What Actually Makes You Happy in a Job?
When you’re job hunting, it’s easy to get caught up in the everyday tasks of tailoring resumes and submitting follow-ups. However, it’s vital to ensure you’ve taken time to evaluate what truly makes you happy in a job. If you’re like most people, you probably feel pretty excited when you’re doing something that you’re good at and that fulfills you. So, one of the best things you can do is devote your search to roles and companies that are an excellent fit for you.
That may appear to be a daunting task, but it can provide valuable insight if you break it down into focus areas. And it will help you to create a more enthusiastic and energetic applicant to recruiters. No matter how much you need a job, finding a great fit is better than taking one that makes you miserable. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself back on the job hunt shortly.
Find Fulfillment in Your Next Job:
We’ve got some pointers below on how to analyze and use the information you find during your job hunt.
- Consider Your Desired Work-Life Balance
Regardless of how much you love your job, if it takes over your life to a point where you cannot maintain a work-life balance, you’ll lose joy quickly. If you’re unsure of your ability to keep work in perspective, this is a role that may not be worth pursuing. You’ll likely be happier elsewhere.
For instance, if one of your big reasons for moving jobs is because you want more time with family and friends, yet it’s anticipated that the role will require 60-plus-hour weeks, the likelihood of you reaching a happy equilibrium is slim.
Have you always dreamed of being a digital nomad? Perhaps you need a flexible role to accommodate caregiving needs? The overall joy that a job provides your life might balance out job-specific duties that you find less engaging.
When work becomes the only thing that matters in your life, it gets old pretty quickly. And how much flexibility are you willing to accept? In terms of hours worked vs benefits gained, do they make working for that company desirable?
2.Understand Happiness Is Different for Everyone
The company or role that makes another person happy isn’t guaranteed to make you happy. And just because one environment fits a friend well, it doesn’t mean that’s true for everyone who works there. Or that it will be for you.
For example, if you need a faster-paced job, an office that is laid back and doesn’t have many challenges won’t keep you engaged. Being assigned tasks with little direction or room for creativity may drive you crazy, whereas others may thrive on the routine.
While it’s unrealistic to expect that you’ll never get bored at work with everyday tasks, you should focus on finding a role that doesn’t sound monotonous in its core functions.
3.Ensure You Have the Necessary Skills to Thrive
Identify what you enjoy, and then reframe those skills for roles that are a great fit. While there is always a learning curve, finding yourself in a position where you’re consistently underperforming will be miserable.
If you love organizing, for example, becoming a virtual assistant might not be a stretch. However, being a project manager for an architectural firm may be a role that is far beyond your experience. If that seems interesting, create a long-term career goal that includes education to close the gaps. Goals will help you be as prepared as possible when a position that’s right for you comes along.
4.Seek Out Roles With the Best Fit
In some cases, you may find yourself in a scenario where the only jobs available don’t align with your immediate financial dreams. If you find yourself in this position, it’s important to consider how much value the new job will bring you.
What are the benefits outside of dollars and cents? Is it something that will make you happy? Will it fulfill your core values? What are the potential pitfalls if things don’t work out? These are all questions worth asking when considering your next career move. All other factors being equal, a lower-paying job is likely still better for you than another less satisfying role.
5.Research Company Culture and Values
As you start looking for a job, take the time to learn about each company’s culture and values. The standard principles of other individuals in your office can significantly impact your happiness level. You can find this information in various ways, including online or by asking your network.
Gaining insight into what working at that organization is really like, you’ll be better equipped to decide if it’s a good fit.
Tangible Questions to Ask During Your Research-
As you consider what job you will enjoy, remember that you may not necessarily find your dream job. However, your job impacts nearly every aspect of your life—where you can live geographically, whether you can pay your bills, how fulfilled you feel daily, and how much free time you have.
Finding a job that brings you joy and supports your life’s essential values should be the focus. To get started, ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the job’s industry, and what are your interests in that industry?
- Do you have a strong affiliation with a particular industry, such as conservation? Does this job support that even if the role isn’t a “dream” role?
- Are there multiple paths in this industry?
- Could you do this job from home? Will this position provide a stable work environment and schedule that will be fulfilling?
- Does the job align with your values and beliefs?
- Is it a good fit for your personality?
- What does a typical day of work look like for this position?
- Are there more opportunities for professional growth and development? Where do you want to be professionally in five years? Is this job in line with your long-term career goals?
- Is the compensation sufficient for your needs?
- Does it offer benefits that are important to you?
- What is the company culture like at this place of employment—will you fit in well?
- Does the business have a good reputation within your community or industry (or both)?
- How has the business performed over the past three years?
Find Joy in Your Everyday Work Life.
Don’t just accept the first job that pops up on your radar. The key to finding a fulfilling career is discovering what you want from your entire life and then ensuring the job aligns with those needs.
When it comes time for an interview, ensure you’re clear about what you’re looking for in a company before going into any meetings. You’ll know how best to present yourself, as well as ask relevant questions. Once you have found a position that meets all of your requirements, congratulations! You’ve made one of the most important decisions of your life so far, and we hope everything goes smoothly during training and beyond!
And if you haven’t landed an interview yet, ensure that you’re creating a long-term career plan that will build on the experience you’re gaining. Not sure what your next career goal should be? Consider meeting with a career coach to review your resume and find gaps. Understanding your goals will ensure you’re making the best choices as career opportunities present themselves.
Get Some Outside Perspective-
One of the best things you can do for your job search is gain some outside perspective. Our professional career coaches can help you find common themes and highlight gaps in experience. Give your job search a boost with us!
