Interviewing – the Thrive Vine

Why You Should Apply For Every Job That Interests You

“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.” – Mahatma Gandhi

When was the last time you looked for a job? Perhaps you have been on the hunt recently and still are? Or maybe you’ve been in the same position for years, are getting bored , and want to look for something new and exciting! Looking for a job is one of those things that we all need to do at some point, but never really want to spend the time or energy doing. Additionally, it may hurt your motivation when all the jobs you want to apply for have a description that sounds like a league (or many) above you. Sometimes, the only jobs that seem like we can do are the jobs that are similar to the ones we do now. Yet, often these positions will keep you doing more of the same at similar pay and continually reduced interest.

I suggest, rather than being discouraged, apply to those jobs which initially may come off above your comfort zone. Many times, job descriptions are written in such a broad sense, that some of what is asked, is rarely or ever actually needed. Additionally, if you don’t meet every requirement, you aren’t automatically disqualified. It’s impossible for HR to find candidates with every possible quality they want, so instead they list a bunch that are related and look for the best fits – not perfect match. Also, remember, you will always be learning something new and it is always expected that you’ll be learning in your new position for many months. Your new coworkers will hopefully be eager to help you and mentor you along as you grow in the new position.

Keep in mind, if everyone was perfect there would be no need to interview. You would simply apply for a job and get hired. However, because there is so much variety and uniqueness in the workforce, the hiring process exists to help companies find the best fit. Assuming you aren’t a good fit because you miss a few requirements or are a couple years short in experience does not guarantee you to be out. In fact, if you applied to 10 additional jobs that you deemed “beyond your level” you would probably hear back from at least 3 of them – if not more!

Therefore, my new advice to you – apply to any and every job that interests you. If it’s somewhat related to your line of work and you feel genuinely compelled to go for it, then the only person stopping you is yourself. If you get told no, or don’t hear back then you can simply move on, but if you get a call, get the interview and get hired, then looking beyond your inside voice of doubt was well worth the few minutes it took to send in your resume and hopefully the beginning of a great new career!

How do you feel about applying for a new job? Do you get discouraged when you think you aren’t “qualified” for the position? Do you apply anyway? Have you ever been told no for a job you thought you were qualified for? Share below in the comments!

3 Ways You Can Reinvent Yourself Today

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” – Albert Einstein

It was a cold dark February morning. I rolled up to work the same time as usual. My boss just pulled in behind me and got out of his car and started to open up the company. I wasn’t exactly crazy about this job, I landed the position right out of college and was still learning my daily tasks. The specific position was a technical inside sales representative position located in Northern New Jersey. During the interview I admittedly didn’t know too much about their product line; but they mentioned they would train me and get me up to speed. In the past weeks things were busy with the business; which was good. We were getting alot of product calls and all the other fellow salesmen were on the phones doing business; yet this was tough for me, because the time to actually train me to do my job, drastically diminished. On this particular day I spent two months with the company; I personally felt I wasn’t able to create all that much value due to not having the proper training and knowledge, but I felt it would all be ok and work itself out.

“Hey, do you have a minute” my boss said to me as he turned on the lights to his office, “of course” I replied. As my boss sipped from his coffee he started talking in a low quiet tone “Listen, you’ve been doing a really great job, you have a hell of a work ethic; you’re always the first one here, but we’re going to have to let you go.” I had just been fired. I literally had no idea what to say; they said they were going to train me, they didn’t deliver, and now I pay the price? I thanked my boss for the opportunity, packed up my desk, and started on my way home. All I could think about were the words “sorry, we’re going to have to let you go” as if someone was playing a proverbial game of catch and release with my life. Fast forward six years and getting fired from that place was probably one of the best things that happened to me. However, it was what awaited me that was the biggest learning experience. Here are my three ways to reinvent yourself before having a chance to actually invent yourself:

Get Creative – After I was fired I literally had no experience in the field I wanted to go into (pretty much anything with business) I just spent two months at a place I got fired from, do I put that on a resume? What if an interviewer asks what happened? I was still incredibility defensive and sensitive about it. So how did I get around this? One thing that helped me immensely to landing another job was creating a professional website. On the website I included a professional picture of myself, listed all of my relevant coursework and writing samples from college, included my resume, and included a mission statement of my website.

