“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.
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