It’s the weekend, and for many of us, that means catching up on chores. Today I got into a deep cleaning session, you know the kind where you’re not just tidying, but truly transforming chaos into clarity. There is a deep peace that comes from seeing order emerge from clutter.

As I was cleaning, a memory surfaced: growing up, cleaning wasn’t a rushed chore; it was a routine. There were scheduled deep-cleans, but also a daily rhythm of tidying that ensured the house was always ready. Guests could show up unannounced, and there would be no last-minute scramble to hide the mess.

The few times we got caught off-guard with a messy house when a guest arrived, the internal thought was always, “Why didn’t I just clean up earlier?”

Life Happens: The Unannounced Guest Analogy

Our professional lives are no different. Life happens. Opportunities emerge suddenly. A former colleague reaches out with an incredible lead. A company you’ve admired for years unexpectedly posts a dream opening. A new role opens up internally that you never saw coming.

This is where the famous quote comes to life: “Success is where preparation meets opportunity.”

When that opportunity knocks, the question is: How prepared are you to seize it?

The Power of Being “Always Ready”

The single most valuable piece of career advice I give to people is this:

Always be interview ready.

This doesn’t mean you should be constantly looking for a job. It means you shouldn’t wait until you’re forced to look for one to start preparing.

Think about the difference:

Reacting to Crisis (Cleaning Under Pressure)

• You are stressed, pressured, and emotional (especially during layoffs).
• Your preparation is rushed and superficial.
• You’re forced to take the first decent offer that comes along, even if it’s not a great fit.
• You are vulnerable in the negotiation process.

Preparing From Clarity (Routine Cleaning)

• You are in a comfortable, low-pressure zone.
• You can assess your skills, market value, and career path objectively.
• You can calmly gather feedback from mock interviews to level up specific skills.
• You maintain maximum leverage when a truly great opportunity surfaces.

How to Stay “Interview Ready” in Comfort

Keeping your professional “house” clean requires a routine, not a sporadic burst of panic.

• Update Your Documents (The Daily Tidy): Spend 30 minutes every quarter to update your resume and LinkedIn profile with your latest accomplishments and quantifiable impact. Don’t wait until you’re leaving a role to remember everything you did.
• Skill Assessment (The Weekly Check): Dedicate time to assessing market trends. Are new tools or technologies becoming standard in your field? Use this knowledge to focus your professional development and training.
• Networking Practice (The Ready Welcome): Stay in touch with your professional network consistently, not just when you need a favor. Schedule a few informational interviews a year, not to ask for a job, but to understand market roles and practice articulating your value proposition.
• The Mock Interview (The Deep Clean): Once or twice a year, go through a full, formal mock interview with a peer or mentor. Getting objective feedback on your technical and behavioral responses while you are not stressed is invaluable.

In times of economic uncertainty and market shifts, keeping yourself constantly ready is the ultimate form of career insurance. When that dream job or incredible opportunity comes through, you won’t have to scramble. You will be calm, confident, and prepared to grab it with both hands.

Don’t wait for the unannounced guest. Keep your house clean.