Nowadays with social media there is no reason to not only have a professional website. I would even take it a step further and record a video of you stating your mission statement. What does this do? It really allows recruiters and interviewers to vet and get a good look at you before meeting you. Putting a face to the name is such a powerful tool! Not sure how to build a website or where to start? I would definitely suggest checking out Wix or WordPress. Both content management systems make it incredibly easy to build a nice professional website. Picture yourself as just one fish amongst an entire school; you need to stand out and a website can certainly help with that!

Reinvent From Within – There is no way I am the same person I was six years ago. After I got fired I was absolutely fuming. I embraced and doubled down on the victim mindset. It was their fault I had no money to pay off my loans, it was their fault I was now set back in my life. Nothing could be further from the truth. It was my fault. You’ll hear me say time and time again that, at times, the only thing we can control in our lives is how to react to a situation.

The Thrive Vine is my reaction to my situation, which took place close to over six years ago. Why? Because I want to help others who might have gone through the same circumstances or who might be as frustrated as I was. It’s not an easy place to be in; but so much more positive can come out of a negative situation than you could ever expect; it’s all mindset. So how do you reinvent yourself from within? Analyze your character. Ask your closest friends and family how they perceive you and be open to their feedback. If you are currently working ask your supervisor three things that you suck at, and then concentrate on making yourself better at those three things. It’s all about self improvement and be open to always changing yourself for the better.

Do Your Homework – If you are not working, or even right out of college; the employment scene is something to study up on. The first thing you need to study is what are employers looking for? What kind of “must have” traits do all candidates have? Take this time to connect to recruiters. With tools like linkedin and facebook; feedback and help is just a click away. Stop viewing your phone as entertainment, and start thinking of it as an incredibly powerful tool where you can reach thousands if not millions of people from a single tweet. Do your homework on what is going on around you, pick up on those trends, adapt, network, get the job. Sounds like alot, but remember you are not the only one, and only the strongest candidates survive.

Conclusion – Having to reinvent yourself is not easy but incredibly necessary. I’m sure everyone has heard the Heraclitus quote- “nothing is constant but change.” Just as our species would have never endured without adaptation the same proves true for the job market. What are you doing to adapt? What tools or creative strategies do you use to constantly reinvent yourself? I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!

10 Ways You Can Start Prepping For An Interview Today

“I will prepare and some day my chance will come.” – Abraham Lincoln

Interviews can be intimidating and nerve-wracking. You feel passionately about this job potential, and your nerves are sky-high. Here are 10 tips and tricks for successful interview preparation you can take today. You can do this!

1. Prepare for your interview a little bit each day. Set an allotted chunk of time each day to put your thoughts together. After this allotted time has come to an end, stop! Allow yourself to return to normal life events and functions.

2. Do not over prepare for an interview. This can allow for nerves to increase due to putting pressure on yourself to sound perfect. Over-preparedness can cause you to sound robotic, unnatural, and rehearsed. You want your thoughts and responses to interview questions to sound intelligent and flow naturally.

3. Remember, interviewers are people, too. They have gone through this process to acquire the jobs that they have now. Do your best to think of it more as just a conversation with interviewers. This will lessen the feeling of being interrogated and it will feel less like a question-answer format.

4. Be prepared for trick questions. Hiring committees throw in questions to determine more about your personality. Never answer in such a way that throws yourself under the bus, underestimates yourself, or allows for the interviewer to see weakness. For example, if an interview asks questions such as “What is your biggest weakness?” or “Have you ever had a plan that has flopped?” answer in such away that shows your reflective and problem-solving work ethic. No one is perfect, but how you go about embracing opportunities for improvement is most important.

5. When an interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions?” do not say no. Beforehand, compile a list of about three questions that allow for you to gain more information about the company and demonstrate interest in working for them. However, research the company thoroughly before stepping foot into an interview. You do not want to pigeon-hole yourself because the answer to the question could have been found in their mission statement, for example.

6. Before an interview, do something that you enjoy that allows for you to feel relaxed and get your mind off the daunting feeling of an interview. Do yoga, go for a hike, or listen to your favorite music that enhances your mood and confidence.

7. Be yourself! Individuals in the hiring process want to learn you for you and can easily determine whether you are not being true to yourself. Be confident, but don’t boast!

8. Do not be afraid to not know the answer to a question. Offer your best answer, but be open to learning more about this aspect of the job or engage in further research to gain more information.

