Gearing up to ace an upcoming interview to land your dream job? Michelle McQuaid, author of Your Strengths Blueprint: How to be Engaged, Energized, and Happy at Work, says it’s important to prepare your brain to perform at its highest level. Instead of thinking positive thoughts and visualizing a successful interview, she suggests training your brain for the interview by demonstrating “heartfelt positivity” for prospective employers so they get the sense you are genuine and trustworthy.
In order to achieve heartfelt positivity, McQuaid recommends preparing for your interview by envisioning ways to flex your strengths while interacting with employers. She explains, “For example, can you use your strength of curiosity to ask insightful questions or your strength of creativity to demonstrate innovative ways to solve their challenges?”
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She adds if you’re not certain of your strengths as you prepare for the interview, take a free 10-minute survey at The VIA Institute, a Cincinnati-based nonprofit focused on positive psychology that houses the world’s largest database on character and character strengths.
Vicki Salemi
Mediabistro career expert
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