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mouth is not clenched tight, but is relaxed and open, and as you say "haaah," feel the vowel resonate your chest bone. This second exercise will give your voice added strength, resonance and focus. With your lips closed, make a "hmmm" sound. Loud. Feel the sound vibrate your lips. If your voice is hiding in the back of your throat, instead of bursting out of your lips and mouth, not only will it be less attractive, but, again subliminally, people will conclude that you are holding something back. You want to sound like the kind of person who offers your whole self to your job and holds nothing back. 3. eliminate intimidation If you're feeling intimidated by your interviewer, use an actor's technique called "personalization." Imagine—with your senses—someone with whom you are comfortable, superimposed on your interviewer. Maybe you will imagine seeing your best friend's hat on your interviewer's head, or hearing your best friend's laugh. At a ilm audition for Arachnophobia, I imagined my best friend Anna's blue coat on Steven Spielberg's co-producer, Kathleen Kennedy. As I felt myself relax and open up, because my body thought Kathleen was my best friend (because I saw my friend Anna's coat), I could see Kathleen suddenly open up to me, and I got the job. Harvard and UC Davis research on "guided sensory imagery" explains and proves how this works. 4. the Meaningful Pause Dare to take one. This takes courage, but if you're suddenly shaky or can't ind a word, this can really help. Take that pause, if only to take a deep breath and get added oxygen to your brain. It's unlikely your interviewer will question your wit here, more likely it will get her attention, curious as to what you're going to say next. Just as an actor searching for a forgotten line may seem to be doing profound success track soul-searching, the interviewer might actually think you're thinking, which is always impressive. You can also use that pause to remind yourself of a useful afirmation, such as: "I'm not here for love, I'm here to get the job," or "I deserve this job," or "I deserve to make a good salary." Actors also use meaningful pauses for dramatic effect; so can you. 5. Have Fun If you're having fun, there's a good chance you might actu- ally enjoy your interview, and your interviewer might, too. You can have fun and still be smart, eficient and possibly even inspired. Before you go in, run through a list of people, places, things and events that make you smile. Allowing your senses to remember the details—the warmth of the sun on your body, the taste of a ripe persimmon—will put your body in its pleasure state. 6. relax If you're tense, you can't see or hear properly, and you're go- ing to want to understand every nuance of what the interviewer is saying to you. Are your shoulders bunching up? Are they tightening your neck so your voice sounds strangled, and there's not enough oxygen getting to your brain? Actors are always aware of their tension levels, knowing that if they're tense, they won't perform at their best. There are many relaxation exercises to use before you leave home, but once you're at an interview, one of the fastest and most grounding is to become aware of the loor under your feet, then pull a breath all the way up from there through your body, illing your belly, and exhale slowly. A little preparation is always a good thing, but staying present in your body at the interview will help you be the very best you can be. Jane Marla Robbins teaches acting techniques for business and social success. Help Others To • Increase motivation, build confidence, eliminate fears and habits Earn While You Learn • Start your hypnotherapy practice in 6 months • Professional office and clinical supervision included No Money Down • Eligible students make no tuition payments for 18 months Start a New Career Helping Others. Become a Hypnotherapist Today! Be Your Own Boss • Make your own hours and set your own fees Evening Classes, On Campus Internship Change Your Career and Your Life Today! 1.800.479.9464 18607 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 310, Tarzana, CA 91356 HMIcollege.org America's First Nationally Accredited College of Hypnotherapy HMI-VS_10x5.25-4clr.indd 1 3/28/2011 12:47:30 PM SuccessTrack_02.indd 23 February/March201323 1/25/13 5:59 PM