Job Crafting

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Career Counseling July 28, 2022

Job Crafting

Job Crafting

Do you wish your work was more enjoyable and meaningful? Job crafting could help you transform your experience without having to change careers or even search for a new position.
Whether you’re a senior manager or an entry level clerk, job crafting is a technique you can use to boost your satisfaction and engagement.
 
Countless polls have shown that the majority of US workers aren’t emotionally or cognitively connected to their work. This unengaged population usually shows up from 9 to 5 and does the minimum required. This takes a toll on the bottom line, as well as employee health and happiness.
 
While many companies try to address this situation from the top down, job crafting is a proactive process that you can do for yourself.
 
It all begins with reshaping your overall environment (including people and things), ultimately leading you to transform your job into a calling.
 
The key here is to break your job down into blocks that you can rearrange to suit your passions and strengths; step-by-step. Forget about feeling stuck from 9 to 5. Study these tips for redesigning your work day and creating a more fulfilling career.

Job Crafting Steps to Take Yourself

• Monitor your energy levels. Figures out which activities stimulate you, and which leave you feeling drained. Create a list of tips to stay motivated for yourself. You’ll start to see where you want to devote your time and efforts. 
• Restructure your tasks. Now you can start to look at reengineering your position. Think about the responsibilities you want to build on and the ones you’d like to shift away from. In the process, you may also consider habits that make you a more valuable employee at the same time.
•  Revamp your relationships. Remember what Dale Carnegie taught us on How to Win Friends and Influence People. Personal interactions play a major role in your work life. Would your productivity increase if you worked more closely with the social media team or human resources department? Do you find it gratifying to mentor interns or trade ideas with your counterparts at other organizations? 
• Keep learning. It’s easier to be flexible when you continue updating your knowledge and skills. Seize opportunities to increase your knowledge and skills. Sign up for a course on business math or read the latest bestseller about your industry.
•  Focus on service. You’ll probably discover your deepest sense of purpose by thinking about how your choices affect those around you. Maybe you want to exceed a customer’s expectations or advance your profession. 

Job Crafting Steps to Take With Your Coworkers

• Enlist your supervisor. You obviously want to have your boss on board. Emphasize how job crafting can help you do your job more effectively. Use specific examples that relate to their priorities. Find easy ways to impress your boss.
• Encourage teamwork. Studies show that job crafting is more successful when the entire organization participates. Volunteer to organize group discussions and evaluations.
•  Create allies. What is rapport meaning to you? Start by building rapports with people. Team up with coworkers who share your enthusiasm for adding a personal touch to the usual job descriptions. You can give each other valuable suggestions and feedback. 
• Swap tasks. One advantage of collaborating is that you may find an office mate who actually likes the tasks you want to avoid. You both come out ahead when you can hand off screening resumes or making cold calls without creating gaps in coverage.
•  Spark innovation. These days, businesses that thrive are the ones that can keep up with changing demands. Job crafting could increase your job security by making your company more adaptable as employees think creatively about how to use resources. 
• Earn trust. Your boss and coworkers are more likely to support your interest in job crafting if you assure them that it’s in their interest too. Cover your basic responsibilities while you expand your scope.

Job Crafting Your Tasks

Organizational behaviorists started talking about job crafting about 20 years ago. Reviewing your job description and daily activities is usually the first step.
 
Use these strategies:
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• Identify your strengths. Think about what you love to do and what you do well. Maybe you excel at analyzing data or closing sales. Success often depends on being able to use your natural talents.  
• Reallocate your time. Are there tasks you want to focus on and others that you wish would go away? Maybe you can delegate some jobs or create systems that will help you to complete them more efficiently.
•  Play games. It’s okay to have fun with your work. Find ways to compete with yourself or suggest a friendly contest with the rest of your team.  
• Respect your limits. Avoid taking on more responsibilities than you can handle. Start with your top priorities and expand your duties gradually.
•  Consider others. Hopefully, you and your boss will agree on the new direction you want to take. However, your preferences may conflict with business needs and your coworker’s routines. Be willing to compromise and work towards mutually beneficial solutions.

Job Crafting Your Relationships

Who do you interact with at work? Maybe you can reach out to new contacts and strengthen your current connections. Positive relationships make your workday more pleasant.

 Try these techniques:
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• Visit other departments. Collaborate with colleagues in other parts of your company. Invite them to meetings and propose joint projects. 
• Socialize. Use office events and communications to get to know others on a more personal level. Make time for small talk. Let others know that you care about their interests and opinions.
• Network online. Don't forget about the plethora of online networking opportunities. Review my 5 Strategis for Effective Online Networking and get started.
• Listen closely. Working on your listening skills can transform your workplace relationships. Concentrate on what others are saying instead of rehearsing your response. Ask relevant questions and show your enthusiasm.
• Share feedback. Help create an office culture rich in open and constructive communications. Provide tactful and specific feedback. Welcome input from others and thank them by using their suggestions to make positive changes.

Job Crafting Your Attitude

Like any positive change, job crafting begins in your mind. While tasks and relationships may sometimes be beyond your control, you can take charge of your own thoughts.
 
Practice these activities: 
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• Focus on your purpose. Understanding the reasons behind what you do will make your work more rewarding. Figure out why it’s significant and connect with a mission bigger than yourself.
• Change your attitude. The most important adjustment you can make may be within your own mind. Always remember, your negative attitude impacts your career.  A positive outlook can help you remain content while dealing with tight deadlines or long commutes.
• Seek balance. Remember that there’s more to you than your professional identity. Stay true to your personal goals if you value family time and other personal commitments more than making an additional investment in your job. Define what success means for you rather than comparing yourself to others. Pay attention to your personal responsibilities, as well as your career.

SOURCE: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/job-crafting

About the Author

Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes.
 
Feel free to connect with Mandy Fard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyfard/
 
Please follow Market-Connections Resume Services on LinkedIn:
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