9. Of course, to state the obvious, get enough sleep, and eat a balanced breakfast. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready for your interview. Pick out your outfit in advance, drive to the interview location to get a sense as to where you need to be and amount of time it takes to get there. Get to the location early enough to not feel rushed. Try not to overthink the interview at this time or rehearse questions.

10. After an interviewer asks a question, do not answer immediately following. Take a few seconds to think about the questions and briefly prepare your responses. When you are nervous, impulse kicks in. Let yourself be reflective.

Take these steps and you’ll be on your way to getting the job in no time. Do you have any favorite interview preparations? Let us know in the comments below!

Eight Secrets To Resume Writing

“The challenge of life, I have found, is to build a resume that doesn’t simply tell a story about what you want to be, but it’s a story about who you want to be.” -Oprah Winfrey

Yes! You read up on a job description, and it catches your eye! Now, the application process begins. The first step to selling yourself is your resume, and it needs to make a statement. It needs to highlight the quality of your related work experience, credentials, and other capabilities. Here are eight things to remember when painting this professional portrait of yourself.

1. Take your time! If you have not yet drafted a resume, it is suggested that you start doing so as soon as possible. There is nothing worse than the pressure of waiting to the last minute and scrambling to put it together. Your resume should be an ongoing project that you revisit from time to time to ensure that it is up-to-date and well-written.

2. Vary verbs and include buzzwords. Eliminate wordiness and use a wealthy variety of keywords that are relevant to the job position you are applying for. This is essential to building a strong resume. Occasionally, it is easy to use words repeatedly. Use a thesaurus to diversify words, and when beginning each bullet point, remember to utilize a variety of verbs to increase the interest factor. Remember, your goal is to captivate others’ attention.

3. Honesty is the best policy! Of course, your resume needs to be professionally appealing. However, do not try to be someone that you are not. The last thing you want to do is include information that may be untrue or fluffed. How embarrassing would it be to not be able to elaborate on bullet points or answer the interviewing questions because you are ultimately caught in a lie? Keep it real!

4. Do not over elaborate. Do not oversimplify either. Keep the interest factor elevated by keeping your resume to the point. Of course, include the most important points, but allow for the recruiter to want to know more. Their interview questions will allow for you to really sell yourself in person.

5. Length of your resume is all about preference. Occasionally, recruiters prefer all of your writing to be on one page. However, if you have a great deal of related and additional experience that may help you land a position, include it, and make your resume extend onto a second page. It does not hurt to keep a copy of a simplified version of your resume that lists all of your experience and credentials on one page handy for if you feel as if this is more appropriate.

6. Your resume needs to be appealing to the eye. Of course, your font type should be a standard type that looks professional. In terms of size, it can be smaller but not eye-straining. Space out your sections on your resume and allow for some spacing between your bullet points. A cluttered resume may quickly get the boot.

7. Don’t be repetitive. Occasionally, if you have had multiple positions that are related, your work experience may be similar. If bullet points can repeat, list them in the most current job experience. You still need to include some information to briefly explain less current employment or experience, therefore, include points that stand out and differentiate between the two related experiences.

8. Proofread – Meticulously read through your resume, or have someone reputable review it for you. Ensure that this document is rid of grammatical errors, misspellings, and sounds professional. Slight mistakes may turn off a recruiter instantly.

Do you have any resume secrets? Share them with us and the community by commenting below!

Three Not So Obvious Interviewing Tips

“Charm was a scheme for making strangers like and trust a person immediately, no matter what the charmer had in mind.” – Kurt Vonnegut

It’s been awhile since I’ve wrote a blog and I’m certainly due. A recent conversation with a friend of mine jarred my senses about interviewing and the interview process. Everywhere you look I feel the same approach is being said: be strong and confident, bring two or three copies of your resume with you, and of course have your resume memorized to the tee, blah, blah, blah. But there is so much more behind what goes on in an interview. Trust me, I’ve been on countless interviews and it wasn’t until I started to think of some non conventional ways of interviewing, did it finally sink in. Take a look at my top 3 not so obvious interviewing tips, I hope you find them as useful as I did when interviewing:

