In our workshops, Planning for
Career Satisfaction and Success, we often talk about the basis of career satisfaction
as stemming from a career path which intersects with your own prioritized
skills, values, and interests.
Similarly, Arthur C. Brooks argues in an Atlantic
article that, “To be happy at work, you don’t
have to hold a fascinating job that represents the pinnacle of your educational
achievement or the most prestigious use of your “potential,” and you don’t have
to make a lot of money. What matters is not so much the “what” of a job, but
more the “who” and the “why”: Job satisfaction comes from people, values, and a
sense of accomplishment.”
He continues, “When my graduate students ask me for advice on choosing a
job or career path, I don’t tell them to find the best possible fit between
their interests and specific job duties. Obviously, they shouldn’t sign up for
something they hate. But I tell them that satisfaction can be found in all
sorts of vocations. Rather than relentlessly pursuing a “perfect
match” career that they’re sure will make them happy, a better approach is to
remain flexible on the exact job, while searching for the values and culture
that fit with theirs.”
Research has confirmed this noting that the people who are most satisfied with their work are those with employer’s match their own values. The values held by your company and your co-workers correlates to employee satisfaction. Other factors that help contribute are: a sense of accomplishment, recognition for work, and work-life balance. Notably missing from this equation is wage increases. In fact, economists have found that salary increases raise job satisfaction but only in the short term and in all careers, regular wage increases are better for happiness than infrequent, large raises.
Many employees continue to seek extrinsic goals in their quest for work happiness and satisfaction. Brooks contends that for real satisfaction, you should pursue intrinsic goals and two in particular.
- Earned success
This gives you a sense of accomplishment and professional efficacy which actually reinforces your commitment to your job. Employers who give clear feedback, reward merit and encourage employees to develop new skills all help contribute to a sense of earned success - Service to others
The other aspect which helps contribute to career satisfaction is the sense that your job is making the world a better place. You can find service to others in almost any job; not just non-profit charity work. If you see the connection, then that is the most important aspect.
