Job Openings

“Awful,” “dreary,” and “miserable” are adjectives that many people use to describe their jobs at one time or another. Dissatisfaction on the job is common and often temporary. But not many people take time to analyze what makes a job miserable, and how to fix it.

Fortunately Patrick Lencioni has done much of that work in his book “The Three Signs of a Miserable Job.”

Job Misery Is Universal

The author notes that a “miserable” job differs from a “bad” job, as one person’s dream job may not appeal to another worker. A miserable job, however, has some universal traits.

“A miserable job makes a person cynical and frustrated and demoralized when they go home at night,” Lencioni says. “It drains them of their energy, their enthusiasm, and self-esteem. Miserable jobs can be found in every industry and at every level.”

Lencioni blames much of the problem on managers, who are a key factor in the job satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) of their employees. A recent Yahoo! HotJobs survey points to a similar conclusion: 43% of workers said discontent with their boss was the main reason they planned to look for a new job in 2008.

The Three Signs

Lencioni identifies the three signs of job misery as anonymity, irrelevance, and “immeasurement.”

Anonymity: Employees feel anonymous when their manager has little interest in them as people with unique lives, aspirations, and interests.

Irrelevance: This condition occurs when workers cannot see how their job makes a difference. “Every employee needs to know that the work they do impacts someone’s life — a customer, a coworker, even a supervisor — in one way or another.”

Immeasurement: This term describes the inability of employees to assess for themselves their contributions or success. As a result they often rely on the opinions of others — usually the manager — to measure their success.

Three Remedies for Job Misery

For workers who may be experiencing the signs of job misery, Lencioni recommends three steps to improve the boss-employee dynamic and enhance job satisfaction.

1. Assess your manager. Is the boss interested in and capable of addressing the three factors mentioned above? “Most managers really do want to improve, in spite of the fact that they may seem disinterested or too busy,” Lencioni says.

2. Help your manager understand what you need. This could mean reviewing with your manager what the key measurements for success are for your job. Lencioni also suggests asking your boss, “Can you help me understand why this work I’m doing makes a difference to someone?”

3. Act more like the manager you want. “Employees who take a greater interest in the lives of their managers are bound to infect them with the same kind of human interest they seek,” the author says. Or find ways to let your manager know how his or her performance makes a positive difference for you.

Be Realistic

Richard Phillips, founder of Career Advantage Solutions, agrees that “managing up” is a good way to improve job satisfaction, but he cautions employees to be realistic in their expectations.

“Managers are not mind readers,” he says. “Take the responsibility to communicate upon yourself, and remember there has to be an ongoing dialogue, or change is unlikely to happen.”

by Tom Musbach

After you’ve landed a new job, the excitement of starting something new may be accompanied by anxiety and guilt over leaving the familiar and perhaps some good friends, too. Even if you’re leaving mostly enemies behind, it’s still a good idea to leave your job in good standing.

Corporate alumni associations are sprouting up all over the Fortune 500, at companies including GE, Procter & Gamble, and Yum! Brands, and it’s in your best interest to be a part of these burgeoning professional networks. In fact, if you handle your transition properly, your former employers may even view your ascension elsewhere as a PR asset.

“Whatever the circumstances are around your departure, keep your mind on the big picture and don’t do anything that could come back to haunt you,” says career coach Deborah Brown-Volkman.

She recommends three steps for wrapping things up at your old job and departing with a pat on the back from your boss.

1. Write down everything you do and how it all gets done.

Forget job descriptions. They rarely tell us precisely what an individual does day-to-day or reveal the “It’s not really my job, but I kind of do it anyway” responsibilities that grace any worker’s plate each week. Also, in an age of zero redundancy at many companies, you cannot rely on even your supervisor to understand what it is you do and how you go about doing it.

Brown-Volkman says, “Often a boss feels like, ‘I don’t know what this person does — I only know she can’t leave!’”

So, do your boss and colleagues right by creating an exhaustive list of everything you handle, along with detailed instructions on how to handle it. Your coworkers will appreciate you for having this thorough document — and for having done so much during your tenure.

2. Remain until you train the new you.

Two weeks’ notice may be the minimum an employer requests, but most companies will appreciate a more lengthy lead-time so that you can help train your replacement. If you do so, your boss will be indebted to you. You’re also sending a message that you want your former coworkers and employer to succeed.

Brown-Volkman, author of “Coach Yourself to a New Career,” adds, “It’s hard to give a lot of notice because your next employer may be waiting anxiously for you to start, and many people want to take a week off between jobs.” However, she urges departing workers, “Spend as much time as you can with your replacement or colleagues who will be temporarily handling your workload. Train them so they’ve got it down cold.”

Also, tap your own network for a potential replacement. You may even be eligible for a finder’s fee if you refer the right person for the job.

3. Wish everyone well when you leave.

Brown-Volkman advises all her clients, “It’s important to complete with your former coworkers on your last day.” Give everyone a heartfelt farewell and say a few words of encouragement and appreciation to all your colleagues. “Even if you don’t like someone, bury the hatchet. It takes a big person to do that, but you never know when you’ll meet this individual again.”

Also, she points out that former coworkers are the best candidates to join your professional network. “You will always have common ground with these folks. They’re easy to stay in touch with. There will always be some bit of news or gossip you can bond over, and that makes it less awkward to pick up the phone and chat.”

“All of this really is for the future, the big picture,” she adds. “You could end up working for some of these people. You may need a favor. You just don’t know, so make sure you leave on the best possible terms.”

by Caroline Levchuck

Sony Philippines, Inc.

“Sony is a company devoted to the celebration of life. We create things for every kind of imagination. Products that stimulate the senses and refresh the spirit.

“Things that are not essential, but hard to live without”

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

• At least 2 yrs SALES work experience in an IT Industry
• Graduate of  BS in Electronics & Communications Engineering
• Age range: 23-32 yrs old
• Knowledgeable in Computer & IP (Internet Protocol)
• Preferably male
• Monthly salary range: P18K P25K 
• Can drive a company car           

Career Level

General