Is Your Mindset Damaging Your First Impression?

By Shea Ki

Does finding out you have an interview put you into a I-can’t-think-straight or how-am-I-going-to-get through-this mode? 

During my public service as a hiring manager for over ten years, I noticed this happens to many people from all different fields, backgrounds, income levels, and ages. Smart, motivated, highly skilled candidates sat in front of me for their interview hundreds of times. Most of them prepared for the common questions and dressed to impress, but only a handful had that extra spark that helped get them the job. 

​Time and again I would hear fellow hiring managers and recruiters say things like this about jobseekers:
“I can’t put my finger on it, but I really am impressed by her. Let’s invite her back.”

“I know she doesn’t meet all the qualifications, but her energy and can-do spirit really is what we need around here.”
 
or the opposite--

“I didn’t feel it from that candidate. Did you?”
 
“She said all the right things and has great skills, but I didn’t buy her message—I’m not sure she did yet either. Let’s keep looking.”

​After the interview, for many the phone doesn’t ring with an offer and your email only gets an automated “thank you for coming but you were not selected…blah, blah, blah” notice.
 
It’s easy to point at the challenging economy and unfair HR systems and feel trapped.

So many get stuck and settle for working at a place that feels draining everyday.

Or worse, incredibly talented people give up years of their life to a company that seems to care very little about them.

​But can this exhausting struggle be stopped?

Yes! 

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​You already have the number one secret ace card up your sleeve: Your mindset.

But before you can share your value confidently with someone else, you need to believe in what you have to offer. We’ve often heard this before but what does it really mean?​

Believing in you means that deep down you know your skills, experience, and strengths are enough for the opportunity you are seeking. With social media, commercials, magazines, and so much else constantly trying to make us feel we are lacking, this is more of a challenge than ever.

Where can you begin? Start noticing what helps your mind stay with thoughts that boost your confidence and also what brings you down. When you do more of the things that feel empowering and bring you joy, things at work or in your job search will start to shift. Over time and with consistent practice, those positive thoughts will begin to start attracting more of the same.

Your mindset can become a powerful tool to upgrade your energy and engaging presence that you bring into an interview.

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Did you know I created a way for you to assess your mindset about work and interviewing quickly? Below is a sample of the self-assessment. By honestly answering these questions you will know right away if your mindset may be part of what is throwing off your first impression and blocking you from work you will enjoy.

Upgrade My Interview™ Mindset Assessment (Sample)
Use this scale to rate yourself on the following 4 statements.
1=Does not at all sound like me
2=Sometimes sounds like me
3=Not sure
4=Often sounds like me
5=Sounds very much like me

1. I enjoy interviewing and talking about my professional value.
                             1    2    3    4    5

2. It's easy for me to create a clear, detailed vision in my mind of what a brighter future at work looks like for me.
                             1    2    3    4    5

3. When I get a "you were not selected" notice, I have a self-care plan that gets me believing in my value again quickly.

                             1    2    3    4    5

4. I am not holding back from applying for promotions or other career opportunities when I see them offered.
                             1    2    3    4    5

Now add up your four numbers. 

What does your score mean?
0-14= Your mindset is very likely in the way of you shining in the hot seat and attracting work that lights you up. Good news: There are resources here at Upgrade My Interview™ to help.

15+= Your mindset seems to be in line with your message of professional value that you provide, but an upgrade would help positive changes happen quicker in your career.

Have you found this sample of four questions about your career mindset helpful? I'd love to share my full Career Mindset Self-Assessment with you and give you more tips to get faster results.

Did you know you can get a free 15 minute career consult with me? We can finish up this 10 question assessment together and discuss options for your next best career step. Click the  "Let's Meet" button at the bottom of this page so you can choose a time soon to meet with me online.

Most of all, believe in you.