Do you know what would make you happy in your work life? You might think it’s about having a high salary, but there’s more to it than that. If you’re not sure if you love what you do, ask yourself some of these questions:
1. Enjoying Your Work. Do you like the actual day-to-day tasks involved in what you do? Are you excited to get to work?
2. Work-Life Balance. Do you have a long commute? Are you able to leave early for appointments and take time off occasionally?
3. Feeling Connected to the Organization. Does upper management know you by name? Do you have a best friend at work?
4. Making a Difference. Is your work meaningful? Does the company value your suggestions/input?
5. Rewards and Recognition. Do you receive bonuses? A company parking spot? Or, something as simple as a “good job” remark from your supervisor?
6. Benefits and Pay. Are you paid market value? Do you feel you’re compensated fairly?
7. Job Security. Is your job recession-proof? Are you a in a value-added role?
Everyone rates these factors differently; most people consider at least a few of these necessary to achieving happiness at work.
Identify the missing elements
If you’re currently unhappy at your workplace, the first step is to figuring out why. Is it the culture? Is it your pay? Is it the hours? Once you know what matters most to you, you can start tailoring your job search to fit your requirements.
This will not only ensure that you find a job you’re interested in, but it will also help you become a positive contributor to the company that hires you.
Happiness is measurable
Employee happiness and its effect on productivity, retention, and job satisfaction are important metrics to business researchers. This infographic by Yast gives a quick visual representation of data related to employee happiness.
Find your happy place
When working with a recruiter, let him or her know up front what you’re looking for in your next position. This empowers the recruiter to use their industry knowledge and connections to present you with positions and companies that match your values and expectations. By taking a little time to identify what you truly need and want, you’ll save time and energy on opportunities that don’t suit you . . . and you might just find your happy place.
