I got my first job when I was ten. I was a dog walker, taking care of a miniature poodle each day after school. Because it is Labor Day, I was reflecting on all the jobs I have held, but this job will always stand out as a special one. I think it is because this job had so many of the attributes of a satisfying job including:
- Challenging and Engaging Job Tasks. My family did not own a dog and so all the tasks associated with taking care of a dog were new to me. I had to learn how to walk her, how to put on her coat if it was cold outside, how to feed her properly, how to groom her, etc.
- A great boss. The owner of this dog taught me a great deal about caring for an animal. She was very patient with me and willing to help me through my learning curve along the way. She praised me for my efforts and helped me gain confidence in my abilities.
- Passion for the Work. I really loved this job. I welcomed the responsibility and the opportunity to be part of an animal’s life.
- Monetary Rewards. Before I got the dog walking job I got an allowance of 25 cents a week and even by 1973 standards, this was not very much money. The dog walking job represented a significant salary boost and earning money was very motivating for me.
- Companionship. This dog was always happy to see me and I loved petting her and playing with her. It was a very satisfying feeling to know that I could help this animal and feel needed by her.
- Fun. This job was fun. This dog made me laugh and kept me entertained for hours.
It can be tough to get more than three of these indicators of job satisfaction in one job and I was lucky enough to land six of them on my first job. It may not be realistic to always expect all six in a job, but it does make sense to prioritize what is most important to you and target companies and positions that are aligned with your priorities.
If you are facing a job search this fall, take some time on this last lazy day of summer to reflect on what makes you happy at work and how you can seek out those satisfiers in your next job. Try rank ordering the list below to determine your top six job satisfiers and have a Happy Labor Day!
Change/Variety
Creativity
Economic Reward
Excitement
Friendships
Great Boss/Mentor
Help Others
Help Society
Independence
Influence
Intellectual Status
Leadership
Location
Make Decisions
Recognition
Stability
Supervising Others
Schedule/Workplace Flexibility