With so many talented professionals seeking work in today’s job market, it is interesting to see a number of bright and capable individuals having trouble overcoming themselves during these tough times. For those who have been successful time and again in stronger markets, the loss of career footing is truly disconcerting. The previously successful professional who never experienced pause or setback is now faced with a task that is proving to be very challenging on many different levels.

What I see in my practice is that most people are internalizing their situation, and this has a negative impact on how a person comes across to the recruiter during an interview. I pick up a mask, a veneer, or a numbness coming across from certain candidates that I interview, and it sabotages their interview performance. The candidate who is trying to bury his or her feelings about being in the job market can comes across to me as either seething with anger beneath a very thin surface of civility or wrung out and zapped of positive energy. Often, the candidate is completely unaware that he or she is being passive aggressive, non-responsive, or just plain boring during an interview. The unfortunate reality that comes with this is the candidate not performing to their true potential during the interview.

The feelings you’re not admitting are holding you back. Air them out. You’ll feel better and you’ll perform better. Call me: you talk, I listen, and then we strategize on your right next step. And, I promise, I won’t tell.