Our happiness at work matters!
Introduction:
Our happiness at work matters – it matters for our success, our sense of purpose, our well-being and our physical, mental and emotional health. It matters because we spend up to 70,000 hours of our lives working. 70,000 hours. Yet still, we all know people – our friends, family, significant others – who spend year after year stuck in a job that they despise.
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.
What is the ideal job for me?
Whatever job you end up in, finding a sense of accomplishment within it is crucial for job satisfaction. It helps to set goals in one’s work, such as increasing skills or responsibility. Some goals lead to more happiness than others, however. While pay increases push up satisfaction temporarily, money as a career goal does not. Volumes of research show that pursuing extrinsic rewards for work, such as money, actually hurts your interest in that work. For real satisfaction, you should look for all 10 characteristics of a good job!
10 characteristics of a good job
- Purpose
A good job makes you feel like your work serves a purpose. It helps you find meaning in your work, which motivates you to keep working toward a larger goal. This purpose may include helping others, creating new products or leading a team.
- Growth
Personal and professional growth is an important attribute of any good job because it allows you to keep learning and advancing in your career. These jobs may give you opportunities to think creatively or use problem-solving methods to find solutions. Some jobs allow you to continue your formal education, such as gaining new certifications, while others may match you with a mentor who can offer guidance and advice. This growth allows you to develop new skills that can help you become a better employee.
- Connection
A good job provides you with a sense of belonging and a belief that you have an important role within the organization. This connection creates an environment where all team members have mutual respect for one another and value everyone’s contributions. These jobs inspire you to have pride in your team and the company.
- Recognition
In a good job, you can expect to receive consistent recognition for your efforts. While leaders may set high performance expectations, they also reward you for meeting those standards. This can range from simple praise for a job well done to other incentives, such as an increase in salary. In a high-quality workplace, teammates and other employees also regularly offer feedback that recognizes others’ work.
- Salary
Salary is an attribute of a good job that varies based on factors such as geographic location, industry or level of experience. While you’re the only one who can determine your salary requirements, a good job should allow you to both meet your basic needs and live comfortably. This could mean earning enough to cover your rent or mortgage payment, buy groceries and pay bills while still having expendable income each month.
- Benefits
Besides salary, a company’s benefits package is another important factor in a good job. Common benefits include affordable health insurance, paid time off or a 401(k) contribution match. Good jobs may also provide nontraditional benefits, such as a monthly stipend for commuting costs or the option to work remotely. These benefits can help offset some costs of living while also making employees feel valued.
- Schedule
A good job allows for a reliable schedule that aligns with your preferences. For example, you may enjoy working the same hours each day, or you might prefer a more flexible schedule that allows you to work a certain number of hours each week. A reliable schedule helps you create a routine where you can get your work done efficiently and meet relevant deadlines.
- Advancement
When you perform well at a good job, you may eventually have the option to advance to a higher position. Moving up in your career path, such as transitioning to a leadership role, can help you develop new skills. Often, this advancement also comes with a higher salary. Knowing that you have advancement opportunities in your current job can help you stay motivated to work toward those goals.
- Security
Having security in your job means you understand that if you meet expectations, you can remain in that role. Security is an important attribute for a good job because it lowers your stress and increases your confidence, which can make you more productive. Job security can also make you feel more engaged with an organization, which can help you produce high-quality work.
- Balance
A good job allows you to have a healthy work-life balance. This means that besides the time you spend working, you have plenty of time to see your loved ones or pursue your hobbies and interests. Having this balance gives you a sense of personal fulfillment that can make you more focused during work hours.
To sum up
While good jobs are different for every person, they typically share some common attributes. These jobs pay well, provide security and make you feel proud of your work. If you’re looking for a new job, knowing traits of good jobs can help you make the ideal decision about your career path. In this article, we describe what a good job is, list 10 attributes that good jobs share and provide several tips for finding these jobs.
Check our job openings, we make sure that they match all 10 criteria’s for you!
