It’s relatively easy to find a career path that you enjoy, but it doesn’t necessarily follow that you’ll then have a career that you enjoy. That requires something else – the ever-elusive job satisfaction.
When you were younger, you probably envisaged your career unfolding in a certain way. You had a dream job, a dream salary and a dream life. You imagined you’d be happy.
In reality, it’s not always that simple.
One thing we don’t always consider – or give enough credence to – when we’re planning out our lives is the importance of job satisfaction. If you’re not satisfied at work, you’re never going to truly enjoy what you’re doing.
But how can you achieve job satisfaction?
The most important thing – as we sometimes hear ad nauseum – is to do what you love and love what you do.
This week, we heard that from MSD operations lead Karen Blakely, who followed her passion into engineering and ended up with a career that she still enjoys.
But it can also be the little things that lead to greater job satisfaction. Feeling like you’ve achieved something every day can have a huge positive impact. The best way to feel like you’re doing that? To stay focused and get the job done.
We’ve all struggled with procrastination at one point or another, but what do you do when it becomes an identity trait rather than just a bad habit? Well, we can help.
Along the same lines, when you’re feeling worn out – and worn down – it can be hard to get motivated to do anything at all. We also looked into how you can maintain your work ethic when you’re exhausted.
Looking forward
Want to go and put these tips and tidbits to good use? We have good news – or, rather, Axiom and Jet.com do. Both are currently hiring in Ireland.
Furthermore, we have even better news for data scientists: the industry saw a 57pc global increase in data science roles last year.
But what if you’re not looking for a new job? And what if the thing preventing your job satisfaction is something that’s out of your control? This week, we took a look at how you can deal with the emotional upset of having a new boss.
That’s not the only place where emotion can come into your working world, though. One major source of job satisfaction can simply be working for a company that has a positive impact on the world around it. At Three’s Limerick facility, employees have raised funds for the An Cosán programme that seeks to improve digital literacy.
Finally, job satisfaction is also going to be a major factor in employee happiness in the future of work. We heard from Mark Curtis, co-founder and chief client officer of Fjord, who took a deep dive into how companies can use design thinking to build a viable company that people like to work for.
As always, for more on any of these stories, follow the links below.
1. ‘Do what you love – you have to want to go to work’
Working in pharma can be an attractive proposition, but how can you grow and progress a career in the sector?
2. Feeling distracted? 5 ways to stay focused at work
For when you need to shake it off and knuckle down, here are some tips you can use to focus your attention.
3. How to power through work when you’re tired
Sometimes you just need to power through work even when you’re exhausted. There are plenty of simple tips and tricks you can do to give your productivity a boost when your energy levels are low.
4. Axiom hiring push to continue as new Belfast office expands
Axiom has announced the official opening of its new Belfast centre of excellence. The new site is a significant expansion of the company’s Belfast operations, providing space for up to 350 members of staff.
5. Jet.com is looking for great talent for its Dublin office
Jet.com was at Career Zoo last month looking for great talent and showcasing what it does best.
6. Data science roles increased by 57pc globally in one year
One of the hottest job sectors in 2016 was data science, and it looks like that trend is set to continue.
7. How to deal with a new boss
What can you do when faced with a new boss? There are a few steps you can take to make the transition smooth for both you and them, hopefully creating a good relationship from the very beginning.
8. Three’s Limerick workers fund digital literacy drive in city
Three Ireland and An Cosán Virtual Community College (VCC), in partnership with Limerick Youth Service, have created a fully funded online community development programme for young adults.
9. How can design thinking help to shape the future of work?
Mark Curtis, Fjord co-founder and chief client officer – and Inspirefest 2016 speaker – tells us how design thinking can not only bring real human emotion into business, but it can also help forge the future of work.
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