Shea Ki
  • Book A Sample Session
  • Coaching
    • About Me >
      • Bio
      • What Others Say About Working With Me
    • Services & Programs
  • The Career & Life Momentum Chats Show
  • Upgrade My Interview Resources
    • Store
    • Meditations & Tips
  • Book A Sample Session
  • Coaching
    • About Me >
      • Bio
      • What Others Say About Working With Me
    • Services & Programs
  • The Career & Life Momentum Chats Show
  • Upgrade My Interview Resources
    • Store
    • Meditations & Tips
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Picture

​I'm so glad you are here to watch Career & Life Momentum Chats.

My intention of each episode is to spark you to do the inner work that brings amazing outer upgrades in your career, relationships, and well-being. 

​
Did you know you can subscribe to get notified about new episodes and other offerings from me by joining my email list?

It means a lot that you are choosing to support my show and I also want to honor your courage to grow from the inside out.

That's why my subscribers also receive 10% off any future coaching package with me.
□ Subscribe me

7/7/2015

                           

Picture
By Shea Ki
Picture
Your thoughts can start to take a downward spiral shift right before a job interview.

"What if I mess this up? Why can't I just pull it together when it really counts? How could I think I was good enough against the competition?"

 
The list of inner criticism goes on, sending your nervous system into overload (a.k.a. CRAZY TOWN!). This is actually a pretty normal reaction to a stressful situation which interviews tend to be, but with some practice the situation can be reversed back into your favor. When your body and mind no longer feel that they need to go into fight or flight mode, it will be more likely you can present a positive, professional image when in the hot seat. 
 
How do you ward off the fears, anxiety, or self-doubts that are zapping away your chances at a good interview? 

When the pressure and sweating start to spike before or while you are talking to an employer, bust out one of these trusty calming sidekicks for a better performance.

Fear Buster (ZAP!)
If you don't believe you are the right person for the job, the employer will not either. Sure, there's a bunch of reasons you could think of as to why they should pick someone else. The harder work is where the pay off is--thinking of and believing in the many reasons why they absolutely will be a better company or organization when they do pick YOU. Start writing those reasons they should hire you down. At least 10 of them. If you can't think of that many ask a friend or a family member who you have a tight relationship with, "Why would you hire me?" Then make their answers your own by expanding on it, adding in more details, or letting them inspire you to think of new ones you had not written down before. 
 
Got your list of 10 yet? Now make them all "I" statements. (examples: I am dependable. I help others. I like to learn.) This is your new gold mine when you start hearing that negative voice in your head or feeling stressed about the interview. As soon as you notice you are feeling down or nervous, pick up that list and look at. Say the 10 statements out loud. Studies show that you can amplify the positive effect this will have in your confidence at the interview by saying these statements to yourself in the mirror. Sure, it might feel awkward or silly at first, but who cares? Nobody else is around and you've got nothing to loose but unhelpful fears that block you from shining at the interview. 

Anxiety Zapper (KAPOW!)
Our bodies and minds do not notice much of a difference when we experience something positive for real or when we visualize it in our mind. The uplifting feeling and benefits are the same. That is why a lot of Olympic athletes, famous actors, and others use guided imagery or visualization to decrease their stress and improve their performance. 
 
Give yourself an extra five or ten minutes before your next interview. Sit down in a quiet, safe place where you will not be disturbed (turn that smartphone off, too, for just a little bit!). Close your eyes and picture the most relaxing and comfortable place you have ever been to or would like to go to in the future. Perhaps it's a beach or a favorite relative's house or even just your own bed! 
 
Make sure you really see and sense the details of the place in your mind. What is it about this place that made it pop into your head? How do you feel when you are there? Now imagine that feeling soaking into each part of your body, like a wave of warmth that starts up at your head and travels all the way down to your feet. Breathe that feeling in deeply five times. Open your eyes and notice that those knots of stress are not as tight as you just allowed yourself a wonderful, healthy five minute escape. Relieving your anxiety in this way even if only for a few minutes each day before the interview will help ensure a more positive experience while in the hot seat.
 
Self-doubt Knock-Out (BOOM!)
Think of a previous success or time you felt that you accomplished your goal. It could be anything from winning a trophy in a sport to getting to the next level at a hard video game to acing a hard test or healing from an injury. Describe to yourself how you made that happen. What thoughts were you thinking at the time? What did you do when you were about to give up?
 
