In today’s rapidly changing professional environment, the ability to learn and adapt is becoming an increasingly important skill for anyone’s career advancement.
As we’ve seen so far this year, many industries & businesses face skills shortages, shifting work practices, and disruptive technologies, many employers and hiring managers are willing to consider candidates who may not have all the required technical expertise but demonstrate a readiness to learn, broaden their skill set and to challenge their own limitations.
In recent polls, employers have demonstrated a positive attitude towards learning and development over existing skills, dispelling the belief that technical expertise and experience are the only factors that count.
Embracing a growth mindset—the belief in your ability to learn and develop new skills—can propel your career forward. By showcasing this growth mindset during interviews, you not only improve your chances of securing your next role but also set yourself up for long-term success in an ever-evolving workplace.
Rather than just describing a failure, own it. A failure is an opportunity. As humans, we learn from failure from an early age.
Here are six steps to make a lasting impression with your growth mindset during an interview
Research your potential employer
Every situation in life, including a job interview, offers a chance to learn. Show this to a prospective employer by researching their company’s mission, recent developments, products, competitors, and industry trends.
This research and prep will build your confidence before walking into the interview while also demonstrating your proactive approach to learning, and absorbing new information.
Highlight your problem-solving abilities
Workplaces are constantly evolving, and transferable skills such as problem-solving are highly valued by hiring managers and employers alike. Be ready to share a real-life work example of a problem you addressed from beginning to end, how you overcame obstacles, and what you learned from the experience.
Make sure to emphasise your willingness to explore different solutions, your resilience, and the key lessons you took away from the situation.
Show your commitment to learning with the “power of yet”
Psychologist Carol Dweck coined the phrase “power of yet,” which suggests that lacking a skill doesn’t mean you can’t develop it. Not mastered data analysis or project management yet? That’s fine.
Demonstrate your commitment to self-improvement by discussing books you’ve read, online courses you’ve taken or are currently taking, industry events you’ve attended, or other learning opportunities—and the results you’ve achieved.
Stand out with insightful questions
Having a growth mindset is all about asking thoughtful, open-ended, and well-researched questions that show your curiosity and a desire to learn. Why not go further and inquire about the company’s growth and future development opportunities?
Make sure to ask about their internal learning and development initiatives, or what avenues they offer for long-term skill development. Be careful, though—avoid questions that seem self-serving or could have been answered with some basic research before the interview.
Demonstrate comfort in uncomfortable situations
In today’s fast-paced work environment, employers look for resilient individuals who can step outside their comfort zone. This includes embracing new technologies, adapting to new work processes, or taking on tasks/roles outside of your usual remit, a growth mindset can help you tackle unfamiliar challenges and ultimately learn from them. If you have an example, make sure to share where you pushed yourself beyond your daily routine.
Perhaps you volunteered in a new capacity with a local charity or finally pursued a hobby or skill you’ve long wanted to develop. These experiences don’t need to be work-related—the key is your willingness to embrace new experiences, set goals, targets, and expectations and learn from them.
Turn failures into learning opportunities
While interviews are a great platform to highlight your successes, employers may be more interested in how you handled a failure and what you learned from it.
Rather than just describing a failure, own it. A failure is an opportunity. As humans, we learn from failure from an early age.
Reflect on what went wrong, the actions you took to resolve it, and what you learned to prevent similar mistakes in the future. This approach turns any failure into a stepping stone for growth and improvement.
Your interview is just the beginning… A growth mindset shouldn’t stop when the interview ends. If you don’t get the job, see it as an opportunity to learn and apply the “power of yet.” If you do get the role, keep learning and preparing for your first day to reinforce your employer’s confidence in their choice.
Remember, developing a growth mindset is an ongoing process that extends beyond the interview—focus on the journey, not just the end goal.
Finally, if you’re looking for assistance in finding your dream job, PE Global are here to help. We’ll guide you through the entire job-finding process. So, please get in touch or email queries@peglobal.net.