Double Down On Your EQ – There are still many people (including interviewers) who have no idea what EQ is. EQ stands for emotional intelligence. Ever hear the saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” well your EQ is responsible for “who ya know.” It’s the ability to tap into not only your emotions but read the emotions of other people. When you are interviewing, pay attention to the interviewer’s body language. Are they sitting back? Are they on the edge of their seat? What ever they are doing with their body language mimic just that; you may do this without even realizing it. However EQ isn’t just about mimicking body language; it’s about listening. When you are on an interview I always like to take a 80/20 approach. Where the interviewer does 80 percent of the talking and I talk for 20 percent of the time. Of course it’s tough to hold back nerves but being able to listen and respond accordingly is a big part of any position

Dive Into Your Roots – Now I’m not exactly an anthropology guru but there are some deep seeded traits all humans have. The number one thing to realize when interviewing are that all interviewers are 100% human. What does this mean? Well it means you need to establish who has the dominant upper hand in your relationship with the interviewer. Look at it this way: For a moment pretend you’re a chimp (I know what you’re thinking, hear me out) you are now entering a new chimp tribe that you want to become a part of. In order to get into that tribe the alpha’s henchmen (the interviewer) must approve of you. So what are you going to do to make them like you? You are going to play the part of the submissive chimp. Let the interviewer guide the conversation, speak in a calm slow voice. To some, this might seem incredibly natural. To naturally dominant people it might be tough to play this part. Understand you’re joining a new tribe and once you are part of the new tribe your journey to become alpha (if you want to become alpha) can begin.

Show Your Superpower – If you’re like me, you really hate talking about yourself. When someone asks me what I’m good at (#doeseatingcount?) I usually don’t reply with confidence. However, I’ve recognized a few super powers in myself; work ethic, humility, and empathy are my biggest powers that I over emphasize on any interview. What are yours? Recognize your superpowers, tune into them, and then use them to your biggest advantage during an interview. Note being great at pivot tables isn’t really a super power (I mean I guess it could be?) but really dive deep into yourself and think what excites you or what keeps you going. Think of specific traits that separate you from every other candidate out there and and why you are the best candidate for the position. Use those super powers to leverage yourself. I’d love to hear what some of your super powers are, and how you’re going to use them to drive yourself forward!

Conclusion – I hope these tips have helped you identify ways that you can make yourself stand out in a non conventional way during your next interview. Keep in mind interviewing is nothing more than becoming a part of another tribe. Whether it’s friends, meeting a significant other’s family, or on the job search we’ve all been interviewed before. Tap into your superpowers and share your personal tips, successes, and experiences with the community!

How To Handle An Emotionally Unintelligent Interviewer

“In a very real sense we have two minds, one that thinks and one that feels” – Daniel Goleman

Good Morning Class! Take a seat and get cozy. Today’s topic of discussion: Emotional Intelligence (EQ) for short. Emotional Intelligence is a term that is getting thrown around more and more in today’s society. EQ is essentially the exponent to your IQ. While your IQ is strictly how much you know in terms of academia EQ measures how much you know emotionally. Specifically focusing on empathy, viewing other people’s emotions, and the self awareness and self management of your own emotions. Here’s the kicker, studies have found that the more emotionally intelligent you are, the more successful in your career you will be! However, some careers require a little more emotional intelligence than others. In today’s blog I’m going to discuss an experience of mine when I went on an interview and was met with a very Emotionally Unintelligent interviewer:

Preface- It was a cold February day here in Northern New Jersey. The position I was applying for was for a Pricing Analyst Position at a pretty cool company. The company was a tech start up and judging from their website were really creative and innovative. I was excited for this interview and an opportunity to speak with them! I should mention this specific interview was done via skype (another blog on that soon to come). My attire was killer, even though I felt weird sitting in front a of a computer screen in a suit jacket and with my hair done, I was feeling really self confident in my abilities to perform this job. I was ready for this interview:

Interview – As the interviewer called me in via Skype a nice girl (happy, but it was clear she was there to do business) appeared on my screen. She was probably in her early to mid 20’s, dressed business casual. “Hi Jess, how are you?” “It’s so nice to meet you” I said on my end. “Hi” She replied, “Why don’t you tell me what you already know about the company” in a toned that was between stressed and annoyed. After receiving that statement my primal sensors went off. Either this interviewer is having a bad day, or she might not be too great with people.

