Earlier today, we looked at why it's important to be positive in job interviews. It was also mentioned in that earlier post that to be positive, you need to turn negatives into positives.

Here are a few situations that may cause negativity and examples of how you can turn them around:

Situation: You thought you were in line for a promotion. You put in extra hours and volunteered to do extra projects and lead initiatives. Despite that, your boss canned you and had someone watch you box your belongings and walk you out of the office in front of everyone.
Turn a negative into a positive: Focus on your accomplishments. Realize and be proud of how much money you made and/or saved for the company, and how you provided customer service.
Positive phrasing: "I loved working there. Thanks to my enthusiasm and talent, I was able to make $$$ for the company that it would not have earned otherwise."

Situation: You've been out of work for a long time. Bills have mounted and savings have depleted. You've almost exhausted your Unemployment Insurance and you're willing to do anything - anything to make some money.
Turn a negative into a positive: Concentrate on what you've learned about yourself during this gap in employment. Also consider how you've kept your skills sharp - and even improved them.
Positive phrasing: "I've been looking for the right job - one that fits me and one that I fit. I've also taken a class in (fill in the blank) that adds real value to what I can bring to your company."

Situation: You've had job offers that were far below what you've earned, what you think you're worth, and even below what you need to survive. As a result, you feel bitter.
Turn a negative into a positive: You may have been on the job for long enough to earn well above what the market will pay now. Understand that pay is often cyclical. It's not you and it's not necessarily the hiring managers' faults, either.
Positive phrasing: "I guess I've been a little picky. Many of the companies I've talked to seemed like good fits, but for one reason or another, they fell through. I know I'm good at what I do and I'm eager to put my skills to use again when the right situation presents itself."