Q: I got a job right out of school more than a year ago, and recently learned that our company will be closing this division. I’ve started looking for a new job and have had several interviews, but no follow-up. I think it’s because I get extremely nervous and start sweating heavily. (My hands and face get wet.) Any suggestions? – Kyle

A: Dale: J.T. has convinced me to tell you about an odd episode in my career. I hope it helps:

I give a couple of speeches a month, talking about leadership and/or creativity. Awhile back, I was giving a seminar for a few hundred people and, as always, I was working hard, suitcoat off and sleeves rolled up, moving about the audience, involving people, trying to give away all the energy I have. We took a break and one of the participants came up to me and said: “Your material is great. I only wish the others at my table were paying attention to the content – all they can talk about is your bolognas.” My what? He explained: “Yeah, that’s what we call the sweat marks under your arms. They’re about the size of bologna slices.” Great. Naturally, I thought it was ridiculous to be discussing bolognas when I had important concepts to convey, but if it was distracting the audience, I had to (sigh) deal with it. I heard about prescription drugs to prevent nerves – but that wasn’t my problem. And I heard about underarm pads with the discouraging name “dress shields” – and several other bad ideas. Eventually, I stopped wearing light-color shirts and started wearing either white or black shirts, or something with a stripe. Problem solved. It is, as I tried to tell J.T., a simpler problem than yours, Kyle.

J.T.: While Kyle’s case is nerves, and there are medical solutions, I hope he won’t resort to those. I had one client with the same problem. I gave him a list of possible interview questions and had him work on his answers, all of which focused on his experience and accomplishments. Then we did practice interviews. Before long, he lost his fear of interviews, and his nerves and perspiration evaporated.

Dale: I hope that’s your solution, Kyle. If not, those of us who do a bit of manly sweating must stick together. If it happens again, you just say to the interviewer, “I get pumped up just talking about the possibilities,” and take out a handkerchief and mop the brow. He or she will say something like, “My uncle is the same way,” and you’ll be past the distraction. It’s embarrassing only if you decide it’s so – and let’s agree, you and me, that it isn’t.