Why I do this work
As an Interview Skills Coach for women who prefer a mind-body-spirit approach, I help you attract professional opportunities that you enjoy. I blend practical and intuitive strategies to teach you how to do interview prep in a way that feels good and gets results.
What if you knew how to align your mindset, body language, and energy with your message of professional value so you could shine in the hot seat every time?
Imagine how limitless your future at work will be because you chose to upgrade your interview skills.
What if you knew how to align your mindset, body language, and energy with your message of professional value so you could shine in the hot seat every time?
Imagine how limitless your future at work will be because you chose to upgrade your interview skills.
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I created the Upgrade My Interview™ method and UMI Fitness Workouts to help you strengthen how you show up and share your professional value.
My clients benefit from my experience as a hiring manager, certified career development professional, accomplished heart-centered entrepreneur, and advocate of the mind, body, and spirit connection.
My Story
Even though I was successful in my career, interviews 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 use the tools I learned that upgraded my interview skills to make sure other women feel more at ease and confident during interviews and other high pressure, professional moments.
As a Communications major in undergrad and later a Masters in Counseling graduate student, I have taken deep dives into the best ways that people use to get their message across effectively.
I also infuse my training as a Reiki Practitioner (my favorite stress reliever) and extensive learning about the law of attraction to create effective, guided visualizations for my clients. These energy work techniques and others compliment my coaching approach and help others build momentum in their career or business.
My clients tell me often that the Upgrade My Interview™ method has helped them have better opportunties and actually ENJOY the process of interview preparation.
I now use the tools I learned that upgraded my interview skills to make sure other women feel more at ease and confident during interviews and other high pressure, professional moments.
As a Communications major in undergrad and later a Masters in Counseling graduate student, I have taken deep dives into the best ways that people use to get their message across effectively.
I also infuse my training as a Reiki Practitioner (my favorite stress reliever) and extensive learning about the law of attraction to create effective, guided visualizations for my clients. These energy work techniques and others compliment my coaching approach and help others build momentum in their career or business.
My clients tell me often that the Upgrade My Interview™ method has helped them have better opportunties and actually ENJOY the process of interview preparation.
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.
Today, it is my passion to help you be at ease, engaging, and confident when talking to others about your talents, skills, and qualifications.
My work has been published in several publications 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. I am also a proud Mom who enjoys anything that keeps things #funatwork (Lip Sync Battles, harmless pranks, and celebrating everything from National Chocolate Day to Star Wars Day), watching General Hospital (since I was ten *guilty*), and eating all types of chips and salsa.
Today, it is my passion to help you be at ease, engaging, and confident when talking to others about your talents, skills, and qualifications.
My work has been published in several publications 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. I am also a proud Mom who enjoys anything that keeps things #funatwork (Lip Sync Battles, harmless pranks, and celebrating everything from National Chocolate Day to Star Wars Day), watching General Hospital (since I was ten *guilty*), and eating all types of chips and salsa.
Why Choose Me To Help You?
While rising up in management in the local government at employment centers for over 10 years, my favorite part was coaching jobseekers, career changers, and small business owners on interviewing. Our work together lead them from feeling stuck to instead being empowered and doing work that they enjoy.
The work I did at 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. I could have kept rising up the management ladder and further away from direct service with clients. But as the environment at where I worked started to become toxic, I felt 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 benefits, I made one of the best decisions of my life. Starting my own coaching business makes me feel more alive and satisfied than I even dreamed.
The work I did at 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. I could have kept rising up the management ladder and further away from direct service with clients. But as the environment at where I worked started to become toxic, I felt 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 benefits, I made one of the best 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 having butterflies in their stomach and under representing their value to instead feeling more at ease, confident and prepared about interviewing. The pay off they experience from our time together gives me goosebumps every time.
Imagine the opportunities that will open for you when you learn how to showcase your unique talents, value, and strengths in a way that attracts your desired career goals.
I have the experience, tools, and training you can team up with so that fear, doubt, and anxiety do not block your way anymore.
Imagine the opportunities that will open for you when you learn how to showcase your unique talents, value, and strengths in a way that attracts your desired career goals.
I have the experience, tools, and training you can team up with so that fear, doubt, and anxiety do not block your way anymore.
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 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 (meet and 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, and find their next best career step.
I have also worked with small business owners to makeover their pitch, gain confidence 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 epic interview fails and pitches by hundreds of candidates and entrepreneurs who were well-educated, motivated, and had 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.
*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 (meet and 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, and find their next best career step.
I have also worked with small business owners to makeover their pitch, gain confidence 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 epic interview fails and pitches by hundreds of candidates and entrepreneurs who were well-educated, motivated, and had 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.
Your Future At Work 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 am excited to be writing for several publications that focus on career happiness tips, anxiety relief, youth advocacy, and how to connect to soul-fulfilling work.
My strengths-based, holistic approach to coaching others is based on methods that are useful for becoming a better interviewer, gaining career satisfaction, and enjoying more happiness in life. Many of my clients appreciate that after working with me for interview coaching and career support, they gain other bonuses that boost their life.
By practicing how to share your value best when under pressure with me, you are also upgrading your skills on how to 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 am excited to be writing for several publications that focus on career happiness tips, anxiety relief, youth advocacy, and how to connect to soul-fulfilling work.
My strengths-based, holistic approach to coaching others is based on methods that are useful for becoming a better interviewer, gaining career satisfaction, and enjoying more happiness in life. Many of my clients appreciate that after working with me for interview coaching and career support, they gain other bonuses that boost their life.
By practicing how to share your value best when under pressure with me, you are also upgrading your skills on how to 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.
Join many others in the UMI Tribe who are benefiting from signing up to receive free, monthly #upgrademyinterview tips from me. Subscribing allows me to send you the monthly edition of Shine In The Hot Seat With Shea Ki . To welcome you, I will send you a go-to resource that includes several popular holistic tools to help you interview with clarity, calm, and confidence.
Join many others in the UMI Tribe who are benefiting from signing up to receive free, monthly #upgrademyinterview tips from me. Subscribing allows me to send you the monthly edition of Shine In The Hot Seat With Shea Ki . To welcome you, I will send you a go-to resource that includes several popular holistic tools to help you interview with clarity, calm, and confidence.
