My Bio, Background, and Biz
If you want to learn how to shine in the hot seat every time, you are in the right place!
I am Shea Ki, the creator of the Upgrade My Interview™ method, UMI Fitness Workouts, and holistic products to help you shine in the hot seat every time.
By working together, you will strengthen how you prepare and share about your professional value.
I provide coaching sessions and presentations that include:
✔️reflective activities, powerful assessments, and inspiring products that make interview prep and attract career momentum more enjoyable
✔️insider tips based on years of helping employers find top candidates and being a self-employed, spiritually guided woman
✔️practice interviews that feel close to the real ones you are preparing for or constructive feedback on your videos with actionable tips
Imagine how limitless your future at work will be because you chose to upgrade the way you show up and share what you have to offer.
I am Shea Ki, the creator of the Upgrade My Interview™ method, UMI Fitness Workouts, and holistic products to help you shine in the hot seat every time.
By working together, you will strengthen how you prepare and share about your professional value.
I provide coaching sessions and presentations that include:
✔️reflective activities, powerful assessments, and inspiring products that make interview prep and attract career momentum more enjoyable
✔️insider tips based on years of helping employers find top candidates and being a self-employed, spiritually guided woman
✔️practice interviews that feel close to the real ones you are preparing for or constructive feedback on your videos with actionable tips
Imagine how limitless your future at work will be because you chose to upgrade the way you show up and share what you have to offer.
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My clients and audiences benefit from my experience as a hiring manager, certified career development professional, accomplished heart-centered entrepreneur, and guide of the mind, body, and spirit connection.
Why I Do This Work
Interviews and sharing my expertise on camera used to make me cringe and zap all of my energy. I decided I wanted to stop playing small and get out of my own way.
I then spent many years learning and practicing natural, powerful ways to get more comfortable presenting my professional value, especially when the stakes are high. I also studied meditation and mindfulness alongside some of the most incredible leaders in the professional development industry and other dynamic teachers (ask me sometime what it's like to live with monks for a week).
I now teach other women the practical tools and holistic practices that upgraded my interview skills and communication strategies. The Upgrade My Interview Method™ eases interview stress and boosts confidence so you can represent your best, authentic self in the hot seat.
I then spent many years learning and practicing natural, powerful ways to get more comfortable presenting my professional value, especially when the stakes are high. I also studied meditation and mindfulness alongside some of the most incredible leaders in the professional development industry and other dynamic teachers (ask me sometime what it's like to live with monks for a week).
I now teach other women the practical tools and holistic practices that upgraded my interview skills and communication strategies. The Upgrade My Interview Method™ eases interview stress and boosts confidence so you can represent your best, authentic self in the hot seat.
As a Communications major in undergrad and later a Masters in Counseling graduate student at George Mason University, I have taken deep dives into the best ways that people use to get their message across effectively.
Long before starting my own business, I served in AmeriCorps after college and worked for other non-profits. I then dedicated almost fifteen years of my career as a leader and manager in public service coaching jobseekers, career changers, and small business owners while working closely to help employers find their best hires.
But I noticed over and over again that traditional methods of obtaining professional opportunities were often slow, frustrating, and full of dead ends. This discovery led me to combining my lessons as a career development professional with my training in spiritual practices, including yoga, Reiki, and meditation, into my interview coaching. I also create and share stress-reducing tools to help interview prep be more enjoyable and successful.
Today, it is my passion to equip you with everything I know so you can be at ease, engaging, and confident when talking to others about your professional value.
My approach has been published in several places and I have been awarded by workforce development boards for my impact on the future workforce.
It's no secret to my family and friends that I love what I do to help others upgrade their interview and build career momentum. I am also a proud Mom who enjoys anything that keeps things #funatwork (Lip Sync Battles and celebrating everything from National Chocolate Day to April Fool's Day), watching General Hospital (since I was ten☺️), cheering on my beloved alma mater GMU (go #MasonNation 💚💛), and eating all types of chips and salsa (if you add in guacamole we might become besties).
Long before starting my own business, I served in AmeriCorps after college and worked for other non-profits. I then dedicated almost fifteen years of my career as a leader and manager in public service coaching jobseekers, career changers, and small business owners while working closely to help employers find their best hires.
But I noticed over and over again that traditional methods of obtaining professional opportunities were often slow, frustrating, and full of dead ends. This discovery led me to combining my lessons as a career development professional with my training in spiritual practices, including yoga, Reiki, and meditation, into my interview coaching. I also create and share stress-reducing tools to help interview prep be more enjoyable and successful.
Today, it is my passion to equip you with everything I know so you can be at ease, engaging, and confident when talking to others about your professional value.
My approach has been published in several places and I have been awarded by workforce development boards for my impact on the future workforce.
