What the World’s Most Satisfying Jobs Have in Common

Job satisfaction. These two words frame a concept that every worker strives to achieve. 

Workers who are satisfied are happier, more productive, and more creative. This makes sense when you calculate that more than half of a person’s waking hours are spent at work. 

However, it might be that employees have been looking for this type of fulfillment in all the wrong places. Instead of placing emphasis on perks like money, titles and a nice corner office with a view, members of the workforce should instead be looking for employment that is engaging, flexible and, above all else, benefits other people. 

4 qualities of a Highly Satisfying Job

But what should you be looking for when hunting for job satisfaction? Here are four qualities that you should consider when interviewing for a new role.

Quality 1: Is it engaging? 

Doing engaging and interesting work is the first step towards achieving true contentment. This type of position is characterised by its ability to draw you in and hold your attention. There is a sense of effortlessness to the daily work routine, and you’re more likely to end the day surprised at how quickly it’s time to go home. 

Ideally, there should be variety to your duties and constructive feedback upon completion. 

Quality 2: Is it flexible?

A job that offers flexibility is the next step. An element of flexibility allows employees to create balance, leaving room for them to deal with all the other events and issues happening in their lives. Flexibility also means having a say in when, how and where you work, which in turn leads to increased engagement, productivity and focus. 

Quality 3: Is it collaborative?

Humans need interaction. That’s why finding employment which offers collaboration and interaction is the next step towards fulfillment. By collaborating with other workers and interacting in the team room, you can feel a genuine connection.

Quality 4: Does it benefit others?

The last and most important step to take before reaching true fulfillment is finding a role that helps others in some way, shape or form. In fact, helping others is really one of the key ingredients for life satisfaction. 

4 Satisfying Careers

While many think that satisfying employment will stem from following your passions, this is not necessarily the case. People who follow their passions may be deeply engrossed in the task and still be left feeling unsatisfied at the end of the working week. Rather, it’s performing a role that contributes to the world that derives the most satisfaction. 

Helping others is a broad term. In relation to an occupation it can be anything from a teacher to a counsellor and everything in between. At the end of the day, all that matters is that your daily duties – whether wholly or in part – contribute to bettering the experience of an individual, a community, or even others within your workplace. 

Job 1: Teacher

Day in and day out, teachers improve the lives of their students. Teachers set their pupils up for the future, often having an enormous impact on the student’s life. They are also key members of the community, as they help to form the opinions and behaviours of those within the community.

Teacher encompasses everything from school educators to trainers in tertiary pursuits to even teaching pursuits outside of academia, such as personal trainers – there are a myriad of ways that someone could be labelled as a ‘teacher’ in society.

Job 2: Author

Whether writing fiction or nonfiction, authors help people. Through the written word and illustrations they are able to shine a light on previously hidden topics, give a voice to the voiceless and also help individuals feel less alone in this world. They provide a safe method of escapism for others.

Being an author is not necessarily a high-paying role unless you’re the Stephen Kings of the pen-world, however the cathartic nature of sharing the stories of your imagination can make up for the small income.

Job 3: Counsellor

Thoughtful, honest and careful counsellors will, in most cases, make a huge difference in the lives of their clients. A career with many opportunities and pathways, counsellors will help people navigate the challenges and experiences that life has to offer. 

Counsellors can use their training in many ways, from having a private practice with individual patients, to being an in-house counsellor for enterprise businesses that prioritise their staff’s well being.

Job 4: Firefighter 

While running into burning buildings may seem extreme, that’s how firefighters ensure individuals are protected on what quite often is the worst day of their lives. Belongings and structures may be destroyed, but firefighters save something more important – a life. This can help promote intense job satisfaction.

The job that has it all

When applying for a new role, it’s easy to get caught up in the perks. The power of a better office, better salary and better title cannot be underestimated. However, you may find that the glean will wear off these incentives. If the position isn’t engaging, flexible, open to collaboration and, most importantly, something that benefits others, contentment likely won’t last. 

While it may seem hard to find a job that has it all, these kinds of careers are out there. In fact, there are many professions that report a happy, content and creative workforce. The key to having it all is looking inward and finding the role that will allow you to play to your strengths while also affording you the opportunity to make a positive impact on others’ lives.