The 3 Keys to Finding a Satisfying Job
First, begin with your personal values. For example, if you are someone who values the ability to work creatively and independently, you’ll want to ask your interviewer about how the company promotes (or doesn’t promote) those values.
But personal values are only the start. There’s a lot more you need to consider when trying to find the perfect job for yourself. Here are three key considerations you should take when evaluating potential job opportunities:
1. Emotional Intelligence
The concept of emotional intelligence has been gaining a lot of buzz in recent times, and for good reason: emotional intelligence can have an impact on both a company’s culture and how well an employee performs in given role.
Emotional intelligence should be a talking point during interviews. In addition to demonstrating that you’re up to date on the latest workplace trends, bringing up emotional intelligence will give you a way to demonstrate your mastery of important skills like the ability to remain calm under pressure and the ability to build strong relationships with colleagues.
You should pay attention to the reaction of your interviewer when you bring up emotional intelligence. The interviewer’s reaction — whether positive or negative — can tell you a lot about how emotional intelligence is seen at the company. This, in turn, can tell you a lot about the company’s overall culture.
2. Employee Happiness
Being selective about your prospective workplace when it comes to employee happiness levels c
One way ensure that the company you end up working for is a happy one is by doing a little research beforehand. Look into wellness perks at the company, such as gym memberships, health benefits, maternity leave, and tuition reimbursement. Employee autonomy also contributes significantly to employee happiness, so try to learn about how much freedom you’ll have in a job before accepting an offer.
In 2013, Fast Company profiled Google as an example of a workplace with an extremely high level of employee satisfaction. When Google was still a relatively young company, members of the organization met with executives from SAS Institute, which was (and still is) widely considered to be an excellent place to work. Google’s team found that “people truly thrive in their jobs — and remain loyal to them — when they feel fully supported and authentically valued.”
To make sure a prospective place of employment bears at least some resemblance to this model, consider contacting a few of its employees for an informational interview. Get to really learn about employee happiness levels before making any decisions about where you want to work.
3. The Social Factor
One of the most important keys to finding a satisfying and supportive place of work is to invest as much time and effort as possible in the endeavor. Once you begin the process, don’t be afraid to market yourself widely, strategically, and unabashedly. You should market yourself as you would market a business. This, of course, includes establishing a presence on social media platforms.
One of the most useful talks I ever attended was given by Donald Asher, a job and networking specialist who’s written a number of books on the subject of social job searching. Asher stressed that job seekers should “stop looking for powerful connections and start viewing everyone you come into contact with as a potential referral source.”
The bottom line is, don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends, family, and acquaintances. They’e the people who will help you find satisfying work that meets your needs.
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If you do your research, take your time, and reach out to friends and acquaintances, you will be successful in finding a job that not only satisfies your basic need for financial security, but also rewards you as a whole person — body, mind, and soul.