Updated January 2025
Let’s look at why attitude matters to employers and how you can show a positive attitude in an interview.
When employers are interviewing prospective candidates for an open role, they are not just looking for the hard skills (such as computer skills, language skills, or specialist knowledge) needed to do the job. They are also looking for “soft skills”. This category encompasses things like teamwork, interpersonal skills, and attitude.
What is a Positive Attitude and Why Does It Matter?
Positive attitude is a self-belief skill. This means that it relates to how you feel about yourself and your abilities in the workplace. Your attitude is the way you think and feel about things, and how you act on those thoughts and feelings.
A person with a positive attitude generally believes in their own abilities, looks on the bright side of situations, and approaches work with a “can do” belief system. Everyone has bad days, of course, but having a positive attitude can help you to do well at work and feel good about what you’re doing most of the time.
Employers like employees with a positive attitude because they tend to be reliable, good problem solvers, strong self-managers, and pleasant to work with for managers and coworkers alike.
Here’s how to show a positive attitude in an interview.
Focus on What You CAN Do
A job description is a wishlist. It’s very likely that you won’t have every single skill or attribute your prospective employer mentions in theirs (though you should only apply if you have the skills listed as “essential”.) This is normal; almost no candidates fulfil 100% of a role’s requirements, and employers take this into account when choosing the best fit for the job.
The key is to focus on what you can do and what you bring to the table. Never say “I can’t do that” or apologise for not knowing something. Instead, talk about all the ways you are ideal for the role. In other words, don’t talk the interviewer out of hiring you!
If you are asked about a skill or type of experience you don’t currently have, try to turn a negative into a positive. Think laterally. Have you done anything similar (even in an education or voluntary context?) Are you a quick learner in that area, and can you demonstrate that? Do you have other, related skills that will be transferable?
Show Enthusiasm
Why do you want the job you are interviewing for? Almost all employers are looking for people who will be happy to come to work for them. Passion and enthusiasm can go a long way, especially early in your career when you may not be the most experienced candidate. Don’t be afraid to let yours shine through.
Talk About Overcoming Obstacles
Many interview questions take the format of “tell me about a time when…”. Use these anecdotal questions to talk about obstacles you have overcome in your working life.
Remember to follow the STARRS method:
- Situation: explain what happened and who was involved
- Task: what needed to be done and what did your role involve?
- Action: how did you address the situation or respond to the task?
- Result: what was the outcome?
- Reflection: what went well and what didn’t?
- Strengthen: what have you learned and what would you do differently next time?
Effectively solving problems and overcoming challenges is a critical part of displaying a positive attitude. Show your potential employer that you can approach problems methodically and come up with creative, effective solutions.
Focus on Learnings
Every setback is an opportunity for learning and growth. One of the things that differentiates people with a positive attitude to others is that they see problems as lessons and try to learn something from every situation.
When you talk about situations you have faced or tasks you have carried out at work, focus on what you have learned from them and how those lessons will help you as you move forward in your life and career.
Take Responsibility
People who have a positive attitude do not skirt responsibility or pass the blame for problems to others. You may be asked about mistakes you have made at work or have to talk about a situation in which you made the wrong decision.
Taking responsibility isn’t about taking the blame for others’ mistakes or beating yourself up. Instead, it is about recognising your own strengths and weaknesses, owning your decisions, and learning from your mistakes.
Speak Positively of Others
Even if you hated your last boss or had an officemate you couldn’t stand, you should only ever say positive things about other people in an interview situation.
Don’t lie, but don’t tell the unvarnished truth, either. Even the worst jobs, bosses, and coworkers likely have positive aspects you can focus on. And if someone has been particularly helpful to you or had a close working relationship with you, such as a great manager or a mentor who took you under their wing, mention them if it is relevant.
People with a positive attitude who speak well of others tend to be great team players, which is an attribute most employers prize highly.
Finally: Body Language Matters
An interviewer can learn a lot about you from your body language and the way you carry yourself. When you walk into the interview, shake hands firmly and make eye contact with each person when you are introduced. Sit up tall, smile, and try not to fidget (for example, playing with your hair or adjusting your clothes).
Your positive attitude will shine through and be infectious before you’ve even answered the first question!
