When it comes to the kind of person who should drive a HGV, we generally say there are no limits. As long as you’re over 18 with a clean driving license, you can drive a HGV professionally in the UK. But that being said, there are certain types of people who are more suited to it than others, and certain types of people who are drawn to a job on the road. Today, we’re going to look at just how suitable a job as an HGV driver is for an introverted person, and why that would matter.
If we’re going by dictionary definitions, then an introvert is ‘A shy, reticent person’. But to be honest, that doesn’t really cover it. Introverts are the opposite of an extrovert. While extroverts seek out interaction and conversation, often being labelled the ‘life and soul of the party’, introverts much prefer their own company. They are often quiet, reserved and thoughtful individuals, who don’t seek out special attention or social engagements. Spending a lot of time with other people, especially crowds, can leave an introvert feeling exhausted and drained. They need alone time to be able to recharge, while extroverts refuel by spending time with other people.
Some signs you might be an introvert include:
Of course, introversion is a spectrum, so not all of these might apply to you. But if you recognise a few things within that list, you’re probably an introvert in some way. And if you’re not sure, a few famous introverts that might surprise you include Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt, Steven Spielberg, Mark Zuckerberg and Michael Jordan.
Since introverts prefer solitude, or at the very least avoiding crowds, finding jobs that are fulfilling and not draining is challenging. For the most part, introverts tend to be attracted to working for smaller businesses, or companies that allow working from home or solitary working. Often you will find introverts among writers, accountants, IT analysts, software engineers, librarians and so on. Anything that allows them to limit human interaction when they need some headspace. Introverts often do their best work when left to their own devices, and since they tend to be very self-motivated, that works out well for employers.
For the most part, being a HGV driver pairs wonderfully with being an introvert. This is mainly because around 85% of the job is done in complete solitude. Long-haul drivers can be on the road for weeks at a time, sometimes with little to no interaction with other people along the way. This is something a lot of the more extroverted personalities struggle with, and have to put plans in place to deal with it.
But for an introvert, all of that solitude is ideal. They can interact with people if they want (at service stations, over the phone etc), but if they want to be on their own? They can be. They can spend their time refuelling by listening to books and music, or just being alone with their own thoughts. This kind of activity reduces stress in introverted personalities, meaning that when they do go home and interact with people they are in a better mood, and better equipped to deal with it.
So overall, HGV driving is a great career options for introverts. It allows them all the time they want to themselves, to recharge and enjoy their time, and often leads to a much happier personal life, because they have so much more energy in reserve for when they go home. If you would like to know more about becoming an HGV driver, just get in touch with the team today.
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