We all deserve to be in a job that satisfies us. But how do you know whether your job is truly satisfactory?
Sometimes it’s easy to focus on the negatives and overlook the positives that a job can bring. In other cases, we may focus too much on single perks like good pay without considering all the other downsides of a job.
One way to determine your job satisfaction is to rank it on a scale of 1 to 10. You may already have an estimate as to where to rank it, but to get a precise idea consider seeing how many of the following 10 criteria you can tick off…
Pay
Are you satisfied with the amount of pay you’re getting? Is it enough to live comfortably on? Some jobs are very well paid, while others can leave us scrounging for extra cash at the end of each month. A low salary is the second most common reason people leave their job. In fact, frequent surveys have revealed that most of us believe we are underpaid. On top of your salary, it’s work also considering monetary benefits you may get such paid annual leave, health insurance and decent sick pay. If you’re self-employed, you won’t get any of this, but should consider the tax benefits.
Progression
Your job shouldn’t feel stagnant. There should be things to aim for – including promotions or pay rises – that keep you motivated. If you’re self-employed, there should be a sense that you can expand your business and make more money each year. Of course, some people may be happy working a job without any long-term benefits. However, most of us feel we need a sense of progression so that we don’t feel stuck on a hamster wheel. Consider whether your job offers this.
Autonomy
Autonomy is the freedom to make your own decisions. Running a business typically offers the most autonomy – allowing you to set your own hours, set your own rates and choose the work that you’re willing to take on. Being an employee offers less autonomy, but it can vary depending on the role. Some employers rarely interfere with employees’ work and offer perks like flexitime. Others micromanage their employees and require every small decision to be passed through them, which can lead to feelings of suffocation.
Job security
It’s important that you have a steady income and a role that you can depend on. In some companies, there is a constant threat of being dismissed, which can create a lingering sense of anxiety. If you’re self-employed, job security could mean having a steady stream of customers and a feeling that you are in a secure industry where you are easily able to adapt to changes.
Relationship with colleagues
The top reason many of us quit our jobs is because we don’t get on with the people we work with. It’s so important to have a good relationship with your colleagues. They do not need to be your best friends, but you should also feel that they have your support and that you can easily communicate with them if there is a problem. There should be no toxic behaviour like bullying, blame-shifting, gossiping or discrimination. This includes any managers or any subordinates.
Working conditions
How healthy is your work environment? Things like loud noise, uncomfortable temperatures, bad air quality and lack of ergonomics (such a desk with no legroom) can all be signs of poor working conditions. The best employers will go the extra mile to make sure employees are safe and comfortable. If you’re self-employed, you will likely have control over your working conditions.
Work/life balance
The definition of a ‘healthy’ work/life balance is likely to vary from person to person – but overall, there should be a sense that you have enough free time to get the rest you need, pursue personal interests and spend time with family/friends. Lengthy shifts, unsociable working hours, long commutes and regular overtime are all things that can lead to a poor work/life balance. Business owners can often struggle to get the balance right by not setting clear boundaries between work and personal life – this could include taking work calls at all hours, constantly covering sick employees or not taking time off.
Interest in duties
We can’t all get paid to follow our passions, however it is important to have an interest in what you do. If the job duties bore you or go against your beliefs, you could find yourself dreading each shift. Consider whether your job truly suits your interests and personality. Tests like the Strong Interest Inventory can help you to determine whether your job is suited to your interests. Of course, if you’re following a personal passion like music or sport, this may already be obvious.
Respect from others
Do other people respect your role? How others perceive our job can affect our own pride in what we do. Certain jobs like being a nurse or a firefighter can get a lot of respect from friends and family and the general public. If you work in telesales, you may find that you don’t have this same respect. You should also consider the respect you have from your colleagues. Do people respect your role? Or do people undermine you or belittle you for what you do?
Feeling of accomplishment
Finally, you should consider whether your duties bring you a sense of accomplishment. Some jobs can be gruelling, but there can be a sense of achievement after each shift. Working in construction is a prime example of this – you can see the progress you’re making with each passing day. Of course, if you’re constantly being criticised for making mistakes or if you feel your work is an assembly line of the same duties, you may lack this sense of accomplishment. It is important to receive praise from others and also to feel that you are truly making a difference with your work.
So, just how satisfied are you with your job?
Mark off the statements below to find out your score from 1 to 10. If your score is 8 or over, this is a sign that your job is satisfactory and possibly worth sticking with. If your score is between 4 and 7, this is a sign that you need to do something to improve your current job or potentially look elsewhere if this is not possible. If your score is 3 or under, you should probably start looking for a new career straight away.
- Pay
- Progression
- Autonomy
- Job security
- Relationship with colleagues
- Working conditions
- Work/life balance
- Interest in duties
- Respect from others
- Feeling of accomplishment