Trials & Triumphs of Career Transition v.16 - Carter’s New-found Understanding of How His Emotional State Affected His Physical Presentation in the Interview Room

We recently introduced you to how we teach the former employees enrolled in CMS’s full-service outplacement program, about Emotional Intelligence and its profound effects on the interview process.  As our Program Coaches get deeper into interview preparedness, they explore how ones ‘emotional state’ can strongly affect ones ‘physical state’ and subsequent performance in an interview.

Carter came to us after his job in Sales Support in the technology sector, came to an end after a relatively short tenure.  Once we worked with him to confirm the next step in his career journey and developed a strong résumé that reflected his accomplishments, he started interviewing for similar positions to his last.

Carter didn’t get any response from the first few interviews he attended but wasn’t sure why.  Once we advised him to gently ask for feedback from the next two interviewers, we were provided with much food for thought.

The feedback he received was similar in nature and was focused around his lack of perceived confidence.  Lack of eye contact, a slumped presence in the interview chair and a soft voice were pieces of feedback he received.

This prompted Carter’s Career Transition Coach to work with him on connecting his mindset to his physical presentation.  Developing self-awareness and emotional intelligence are essential to managing how we feel about ourselves and also in how we present ourselves outwardly to others.

Interpersonal communication consists of 55% body language, 38% vocal tone and 7% of words spoken.

To be aware of and retain a 'resourceful physical state' during an often-stressful interview process is key to success.  What one shows physically on the outside, is a direct reflection of what one is feeling on the inside, and therefore what they are focused on.

Through a variety of exercises found in our outplacement program materials and through personalized coaching, Carter’s Coach at CMS taught him to become aware of this connection.  

His Coach also delved deeper into the reasons why Carter was feeling this way about himself – and how to change it.  Having the awareness to reflect on and change what he was internally focused on during those unsuccessful interview attempts was key to his success going forward.   

Carter’s new-found awareness about how he presented outwardly to the next potential employer he encountered made all the difference, and resulted in an invite to a second interview and ultimately an offer of employment.