How to Use “Cat Energy” to Shift Interviewers to a YES Vibe

A couple of years ago, my daughter adopted a cat named Miso, which means I often find myself saying things like Miso cute, Miso hungry, Miso fluffy...

But I digress.

Here’s the real story—Miso is obsessed with my husband, Dave.

Dave? A lifelong dog person. Indifferent to cats at best.

Miso? Unbothered. He follows Dave around, curls up at his feet, and greets him at the door like a loyal fan.

Miso feels Dave’s NO energy and decides, “I don’t think so. Watch this—I’m about to turn Dave into ‘Yes, Miso is great.’”

And it’s worked!

?? BE LIKE MISO

Last week, I wrote about embracing NO energy (Read the blog here)—making it a game to collect rejections so you take more action, feel less pressure, and build momentum.

The Unexpected Added Bonus: As you get better at going after NO’s you will become better at recognizing NO energy. Then you can up your goal and begin looking for ways to shift people out of NO and into YES energy—just like Miso.

What is NO energy?

NO energy is that energy you feel when you have thoughts like:

“This is just a courtesy interview. They already have someone selected.”

OR

“This person does not even want to be talking to me right now. They obviously resent being pulled away from their work.”

You get what I mean.

We know when the vibe feels like it is already a NO.

But now we do not let the NO vibe win.

We have decided to embrace our inner Miso.

3 Steps to Move Someone into YES energy

Step 1?: Make Sure You Are in a Yes Vibe

Already covered, but worth repeating—if you show up expecting rejection on an interview, you’ll radiate that energy. Instead, channel your inner Miso. Remind yourself you belong there. No apologizing for experience gaps or downplaying achievements—speak about your work with certainty. Assume people will warm up to you just like Miso assumed Dave would eventually warm up to him. He just didn’t know it yet.

Step 2?: Be Playfully Persistent

Miso doesn’t take Dave’s indifference personally, he just keeps showing up, rubbing against his leg, and making his presence known until Dave has to pay attention. Same with you. If you sense the interviewer is checked out or distracted, engage them. Stay light. Crack a joke. Ask a fun question. Show interest in them and the role without forcing it. Once engaged, lean in and show how your skills, adaptability, and problem-solving persistence make you the right fit.

Step 3?: Find One Thing to Connect Over

Miso didn’t convert Dave overnight—he found the in. Maybe it was the way he flopped dramatically for belly rubs or the fact that he could be counted on to sit with Dave when he watched the Bears lose. When shifting a No to a Yes, find that one shared thing: a hobby, a hometown, a mutual dislike of pineapple on pizza. A small “yes” in conversation can warm the interviewer up now and gets them to a bigger “Yes” later.

Like Miso, you don’t have to push. Just bring good energy, be playfully persistent, and look for that small opening to connect. You’ll be surprised how your No’s start turning into Yes’s. ??

Stay InspiHER’d,

~Laurie