I did my homework on this company (as everyone should do for any interview they are on!) So I proudly recited when the company was founded, the products and services they provide, and why I found this company so interesting; being sure to include sincerity yet enthusiasm in my responses. She replied “ok, let me go over the benefits,” she then recited the benefits which were posted on the job description off a computer screen.

As an interviewee I’m already thinking something is up. A) This interviewer is having a terrible day B)This interviewer hates her job/isn’t into me C) This Interviewer is emotionally unintelligent. As the interview progressed I asked more questions about the company, position, and how I could add more value to the company through my skills. Every response was met with very melancholy at times apathetic responses. After I was finished asking questions I thanked the interviewer again so much for her time and the call was ended.

Conclusion/Reflection – In the course of 20 minutes I went from being over the top excited about a position, to really asking myself “do I want this position?” So what changed? On a primal level humans can detect danger or when other human beings are feeling uncomfortable (this is empathy and emotional intelligence) Three seconds into my interview I felt something was wrong due to the interviewers tone and facial expressions; this slight sense of discomfort triggered questions in my mind “what kind of environment, does this company provide?”or “this interviewer seems like she’s not a very good fit for this position, how will they ensure I’m a good fit?” These questions and many more hit me just a few seconds after the first impression of the interviewer.

So what can we learn? When dealing with an emotionally unintelligent interviewer/person there are a few things you can do. First, you want to be yourself. A person who has high EQ is very good at changing their mood to fit those around them, it’s so important to be yourself and that you feel comfortable. If an interviewer is displaying negative or apathetic behavior it’s only a reflection of the company culture (that’s why it’s so important for companies to choose wisely when deciding who will be on the front lines of their business.) The second tactic you can take is to show empathy. The more I reflected on the interview I felt I should have taken the initiative and responsibility to ask the interviewer if everything was alright? It seems that she might have been having a rough day. Looking back this might have been an effective method.

So I know you’re all dying to know, did I get the job!? Well after pondering on it, I decided that if I was offered the position I wouldn’t take it; as I don’t feel it would have been a good fit. As you can tell from most of the blogs on this site, company culture and environment is what drives people to be their best. Without a cultivating environment I personally don’t believe I could thrive. I think we owe it to ourselves from time to time to let our emotional minds take over, as sometimes it brings greater clarity and sobering thoughts than our logical minds.

Does It Make Sense To Include Your GPA On Your Resume?

“My priority is not about grades. I yearn for knowledge, skills and wisdom.”– Lailah Gifty Akita

After graduating with your degree, along with thousands of others, how do you set yourself apart from the person next to you? What can we put on our resumes that makes us unique? Especially if we have no experience in our area of study. One possibility is your GPA. Your GPA is virtually treated like the be-all, end-all in high school and especially college. It is the standard to which you are held and hold yourself. Many educational institutions often have a minimum requirement to get accepted, a minimum you must maintain to be accepted to a program, and a minimum requirement needed to ultimately graduate. So you’d think that mentioning your GPA on your resume is an absolute must, right? Well… not so fast! In today’s blog we’re going to tackle some GPA myths and lay to rest if it actually makes sense to include your GPA on your resume. Stay tuned…

Is The Standard The Same? – In college, the GPA is sacred. It is the number which we define ourselves in rank and we can use to measure our success (which is baloney). In the real world, does it really have any value anymore? Is there any standard in which your GPA would matter? After all, does a 3.5 at an Ivy League College mean the same as a 3.5 at a Community College? My theory is that your GPA is only of utmost importance when you are applying for your first full-time job out of college and need to give a reference as to “who you are.” Look at your GPA like your credit. If you have good credit you’re viewed as being reliable when paying your bills. When you have a decent GPA you’re viewed as being a reliable, hard worker, etc.. Yet, there are certain caveats in which you should not list your GPA…

Be Honest – First, if an employer asks for your GPA when applying, you must list it… and don’t lie. Many graduates forget employers can always request your transcripts as proof. On the other hand if an employer doesn’t ask, don’t tell. The one time listing your GPA may help you out is when you have a rather high GPA (above a 3.5) and need to set yourself apart. For example, submitting your resume to your first job as a Programmer while listing your GPA as being a 3.8 may give you the one-up you need. In this case, it is worth listing. It’s so important to remember it’s the skills that you bring to the table are what set you apart, not a silly number. Sell yourself on your strengths, personality, and who you are. That is your brand and a number could never do justice to that.

