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.
Dec 10, 2014
Since you sound so introspective, I'd suggest getting a Life Coach and working with them to develop your "self" image. Then, use the relational "touch points" in your self-generated profile to look for and decide on the types of companies to persue.
Dec 10, 2014
Hi Liz,
Your question seems to indicate that you have been working in government jobs and not corporate. I have never worked in government, so can't comment, but can only imagine. I have worked in a number of companies across the spectrum and most all of them have been happy places to work.
A couple of things to think about. Laura has a good point. I have found that negative people attract a negative vibe so one must take stock of how you are perceived by others. If that is not the case for you and you have just had bad luck in choosing places to work, then there are a few things you can do.
1. Find a job represented by a recruiter. Many know the people doing the hiring, have placed people there and have a good feel for the environment and corporate culture.
2. LinkedIn is an outstanding tool to reach out to not only current employees of a company but previous employees as well. Make connections with these folks and let them know you are considering employment at XYZ company and was wondering if they could comment on the culture and work environment
3. Glassdoor provides employee feedback on an array of corporate areas...pay, benefits, management, the president or owner, work environment, etc. Check out your prospective organization there.
Hopefully some of these ideas will help you find your next happy job.
Good Luck.
Dec 10, 2014
Happier workplaces are cultivated more often than found. If the place you work seems abnormally depressing due to specific people or situations, be aware of how much time and attention you pay to such things. Ultimately a stable and professional environment stands a fairer chance of of being pleasant than one where everyone is overly personal.
Dec 10, 2014
Liz, get involved in your company's recruiting process, your ability to help attract the right personality and skill set that will match whatever is currently missing is huge to you being with them for the next 20 years or more if you so desire - "Solution Driven" Thanks
Dec 9, 2014
If you are being interviewed then the organisation already believs that you have the skill and experience to do the job. They will not interview anybody that does not have the potential to be an employee. The main focus of the interview, in progressive organisations at least, will be 'team fit'. And this is your opportunity to assess what you can about the culture. I have done this by asking specific probing questions at the interview, for example when asked about a scenarion asl - how have you handled this situation yourselves previously. Their answer will give you a basis for your answer, and tell you about culture.
I found this worked for me.
Dec 9, 2014
Liz, I will tell you in brief my answer for the most 2 important questions!
First you Should Never speak negatively about your current or previous employer in an interview even if the reason that you are missing the environment you feel it's the best to work for! Because most of the recruiters with "Red Flag" your application!
Second : Your should look for an employer who provide an environment where by they attract & retain their employees by prioritize their success factors as follows : First: People, Second : Product, Third: Profit.
Hope that my reply meets your understanding !
Dec 9, 2014
Omgo i I have never bad mouthed an employer to anyone, especially in an interview setting! Good point though.
Dec 9, 2014
I believe all relationships must work equally well for both parties in both human and financial terms...If they do not I suggest you keep trying to align your own goals mission and vision statements, that coincide with the company you are working for or with at the time...
Dec 9, 2014
Yes i agree love your work ,complete the work on time ,good with other it is key to be happy in work place
Dec 9, 2014
Let me answer this with a more concrete and practical approach. It's the end of the semester, and I have just given my "end of semester" lecture to my students entitled "How to lead a happy life". One of the points of my lecture is: "Know you are, and be who you are." And in regards to a workplace setting, I recommend that my students take a Myers Briggs Type Indicator survey.
I like the Myers Briggs, because unlike most other psychological profiles, which focus on pathology, its focus is on the behaviors that we prefer to use to solve problems, interact socially, convey information, etc. etc.
Once you know whether you are generally introverted or extroverted, a concrete or abstract thinker, whether you are ruled by your heart or your head, and whether you like to follow explicit directions or approach something as open ended and freeform, you will be able to address the essential questions of happiness in the workplace: does the work itself, and my supervisors style suit me?
This is not a matter of technical skill in your discipline, it is a matter of the style in which you accomplish tasks. For myself, my personality type values autonomy,but there are many employees who prefer a very precise and invariable set of rules, directions, and processes to guide them in completing their work. Neither of us are right or wrong, we just have strong preferences (and all of us do) in the style in which we are allowed to approach our work.
So once you are armed with knowing who you are, and how you like to do things, you can examine the job description and ask yourself questions like: I know I am an introvert, but this position addresses a great deal deal of customer interaction, and the corporate structure is to work in teams. Am I really going to feel comfortable in this setting?
And if you find yourself in an interview, I don't think it's inappropriate to ask what your supervisor's supervision style is. If you're a person who only requires a budget and a deadline, and then wishes to be left alone to do your work, but your supervisor is a command and control guy who holds four staff meetings a week to make sure he is thoroughly "on top" of everything, including you, will you be happy?
And of course, we all work hopefully for the love of the job, but compensation is an issue. But compensation takes many forms. So you need to evaluate not just are the salary and benefits worth it, but are there other compensating features. If you have a child in elementary school, are they amenable to flex time so you can see the school play? Will they accommodate you if you want to continue your schooling? if you cohabit with a partner, and you book a vacation to parallel their's, will the company honor it without question, or do they consider you "on call", and when you schedule vacation it is only valid if there's no other company demands on you.
I have been using the MBTI as both a guide for my own life, and as an invaluable hiring tool for over 20 years. I can't recommend it highly enough, and I hope that you find this helpful as I do.
Dec 9, 2014
That is a great question. I think that there are several things you can do.
The first thing you can do is to get clear about what is valuable to you, and what you categorize as happiness in the workplace. Does it mean that you have a highly social atmosphere? Or is it based on how engaged you are with your fellow colleagues and managers? What about the acceptance of a work-life balance?
Secondly, if there is a particular workplace that you want to work at, find current or past employees who you can do an informational interview with. Ask them questions about the company culture, what it is like to work there, etc.
Lastly, when you are actually in the interview, ask the interviewer questions about the company culture that are important to you. Then, tell them who you are and what you value. It is just as much about finding that place that is a good fit for you, as it is about them finding a candidate in you.
Hope this helps, and best of luck to you!
I agree. Life coaching can help Liz express her ideal self and guide her into s positive state (if that is needed), and strategies to get there. Great advice, David.