Lacking Satisfaction In Your Job?

Job satisfaction is one of the most important things for an employee.

The Cambridge Dictionary describes job satisfaction as:

“The feeling of pleasure and achievement that you experience in your job when you know that your work is worth doing, or the degree to which your work gives you this feeling”.

Job satisfaction is the most widely researched job attitude. Some of the most important theories of job satisfaction and their impacts on workers are: Maslow’s Theory, Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, Stogdill’s Theory of Job Satisfaction. 

According to research studies, job satisfaction is linked to employee productivity, motivation, absenteeism/tardiness, accidents, mental/physical health and general life situation.

The most widely accepted theory of job satisfaction was proposed by Edwin A. Locke in 1976, who defined job satisfaction as the “pleasurable or positive emotional state resulting from the appraisal of one’s job or job experience”.  

There are two types of job satisfaction based on the level of employees’ feelings regarding their jobs.

The first and the most analysed is the Global Job Satisfaction, which refers to employees’ overall feelings (e.g. “In general, I love my job” or “Overall, I enjoy what I do”).

The second is the Job Facet Satisfaction, which refers to feelings regarding specific job aspects such as:

-      Salary

-      Career Growth Opportunities

-      Benefits and Perks

-      Working Hours

-      Type of Supervision

-      Working Conditions

-      Opportunity for Promotion

-      Social Relations Between Co-Workers

-      Communication

-      Opportunity to Use Your Ideas

-      Holiday Policy

-      Training Programs

-      Job Security

-      Quality of Equipment

-      Work/Life Balance

-      Recognition

-      Sick Day Policy…., etc.

(e.g. “I really like my job, but the working hours are difficult to be managed with my personal life or “I love my job, but it’s really hard to progress and advance my career”).

Job satisfaction is very subjective for each employee and it differs with every person. While for some it’s a career growth and promotion policy, for others it’s compensation-related.

When we’re no longer happy, we start asking questions:

“How can I find the right direction?”

“What is it I’m missing?”  

“If I had better colleagues, would I more enjoy my job?”

“If I had better work/life balance, would I be happier?”

If you feel unhappy, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you to need to resign from your current position. Before you make any decision about leaving your current job, first try to find a way to improve your fulfilment and happiness.

Here are my tips, how you can increase your own job satisfaction.

Assess Your Situation.

Sometimes the problem might not be what you think. Dive into the root of the matter and try to find and understand what the origin of the problem is. You can start by checking in with yourself and asking yourself questions that will help you reflect on the situation. Checking in with yourself helps you to evaluate whether your job is a source of fulfilment, whether you are deeply frustrated or just feeling weary.  Checking in with yourself is as important as self-care.

Look At Your Job From A Different Lens.

Think about your job in the grand scheme of things. Reconnect with the purpose of your role in a company and put it in to perspective. Each role in every organisation has a meaning and purpose contributing into achieving big picture goals. When you create value and you contribute, your work is going to have more purpose. Reconnect with your meaning and your purpose in the workplace. Revise what your job means to you. Seeing your job in the bigger picture also helps to achieve your goals.

Shape Interactions and Relationships With Co-Workers.

Get to know people and create meaningful relationships with your colleagues. Having a good relationship with co-workers is an integral aspect of employee satisfaction and engagement. According to research statistics, employee satisfaction arises nearly 50% when an employee develops a close relationship at work.

Implementing and doing these simple (but important) things in your work life can help you to boost your job satisfaction and get closer to feel happier in your job.

However, if you realise that something is not working and you genuinely feel dissatisfied, it might be the time to try something new. If one job doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t mean that you fail. See it as a process of redirection. A redirection towards the job that you truly love.

If you want to be happier in your career, discover your purpose and direction, get clarity on where you belong in your career, we are here to help. To discover all about our Bespoke Career Transformation Solutions & Coaching Programs that can help you to change your career and ultimately your life, book your FREE DISCOVERY CALL by emailing at [email protected]

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