“Never continue in a job you don’t enjoy. If you’re happy in what you’re doing, you’ll like yourself, you’ll have inner peace. And if you have that, along with physical health, you’ll have more success than you could possibly have imagined.” —Roger Caras
Have you ever been asked, “What do you look for in a job?”
Perhaps a friend has asked you that out of curiosity, or you’ve heard it at a job interview.
The default thought is often the pay. After all, that’s why many of us get jobs, right?
But dig deeper and you will find many more factors to consider in what to look for in a job.
Minimalism has many benefits. It gives freedom, time, and reduces stress. Minimalism also reduces the amount of money required for life.
As a result, it provides an opportunity to choose work based on a number of factors—not just the size of the paycheck. Once we learn contentment with less, we are free to weigh any number of factors in choosing work. Embrace minimalism. It opens up countless opportunities in life and work.
To help you enjoy waking up in the morning, consider these 12 things to look for in a job:
1) It makes a positive difference
Choose a job that adds value to our world, that leaves it better than you found it, and genuinely helps other people.
2) You enjoy your co-workers
Given the fact that you will spend a large percentage of your day at work, be sure you enjoy the people around you. It is comforting to know that they support you, cheer for you, and work together as a team.
3) You feel appreciated and valued
A paycheck is nice, but that goes straight to the bank. On the other hand, appreciation is something you carry in your soul every day. This appreciation can be communicated through respect, unexpected gifts, or just an old-fashioned “thank-you.”
4) You are trusted
It’s nice to know that somebody isn’t always looking over your shoulder. And when you are given a task, you are given the freedom to complete it.
5) It is something you love to do
The old adage is completely true, “Find a job that you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Look for a job that keeps you motivated by its very nature, not solely by the paycheck – because that wears off real fast.
6) It fits your personality
Anyone who has ever taken a personality test knows we all have unique personalities that thrive in certain environments. Some enjoy working with people, others enjoy completing tasks. Some like making the decisions, others don’t. Find a job that fits your sweet spot. And by the way, if you keep getting this one wrong, there are people who can help you.
7) It challenges you to grow
Look for a job that will make you better and allow you to work hard. Whether through challenging assignments, educational opportunities, demanding excellence, or informal mentors, a job that forces you to grow beyond your current skill set will make you a better person and it, a better company.
8) The company’s values align with yours
At the end of the day, your integrity is what matters most. Don’t compromise it every time you walk into the workplace. If you are at a job that requires you to suspend your personal convictions, you don’t need to be—nor should you be.
9) A flexible, results-oriented culture
A culture of flexibility suggests a results-driven focus—one that is more interested in you successfully completing your job with excellence than clocking in a set amount of work hours during a specified time of the day.
10) It values family
You value your family. Your job should too.
11) It brings balance to life
Work is not so bad when you love it. But if you are not allowed to explore other endeavors (play/hobbies/family) because of its demands, it is not healthy for your soul, life, or body. Find a job that allows you to enjoy your life outside of work too.
12) It brings you satisfaction
The ability to look back at your day, your year, or your life with satisfaction is more valuable than any number of digits in the bank.
Own less stuff. Do work you love.
Next time you’re asked about what you’re looking for in a job, you’ll have a dozen fantastic answers that go beyond just pay.
When the economy crashed I decided to go back to college again. In order to support our family I took a job as a substitute teacher. I enjoyed the time teaching so much that I was planning on changing careers again, but that is another story.
Now I am spoiled. I am in the job market now, and want to have a job as rewarding as teaching, but it will be difficult since all I can find is jobs that are mundane, office type, financial positions. My degree is in accounting.
Ifeel that my time and money was wasted in getting my second degree. It is a terrible thing having a great job then by necessity for more money, having to take a lesser satisfying job.
I am looking for a job working for a non-profit, maybe that will give me the good feelings I am looking for.
Did you ever find a job? I am just curious how you are doing.
Finlay ,I hope you will get what you are looking for .
Just keep on trying .
knowing what you really want is the biggest self challenge,and you crossed it !
