How to get your groove back at work, the unusual benefits of doodling, and more top insights

What’s happening in the world of work: The Saturday edition of the Daily Rundown highlights the business trends, perspectives, and hot topics you need to know to work smarter. Read on and join the conversation. 

When work has lost its spark: Feeling a lack of engagement and motivation is a common problem among workers. But there are specific ways to combat that feeling and regain inspiration at work, a report says. Among the Times’ tips: celebrating small steps, instead of just focusing on the larger goal. And also, don’t forget the mission — remind employees how their work affects people inside and outside their organisation. ? Here’s what people are saying.

The benefits of doodling: Mindless doodling at work can increase effectiveness in the office, reports Fast Company. Several studies on learning styles found doodlers recalled 29% more information and relieve psychological stress. Taking notes with a pen and paper boosts long-term memory for information, but incorporating doodling to traditional note-taking can help the brain connect the dots and digest information at a faster pace. The emerging trend of visual notetaking prompted online platforms such as Sketchnote and Infodoodling. These apps provide tools for workers to leverage their careless drawings for creative brainstorming. ? Here's what people are saying.

A new approach to job ads: Employers are rethinking how they advertise available jobs in a tight labor market, reports The Wall Street Journal. One Chicago startup posted a job listing as a 1,600-word letter from the CEO. They found that the unconventional ad resulted in more high-quality applicants than a traditional post. Companies are also being cautious about the words and terms they use so they don’t inadvertently exclude some groups of people. Certain digital buzzwords and terms may discourage older applicants, for example. ? Here’s what people are saying.

You Asked: “What is the best way to handle the ‘How much money do you want?’ question? This is the most uncomfortable part of interviewing for me.” — Jim Kirkland, Enid, Okla. ? Join the conversation.

• “The simple answer is to know your worth. Go into the interview armed with average salary ranges for the specific position, including the industry and geographic location. You can research this on sites like Payscale.com or Salary.com, but anecdotal evidence from senior leaders or HR professionals in your field doesn’t hurt either. Especially if you have solid experience, ask for the top of the commonly accepted range and expect to negotiate down a bit. And don’t forget to take into account benefits, bonuses, stock options, vacation and other perks as part of the total compensation package. Remember, the key is to get the most money possible up front, because once you are inside a company, increases may be few and far between.” — Alexandra Levit, partner at PeopleResults and author of “They Don't Teach Corporate in College” (Read Alexandra Levit’s full response.)
• “Questions about salary are often the most challenging ones we face during interviews. There are good reasons not to name a number. Disclosing salary prematurely cuts the conversation short. It is a great way to get screened out. The longer the conversation, the more opportunity you have to demonstrate value. Here is one response to a question about salary. ‘I’m not hooked on a specific dollar figure. I expect that your total compensation package is a fair one based on the responsibilities of the position. Isn’t that right?’ Wait for a positive response. Then say, ‘Tell me more about what you want to accomplish, and I’ll offer ideas for how I can add value to your organisation.’” — Mary Jeane Vincent, career and executive coach
• “The worst answer you can give is no answer. You'll want to avoid just throwing out a salary number. Instead, you can share where you're at in your career, and what kind of move you're looking to make. If they still push for you to reveal a salary amount, you should be prepared to share your salary research in the form of range. Essentially, the recruiter's your advocate, so it's best to be honest with them up front. They're motivated to fill jobs as quickly as possible with the best candidates. They don't want to lose you.” — Christine DiDonato, founder and president of Career Revolution, Inc. 

Looking for career advice from the pros? Submit your questions in the comments with #YouAsked and we’ll take care of the rest.

Respect makes for better employees: Respect at work is among the biggest factors influencing job satisfaction, according to an HBR and Tony Schwartz study surveying nearly 20,000 employees. Over half of employees said they don’t receive regular respect from leaders, and studies further suggest business leaders may also be unaware when respect isn’t reciprocated on their end. Some ways for bosses and managers to build a respectful office include being mindful of introducing employees to clients, treating new members as a top priority and understanding that gained respect has a “ripple effect.” ? Here’s what people are saying.

One last idea: Many assume charisma is an innate ability, but it can be learned, writes New York Times reporter Bryan Clark. One way to develop a charismatic and effective public presence is to get in the habit of storytelling. 

“It starts at home, by removing your own self-doubt and focusing instead on being an active participant in conversations and interactions with others.”

What’s your take? Join the conversations on today’s stories in the comments. 

— Weng Cheong