Achieving Job Satisfaction
How can you increase your job satisfaction?
A reliable survey source gives the data that only 48% of people are satisfied with their jobs. With worker dissatisfaction so high, how can you avoid it? Or, if you are working and dissatisfied, what can you do about it?
There are different kinds of job satisfaction.
Overall job satisfaction is actually a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction:
Intrinsic job satisfaction is when workers consider only the kind of work they do, the tasks that make up the job.
Extrinsic job satisfaction is when workers consider work conditions, such as their pay, co-worker, and supervisor.
It helps to look at jobs from both points of view. For example, if you are dissatisfied with your current job, ask yourself, "Am I dissatisfied because of the kind of work I am doing (intrinsic) or is it related to my work conditions (extrinsic)?"
Job satisfaction is also influenced by job expectations. What do you look for in a job? Security, pay, prestige, independence? For ideas, read these ten most popular job expectations.
1. Know yourself
Write down what you like and don't like about working. What values are important to you? Write down what you expect from a job. Then, you will know what to look for when choosing among jobs or careers.
Rank the "ten job expectations" most frequently mentioned by workers. Are there others, not mentioned, like autonomy or prestige that is important to you?
2. Research jobs that meet your expectations
There are lots of career options out there. Take time to research on all options that might fit into your definition of a satisfying job for your life.
3. Consult a professional career counsellor
Sometimes you need extra support and an expert's perspective to help you decide what to do next. Learn how to choose a professional career counsellor in your area.
4. Don't ignore job dissatisfaction for too long
Your level of job satisfaction predicts how adjusted you are to work. Dissatisfaction may lead to something worse - job loss, accidents, even mental illness. Depression, anxiety, worry, tension, and interpersonal problems can result from, or be made worse by job dissatisfaction. In fact, job satisfaction was found to be the best predictor of how long you live... better than a doctor's rating of physical functioning, or genetic inheritance. So, it is important to work out a solution if your job makes you unhappy.
5. Have realistic job expectations
Like many things in life, overall job satisfaction is a trade-off. People experience dissatisfaction even in the best jobs. And, in today’s work world you cannot expect your company to look out for you; you have to take the initiative yourself.
6. Separate dissatisfaction with the kind of work you do from the conditions of work
If you are increasingly dissatisfied with the kind of work you are doing, you should consider a career change. If you are dissatisfied with the conditions of work, you may be able to solve the problem by changing employers or negotiating with your current employer to make changes.
7. Is your dissatisfaction temporary?
Look down the road at your possible career progress. Present dissatisfactions might be worth bearing if you see your career progressing.
8. Examine your values
You have to answer this question honestly: How important is your job, your career to you? Only when this question is answered can you put your job satisfaction or dissatisfaction in proper perspective.
To sum up find your heart's desire when it comes to your job. Follow your heart and take a wide angled view of all possible changes you can bring into your life to be satisfied in your job.