It may be a little late to reply but as I read this, it seems you would be able to get a job teaching accounting if you are interested in that.
You could teach accounting in high school or if you have a masters in it, you could teach adjunct in college. If you teach adjunct, they would probably pay for your PHD and you could seek full professor at a university.
Wow….amazing post; so inspiring and all is true [two thumbs up]. I graduated as a pharmacist; decided to teach in university for 9 years…then moved to K-12 institution for about 5 years….all were somewhat great moments for me…until recently, I have 3 offers; they are all offering about similar paycheck (high salary; easy money) but been confused which one to choose….then found your post…this is really helping me to make a better decision….now considering only 2 ….thanks a heap. It’s now the time for a real life. God bless :)
After working at a job for 9 years where I was disrespected and stayed only for the paycheck I walked away. I found out that paycheck can’t buy back my self respect. As I look for new work I will keep all of these points close to mind and never sell myself for money again. The people I work for and with next will have to be aligned with my values or I will keep looking until I find a company that does.
I have worked for a company for seven years; Then gave my two week notice and got hired on to a better paying job with benefits at another company, for two years. Then I lost my job, when they closed down the shop at the new job; I have Been out of work since than and now I’m still searching for stable work environment it is even harder when they close the doors believe me, keep your present job if you can. You will lose your future job references and your job status, it is not fun your blessed…
Sincerely; Tamera.
We cannot all freely “choose” a better job. I have been apply for two years to get out of my first job after college. It’s an important job, but as low as they come in a business setting, and I know I am capable or doing so much more. I WANT to do more! Unfortunately, thereb isn’t much room for advancement, as it is a small company. That’s why I thought I should look outside the company. Still no luck. I suppose it’s something I’m doing improperly, for I know no one else is to blame, but feeling like I make a difference, and knowing that my skills would be missed if I left, would make all the difference.
This entire post hit one of my “sweet spots” – I’m an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) parent of a young man who’s been working since he graduated from hs in 2005. I SO wish that numbers 3,4 and 8 would reveal themselves early on when folks on the spectrum are researching job opportunities. These 3 “things” reveal a company’s culture and make such a world of difference. For ALL of us.
Let’s not forget the satisfaction that can be had by doing a necessary thing, even when it’s difficult. I applaud people who sludge to work to support their family. I do not support anyone who would neglect their family’s needs because their job wasn’t fulfilling. Or someone who won’t take a second job because it’s too demeaning and then sponge off someone else. Not everyone should, can, or will find a job that does anything more than bring a paycheck. That’s alright.
I lost my business at the first of the year due to a zoning dispute with the City of Denver. It was so traumatic that I’ve been hesitant to jump back in and open another location. After reading this post, I just don’t know what else I would do with my time that would be as fulfilling. All but #11… It did take so much time and energy that I felt a little lopsided with family time, although my husband couldn’t have been more wonderful and supportive. Maybe I will give it another go, with an effort to restructure in a way that doesn’t require as many hours on site.
The job I am currently in is sucking the life out of me. It was handed off to me with no direction and is a dumping ground for all the tasks no one else wants to do. It is consuming me and affecting my private life and relationships. It pays well over 6 figures and puts me in a DROP program which banks 60 k extra in a 501, has 4weeks paid vacation and a schedule of 3 12 hour days one week and 4 12 hour days the next. Are family obligations (married with 3 children) justification for martyrdom? I could leave now with an annual pension of 60k and 300k in a 457. Or I could die for five more years for half a million extra dollars. Is it not about the money?
Depending in where you live, you can live on $60,000. Perhaps you have done this long enough to make that jump.
#6 – who are “the people who can help with this”?
#13 could also be added to find that job in a place you want to live based on your priorities and preferences. That I believe sets the tone for a lot of how our day begins, including how we spend that valued time off. Waking up to a foot of snow every day, may drive some people into depression, while others pull out the skies or jump on the snowmobile at every opportunity. Some folks enjoy the closeness of being around the family and friends they grew up with and can’t imagine a moment away. On the other hand, there are those that enjoy the holiday visits, and still others that love to explore the planet, especially when their job provides for that ability!