Q: I’ve been interviewing, and I’m experiencing random changes in the nervousness factor. I could go to interview 1 and be a total nervous wreck, and then later that afternoon go to interview 2 and bring my A game, not once feeling any nervousness at all. What is that all about? – Sarah

Dale: Somewhere deep in your brain are sets of thought patterns – think of them as playlists on your mental iPod. Something about an interview might push the Play button on anxiety, and then what happens? You worry that you’re getting worried. But you don’t have to listen to that. With some practice, you can choose the playlist. The one I recommend for an interview is to replay in your mind your best moments in your old jobs. You learn to push the Play button on those good memories, and they drown out your worries.

J.T.: Another way to switch playlists is to move the focus off of yourself and, instead, onto getting to know the people who are interviewing you. Be sure to give off a warm, engaging impression by asking questions about their experience with the firm:

How did you come to work for XYZ?

What is your favorite part about working here?

Can you give me any feedback on what I could do to be a better match for this position?

These questions will help you make a stronger connection with the person interviewing you AND give you an opportunity to let them do the talking so you can take the pressure off of yourself.

I had been working as a contract project manager when, in January, another department manager offered me a better position. Both the old and new managers agreed that they would keep me in my current position and that they would hold the new position till the end of March. Then, in March, the new manager informed me that the position had been given to someone else. My question is, do I have any legal rights to sue for the position that was offered to me? – Brian

J.T.: Offers are rescinded more than you can imagine. I’ve seen cases where people have quit their job and show up on the first day, only to be told that the offer was being taken back. It’s unfortunate, but my guess is that the manager of the new project was tired of waiting. And, even if both managers said they were fine with it, I have to wonder if both weren’t a little unhappy with the other. I’m sure your current managers were surprised to hear that you were leaving them mid-project for a new one, and may even have taken it personally. At the same time, the manager of the new project had his plans to hire you pushed back, and that most likely disappointed him too. I realize they seemed understanding and that a resolution was set, but you just never know.

Dale: But back to the legal issue. It’s a basic tenet of American jurisprudence that you can always sue somebody. But the issue is, when is your juris prudent? Certainly not here. I called one of my favorite employment lawyers, Scott Gordon of the Rodey Law Firm in Albuquerque, N.M., and asked if there was an angle to pursue that I was missing. Because you are an independent contractor, he mentioned “intentional interference with contractual relationships” but then pointed out that it could be seen as the corporation interfering with itself, which made me think of those Coke Zero ads with the perplexed attorneys. So, instead of spending money on lawyers and, hence, on making enemies, spend it on a career coach and on making new allies.

J.T.: Yes, I’d chalk it up to experience. The good news is that your performance was so good that two departments were fighting over you. So you are truly free to be snatched up for a new project. Finally, I’d gently inquire into the project you lost to see how things are progressing. You just never know when things change, and they may still need you to take over.