Jobs for people with social anxiety – is there really such a thing? If there is a perfect job, what would it look like?
A job with zero social interaction? And if that were possible, would it actually be the best thing for someone with social anxiety?
Today’s post comes from a guest contributor who knows firsthand what it’s like to face social anxiety on the job. Their journey shows how small steps can add up to big progress.
My first job with social anxiety
In high school, I worked in a department store. Even though the store was full of customers, my job was just stocking displays, keeping everything neat and organized and cleaning up the department after the shift.
Being a cashier would have terrified me. My hands would have shaken taking money and giving change (back when cash was common!). And even though I was good at math, anxiety made me doubt I could count correctly. If there was a line, forget it. All those people just glaring at me for being too slow.
So, in comparison my job wasn’t too bad even though an occasional customer would ask a question. Usually, I was too anxious to think of an answer, but I’d just tell them I was new and direct them to the next department.
Three little words that terrified me
All went well for a while until one day a customer asked me a question that required a manager. There wasn’t one to be found and I couldn’t send the customer to all corners of the store, which meant I’d have to pick up the phone and make an overhead announcement: “Manager to Shoes”.
That’s it – just 3 words. Nobody in the store would know it was me. Nobody was nearby to watch me – not even that customer. And usually nobody was even listening to the announcements.
But, despite knowing all of that, I still couldn’t do it. I found a coworker and made some excuse to ask them to do it. I probably should have felt anxious asking, but that definitely felt like the much safer option.
People are everywhere
And then there was the store meeting. I didn’t have to say anything, but another employee was asked by the manager to explain to the rest of the staff how some customers had tried to sneak out with a particular item. I remember feeling beyond grateful that I wasn’t in that department and didn’t need to say anything.
But I also remember feeling deflated and hopeless. What if that was me? It just wasn’t possible to hide or escape. At any moment I could be thrown into a speaking situation and exposed. I was heading to college next year, and for what? If I couldn’t handle simple interactions in a low-contact job what career would be possible? Was there any path that required zero talking? And if there wasn’t one, why would I spend money to put myself in an impossible situation?
College and career detours
I left the department store job when I went to college. But college was not easy. Neither were the many jobs I worked along the way. Social anxiety stalled any career aspirations.
I graduated, but not with a “useful” degree because I simply hadn’t made enough progress to commit to something. I stuck with low-paying dead-end jobs that felt safer and gave me a way out if the social demands should become too much. Still, I kept chipping away at the anxiety and challenged myself little by little at work and outside of it.
Fast forward: from avoidance to confidence
When at last I did commit to a career path, my anxiety sky-rocketed and I faced challenging situations I was not prepared for. I didn’t handle them all gracefully and it didn’t always look pretty. But I did get through.
Today I’m doing more than I ever thought I could. I’m in a role where I need to quickly build rapport with customers and their families, provide education, earn trust, and sell services. All of that comes naturally now.
The secret is focusing on the needs of the customer, not myself. That’s easier said, but 100% possible.
The occasional public speaking I do is still my challenge, but it is improving.
What I’ve learned (any my advice to you)
If there are perfect jobs for people with social anxiety I didn’t find them.
And honestly, I’m glad I didn’t – because avoiding challenges might have kept me stuck.
If you’re where I was back then, here’s my advice:
- Be gentle with yourself. Do what you can in the moment.
- Keep challenging yourself, even in small ways.
- Expect setbacks, but don’t let them stop you.
- Most importantly: notice your small wins.
Your anxiety wants you to focus only on failures (or what feels like failures). Flip the script. Write down every effort – no matter how small – and count it as success.
That’s how real progress happens. Just keep going.
You can read more insights and practical strategies in my other posts.
You can read my complete story in my book.
A big thank-you to our guest blogger for sharing this honest and encouraging story. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Drop me an email at norm@morethanshyness.com.