Reminding yourself when you've been successful in the past and exactly what strengths you used to make it happen will help you believe that you can step up to the next challenge. It also will leave less room for those pesky thoughts of not being good enough or messing up to do more damage.
 
Be sure to listen to that voice in your heart until it is louder than the one of self-doubt, anxiety, or fear in your head. You know, that often quieter voice that is starting to gain power. The one that if you listen closely you can hear saying, "You got this! You practiced. A lot. You are prepared. You will rock this interview." 
Keep up your commitment to upgrading your interviewing skills. Your future will be thanking you for it.
 
YOUR TURN--How would you describe that feeling that happens before or at an interview? Leave a comment below. Most of all, believe in you. I do.
 
 
 



Subscribe to Receive Free Weekly Interview Tips & Inspiration!
Sara
3/21/2015 08:52:38 am

Wish I had known these tips before my last interview, but I am excited to use them for my summer job search. Thank you!

Upgrade My Interview link
3/21/2015 08:54:00 am

So glad you found the info on calming down those nerves helpful, Sara! Good luck at your next interview. You will ROCK it!

Erin
3/21/2015 08:55:29 am

I think the Self-Doubt Knock Out is one I'm going to use. Do you go over these strategies more in the coaching sessions?

KaShawn
3/21/2015 08:57:10 am

#Ihateinterviews but I love your site! It helps me keep a better mood about them. Would like to see info on what employers are allowed to ask or not ask in an interview. Pretty sure in my last interview they messed that up but I wasn't sure what to do or say about it.

Upgrade My Interview link
3/21/2015 09:03:48 am

You just inspired me to make sure my next blog post is "Employers Say WHAT???!!! I'm sorry to hear that it sounds like an employer overstepped their professional boundary with you at your last interview. You are right in that there are some things an employer should not ask and there are ways to handle that moment that can help smooth the situation out for both sides. Often it is unfortunately because the company may just not be aware of certain illegal questions and sometimes the question is legal but crossing a personal boundary. Keep an eye out for that upcoming blog post, but if you want to run details of the situation by me you can also send me a message.

Upgrade My Interview link
3/21/2015 09:00:01 am

@Erin--GREAT QUESTION and YES, I absolutely make sure we have time to go over strategies for keeping a no-fear mindset in the coaching session. Each person is different and one thing that works for one person may not help someone else, so I tweek the ways to be more calm and confident to each person I work with based on their strengths and what they are struggling with. Hope that helps answer your question, but just shoot me a message if you need more info.

Adam
3/22/2015 03:45:59 am

I like the the "gold mine" part of the fear buster. Much more useful to think about than the pukey sensation I get before an interview.

Upgrade My Interview
3/24/2015 06:44:32 am

"the pukey sensation I get before an interview"--well said, Adam!

Tim
3/29/2015 10:42:29 am

These are useful! I rush too much to answer the questions because I don't want to look clueless at interviews. This reminds me not to give in to that fear and take my time. Thanks!

Jacky
7/14/2015 06:02:36 am

This is fun to think of myself as having superhero powers at my next interview instead of my usual freak-out. And dive into Cheetos. Maybe my paycheck and my waistline will be thanking you soon!

Monte
7/14/2015 06:05:10 am

I had not tried the visualization method before for interviewing. I had heard about it before for sports so this is neat to transfer its benefits to scoring a better interview. Thanks!

LeAnne
7/19/2015 03:41:44 am

"A pattern that blocks your best performance..." That is so true! I am relieved to hear it isn't just me! I wish sometimes I could tag in a representative for myself at the interview instead of going or have someone there to signal to me when I am flubbing it up.


Comments are closed.

    ​

    Picture
    Yes, I want to explore!

    RSS Feed

​                                              
Shea Ki Coaching, LLC provides holistic coaching and resources to upgrade your career and life journey.
It is also home to the Career & Life Momentum Chats Show.


 Book a sample coaching session with Shea Ki here. 

​Copyright 2015-2025 Shea Ki Coaching, LLC  
​All Rights Reserved.  

​ Terms, Conditions & Privacy Policy