If you’ve ever been on a team with a toxic co-worker, you know that positivity is critical to a team’s success. Most importantly, understanding and leveraging our unique talent DNA can make finding work worth doing so much easier! In this series, we examine each of the Clifton StrengthsFinder talent themes and identify ways each can be used to build a great career. From resumes to interviewing, negotiation, and search strategy using your innate talents will transform your process.
Want to discover your innate talents and find work worth doing? Contact us today!
Positivity
People exceptionally talented in the Positivity theme have contagious enthusiasm. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.
Demonstrate positivity in your resume
Positivity can be a challenging talent to articulate in a resume. Unfortunately, many fear they won’t be taken seriously or may appear unprofessional by demonstrating a contagious positivity. Trust me, positivity is my top talent so I completely understand. However, positivity is a much-needed talent and one that can drive teams to success. This makes it so important to share! First, start by using keywords to demonstrate your positivity. Try these keywords when describing your accomplishments:
- Champion
- Enthusiastic
- Encouraging
- Grow
- Innovative
- Masterful
- Novel
- Productivity
- Skilled
- Transformative
Infusing positivity into your interviews
Sharing how your positivity impacts your success and the success of your team is key to your interview strategy. Be sure to share how you’ve encouraged your team members even in the most difficult of times. Share examples of how you’ve celebrated the team’s success and how you’ve found ways to create and maintain a positive culture that encourages success.
Be sure to avoid sharing stories that make you appear naive or unwilling to tackle hard things. Instead, share how your positivity allows you to take on the most challenging projects in a way that others can’t or won’t.
Win negotiations with positivity
People do business with people they like and positive people are instantly likable so use this to your advantage. Once you know your absolute ‘yes’ and absolute ‘no’ numbers, approach the negotiation with the expectation (not arrogance) that your counteroffer will receive a yes. Even if the answer is ‘no’, by taking a positive approach you’ll likely negotiate a middle ground you can live with. If not, lean into your positivity and see the interview process as an opportunity to learn more and expand your network.
Making positivity the cornerstone of your career strategy
Building and maintaining a strategy throughout your career is key to success. This is especially true during times of job searching or pursuing promotions. These can be trying times that make even the most talented and confident person doubt their abilities. Use your positivity to find the good in every situation and seek opportunities to improve. People with positivity can easily find meaning in their work which makes it easier to engage.
While putting the needs of your team before your own may come as second nature, be careful not to miss opportunities to build your own skills and career.
This is part of the Merrfeld Strengthsplanation series outline each of the Clifton StrengthsFinder talents and how you can use them to build the career of your dreams. Want to discover your innate talents and find work worth doing? Contact us today!
