Attitude Adjustment?

Bob Weinstein is a journalist who covers technology, project management, the workplace and career development.

  Career Development  

You've heard the saying "Attitude is everything!" It's a mantra that's become increasingly important in this demanding, competitive job market. To employers it's loosely defined as an exemplary work record, superior people skills and a positive attitude.

But it's doubtful that all job candidates meet these rigid criteria. For example, when you meet new people, you seem guarded and untrusting. Rather than being open and positive, you're braced for the worst. Some corporate recruiters will overlook these reactions, but the majority consider them bad-attitude signs--and thus a strike against you.

The question that many recruiters fail to ask themselves is, "Will a negative attitude actually impact a candidate's work? Or, is it just a harmless personality deficit (maybe the person is shy, self-conscious or nervous) that will have no bearing on work performance?"

A bad attitude can affect anyone working in an organization, but it can do serious damage the more power you wield, the bigger the budgets you manage and the more senior executives you have to report to. Project managers with visions of a big office, Mahogany furniture and a private bathroom ought to consider doing an attitude tune-up when beating the bushes for a new job. You have everything to gain, and a lot to loose by not doing it. Read on and find out why.

R. Wendell Williams, president of Atlanta-…

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