Do You Have a Fixed or Growth Mindset About Work

Do You Have a Fixed or Growth Mindset About Work Do You Have a Fixed or Growth Mindset About Work Your job search mindset can set the tone for the entire process. Do you know what your mindset is? Do you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? A lot of the success you’ll have in your job search really depends on your outlook. If you go into your job hunt optimistic about finding a job that will eventually become a career, or trying on a career change for size, you’ll inevitably have a more pleasant (and most likely, faster) job search experience. Having a negative attitude (e.g., “This job search will take forever” or “I’ll never find something that I want to do”) can thwart your chances for job search success. Carol S. Dweck, PhD, an author and a leading researcher in the field of motivation, came up with the idea about mindsets. Mindsets are the beliefs that you hold about yourself, from your intelligence to your talents, even facets of your personality. Dweck believes that people either have a Growth Mindset or a Fixed Mindset, and knowing which one you are can make all the difference in your job search. The Fixed Mindset The Fixed Mindset represents a certain group of people who believe that you’re born with the intelligence and the traits you’re going to have your whole life. Nothing you can do can change it, so people who have a Fixed Mindset, according to Dweck, “worry about their traits and how adequate they are. They have something to prove to themselves and others.” In essence, those who possess a Fixed Mindset oftentimes will limit themselves. The Growth Mindset Unlike the Fixed Mindset, people who have the Growth Mindset view their lives as a continuous learning and growing process. They view their intelligence, characteristics, and traits as a launching pad for greater things. They know that it takes time and energy (as well as passion) to develop into the people they are meant to be- and are prepared to make the investment. How does this apply to job seekers? Well, having a Fixed Mindset or a Growth Mindset can greatly impact your career. If you’re not sure if you have a Fixed Mindset or a Growth Mindset, ask yourself some of these questions that Dweck recommends: Can you significantly change your intelligence? Can you learn new things? Can you always change your level of talent? If you answered Yes to these questions, then you have a Growth Mindset. If you answered No, then you have a Fixed Mindset. But if you find that you have a Fixed Mindset, that doesn’t mean you have to always have one! Going out of your comfort zone by trying on a career change for size, going back to school to get that degree you always wanted to finish, or completing a course to land new skills can all help you move out of a Fixed Mindset. You’ll quickly discover that there is always room for growth (and self-improvement!) if only you believe in yourself. Readers, do you have a Growth Mindset or a Fixed Mindset? How does it help or hinder your job search? Let us know in the comments!