Supporting Interview Readiness by Building a Positive Mindset

Abstract

To address client-reported anxiety and self-doubt during interviews, a training was developed for the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) Career Services at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). The purpose of this article is to describe a literature review of five peer-reviewed sources (2011-2024), including a meta-analysis, which supports the effectiveness of building a positive mindset by using affirmations and power poses. This review also validated the relevance of a 2024 interview coaching video that emphasized the role of positivity in interview performance. The training objectives were: 1) explain why a positive mindset is beneficial during the interview process, 2) identify how affirmations build a positive mindset, and 3) assess how power posing builds positive mindsets. Pop culture examples were included to enhance engagement. Final training was presented to DRES Career Services staff and clients, and a video version was available on the DRES Career Services website. Further research and review of training evaluations could improve the identification of best practices for preparing clients for interviews.