3 Ways To Make Preparing For Your Interview Enjoyable (And Feel Less Like A Root Canal)

If I asked you what task have you been putting off that you would rather do instead of preparing for an interview, what would you say?

Often, these are the answers I get:
Dentist appointment.
Paperwork that has piled up.
Sit in the long line at the DMV to renew my driver's license.
Clear off the unused Apps on my iPad.
Rearrange my sock draw.

Basically---
ANYTHING else!

I also used to be able to come up with a long list of things I'd rather do than put myself out there and get ready for interviews. Thankfully, that changed when I discovered a method to make the preparation process more enjoyable.

Once I learned how to ease my stress and increase my clarity about interviewing, I began to look forward to sharing my professional value more. And as my approach to interviewing changed, exciting opportunities began showing up.

As many past and present thought leaders in spiritual guidance, quantum physics, psychology, and personal development have noted, the energy we carry as we walk into any experience matters. As a career development professional for many years, I have seen tangible evidence of this play out time and again during interviews. 

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Whether we approach interviewing with negativity or positivity, our energy towards it has an impact on the outcome.

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Many of us have been conditioned by previous experiences, society expectations, and other factors that make talking about our backgrounds, skill sets, and career goals feel highly uncomfortable. This often blocks a memorable first impression and meaningful, professional connection from happening.

​It doesn't have to be that way.

I offer in this post some of my favorite tips I share with my clients that help decrease their resistance and stress about interviewing. I hope these ideas serve you well so more of your competence and confidence can be seen, heard, and felt when you are in the hot seat. 

Discover Your Professional Golden Treasures

With so much information now available on the internet, I often hear from new clients that they have been overwhelmed when doing the research for their interview. Often we feel pressured to find out EVERYTHING about the opportunity or the audience we are going to talk to and there just isn't enough time in the day. 
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What if you stopped thinking of it as heavy homework one must do before an interview and shift to seeing it as a treasure hunt?

To help with this, I created a printable called, "Discovering My Interview Gold Nuggets: How To Align My Research And Assets With A New Opportunity". I often walk my clients through this activity when we first start working together. It helps make the task of figuring out what research about the opportunity is needed and organizes it for better interview responses.

This Upgrade My Interview™ printable is an inner adventure that helps you focus on finding the golden information you need to set you apart from your competition. It will help you align your strengths, accomplishments, and skill sets to the greatest needs of the company.

Preview of "Gold Nuggets" (1st page only, click image to download full printable)

Then the printable helps you focus in on the exact information you need about the opportunity. After you have completed the first two sheets, the exercise invites you to take time to reflect on how your story and their evolution compare and contrast.

Finally, the best treasure you will unbury is found on the last sheet. You will be guided on how to build a professional value statement, which you can use to introduce yourself, for networking or when you get the infamous "Tell me about yourself" interview question.

When possible, I encourage this printable be done BEFORE you apply to an opportunity to ensure there is clear alignment between your competence already achieved, the goals you see for yourself, and the company's vision.

Happy treasure hunting!

Soothe Your Stress & Nervous Energy Fast

When we have a big interview coming up, it's common for our brains to freeze up under pressure. Sometimes this happens unexpectedly and all of a sudden.

What if you could quickly and easily bring up a short video on your phone or laptop that helps those butterflies in your stomach stop having such a big party?

Once you notice you are starting to feel nervous, anxious, or stressed in any way about an interview, using guided meditation is a fast acting, reliable rescue remedy.
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​Here are three videos that can serve as your go-to resource, especially when you know you have an interview coming up. For the best effect, be sure to listen to them when you are NOT driving or doing something that needs your full attention!

1) This first one I created to infuse the stress-reducing practice of Reiki, color imagery, and affirmations together. This power combo guides you in transforming nervous and stressed energy into confidence and calmness so you can shine in the hot seat.

2) When self-doubt strikes, we need something we can count on to realign our mood to our best, most authentic self. This audio by Abraham-Hicks with upbeat music will do the job:

3) This video is for enjoying the night before your interview or anytime you want to boost your belief in YOUR gifts you have to offer the world.

Bring In The Power Of Ritual 

Any assignments I offer to my clients come with one non-negotiable rule---
Only complete the Upgrade My Interview™ activities at a time when you are already feeling good.

​That can be challenging if you've had a rough day or you feel there is so much riding on the outcome of the interview. It takes time and patience to re-train your mindset, body language, and energy to not work against you when you have to share your professional value.

What if you created a ritual that boosts your energy to do the interview preparation work and increases your clarity for better interview responses?

Below are a few of the steps I share with my clients to help with this.  Follow each step or insert along the way your own inspired actions. Your goal is to create a more relaxing  and enjoyable interview preparation session for yourself.

1) Choose an uninterrupted space and do something for the first five minutes that sparks your soul. Some ideas include: reading a favorite book passage, meditating, checking in with your special tarot card deck, cleansing your chakras with Reiki, or thinking of five people you are grateful for who are in your life in person or in spirit. You might choose something else that works for you that brings you joy.

2) Uplift the space around you where you will be preparing for your interview. You can put a crystal or  other spiritual item you adore on your desk, add in your favorite essential oils, turn on music that helps you focus, light a candle, and the list goes on.  You want to include items that help encourage an environment where you feel comforted, present, and able to connect to your higher self.

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3) Set your intention for this interview preparation session. Say out loud or in your mind to the higher force you believe in something along the lines of:

"Thank you for this opportunity to let your energy and will come through me. I know I am not alone in moving forward towards my career dreams. You always have my back. I can trust that the outcome of this interview preparation session will lead to my highest good." 

4) Allow yourself to soak in this soothing and yet energized atmosphere that you have created with three deep breaths while holding a favorite yoga or power pose.

5) Bring your palms to a prayer position near your heart and say out loud or in your mind any closing affirmation--such as "And so it is." "I got this." "Thank you." or "Amen." Anything that feels good in the moment to you works fine.

​Now you are ready to begin to upgrade your interview!

The most important part is to have some fun while you are creating your own ritual for aligning to your higher self before you do any interview preparation. The more often you repeat the steps that you have chosen to do, the more your ritual will begin triggering your nervous system to relax faster. This will serve you greatly when you do the steps again on interview day as your mind, body, and spirit will recognize the feeling good effect it produces. 

YOUR TURN: What spiritual practice helps you feel more calm and centered when you have an interview coming up? Does anything hold you back sometimes from giving yourself time to do it before sitting in the hot seat? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Most of all, believe in yourself.

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Shea Ki is an Interview Coach for spiritually minded women. She regularly sends her subscribers resources that will align your mindset, body language, and energy with your message of professional value.

Shea is also a contributor of practical and intuitive interview tips at several online publications, forums, and groups that want to see more women shine in the hot seat.