are mostly full-time positions. But what do you do if you're a parent, a student, someone who chooses to work less than 40 hours a week, or you're just unable to find full-time work?

Now hiring smiling faces! Most part-time jobs listed in your local classifieds are customer-service oriented — waiting tables at a restaurant, running a checkout register, assisting customers in a store — and all better suited for extroverts. Introverts, who are less likely to enjoy interacting with people (and loathe having to smile at rude customers or make small talk with them), may find it hard to tolerate working in an extrovert's world. Here's a list of part-time jobs that an introvert might find more livable:

Dishwasher You get to hide in the kitchen and avoid interacting with any restaurant customers, and often dishwashers' pay includes a cut of the servers' tips. Scrubbing away at a hot sink and working on your feet are a couple of downsides to this one, however.

Line Cook Usually you can find this position without having any culinary training, and it's a necessary entry-level position for future chefs. Free food is usually a job perk, and you'll probably be working nights and weekends.

Delivery Driver A good driving record is important for this one. You get to spend a lot of time on your own, in your vehicle, listening to music or radio shows. Late-night deliveries can be dangerous, but tip-based jobs (like pizza delivery) can be very profitable.

Groundskeeper Good for the outdoor type. Mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and picking up litter don't require interaction with customers, but the pay is often very low. Landscape architects — who plan and design outdoor spaces — earn much more, but usually work full-time.

Letter-carrier The old-fashioned mailman role is another outdoor job that let's you work on your own. You get lots of exercise, and working for the US postal service provides good wages and benefits. A lot of people want this job, so don't be surprised if you're told of a "hiring freeze" when you apply.

Grocery Stocker Unlike the checkout counter girls and the bag boys, retail store stockers don't have to interact with customers much. Heavy lifting is required, and stockers often work after-hours, meeting late-night delivery trucks. Supermarket employees get discounts on groceries, making this job a good option if you have a family to feed.

Factory Worker Assembling components and making consumer goods can be a very tiring and repetitive job, but a perfect one for introverts who prefer to focus on small tasks.

Working with animals Not really a job title in itself, but many animal-related jobs are ideal for introverts. Caring for dogs and cats at your local shelter, animal training, pet grooming, pet sitting, or working at a veterinarian's office (this last one requires some special training) are all possibilities.

Written by Eva Talmadge

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Our Readers Respond

I wanted to offer the resources of my site, www.theintrovertzcoach.com. It has many articles, contributions, discussions, and resources that are helpful to introverts. Also eBooks on many of these topics. — Nancy R. Fenn