While job satisfaction is something that the majority of people aim to achieve, it can prove hard to find. If you’re about to embark on the search for your first job, you need to consider a number of aspects that play an important part in the overall job satisfaction.

Here is a breakdown of the things you should consider before deciding on the right role for you.

 

1.Work-life balance

Your job needs to fit in with your lifestyle in order for you to achieve maximum satisfaction in the long-term. You should consider whether you will be required to work long hours, evenings or weekends and if you would be happy to do so.

While some people don’t mind working extended hours, others aren’t happy for work to interfere with their personal commitments. It’s essential to decide which aspects of your life to prioritise: your career, professional ambitions, lifestyle, family and health.

2. Financial reward

Before accepting a new role, you need to know what you are worth based on your qualifications, experience and skills. There are online tools that can help you calculate how much you should be earning.

You can also check the starting and median salary according to the job profile you are interested in on the National Careers Service website.

3. Location

You need to consider the level of stress that commuting can bring you in the long-term. It is important to weigh up the pros and cons of a potential job in order to determine whether it’s worth travelling for several hours every day.

4. Professional development

Job satisfaction is not all about having a great salary or long holidays; potential growth within a company is something that should not be ignored. You need to think about your career goals and how the job in question will help you achieve them.

The ability to utilise your existing skills and develop new ones, and participate in projects where you can stand out and make a difference are important aspects of job satisfaction. Every achievement that you gather along the way will contribute towards your professional profile and will make you a credible candidate for future opportunities.

5. Work environment and organisation culture

Work relationships are very important in terms of overall job happiness and performing to the best of your abilities. Considering we spend eight hours or more a day with our colleagues, it is essential to be surrounded by individuals that you can connect with. You also need to feel that you fit into the organisation’s culture and that you agree with its managerial style and policies.

6. The relationship with direct manager

Your relationship with your manager can have a positive or negative impact on your productivity, professional engagement, achievements and overall wellbeing. During the interview stage you have a chance to establish whether there is a foundation for mutual respect and collaboration further from the basic requirements of the job. 

Now that you have read our tips on choosing the right job for yourself, have a read on how to prepare for a telephone interview.