I wrote an e-book, I am going to get back into the Steem of things and start posting chapters for job hunters here.
Overview
You are going to remember three things from this. I will teach all of it, and the lessons will blend into three things which we will review again throughout.
Show up with value
Listen at least twice as much as you talk
Ask for the job. Always.
Landing a career change or a job you want is a lot like the dating world. There is a value proposition implied or inferred for every relationship that is started. Too often, a job applicant might feel needy like they are hoping to be “chosen” at the dance. This is natural, but not optimal. It also does not need to play out with the interviewee feeling like the interviewer has all of the “power”. We can flip the script. That’s what this book is about.
I have interviewed scores of people for the toughest Fortune 100 sales careers. I have been interviewed and been both rejected, then selected for the most coveted sales and leadership roles in the top Fortune 100 companies, including Microsoft, IBM, and SAS Institute; rated by Forbes “Top Places to Work” list multiple times for over a decade. But… this is not about me. This is about YOU. How do you Jedi the Interview?
This project takes the skills I have learned and practiced in MasterMind classes with some of the top 100 leaders in the world. These skills take from the fields of Psychology, Wealth and Abundance Mindset, Subconscious Communication, Mindfulness, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Hypnosis, Social Engineering and thought-leadership from the schools of Entrepreneurship and Mastery. Some of this may seem fantastical to you, but the results will make you a believer.
Get in state – breathing, power posture.
You have many options.
This is merely one. Resist oneitis (the belief that this is the ONE job you must have…)
You’ve gotten the interview, and you may be driving to the office, or preparing for an initial phone pre-qualification. It is important that you get in “state”. Stand tall, move your body, look up and to the right as you think about the opportunity. Looking down and inside yourself can force self-doubt, be big. Visualize yourself 2-3 inches taller and as a radiating light as you prepare to walk into the lobby.
Think about “state” as a frame of mind. You are going into a situation where you want to shine, so get pumped up. We, as species, scan and make snap judgments subconsciously about every other human we come into contact with. There is no reason not to hack this and get ourselves flowing positive energy instead of nervous dread. See it as a game, see yourself tall and powerful in your mind.
At Stanford University, at a lecture by Professor Jeremy Bailenson, considered by many to have the premiere Virtual Reality lab in the world, we studied and discussed the power of your mental image. When in Virtual Reality (VR), subjects are given an avatar that is taller, they act with and report significantly more confidence and positive emotions. Others also respond to them more positively. This is not saying wear a VR headset into a job interview, rather pretend in your mind’s eye that you are a powerful person and the world will respond.
Another thing you always can control that also has an exponential effect on your state is your breathing. The physiology of proper breathing has a tremendous effect on your psychology.
Breathing isn’t just a bodily function. It allows us to speak, laugh and sing. It connects us to the outside world. It reflects our state of mind and can be consciously controlled. For many, it has spiritual significance. The personal and cultural meaning of breathing goes beyond the simple act of keeping us alive. Eastern religions and philosophies have studied the power of controlled breathing for thousands of years.
So how do you use this to get into “state” before a job interview? Simply become AWARE of how you are breathing and direct your focus to it versus racing thoughts. Are you hitching breaths into your lungs and out in choppy bursts? Are you panting? Both of these situations occur in times of stress. You can fix that. Immediately take a deep breath through your nose, feel the air move into your lungs and keep gently deeply breathing in until your belly extends. You ever watch a baby sleep? See her tummy rise and fall? That’s what we are going for. Exhale out fully, then do it again. Keep your thoughts and the quality of your attention on your breathing; confidence will fill you, and you will project that. These are proven “bio-hacks” and totally in your control. In a time where you feel like outside factors have the power, take it back.
The Power of a Smile, Walking with Grace and Power:
In the same frame of mind; now, it is time to smile and walk in with a powerful, confident gait. First impressions are so very important. This is not a cliche; it is science. It takes a tenth of a second to form an impression when meeting someone for the first time. In a blink of an eye, we decide whether we like someone, we evaluate their perceived personality and character; we classify them as trustworthy or unreliable. These first few seconds can influence our decision on who to hire, love and trust. That is why making a good first impression is important, whether in a business or interpersonal setting.
Studies show, 55% of the message we want to communicate comes across through our body language, 38% through the tone of our voice and only 7% is communicated via the words we use. These numbers show that while what we say is important, how we say it matters more. Non-verbal communication can reinforce, contradict, or substitute our verbal communication.
For example, a smile can reinforce the sincerity of our words, and people who smile are often seen as trustworthy and approachable. Making eye contact indicates interest and openness. Standing tall and holding your head straight can signal confidence and competence.
“If you want to make a good first impression, smile at people. What does it cost to smile? Nothing. What does it cost not to smile? Everything, if not smiling prevents you from enchanting people.” –Guy Kawasaki
Walking with Grace and Power is a practice from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and is a kinesthetic pattern (gets the body involved), does not require the participation of the conscious mind and makes use of the connection between your internal representations and your physiology. Maintaining a positive and resourceful physiology while thinking of (or not thinking about) your nervous experience helps ‘rewire’ the neurology and overwrite the less than optimal thought patterns.
*** More later: