| Your employment opportunity and your job | | | | employment opportunity. They can counter any of |
| candidacy will fail if you're perceived as a "job | | | | these "mercenary" tendencies and dispel any hidden |
| mercenary." Often the "mercenary" attitude is so | | | | concerns an employer could be harboring: |
| subtle that we're not even aware we're giving off | | | | * Loyalty. This does not mean that you have to |
| bad vibes. | | | | agree with everything an employer or organizational |
| So, what exactly is a "job mercenary?' Here are five | | | | policy represents. Loyalty means you share a |
| hints. Could this be you? | | | | common ideal with the employer. You communicate |
| 1. Believing the employer's cause is good only as long | | | | that regardless of minor differences, you're prepared |
| as the money is good. | | | | to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with confidence in the |
| 2. Harboring a resentment that you're dependent | | | | company's good faith. |
| upon an employer. | | | | * Values. Understanding what your personal |
| 3. Lacking an inner job motivation. | | | | underlying business values are. And then showing how |
| 4. Holding back or being ambivalent about loyalty to | | | | they are in harmony with those of the company. |
| the organization. | | | | * Compatibility. Individuals can create a team. But |
| 5. More concerned about "what I get out of it" that | | | | compatible individuals produce the best team. If |
| "what I bring to the table?" | | | | you're touchy and thin-skinned in an interview, the |
| Obviously these are not traits you would deliberately | | | | employer instinctively knows you will be abrupt and |
| communicate in an interview or in a face-to-face | | | | abrasive on the job. On the other hand, a go-along |
| meeting with the person who could be your next | | | | person attracts people like themselves. |
| boss. But if you haven't taken the time to identify | | | | Remember, what you communicate to an employer |
| them in yourself, they will surely creep into your | | | | below the radar is often more telling that what you |
| attitude. And employers' antennae are fine-tuned to | | | | say out loud. Putting a check on your mercenary |
| pick up on these subtleties. | | | | tendencies will go a long way to ensure your |
| There are three important attitudinal adjustments | | | | employment opportunity success. |
| you should make and demonstrate as part of your | | | | |