It's no secret to my family and friends that I love what I do to help others upgrade their interview and build career momentum. I am also a proud Mom who enjoys anything that keeps things #funatwork (Lip Sync Battles and celebrating everything from National Chocolate Day to April Fool's Day), watching General Hospital (since I was ten☺️), cheering on my beloved alma mater GMU (go #MasonNation 💚💛), and eating all types of chips and salsa (if you add in guacamole we might become besties).
My family before heading out to a George Mason University basketball game.
Why Choose To Work Together?
While rising up in management in local government at employment centers for over 10 years, my favorite part was coaching jobseekers, career changers, and small business owners on interviewing. I realized there is nothing like the feeling of empowering others to go from feeling stuck to instead having the support, knowledge, and practice they need to gain work that they enjoy.
The time I spent as a leader in employment and small business centers taught me things I'll never forget. The number one lesson being:
Now is the time to prevent damage to your lifetime earnings, career happiness, or future business.
As I rose up the senior management ladder and further away from direct service with clients, the environment at where I worked started to become toxic.
I found myself wondering way too often why I was letting myself stay in an environment that was leading to so much stress and aggravation that then spilled over into other parts of my life.
It took me a long time (too long actually), but I finally realized I needed to push past my own comfort zone.
Although it was challenging and scary to walk away from the "security" of a government job and all of its financial benefits, I made one of the best, most healthy decisions of my life.
Starting my own coaching business makes me feel more alive and satisfied than I even dreamed.
The time I spent as a leader in employment and small business centers taught me things I'll never forget. The number one lesson being:
Now is the time to prevent damage to your lifetime earnings, career happiness, or future business.
As I rose up the senior management ladder and further away from direct service with clients, the environment at where I worked started to become toxic.
I found myself wondering way too often why I was letting myself stay in an environment that was leading to so much stress and aggravation that then spilled over into other parts of my life.
It took me a long time (too long actually), but I finally realized I needed to push past my own comfort zone.
Although it was challenging and scary to walk away from the "security" of a government job and all of its financial benefits, I made one of the best, most healthy decisions of my life.
Starting my own coaching business makes me feel more alive and satisfied than I even dreamed.
I love seeing my clients transform from under-representing their value and stressed about interviews or being on camera to actually enjoying being in the hot seat.
Imagine the opportunities that will open for you when you learn how to showcase your unique talents, value, and strengths in a way that feels good AND attracts your desired career goals.
Imagine the opportunities that will open for you when you learn how to showcase your unique talents, value, and strengths in a way that feels good AND attracts your desired career goals.
Bottom Line: You Want A Qualified, Experienced Coach
To attract more career momentum, you need to be selective with who you partner with. It's a big decision to invest in yourself and hire a coach. It's key that you look for:
*several years of experience (you don't want to be someone's 1st rodeo, right?)
*specialized training and education in helping professions (look for degrees, certifications, and genuine success stories)
*strong reputation both with clients and with their personal brand (dive into their social media!)
*results-oriented as well as supportive (someone that only makes you feel good but doesn't keep you accountable for making real change isn't going to be effective in getting you to your career goal)
*confirm that their coaching style aligns with how you work best (ask them questions before you send any payments!)
Let me share with you how I meet this criteria:
I am a proud alumni of George Mason University two times over. I loved that school so much I even named my first born son Mason-not even kidding!
I earned my Bachelor's in Communications (while working three jobs to pay for it). A few years later, while working full-time in public service, I discovered I wanted to dig deeper into how I could help coach and inspire others to align with work they enjoy. I went back for my Masters degree at GMU and was accepted into their highly acclaimed (and challenging) Counseling and Human Development program.
After graduation, I dedicated a full year to serving in AmeriCorps which helped me hear even louder the call to help others shine. I later worked for non-profits and corporate jobs, but once I started working in employment centers my passion for career coaching really caught on fire. I was soon promoted to develop employment programs and train staff to help others gain meaningful work.
For over a decade, while rising up in leadership and management positions (see details in my LinkedIn profile), I coached thousands of jobseekers. I also trained my staff that I hired to thrive at coaching others on how to interview, impress employers, strengthen their communication, and find their next best career step.
I have also worked with small business owners to makeover their pitch and build traction with marketing their message. Plus, I was often on the other side of the hot seat as a hiring manager for many years and observed the ins and outs of competitive recruiting and human resource systems.
I have seen so many interview fails and disengaging pitches by hundreds of candidates and entrepreneurs who were well-educated, highly motivated, and had all the right qualifications.
Melting in the hot seat can happen to anyone, but with the right support it doesn't have to happen to you.
➡️ You can email me or text me anything you need to know before committing to work together.
*several years of experience (you don't want to be someone's 1st rodeo, right?)
*specialized training and education in helping professions (look for degrees, certifications, and genuine success stories)
*strong reputation both with clients and with their personal brand (dive into their social media!)
