Job Fulfillment: Your Guide to Finding Career Satisfaction
Job Fulfillment: Your Guide to Finding Career Satisfaction
Did you know 85% of people are not satisfied with their current job? 85% of people are not happy in their career. (1) That is a tragedy. Why? Because you, as a human, deserve to enjoy what you do. And the people you work with or for deserve an employee who enjoys what they do. But it’s just a job: something to make money, right? Who cares if I really have job satisfaction?
Well, let’s put it in perspective: The average American will spend ⅓ of their life at work. (2) That is a HUGE CHUNK. Do you really want to spend ⅓ of your life unfulfilled and unhappy? I know I don’t! So, what am I getting at? If you have even the slightest inkling that you may not have job fulfillment, stick around.
Job Fulfillment: What Is It?
Job fulfillment means you get a sense of purpose from your job. When you are fulfilled in something, you feel accomplished, full, and satisfied.
If you don’t feel fulfilled, you may feel empty, like you have no purpose, or bored.
You should feel purposeful and satisfied with their work. When you don’t, you may start resenting your job, searching for purpose in other areas, or become extremely agitated/annoyed.
Job fulfillment matters because YOU deserve a job that fills you up. Not drains you.
Identifying Signs of Job Dissatisfaction
But how do you KNOW that you are unfulfilled or dissatisfied with your job? It can be confusing but here are some questions to ask yourself:
Am I burnt out?
Am I unfulfilled?
Or am I just tired and need a break?
Thankfully, there are some CLEAR signs that you’re experiencing unfulfillment:
- Lack of enthusiasm
- Decreased productivity
- Emotional & physical stress
- Dread for work seeping into other areas of your life
If you’re dreading going to work for weeks on end, that may be your sign.
Factors Contributing to Job Fulfillment
Okay, if you’re still here, you may be thinking you are experiencing unfulfillment in your job. But how do you find a job that will be fulfilling?
Let’s dive into ways to find a job that will fill you up.
Aligning Personal Values And Company Culture
First you have to understand your own personal values. Once you understand what YOU want from a job and what will make you happy, then you have to find a company that values those same things!
For example, if you value flexibility, then a company that requires you to come into the office every day for specific hours probably won’t be the right company for you.
Buf if you’re someone who values structure and needs an office to be productive, that company MAY be right for you.
Of course, you need to align MOST of your values- not just one, so you have to do a little more digging into your own personal values and theirs to make sure.
Leveraging Strengths And Passions
Duh, right? What are your strengths? What are your passions? To achieve job fulfillment, these are questions you must answer for yourself.
Knowing your strengths and passions is a KEY step in finding a fulfilling career.
BTW, you probably have TONS of strengths and passions. Keep a running list of them as they come to you!
Start right now.
Opportunities For Growth and Development
Another key factor in finding the right job for you is understanding your motivations. Do you want a career where you will continuously be able to grow and achieve more? Or are you a person who is satisfied staying in one position for a long time?
Understanding this one thing about yourself is HUGE in finding a career that will bring you satisfaction.
If you need to be able to constantly grow, you need a company that provides ample opportunity for growth.
Compensation and Benefits
How much money do you need? And do you need benefits?
If you’re a single parent, you’re not going to be fulfilled until you’re making enough money to take care of your kids, right?
On the other hand, if you’re a married woman whose husband makes a ton of money, the amount you’re paid may not matter as much.
Or maybe it does, and that’s okay!
No matter where you stand with money and benefits, finding a career that will pay you what you need/want and give you the benefits you need is important.
Strategies for Achieving Job Fulfillment
So, now you probably have more of an idea of if you are experiencing job fulfillment or job unfulfillment.
If you’re experiencing a lack of fulfillment or satisfaction in your job, it’s probably time for a career change.
But HOW? Let’s talk about it!
P.S. If everything below starts overwhelming you, hold on tight because we’ve got a fantastic gift for you at the very end that will help you with your career makeover.
Explore Career Options and Transitions
Start by brainstorming. What else could you do? What are you passionate about? What are you good at? Remember from above.
Use google as a tool. For example, “jobs for transition teachers who have X, Y, Z skills.”
Talk to other people who are older than you. Chances are you’ve got plenty of people in your life that changed careers at some point. Let them help and guide you through this process.
Identify Your Transferable Skills
Now that you’ve thought of some ideas, start a list of all the skills you have that would be needed in jobs you’re interested in.
Keep adding to this list as you think of more.
Then take this list and add it to your resume!
Network, Network, Network
Let us say it again: NETWORK. Through Linkedin, through in-person events, through your daily gym classes, through your colleagues, etc.
Network wherever you are. With whoever you’re with.
Tell everyone you’re thinking about switching careers. Keep them updated with your journey. Chances are you’ll run into people who will give you free advice
And maybe, if you’re lucky, you may stumble into someone that has an opportunity for you.
Develop a Growth Mindset
If you’re about to switch careers, you’re about to be in a season of HUGE growth. And while growth is good, it comes with a lot of negative emotions such as…
- Imposter syndrome
- Doubts
- Feeling like you’ve failed
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Confusion
But from all of those negative emotions comes your growth and development. Understanding that there will be lows is a part of cultivating a growth mindset.
Learn to GROW in every single situation.
- When you get ignored
- When you get rejected
- When you can’t choose
- When you feel not good enough
All of those are chances to LEARN and GROW.
Present Yourself as a Professional
Learn how to create the perfect resume for your job.
Learn how to use LinkedIn as your online resume and constant networking tool.
Learn how to NAIL interviews.
Learn how to negotiate your salary as if you’ve been doing it for years.
Chances are, most of the above sentences may have caused you stress.
And that’s OKAY, remember: that means you’re GROWING.
Are You Ready?
If you’re ready for career satisfaction and job fulfillment,
If you’re ready to find your truth and step into your power,
You’ve landed in the right place. ⭐
If you’re a woman who’s SERIOUS about changing careers and is ready to put in the effort to finding job fulfillment, you could be the perfect candidate for Girl Work It.
Girl Work It specializes in teaching and guiding women to career fulfillment by transforming their lives and mindsets.
Are you ready to choose yourself and take your first step to job fulfillment?
References
- “Essential Job Dissatisfaction Statistics in 2023 • ZipDo.” ZipDo, https://zipdo.co/statistics/job-dissatisfaction/. Accessed 24 October 2023.
- “One third of your life is spent at work.” Gettysburg College, https://www.gettysburg.edu/news/stories?id=79db7b34-630c-4f49-ad32-4ab9ea48e72b. Accessed 24 October 2023.