Established Career – Once you’ve been working for a few years and are ready to move on and advance your career whether internally or externally, will your GPA matter as much? In most cases employers most likely could care less about your GPA after you are established and settled in. If you have the experience and the degree the position requires, the GPA seemingly loses its value. Once you’ve established yourself in your career your experience takes over and employers look at you based off what you did in your Industry; not necessarily how you did in College. Need proof? Check out Employment Specialist

Alexandria Bellivan’spost on LinkedIn about GPA’s. You’ll find some incredibly insightful information there from real recruiters and employers.

Conclusion – Do you think GPA matters? Is it possible that how you did in academics could follow you around your whole life? You already know my thoughts and take on expressing your GPA. Now I want to know yours! Let us know what you think in the comments below!

How To Network And Interview While Having Social Anxiety

“Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems”-Epictetus

Social Anxiety is no joke. For some, social interaction comes so naturally and effortlessly. Yet for some, social anxiety can be absolutely crippling and a huge obstacle to overcome. So how exactly can suffers of social anxiety put themselves out there? Specifically when it comes to creating and building a career that revolves around meeting, networking, and interviewing with other people? In today’s blog I’m going to explain how I overcame my own social anxiety and some tips and tricks I still use to this day that help me relax in social situations:

Just Breathe – Personally I hate it when people tell me to “just relax” obviously if your anxious you would love to relax, but you just can’t. What really helped me with anxiety in social situations was realizing what my body was telling me. Basically when we are under stress (or in some instances distress) our bodies go back into primal mode (think fight, flight, or immobilization ie.. deer caught in the headlights). When we become stressed or anxious our bodies think there is something wrong which triggers our sympathetic nervous system to react in a primal way. However to anxious people, we perceive a lot of situations as threatening, when in reality they really aren’t; which causes us to kinda freak out. So how can we beat this? The next time you’re feeling anxious in a crowd while networking, or before an interview, take deep breaths and concentrate on slowing down your breathing. Be sure to not breathe from your chest, but breathe from your diaphragm (you’re lower stomach) and feel yourself fill up with oxygen and then exhale the anxiety out (I actually visualize me exhaling whatever is causing my anxiety out of me and this helps). After a few breaths you should feel a little less tension in your shoulders and neck and hopefully have a clearer mind.

Visualization – As I touched upon in my last point visualization techniques have helped me quite a bit in social situations. It’s really important to note that if you do suffer from social anxiety, ironically the only way to feel better is by putting yourself in social situations. Putting yourself in situations that your brain doesn’t want you to be in is going to feel really weird and you are not going to want to do it, but it’s literally the only way for your brain to rewire and correct itself from past experiences. Specifically in interviews it can be crazy easy to feel that you are being judged; which I know causes me anxiety. A simple visualization technique that I use, is to envision the words that people say as water and they just drip off of me. This helps prevent me from not only absorbing other people’s feelings or needs but helps me acknowledge what they say and let it go. This really comes in hand during interviews as some interviewers might come off as more of interrogators than actual formal interviewers. It’s a great way of reminding yourself no one can judge, or critique you without your consent.

Practice – When I’m feeling socially anxious the last thing I personally want to do is picture myself in the same situation again, and again. However, it’s almost a necessity to get out of your comfort zone. Think from a biological standpoint what the brains purpose is. The brains purpose is to protect us, to make us feel comfortable. The problem with that is we can’t grow if we’re always comfortable. If not talking to people makes us feel good and safe that’s wonderful, but we won’t get anywhere in a professional career, interact with clients, or be able to create great things without the help of others. In essence these comforts our brain loves are holding us back. When you’re matched with social anxiety take a step back, reflect on why you maybe felt that way, or what triggered you; but get out there. Practice always makes perfect and the more you interview, and network the more you will become considerably more comfortable in social atmospheres.

Conclusion – Social anxiety can be absolutely horrible, but I truly believe in many instances it can be controlled through the natural reworking of the brain. Next time you are in a socially anxious situation remember to take deep breaths, visualize, and view the situation as practice. It’s ok if an interview or networking event feels awkward or doesn’t go the way you want it to go; it’s simply practice and there will be plenty of other opportunities for you to shine. I would love to hear your thoughts on this? What are some ways you might cope with social anxiety or stress? Leave us a comment below!