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career management

Boost your job
satisfaction now

By Stacie Garlieb and Lee Jonsson

Finding meaningful work doesn’t require that you become a philanthropist or even work for a charitable organization. You can achieve greater purpose and increased job satisfaction simply by incorporating one or more of the following ideas into your current position:


Mentor a co-worker.
If your company has a formal mentoring program, be sure to sign up. Not only will the mentee learn from you, but you will also learn valuable lessons from the experience.
Share your expertise.
Look for opportunities to provide technical assistance, professional development, or general support to a fellow employee. Whether you are sharing your knowledge with generalists or specialists, you add value to those individuals and your company as well. Career expert Stacie Garlieb says that “teaching a class or training new members of the team shows your appreciation for leadership opportunities. It also allows you to provide valuable insight to someone about the culture and dynamics of the organization.”
Expand your job description.
Learn new things that broaden your skill set or deepen your knowledge base. Garlieb suggests that you “look for external workshops or seminars that provide information or training that builds upon current skills you have or skills you are developing.”
Take initiative.
Consider showing a new employee around the workplace and introducing him or her to
other employees. Have lunch with a colleague in another department to better understand
the work they do. Building relationships in other areas can strengthen individual ties and
improve work group dynamics.
Fill a need.
Helping a colleague who is on vacation or taking on job functions left by a vacancy shows your boss that you are ready for more responsibility and possibly a promotion.		  
Work on a team innovating a product or process outside the scope of your daily responsibilities.
Garlieb suggests that you “ask your manager and colleagues what committees they are currently working on and how you can get involved. If you have an interest in a certain area that is outside the scope of your job, this is a great way to network and meet people in other departments.”
Volunteer to head up your department’s community service project.
While many companies have established community service projects, you may be able to suggest the charitable organization your company should support. Garlieb explains, “By letting your management team know about your volunteer work, you may be able to collaborate with your co-workers, carry out a larger service project and have a greater impact on that organization than you would on your own.”
Look for company-sponsored opportunities to volunteer in the community.
Not only will you be helping others, but you will also see first-hand the ways your company is supporting its community. Feeling positive about the work a company is doing outside the office can make one feel more positive about the work he or she is doing inside the office. Stacie Garlieb adds that for small work groups, “an off-site activity can motivate everybody and allow for relationships to grow outside the workplace.”
Take care of yourself.
Although it should go without saying, getting enough rest, taking advantage of opportunities
to exercise at work (remember the stairs), eating healthy foods and drinking more water will
help you feel better about yourself and will help you work better too.
Stacie Garlieb is the president of Successful Impressions, LLC, which provides nationwide career search and educational resources.

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