A Few Interesting tips from the book “Mindset -The Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck (Stanford Social Psychologist).

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

Carol Dweck discovered in her research that people had two kinds of mindsets, “fixed” and “growth.” People with a fixed mindset see intelligence or talent as something innate. People with a growth mindset see intelligence and talent as an organic process that improves with practice and experience. They view failure as an opportunity to learn from mistakes and make continual improvements. Eventually they achieve success. The interesting thing is that people with the growth mindset experience far greater success and sustain it because failure was just something to learn from and not a comment on the status of their talent or intelligence.

People who believe that talent or intelligence is innate end up protecting their delicate egos and eventually sabotage their success.

The research points out that intelligence and talent is not something innate. Intelligence and talent develop as you learn, focus and practice.

What does this mean for you in your job hunt? Adopt a growth mindset. Set out to learn from your mistakes. Seek help in your job search. Do not feel you must know how to do this sometimes-difficult task on your own. Job-hunting is a learned skill like any other skill.

Job-hunting takes strategy, self-knowledge, interpersonal skills, writing and formatting skills. When you are looking for a new job there are many factors that go into why you are chosen for an interview and eventually whom the employer chooses for the job. Many factors you can control, some you cannot. It is essential to have a growth mindset if you do not get the job. Yes, review the experience. See if there is anything to learn. If there is, great, move forward, you are on your way to success. If you find you have nothing to learn, great again, tell yourself this was a situation beyond your control and continue to move forward. Even consider it a blessing, because that was not the right job for you, continue with your efforts and find the job that is right for you.

A growth mindset can change your life, because it places you in the place of perpetual learning and growing. You build new brain cells, new neural pathways and you expand your skills.

We wish you the best in your growth minded career search. Make sure your resume, cover letter and other job search documents are in tiptop shape. If you need help making them shine, reach out and get the help you need.

If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter or other job search documents, please feel free to call Bob.

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Master’s in Education – Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com