The Hidden Step
www.necouncil.org/the
hidden
step
think about all the things that could
go wrong. What if I don’t get the job?
What if I say the wrong things? How
many other applicants will be inter-
viewed for this position? Probably
hundreds of others and all more quali-
fed than I. Joe hopes for the best while
imagining the worst.
The next day, Joe is driving to the inter-
view. How does he feel while driving to
the interview? Probably very nervous.
After arriving, the receptionist asks him
to wait. He is sitting in the reception
room waiting to be called. What emo-
tions will Joe experience while wait-
ing? Some people get jittery, sweaty,
and feel their stomach dropping every
other second. The wait seems like an
eternity.
When fnally called in to meet with the
hiring manager, the negative silent self-
talk will immobilize Joe. He may fnd
himself frozen.
Although the employer is impressed
enough with his qualifcations to invite
him to interview for this position, Joe’s
brain goes on lock-down when the time
comes for him to speak about himself.
He’s meeting with the person who has
the power to hire him for his dream job,
yet he fnds himself tongue-tied. He’s
feeling nervous and unable to form a
coherent thought, much less speak one.
Although Joe may be the best person
for the job, his performance in person
does not demonstrate him to be.
Now let’s look at the same scenario
differently.
Again imagine Joe feeling nervous the
day before the interview. But this time,
as he is thinking about the interview, a
friend phoned who works as the VP of
marketing for the same company.
ignite your inner fre
silent self talk
STEP ONE