Are You in the Wrong Job?
Discontent Among Employees
It’s not news that many Americans are sour on their jobs, employers and workplaces, but the breadth of this attitude is surprising.
More than 55 percent of 1,100 workers questioned expressed overall negative feelings about their work in a recently released survey, a collaboration between Towers Perrin of Stamford, Connecticut, and research firm Gang & Gang Inc. of Salem, Massachusetts.
According to the survey, employees cite the following as the sources of their discontent:
Burnout is a Major Factor
Part of the reason the percentage is so high is that people are burned out. Most people choose a job or career for the wrong reasons. They’re doing what they think they should be doing rather than something that is a good fit for their skills, interests and economic needs. Most burnout is not due to working long hours or being in a stressful job, it’s simply about being in the wrong job. If this sounds familiar, ask yourself:
Assess Your Career Direction
If the answer is NO to any one of these questions, assessing your career direction would be a smart move. The good news is that there are many companies that want high-performing individuals just like you!
Some Key Questions To Ask Yourself
1. What is your vision of the “Perfect Career?”
- Where are you working (locale)?
- What is the environment (home, office, other)?
- Who are you working with (solo, group)?
- What are you trying to accomplish?
- What are the rewards?
- What are the challenges?
- How do you feel (energized, relaxed, committed)?
2. If money were no object, I would…
3. What type of activities give you the greatest feeling of self-worth, self-esteem, importance, and personal pleasure?
4. What are the top 5 fields of knowledge or areas of expertise that you most enjoy using?
5. Strengths as they relate to career-oriented personality traits (example team player, leader, dedicated):