How can I find a happy atmosphere to work in?
How can you tell that a company has the right work/culture environment for you? Should you be able to tell in the job interview? I have never worked in a happy atmosphere and I am wondering what I'm missing when I interview for jobs. Am I interviewing for the wrong companies? Should I look for non government positions? Is the private sector a happier place to work in? Am I asking too much from a company to be a happy place? Should I expect to not have a positive environment when at work? Any feedback on what makes a happy working environment and how to find one would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Mar 28, 2019
Follow these steps:
Hire happy personalities.
Be community-minded at work.
Get out of the work routine occasionally.
Show that you care about your employees.
Encourage some selfish thinking.
Focus on the positive.
Give back to your employees.
May 27, 2016
I believe if you truly love what you do and can find people to work with that also share the same passion for the work, that is when you will find happiness. To get a better idea of this during an interview, try to talk to multiple different people in the company to get a feel for how other employees feel towards the work. Also make sure to get a clear picture of how your day will work. This will you decide if the work will keep you busy enough, interesting, and not tedious. Good luck.
Dec 15, 2014
It is definitely possible to work in a happier work environment. What you should do is define what you consider "happy" work environment and research companies that meet your standard. You can find this information out by networking. It is definitely not a crime to simply ask an employee of a company about its working environment. LinkedIn is a phenomenal place to gather this information but attending local networking events is also very helpful. Ask people about leadership which is the foundation of workplace culture. Also in an interview, a great question to ask is why is the position vacant? Remember you are interviewing the company just as much as the company is interviewing you.
Dec 14, 2014
be clear, capable and self motivated and I am sure you wont face any such issues as described by you. Cheers
Dec 13, 2014
Thanks for all the advice. I think everyone's right about asking good questions at the interview and trying to connect with employees that currently work there to get an idea of the environment. I am definitely happy with my profession so I won't change that but maybe I need to be less expectant of a happy place and try to make it a happy place. Maybe I should try harder at making connections at work instead of being afraid to get too involved with the office politics. Hopefully I can find the right place for me.
Dec 11, 2014
Hi Liz,
It can be tough sometimes, but what I have learnt over the last couple of years is that if you want something you have to create it instead of waiting for others to do it. If you want change than you need to start with you. There is a quote "Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise so I am changing myself". Rumi
Often in life it is not what is happening, but how we are perceiving it. You may be stuck in a bit of a rut where all you see is an unhappy work environment. You may get a job and it may be a fantastic place, but you have programmed yourself to see the bad. Sorry if this sounds a little harsh, but I wanted to give you my honest feedback.
Dec 11, 2014
I think there are some good suggestions here. There are definitely plenty of unhappy places to work. I consulted for 20 years working at a lot of companies during that time and part of the happiness was if I was doing what I like and am good at, but there was definitely a portion that was related to the company. Tony's suggestion is a good one, just be careful how and who you ask the second one. But one thing I learned to ask was what I would likely find myself doing most of the time I was at the company that helped me determine if I was going to enjoy what I was doing. For me, I need to be learning and growing to be content and happy where I'm at. I can ask the questions to find that out during the interview. But asking people how they like working at a company has always helped me a lot also. I've found those truly happy answer quickly, upbeat and don't have to think about it. Those that take a while and start with "it's a job, so there are always..." is covering. Yes its a job, your interviewing, you know its a job, the question is are they happy there and why and how does that apply to you and what drives you. Good Luck!!!
Dec 10, 2014
You have several ways to find out, the 1st one would do some freelancing in different workplaces, if your job allows it, and have a feel of all the different companies and potential collegues you've been working in. The 2nd one, if you can't freelance, you just have to trust your guts feelings...But once in the company, you can create change, for exemple you can ask people sitting around you if they want to go grab a coffee (everyone loves a break, and it's a good opportunity to create bonds), or you can send around some funny videos from time to time to put a smile on their face. You would be surprise to see how things can change when you put the effort in it. Just don't get discouraged if you don't get a positive response straight away, over time people will get used to have a friendly/smiley face greeting them in the morning and will mimic it without realising it.
Dec 10, 2014
I used to try and talk to the people working in the company before I decide even if I want to go to the interview, its hard some times but you can use social media to reach out for the people you might be working with in the future and get some feedback.
Dec 10, 2014
The ratings just came out and the happiest place to work in the nation is Johnson&Johnson. They have a Credo that places priority on doctors, nurses and their patients, that is, customers first, stockholders last. Having worked there, not sure who's so happy about it, just a lot of work that must be done under tight schedules, just like a whole lot of other places. You could do a lot worse; trust me, I have.
Let's face it, work is drudgery someone else doesn't want to do, not a golden road to happiness. Yet you don't have to live for work, rather work to live. And the alternatives can be ghastly. Collecting dole means a continual search and endless rejection. Welfare doesn't pay middle class bills. Can you afford to retire? With no income, you can't even entertain leisure or transport. You take the bus, ride a bike, or walk. You don't eat every day. Shelter comes first, taxes second, and survival third.
I'd find any position and keep my ears and eyes open. A good long run is optimal but seldom possible. Permanence is a myth.
Government jobs offer low pay and rough conditions, maybe repeatedly relocating, for example, military careers. City or state jobs, less pay but no relocating or security. These public sector jobs usually offer decent benefits, but even that is changing. Nonprofit sector provides bad pay, no benefits, and temporary at best, but they may build an otherwise weak resume. Private sector jobs offer higher pay and more opportunities, though benefits can sometimes be sketchy. Self employment offers the highest pays, but only if you're successful; 95% of startups go bust. There is only one other wrinkle to consider, the contingent workforce, but you have to be a very talented individual to land these choice roles and willing to weather months without.