Interview Tip #4: Be prepared for small talk.

Oh, the dreaded small talk. Since you cannot escape small talk in an interview, here's a tactic to try.

Head over to the interview meeting 20 to 30 minutes ahead of time and find a local coffee shop. Stop in for a cup of coffee and a bite, and then ask the interviewing manager whether he or she has ever been there. You have a conversation topic and an opinion to share in your back pocket — and it's not about the weather!

Interview Tip #3: Be sure that the job is a good fit for your temperament.

No matter what your temperament is, chances are that any job will require you to step out of your comfort zone at times. The key is to choose a position that honors your natural preference most of the time. Think of it as an equivalent to standing on your head. With some training, virtually everyone can do it for a short while. However, no one should be expected to stand on their head for eight to 10 hours a day.

Just be sure you are interviewing for a job that will make the greatest use of your natural strengths. Pay attention to the interactions with your would-be coworkers and manager, take the time to understand the daily responsibilities and workflow, and imagine yourself doing the job. Does it offer you a balance of time for private reflection and outside interactions? How much energy will the job take, and how much will you get back from the joy of doing it?

Interview Tip #2: Record a video of yourself in a mock interview.

With a tripod, a cell phone, and a helpful friend, you can stage and record a mock interview in under 30 minutes. Yes, it really is that simple. Minimal time and money invested, and great instant feedback on what the interviewer sees.

As you review the video, pay attention to your willingness to make eye contact and smile. Are your shoulders relaxed or stiff? Do you look scared and uncomfortable, as if you are in an interrogation room with a spotlight on you?

Count the number of times you said “um” when you were unsure how to begin your response. If you notice this as a trend, consider spending more time in preparation. Try pausing for a moment or using an opener like “That is a great question” or “I am glad you asked this,” to give yourself a little more time to think through your response before you deliver it.

A mock interview can give you a brutally honest look at what you need to fix in order to shine when it really counts. Be prepared that it won't be pretty on the first pass and embrace its lessons. After all, you would rather get these mistakes out of the way without an actual job offer hanging in the balance.

Interview Tip #1: Prepare for the interview.

Set aside ample time to prepare for your interview. The more prepared you feel for an interview, the easier it will be to remain calm and confident when you walk into the interview room.

If freestyling your way to an answer is not your strength, don't put yourself in that position during an interview. Start by re-reading the job description to get a sense of what skills and experience the hiring manager is looking for in a job candidate. Then, study your resume and consider how you meet these requirements. Think of real-life examples from your work history that illustrate your qualifications. This will help you prepare responses to behavioral interview questions you may be asked.

Research common interview questions and brainstorm your answers. The goal is to jot down a few notes on how you'd address the question, rather than write out and memorize each response like a script — you don't want to risk sounding rehearsed and unnatural.

In addition to reviewing the job description and rehearsing your interview responses, do some additional research on the organization, the hiring manager, and anyone else who is scheduled to meet with you. Use sites like LinkedIn to get a better idea of the hiring manager's background, such as his or her school affiliation, work history, professional associations, and hobbies and interests. This information will come in handy when it's time for the pre-interview small talk every introvert fears.

How to handle the dreaded face-to-face — and nail it.

Your resume looks great, you've polished your cover letter to perfection, and your skillset is a good fit for the job position to which you're applying. The only thing that stands between you and a new job is the interview.

If you're among the estimated 50 percent of the Malaysia population who identifies as an introvert, the prospect of interviewing for a new job can be especially terrifying.

While introverts are often skillful listeners — a trait that will come in handy during the interview process — they often struggle to meet other expectations set by the interviewer, such as a powerful first impression, quick, well-composed answers delivered on the spot, and ease in front of a complete stranger.

As an introvert, are you doomed to fail at interviewing? Definitely not.

Below are nine interview tips to help you and introverts everywhere overcome your fears, survive the interview process, and get the job.