"Conscious Interviewing for Career Fulfillment"

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed interviewing for a role? In today’s uncertain economy, layoffs, restructures, hybrid work requirements and the steady rise of the freelance workforce have radically changed the job market. Recruiting teams struggle to manage thousands of applicants for dwindling headcount while candidates face limited communication touch points and increasingly time intensive hiring loops. As a coach I see many leaders casting a wide net of applications, believing more interviews will ultimately yield more offers. While this approach may create a temporary sense of security, the focus on short term gain (number of interviews and offers) can sometimes blind us to longer term career satisfaction and planning. This approach can also clog pipelines, drain energy and resources, and may degrade the experience of the overall hiring process. Sound familiar, and tired of being spun in the interview cycle? This article is all about consciously approaching your job search for long term career fulfillment.

Step #1: Locate Yourself

At the Conscious Leadership Group we believe that we can do anything in life from above or below the line and create radically different outcomes. When we approach job interviews from a place of trust, curiosity and acceptance there is a higher probability of the best possible outcome. I say this because as a former hiring manager, I’ve interviewed many candidates with a scarcity mindset (believing they don’t have enough time, resources or opportunities) who chase extrinsic rewards above all else. Others, exhausted or embittered from past experiences, hold an energy of righteousness and see others as better than or less than. This is what I call interviewing from below the line - a state of resistance and threat where our bodies and brains are literally in a state of fight, flight or freeze. Interviewing from below constricts our access to our three centers of intelligence which then limits our creativity and ability to problem solve. If interviewing from below the line, there is a higher probability of missing the mark during interviews as well as a higher likelihood of poor judgment. Short sighted choices can often lead to job dissatisfaction after the initial shine of a new role wears off and result in stress and turnover. As you embark on your job search, use this locating yourself chart to understand where you are. Pause and notice - where are you??

Step #2: Know Your Zone of Genius

In my last newsletter I talked about how we align to our purpose in our careers. Whether you are supported by a coach or exploring this on your own, understanding your genius is critical to finding a role that translates to lasting career fulfillment. Knowing your purpose acts as a compass - it directs where energy should be spent during a job search and points you to roles that match your unique gifts and strengths. If there isn’t a clear opportunity to exercise your genius within a role, it’s likely not a good fit and won’t make you happy in the long run. Being able to clearly articulate your purpose also helps you stand out in a crowded job market. If you can’t see yourself clearly, how will a hiring manager?

Step #3: Balance both present and future benefits

“Attaining lasting happiness requires that we enjoy the journey on our way toward a destination we deem valuable. Happiness is not about making it to the peak of the mountain nor is it about climbing aimlessly around the mountain; happiness is the experience of climbing towards the peak.” - Tal Ben-Shahar

A common trap I see candidates fall into is overvaluing future focused benefits like bonuses, equity and impressive titles or resumes. While these things definitely have value, in order to truly feel fulfilled in our careers we also need to prioritize how much we enjoy the day to day work. In Tal Ben-Shahar’s book “Happier” the author talks about a “rat race” leader archetype. "Rat Racers" choose present detriment for future benefit because they fail to see that happiness is in the journey rather than the outcome. While this kind of behavior may be relatively common for those in earlier stages of their careers, later in our careers this choice can come at a high cost to our mental, emotional and physical well-being. Many leaders have thoughts like “I’ll just work really hard for X more years and then I’ll quit (or take time off, or retire) and then I’ll be happy”. If this rings true for you, consider if you truly enjoy the day to day responsibilities of the role you are interviewing for. If not, seek a role that balances both present and future benefits.?

Step #4: Lean into curiosity

In my experience as a hiring manager, often only the last 5-10 minutes of interviews were reserved for questions. Looking back, it was a flawed approach because most candidates come in with assumptions and don't take the time to check if they are true. As an interviewee - remember that many of us will default to a “grass is greener mindset” where a new opportunity will nearly always seem better than our current situation. From the outside it’s impossible to clearly see the imperfections that exist in every organization. Without intentionally leaning into curiosity, candidates may find themselves disillusioned or as if a bait and switch occurred once they are inside a company, once again leading to turnover. Rather than blaming organizations for blind sighting us, interviewees should take 100% responsibility and ask important questions ahead of accepting a role. In Warren Berger’s “The Book of Beautiful Questions” the author suggests asking the six questions to gain a more accurate picture of a prospective team and company.??

Interview questions from “The Book of Beautiful Questions” by Warren Berger:

• Is there room for growth? What do lateral and upward growth look like? Seek stories of people who have achieved this in the organization.?
• How does the? organization react to mistakes? Will you be punished for exploring? This will determine if you can experiment and grow.
• Can I have influence in this organization? Find out what people at different levels and different departments have to say about influence.?
• How have others here added to their skills? This is a key determinant if you’ll be able to develop yourself at this organization.?
• Does this place encourage camaraderie? The social aspect of work is overlooked in interviews, but so important for relationships and teamwork.?
• Will I enjoy the small pleasures of my daily routine? As stated above, being happy in the present hinges on everyday tasks and responsibilities.?

Interviewing in today’s market can be a harrowing and stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to be. By locating yourself, knowing your genius, balancing present and future benefits and leaning into curiosity, you can cultivate a more easeful, intentional job search that aligns to your authentic values and genius. As you embark on your job search, how will you use your time to create the career you most want?

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