*results-oriented as well as supportive (someone that only makes you feel good but doesn't keep you accountable for making real change isn't going to be effective in getting you to your career goal)
*confirm that their coaching style aligns with how you work best (ask them questions before you send any payments!)
Let me share with you how I meet this criteria:
I am a proud alumni of George Mason University two times over. I loved that school so much I even named my first born son Mason-not even kidding!
I earned my Bachelor's in Communications (while working three jobs to pay for it). A few years later, while working full-time in public service, I discovered I wanted to dig deeper into how I could help coach and inspire others to align with work they enjoy. I went back for my Masters degree at GMU and was accepted into their highly acclaimed (and challenging) Counseling and Human Development program.
After graduation, I dedicated a full year to serving in AmeriCorps which helped me hear even louder the call to help others shine. I later worked for non-profits and corporate jobs, but once I started working in employment centers my passion for career coaching really caught on fire. I was soon promoted to develop employment programs and train staff to help others gain meaningful work.
For over a decade, while rising up in leadership and management positions (see details in my LinkedIn profile), I coached thousands of jobseekers. I also trained my staff that I hired to thrive at coaching others on how to interview, impress employers, strengthen their communication, and find their next best career step.
I have also worked with small business owners to makeover their pitch and build traction with marketing their message. Plus, I was often on the other side of the hot seat as a hiring manager for many years and observed the ins and outs of competitive recruiting and human resource systems.
I have seen so many interview fails and disengaging pitches by hundreds of candidates and entrepreneurs who were well-educated, highly motivated, and had all the right qualifications.
Melting in the hot seat can happen to anyone, but with the right support it doesn't have to happen to you.
➡️ You can email me or text me anything you need to know before committing to work together.
Your Future Self Will Thank You
I want to see your future self at work doing a happy dance as much as you do. It's my intention that your Upgrade My Interview™ journey be something you look back very proudly on.
I make it a point to pack in the fun while focusing on results in my coaching packages, webinars, and other resources that I create.
But, because you are a smart consumer, here's more about how I keep my own skills relevant and my finger on the pulse of what helps others shine in the hot seat:
I have been a long standing member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Female Entrepreneur's Association (FEA), and other professional organizations.
I am also a certified Reiki Practictioner (energy worker) and extensively trained in mindfulness, EFT (tapping), and other stress reduction techniques that help others shine in the hot seat and gain more career satisfaction.
I create on-going lists and reviews of the best books out there on career development and I am excited to be writing for several publications that focus on career happiness tips, anxiety relief, and how to connect to soul-fulfilling work.
My strengths-based, holistic approach to coaching others is based on methods that are backed by social, cognitive, and behavioral sciences for becoming a better interviewer, gaining career satisfaction, and enjoying more ease at work.
Many of my clients appreciate that after working with me for interviewing and career momentum support, they gain other bonuses that boost their wellbeing.
By learning the Upgrade My Interview™ method, you are also going to be able to better handle the many challenges that will happen as your career journey unfolds.
I make it a point to pack in the fun while focusing on results in my coaching packages, webinars, and other resources that I create.
But, because you are a smart consumer, here's more about how I keep my own skills relevant and my finger on the pulse of what helps others shine in the hot seat:
I have been a long standing member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Female Entrepreneur's Association (FEA), and other professional organizations.
I am also a certified Reiki Practictioner (energy worker) and extensively trained in mindfulness, EFT (tapping), and other stress reduction techniques that help others shine in the hot seat and gain more career satisfaction.
I create on-going lists and reviews of the best books out there on career development and I am excited to be writing for several publications that focus on career happiness tips, anxiety relief, and how to connect to soul-fulfilling work.
My strengths-based, holistic approach to coaching others is based on methods that are backed by social, cognitive, and behavioral sciences for becoming a better interviewer, gaining career satisfaction, and enjoying more ease at work.
Many of my clients appreciate that after working with me for interviewing and career momentum support, they gain other bonuses that boost their wellbeing.
By learning the Upgrade My Interview™ method, you are also going to be able to better handle the many challenges that will happen as your career journey unfolds.
Let's Stay Connected
Your brighter future at work is waiting for you. I want to help you get there faster. Take the next step to explore working with me by filling out the application form.
I invite you also to join the Upgrade My Interview™ Community. By signing up, you will receive free, monthly resources from me and new episodes of Shine In The Hot Seat With Shea Ki .
Once you are subscribed, I will also send you a holistic resource that includes several of my most popular tools to help you interview with clarity, calm, and confidence.
I invite you also to join the Upgrade My Interview™ Community. By signing up, you will receive free, monthly resources from me and new episodes of Shine In The Hot Seat With Shea Ki .
Once you are subscribed, I will also send you a holistic resource that includes several of my most popular tools to help you interview with clarity, calm, and confidence.
