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Career Development Program · Week 1

Growth Mindset

Before we talk about resumes or interviews, we start with the thing that guides every step: your mindset.

Job searching and starting a new career path can feel overwhelming. That's why this program focuses on more than skills. It also builds the belief that you can grow, improve and succeed. That belief is called a growth mindset.

You weren't born with confidence. You build it, the same way you build a resume. Every time you try something new, keep going after a setback, or ask a question, you're growing.

This week you’ll learn

What a growth mindset is, and how it differs from a fixed mindset
How to catch fixed-mindset thoughts and rewrite them
How to use a growth mindset when you get feedback, rejection, or make a mistake

This week’s lessons

Read each short lesson, then answer the questions in the worksheet below.

Lesson 1

What is a growth mindset?

A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities can improve with effort, practice and feedback. A fixed mindset is the belief that you either have it or you don't.

Fixed mindset says…	Growth mindset says…
"I'm just not good at this."	"I'm not good at this yet."
"Feedback means I did it wrong."	"Feedback shows me how to get better."
"If I fail, I'll look bad."	"If I fail, I'll learn what to try next."
"They're better than me."	"What can I learn from how they did it?"
"I'll never get hired."	"Each application gets me closer."

Lesson 2

Why it matters in a job search

Most people apply to many jobs before they get an offer. You'll hear "no" or nothing at all, and you'll get feedback that asks you to change your resume. People with a growth mindset treat each of these as information, not as a verdict on who they are. That keeps them applying, and that's usually what gets people hired.

Lesson 3

Three questions to ask yourself this week

Am I willing to try, even if I'm not perfect yet?
Am I being kind to myself when things feel hard?
Am I noticing the moments when I make progress?

Lesson 4

How to rewrite a fixed-mindset thought

Notice it. Catch words like never, always, can't, just bad at.
Add "yet" or a next step. "I can't do interviews" becomes "I haven't practiced interviews yet."
Name one action. "I'll practice two questions out loud with a friend this week."

Worksheet: Growth mindset

These questions match the Week 1 worksheet in the workbook. You can type your answers into the PDF, write them by hand, or submit this form. Your coach sees what you submit online.

Download the workbook (PDF)

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Section 1 — Your name

Staff match this form to your CDP record. Use the name we have on file.

Please enter a valid email address.

What is your full name?

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Part 1. What is a growth mindset?

A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities can improve with effort, practice and feedback. A fixed mindset is the belief that you either have it or you don't.

Review the lessons

In your own words, what does a growth mindset mean?

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Check every statement that reflects a growth mindset.

I can always learn something newIf I'm not good at something right away, I'll never beFeedback helps me improveI avoid trying things I might fail atI can get better through practiceMistakes mean I'm not good enoughI haven't figured it out yet

Please check at least one.

Part 2. Growth mindset in action

You weren't born with confidence. You build it, the same way you build a resume. Every time you try something new, keep going after a setback, or ask a question, you're growing.

Review the lessons

Think about a time you faced a challenge at work, school, or in life. What happened?

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How did you respond? Would you respond differently now with a growth mindset?

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What is something you learned that was difficult at first, but became easier with time?

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Part 3. Rewrite fixed-mindset thoughts

Rewrite each thought with a growth mindset.

How to rewrite a fixed-mindset thought

1. Notice it. Catch words like never, always, can't, just bad at.

2. Add "yet" or a next step. "I can't do interviews" becomes "I haven't practiced interviews yet."

3. Name one action. "I'll practice two questions out loud with a friend this week."

Review the lessons

"I’m just bad at interviews."

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"This is too hard. I will never get this."

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"I always mess up."

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Part 4. Real situations

Review the lessons

You get feedback on your resume and need to make a lot of changes. How do you respond with a growth mindset?

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You interviewed and did not get the job. How do you respond with a growth mindset?

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You made a mistake at work. How do you respond with a growth mindset?

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Part 5. Apply it to your career

Three questions to ask yourself this week

Am I willing to try, even if I'm not perfect yet?

Am I being kind to myself when things feel hard?

Am I noticing the moments when I make progress?

Review the lessons

List one area of your career or job search where you feel stuck or unsure.

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Write one thing you could try this week to move forward.

Example: "Ask a friend to review my resume" or "Practice a new kitchen skill."

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Write one phrase or reminder to take with you this week.

Example: "I don’t have to be perfect. I just have to keep trying."

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Thank you!

Thank you. Your Week 1 Growth Mindset work is in. Come back to the CDP page next week for SMART Goals.