Finding Your Fit: Work Environments that Work for you. Jon Schlesinger University Career Services
Objectives • Why fit matters • Explore characteristics of work environments • Begin to discover your work values • Develop questions to ask employers
Work Environment
Work Environment
Who’s the Boss?
Why talk about environment?
Job Satisfaction Most people are satisfied in their jobs when:
1. They have the skills and abilities to do the job well. 2. The job satisfies their needs/values.
Work Values/Needs • What are work values/needs? • Why worry about work values? • Do I have any work values or needs?
Work Values/Needs Needs = Specific aspects of work required to be satisfied Values = General standards developed out of specific needs
Why worry about work values? Work values can predict: 1. Job Choices 2. Job Satisfaction 3. Tenure 4. Commitment & Cohesion 5. Intention to quit In other words, work values are related to‌
Happy People
Work Values • Achievement – Skills
• Independence – Autonomy
• Recognition – Prestige
• Relationships – Altruism & People
• Comfort – Surroundings
Work Values Independence – Creativity, Responsibility, Autonomy Recognition – Advancement, Authority, Status Comfort – Activity, Variety, Physical Working Conditions
Independence Creativity Trying out your own ideas Responsibility Ability to make your own decisions Autonomy Stimulates initiative
Recognition Advancement Potential for growth Authority Supervisor position Status I could “Be Somebody� in the role
Comfort Activity Would be busy all day Variety Working on many different tasks Physical Working Conditions Cubicle or office
Activity Imagine an ideal job • Place an ‘X’ under the appropriate heading • If you are unsure about a statement – circle it • At least one value under each heading
Work Values Independence – Creativity, Responsibility, Autonomy Recognition – Advancement, Authority, Status Comfort – Activity, Variety, Physical Working Conditions
Employers Websites News reports, bogs Networking Informational Interviewing Asking questions Observing
http://online.onetcenter.org/
http://online.onetcenter.org/
http://online.onetcenter.org/
Where You Fit
Last words about fit You have the ability to shape your environment as much as it shapes you
Birds of a feather flock together‌ and tend to stick together
Last words about fit • Over time work environments tend to reflect the attitudes of the boss • Due to hiring and firings, a more homogenous environment develops • As much as you can gauge your fit within your work environment the better for you.
Questions?
Upcoming UCS Events • Phone Interviews: You make the call – WEBINAR February 11 • Thank You Notes – WEBINAR February 17 • Interview Skills that Seal the Deal – February 18 & 24, March 4
University Career Services Main Office 620 Lincoln Street 847-491-3700 CareerLab Core Reserve Main Library, 2nd Floor North Web www.northwestern.edu/careers Facebook www.facebook.com/northwesternuncs Twitter http://twitter.com/northwesternucs LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1926036