15 Positive Thinking Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a job, it’s important to be positive and upbeat. After all, you want the interviewer to see you as a potential asset to the company. But what if your natural disposition is more on the pessimistic side?

Don’t worry—you can still put your best foot forward during an interview by preparing ahead of time with some positive thinking related questions. In this guide, we’ll give you some sample questions and answers to help you get started.

1. Can you explain what positive thinking is?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a basic understanding of positive thinking and how it can help you succeed in the role. When answering, try to define what positive thinking is while also explaining why it’s important.

Example: “Positive thinking is when you focus on the good things that are happening or will happen. It’s about being optimistic and looking for solutions rather than dwelling on problems. I think positive thinking is an essential skill because it helps me stay motivated and productive throughout my workday. If I’m feeling down, I find that focusing on the positive aspects of my job makes me feel better and more likely to solve any issues I may be having.”

2. What are some of the benefits of practicing positive thinking?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your understanding of the benefits of positive thinking. They want to know that you understand how practicing positive thinking can help you succeed in their workplace. In your answer, try to explain why it’s important to practice positive thinking and what some of its benefits are.

Example: “Positive thinking is beneficial because it helps me stay motivated throughout my day. When I’m feeling positive, I find it easier to get through challenging tasks and feel like I have the energy to complete them. Positive thinking also helps me be more creative and innovative when solving problems. It allows me to look at situations from a new perspective and come up with unique solutions.”

3. Do you think it’s possible to learn how to be more positive? If yes, how?

Employers ask this question to see if you think it’s possible to learn how to be more positive and whether you have any strategies for doing so. If you do, share your thoughts on the matter and explain what steps you would take to help someone else develop their own positive thinking skills.

Example: “Yes, I believe it is possible to learn how to be more positive. In fact, I’ve been working on my own positivity lately by practicing gratitude every day. It’s helped me realize that there are many things in life to be grateful for, even when times get tough. I also try to avoid negative people as much as possible because they can bring others down.”

4. In your opinion, does positive thinking help us live longer or lead a healthier life? Why?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the benefits of positive thinking. It also gives you an opportunity to talk about how you can help others develop their own positive thinking skills.

Example: “Yes, I believe that positive thinking does lead to a longer and healthier life. In my experience as a therapist, I’ve seen many patients who have used positive thinking to overcome illness or injury. For example, one patient was in a car accident and suffered from severe back pain. She worked hard at changing her thoughts to be more positive, which helped her manage her pain better. Eventually, she was able to return to work.”

5. Is it really possible for people to change how they think about things and become more positive?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of confidence in helping others develop positive thinking skills. It’s important to show that you believe people can change their thoughts and behaviors, even if they’ve been negative for a long time.

Example: “Yes, it is absolutely possible for people to change how they think about things. I have seen this happen with my clients many times. For example, one client was very pessimistic and always saw the worst-case scenario when something happened. After working together for several weeks, he started seeing situations more positively and began to feel more confident in his life.”

6. How would you go about helping someone who’s struggling with negative thoughts and emotions?

This question can help interviewers understand how you might approach a situation that requires empathy and problem-solving skills. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific example of when you helped someone with negative thoughts or emotions in the past.

Example: “I would first try to get an idea of what’s causing their feelings. If they’re having trouble at work, I’d ask them about their job responsibilities and if there are any aspects of their role that could be improved. If they’re struggling emotionally, I’d listen carefully to what they have to say without interrupting. Then, I’d offer advice on ways they can overcome these challenges.”

7. When was the last time you had to deal with stress in your personal or professional life? Can you give me some examples of what happened?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your ability to handle stress. They want to know that you can use positive thinking skills to overcome challenges and remain productive in the workplace. When answering this question, try to focus on a time when you used positive thinking to overcome a stressful situation.

Example: “In my previous position as an administrative assistant, I had to deal with a lot of stress. My boss was very demanding, which made it difficult for me to meet his expectations. One day, he called me into his office because he wasn’t happy with some of my work. He told me that if I didn’t improve, he would have to let me go.

I took a few deep breaths and reminded myself that I could do better. I went back to my desk and started working again. After a few hours, I completed all of my tasks and even found time to finish up some other projects. My boss never mentioned anything else about letting me go.”

