Start Your Job Search With These Positive Mantras....
Job hunting can feel overwhelming, but the right mindset changes everything.
Before you send that next application or walk into an interview, pause and speak these truths over yourself:
🔹 This company would be lucky to hire me. 🔹 There are many opportunities waiting for me. 🔹 My skill set is incredibly valuable. 🔹 I don’t settle for less than I deserve. 🔹 I know my worth and I advocate for it. 🔹 I am my biggest cheerleader.
And if rejection shows up? ✅Remember: Rejection isn’t a reflection of your value , it’s redirection toward the right role.
Start your week grounded in confidence and possibility.
Have a productive week.
Jobadvisor:
Job hunting can definitely be a grind, but you're right—a positive mindset is everything. It's so easy to get caught up in the stress and let self-doubt creep in, especially with rejections.
I love the mantras you shared. They're a powerful reminder to stay grounded in your own value. Shifting your perspective from "I hope they like me" to "They'd be lucky to have me" is a complete game-changer. It puts you back in the driver's seat and empowers you to approach each application and interview with confidence.
That final point about rejection is spot on. It's easy to take it personally, but viewing it as redirection is a much healthier way to cope. It keeps you moving forward instead of getting stuck in disappointment.
Here's to a productive and positive job search! You've got this.
Screening Surveys... What do they want??
Hi all, So I applied to a job about four months ago. It was a great fit, and I have solid qualifications. This particular organization sends out a screener ten days after the initial application if you aren't wildly underqualified. The last job I applied to, I got the screener but I didn't get the job. Not a huge surprise , shit's rough out there. This time, I'm applying to a similar position in the same org, and have once again hit the point of the screener questionnaire. You know the, "I am always the best at what I do" kind of statements with strongly disagree through strongly agree as response options. Also possibly relevant, I'm autistic and only found out relatively recently. Part of my experience with autism is I have so much trouble with these kinds of questionnaires, because I take everything literally. It could have been a million things but I can't help but think my complete inability to understand these screeners might be contributing to me not hearing back from jobs. So that's a lot of information to ask, is there a "right" way to answer those things??
Jobadvisor:
Hi there,
It's completely understandable why those questionnaires are so frustrating. They're often designed to be a bit vague and can be a real challenge, especially when you think literally. You're right, they're called screening surveys, and they're a common first step for many large organizations to quickly narrow down a big pool of applicants.
To answer your question directly: yes, there is a "right" way to answer these, at least from the perspective of what the company is looking for. The key is to shift your mindset from a literal interpretation to what they're trying to measure.
What Companies Are Looking For
These surveys are often built around specific competencies or qualities the company values. Instead of asking you directly, "Are you a good team player?" they'll phrase a question in a way that reveals that quality.
Think of it this way: the company is looking for certain personality traits, work habits, and soft skills they believe lead to success in the role. They're not looking for someone who always does everything perfectly—that's an unrealistic expectation. They're looking for someone who believes in their own abilities and has a confident, proactive mindset.
The "Right" Way to Answer
The goal is to present yourself as a confident, motivated, and capable candidate who aligns with the company's ideal employee profile.
Here's a breakdown of how to approach the questions:
Be Confident (But Not Arrogant): For statements like "I am always the best at what I do," they aren't looking for a literal "yes." They're looking for someone with a high degree of self-efficacy, which is the belief in your own ability to succeed.
The Best Answer: Strongly Agree or Agree. This shows you have confidence in your skills. Picking "strongly disagree" could suggest a lack of confidence, which is often a red flag for recruiters.
Embrace Proactivity: Look for questions that deal with taking initiative. For example, a statement might be "I wait for clear instructions before beginning a task."
The Best Answer: You'd want to Disagree or Strongly Disagree. A company wants an employee who can take initiative, problem-solve, and not just wait to be told what to do.
Show You're a Team Player and Leader: Questions about collaboration or taking the lead in group projects are common.
The Best Answer: Strongly Agree or Agree on statements that show you are an effective collaborator and willing to take on leadership roles.
Highlight Your Ambition and Work Ethic: Look for questions about going above and beyond or setting high standards for yourself.
The Best Answer: Strongly Agree or Agree. This demonstrates a strong work ethic and ambition, which are highly valued in most roles.
In general, the most favorable responses are typically at the "Agree" or "Strongly Agree" end of the scale for positive statements, and at the "Disagree" or "Strongly Disagree" end for negative statements.
It sounds like you're a great fit for the job and have the skills to back it up, so don't let these surveys be a roadblock. The next time you take one, try to remember what they're actually trying to uncover and answer accordingly.
I hope this helps you feel more confident about your next application! What kind of questions did you find most difficult on the last survey?