The Work Buzz's Latest News: Are your emotions thriving or thrashing in your job?

---

Are your emotions thriving or thrashing in your job? Posted: 22 Jun 2012 12:01 PM PDT Considering the rocky state of the economy right now, you may count yourself lucky just to have a job without giving a second thought to how happy you are there. However, don't be so quick to dismiss your personal feelings about your job —companies know that happier employees are more innovative and loyal. If you're having your emotional needs met within your position, you're a much bigger asset to the company than you may have originally thought. Mark Ingwer, business psychologist and author of "Empathetic Marketing," shares his insight about satisfying emotional needs in business. Ingwer identifies five core emotional needs that every company and employee should know about in order to be more successful and motivated. Check your professional pulse with these five emotional needs, and find out if you're thriving in your work environment or if you belong on life support. Belonging A sense of belonging is indispensable if your company encourages innovation and creativity. Being comfortable around your co-workers and boss establishes an open environment that will be more receptive when pitching new ideas. "Businesses that cater to and help us meet the need to belong will uncover previously unexplored opportunities," Ingwer says. Is your work family a little standoffish? Talk to your boss about team ideas that can bring the group together. An office book chat or a community volunteering day can open up your co-workers and get people talking. Control Are you being handed more responsibilities and projects to head as time goes on at your job? Being given more control is a clear sign of how your company measures your worth and is an easy way for you to gauge your place there. Asking for more responsibility or taking the lead on a project shows how confident you are at your workplace too. Ingwer notes, "We only spend energy on controlling outcomes proportional to our belief that we can succeed." If you've been avoiding your to-do list or have shied away from speaking up, now's the time to start taking more control of your career and of your place at your company. Growth How challenged do you feel at your job? Being able to grow within a position or company is a major factor in the evolution of your career. "It's important to note that we grow most fully when our enlightenment leads to competency, which is extraordinary knowledge in a given area or subject. In one's career, those who learn more about their niche will get ahead of those who do not," Ingwer says. Look for opportunities to expand your knowledge about your industry, and continue to challenge yourself. When you reach a point where every day feels like a repeat, see if there's an upcoming chance to move up. Make an appointment to speak with your manager about taking on more responsibilities, and ask if your position can grow to include more leadership possibilities or if there's a higher opening within the company for which you can be considered. If the conversation is a dead end, it may be time to consider looking for a more challenging position elsewhere. Recognition Are you getting the credit you deserve in your job? Do your co-workers and boss know that you were the one who submitted that great idea? Ingwer notes, "Recognition is paramount anytime the need to motivate groups, and individuals within groups, is central to accomplishing organizational goals … We need look no further than the workplace." If others are looking to you as a leader and professional role model, your reputation is working in your favor for advancing your career. Still going unnoticed for your hard work? Start getting more involved both in public and private ways at work. Speak up more at group meetings, email others your ideas and ask for input, and stay on track with your projects to start getting noticed. Self-expression If you're fortunate enough to work in a field you care about, you're already experiencing positive self-expression. "And for many people, the most satisfying vehicle for expression is often the work of one's career," Ingwer explains. But if you're in a job you couldn't care less about, your need for self-expression may leave you wanting more. Look for ways to get your interests involved at work. Love messing around with computers? Ask for technology training. Passionate about sports and fitness? Start a company kickball team or organize a company entry in the next marathon. Your self-expression and initiative will make you a stronger figure in the company and get you noticed for the right reasons.

You are subscribed to email updates from The Work Buzz To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

ResumeBear Blog

---

ResumeBear: Have These Answers Ready for Your Job Interview Posted: 22 Jun 2012 07:42 AM PDT With the competition keener than ever and the economy in a slump, you need to prepare for your job interview thoroughly. It's no longer enough to offer a firm handshake to your interviewer, make eye contact, and nod pleasantly now and then. You need to prepare a dynamic application letter and resume. You need to research the company. And you need to present a confident image and develop the ability to answer tough questions on the spot. Although no one can predict the questions your potential employer will ask, you can think about how you'd answer some of the commonly asked ones. Here are ten questions for you to consider and a few hints about how to answer them: Tell me about yourself. Chances are the employer doesn't want to know how much you weighed when you were born, when you learned to tie your shoes, or how much you had to drink last night. He or she wants to know how you would fit into the company and what your relevant job experience is. You might answer by asking the interviewer what he'd like to know. Or you might talk about your education, the fact that you're a team player, or whatever you think might be important to this particular company. Why should we hire you? Even though five people may be waiting outside, you need to sound confident, calm, and capable. Explain how your experience has prepared you for the job. Emphasize the qualities you think the employer is looking for, such as your outstanding work ethic or the fact that you're a fast learner. What is your worst characteristic? Some human resource specialists suggest that you make a virtue sound like a flaw. "I tend to be a perfectionist," or, "Everyone says I work too hard." But others say these answers have become clichés. Mention a minor flaw, such as, "I think I'm too outspoken at times, but I'm working on it." Where do you want to be five years from now? Let the interviewer know you're looking for job stability and that you aren't planning to use this job as a temporary stopping point in your quest for a better position. You could say, "I'd like to be employed in a small company like this one, where I can learn, contribute, and advance." Why did you leave your last job? Never put your former employer or your co-workers in a negative light. Don't blame them for your departure. Give a positive reason, such as you left to take advantage of another opportunity that was better suited to your skills. Tell me about a problem you had in your life and how you solved it. Be prepared with a short answer that shows you're resourceful. "I really wanted to go to a private university, but my parents didn't have the money. I went to a community college for two years, worked part time and saved my money so I could attend the last two years at the college of my choice." Have you had difficulties getting along with supervisors or co-workers? You'd have to be a saint to have had no problems with the people you worked with. You might answer, "Nothing major. I try to get along with everyone." How do you deal with stress on the job? The employer wants to know if you're going to run out the door when things get stressful. Ask yourself if you thrive on working with deadlines or if you need creative time to function more effectively. Think about how you handle stress and be honest. "I focus on the work I'm doing," or, "I make time to work out at the gym." What salary do you want for this job? Rather than stating a definite figure, tell the interviewer you'd expect to get somewhere in the standard range paid for this position. Do you have questions for me? Always have a few questions. They show that you researched the company. Ask about a current issue the company is working on or how their recent layoff in another department affected company morale. Remember– the job interview is a two-way discovery process. By doing your homework and answering interview questions intelligently, you're striving to prove you're the person for the job On the other hand, you need to decide–sometimes in the midst of the questions—if the position you're applying for is what you want to do and if the company is where you want to spend most of your time for the next few (at least) years. The post ResumeBear: Have These Answers Ready for Your Job Interview appeared first on Resumebear Online Resume.

You are subscribed to email updates from Resumebear Online Resume To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610