8. Have you ever experienced burnout at work? What did you do to overcome it?

Burnout is a common problem for people in the workplace. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to overcome burnout and stay positive at work. Use your answer to explain that you have experienced burnout before, but you also share what you did to get back on track.

Example: “I’ve definitely experienced burnout at work before. I think it’s important to take time off when you’re feeling burned out. For me, taking a few days off was enough to refresh my mind and give me new energy. When I returned to work, I felt more motivated than ever.”

9. What are some ways that you can use to stay motivated under pressure?

Employers ask this question to see if you have strategies for staying positive when things get tough. They want to know that you can stay motivated and focused even in challenging situations. In your answer, share a few ways that you keep yourself motivated during stressful times. Explain how these methods help you overcome challenges and achieve success.

Example: “I find that the best way to stay motivated under pressure is by setting realistic goals. I make sure my goals are attainable but also challenging enough to push me to do better. Another strategy I use to stay motivated is practicing mindfulness. When I take time to focus on my breathing and relax, it helps me feel more calm and confident. This confidence helps me perform at my best no matter what situation I’m in.”

10. Can you explain what cognitive restructuring is? How can it help an individual become more positive?

Cognitive restructuring is a technique that helps individuals change their thoughts and behaviors. This question can help the interviewer determine how you apply cognitive restructuring to your work with clients. In your answer, explain what cognitive restructuring is and give an example of how it helped one of your clients.

Example: “Cognitive restructuring is a method I use when working with my clients to help them change negative thought patterns into positive ones. For instance, if a client has low self-esteem, we would first identify why they feel this way. Then, we would create new ways for them to think about themselves and their situation. By changing these thoughts, they can become more confident in themselves and their abilities.”

11. What types of experiences have you had wherein positivity helped you achieve your goals?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your positivity and how it has helped you succeed in the past. They want to know that you can be positive even when faced with challenges, so they may also ask you what types of experiences have been negative. In either case, you should highlight a time where positivity helped you achieve something or overcome a challenge.

Example: “In my last job as an administrative assistant, I had a manager who was very critical of our work. This made me nervous every day because I didn’t want to make any mistakes. However, I knew that if I focused on doing my best, I would do well. Eventually, I started to ignore her criticisms and focus on my own work. As a result, I became much more productive and confident.”

12. What are some tips and tricks that you can share with other professionals on how to maintain a positive attitude under stressful conditions?

Employers want to know that you can maintain a positive attitude even when faced with challenging situations. They may ask this question to see if you have any strategies for staying upbeat and motivated in the workplace, especially during busy times or when working on projects that require long hours. In your answer, share two or three tips that you use to stay positive under stressful conditions.

Example: “I find it helpful to take regular breaks throughout the day to give myself time to relax and recharge. I also make sure to get enough sleep each night so that I’m well-rested and ready to tackle my workday. Another thing I do is practice gratitude every day. I try to think of at least one thing that I am grateful for before I start my workday.”

13. Is there anything else that you feel I should know about you before we conclude this interview?

This is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a well-rounded person with many skills and interests. You can use this question to talk about any personal or professional goals, hobbies or volunteer work.

Example: “I have been working on my public speaking skills by taking classes at the local community college. I am hoping to get more experience in front of an audience so that I can become a motivational speaker one day. In addition to that, I would like to start a book club for children who are learning how to read. I think it would be fun for them to learn while reading books that they enjoy.”

14. Based on our discussion today, do you think you’re a good fit for this position?

Employers ask this question to see if you’re confident in your abilities and whether or not you think you can do the job. When answering, make sure to highlight all of your skills that are relevant to the position and show how they will help you succeed.

Example: “I believe I’m a great fit for this position because my positive attitude is contagious. I know that I would be able to motivate others and create an environment where people want to work hard. My communication skills are also excellent, which means I could easily collaborate with other team members and communicate effectively with clients. I feel like I have everything it takes to excel in this role.”

15. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. We’ll get back to you soon regarding next steps in the hiring process!

This is a common closing statement that interviewers use to wrap up the conversation. They may also include information about when you can expect to hear back from them, such as “We’ll be in touch within two weeks.”

Example: “Thank you so much for your time today! I look forward to hearing back from you soon regarding next steps in the hiring process.”