Find out whether Your Job Fulfills You
Ever wondered why you devote so much time, energy and expertise to your current job?
Well, you’re not alone.
At one time or another, many of us have thought about whether it’s time for a change. Before you turn in your resignation, consider whether your job is fulfilling your needs.
It’s Not Always “About the Benjamin’s”
Job satisfaction is seldom measured only by the amount of the paycheck. Job satisfaction can be personal – what may be important to one person may not be as important for someone else.
For example, one person may have a strong need to feel that she plays an important role in society. Conversely, her co-worker may view opportunities for advancement and recognition as her priorities.
So how do you measure your job satisfaction? These six questions may help you figure out:
1. Do you enjoy going to work?
Do you struggle to get out of bed in the morning and it’s not because you stayed up too late or partied too hard? Your body and brain may be trying to tell you that you may be stressed, experiencing burn out or unfulfilled.
Good working conditions, the camaraderie of a team environment, and enjoying your duties will make it more fun to go to work. Feeling inspired and energized by your boss and the company’s leadership is even better.
2. Are your expectations reasonable?
This may be a hard pill to swallow, but are your expectations unreasonable? For example, it is unreasonable to think that you would have executive privileges in an entry-level position. It’s not enough to have education, enthusiasm, and energy. It may also take experience, learning the ropes and networking to move up the corporate ladder.
Examine your job.
Have you mastered your current job? What is the career progression of others who’ve held the job in the past? How about your attitude? How do you play a role in being fulfilled in your job?
3. Is your work stimulating?
Everyone needs challenges and rewards in their daily work. If you don’t feel you’re making a difference, perhaps you could expand your role by asking for more responsibilities.
A smart manager will encourage her staff to try new tasks and learn new skills. Think about the things you enjoy about your work and offer to take on additional duties to increase your sense of purpose.
4. Do you feel respected and valued?
When a company cultivates a culture that ensures staff are heard and provides the tools to be successful, employees are more satisfied with their work. This may include organizations encouraging their staff to come up with new ideas for projects. Employees need to feel that their efforts are important.
Whether you are dealing with difficult customers or working on design plans for the new website, if you feel that your contribution to the corporation’s success is important, you’ll feel personally successful and fulfilled. Too much unpaid overtime with no thanks is discouraging.
5. Is your integrity intact?
Are you proud of where you work and what you do? When your values align with your employer’s values and vision, it’s easier to feel better about your job.
Being dishonest with your customers because sales quotas are more important than service and integrity can crush your spirit. If you are not comfortable describing a typical workday to your family and friends, perhaps you’re not in the right job.
No matter how much money you make, it’s essential to maintain your self-esteem and respect.
6. Does your job fit your 5-year plan?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Will your current job help you get there?
Evaluate your long-term goals and look for the growth potential in your current job. Make sure you seek out opportunities to learn, such as company-sponsored courses and seminars to job shadowing to working on additional projects.
Find a mentor in a more senior manager whose style and skills you admire. Even if some aspects of your job are boring, perhaps you can concentrate on creating a network of allies that will eventually help you as you climb the corporate ladder. When you look at the big picture and work toward your career goals, you might see how your present position is fulfilling a need.
Do It Now:
Pull out your journal and use these questions as a guide. How do you view your current job now? Are you fulfilled? If not, what should you do next?
Find out in the career tip sent to our subscribers.
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