10 Signs You're at the Right Job!
The Perfect fit: When Work Feels Like Home
Whether you’re just starting out at your workplace or have been there for years, knowing that you’re at the right workplace, doing the right job can boost your engagement at work, thereby increasing your productivity and ensuring your career growth. In this blog article, I outline ten unmistakable signs that indicate your workplace is the perfect fit for you.
About to be Read:
- Work But Not Work
- Routine Equals Job Description
- Rewarded Efforts
- Growth Opportunities
- Work-Life Balance
- Challenged, Not Frustrated
- Good Outweighs Bad
- Your Opinions Count
- Values and Missions Alignment
- Your Guts Simply Say So
Tens Signs You're At The Right Job
1. Work But Not Work
Do you usually drag yourself sluggishly out of bed, through your morning rituals and into your workplace? When the day is drawing to an end, can’t you wait for ‘home o’clock’? When you’re at the right workplace, work doesn’t seem like work. Undertaking and completing tasks at work bring you fulfilment, instead of physical and mental exhaustion.
2. Your Routine Equals The Job Description
At the ideal job, what you applied for is what you work on. Before contract clauses, job descriptions are a forecast of your future routine on the job. This means that these descriptions are formal declarations of the tasks you are expected to complete on the job. So, if you find yourself repeatedly doing what was not clearly stated in the job descriptions, and everyone thinks it is normal, you are clearly in the wrong place. I would want you to understand that, there is no harm in lending a hand, but it should not become your daily task and it should be voluntary. Remember this: your job search begins with the job description, not when you tender your application letter.
3. Rewarded Efforts
Input equals output. Does your salary reflect your workload? When was the last time you received a bonus, an increase at work? How often do your superiors commend the tasks you accomplish? Are your initiatives rewarded duly? The right workplace has a culture of rewards and appreciation. Employees are explicitly thanked for their contribution, and made to understand that they play an essential role in the overall output of the workplace.
4. Growth Opportunities
In line with rewarding employees’ efforts, the ideal workplace should have a clear set of promotion criteria that stimulates personnel engagement and growth. In-service training should be held quarterly, mandatory courses should be offered, furthered education should be encouraged and promotions should be objective.
5. Work-Life Balance
At the ideal workplace, you are capable of juggling between work and life. We all have 24 hours in one day, and the typical division of these hours is what I call the 8-system: 8 hours of work, 8 hours of life and 8 hours of sleep. Considerate amount of research have shown that spending time with family and friends is a major boost for employees’ productivity at work. So, don’t over work yourself and remember: work smart, not hard.
6. Challenged, Not Frustrated
Stress at the workplace is normal as we continuously have to meet up with deadlines, uphold standards, satisfy clients, and maintain certifications. However, the right job is not frustrating. It is challenging, but not frustrating. The difference between the two concepts is this: when you are challenged, you upgrade your (professional and [inter]personal) skills while overcoming the challenge; but when you are frustrated, you feel downtrodden and question your abilities, which is likely going to make you feel ineffective. But remember, frustration in the face of adversity is the quickest way to lose your integrity at work.
7. Good Outweighs Bad
To err is human, but to forgive is divine. Professional mistakes at the workplace are inevitable, no matter the experience people have. At the right workplace, your number of good deeds outweighs the bad ones, and instead of bluntly blaming you for a mistake, your superiors seek ways to avoid the recurrence of the mistakes. They may recommend in-service training, further education, therapy or a few days off. However, repeating the same mistakes, under the same circumstances is clearly unpardonable.
8. Your Opinions Count
A chain is as strong as its weakest link. An organisation, a company, a society, a school, etc. need inputs from everyone on the ladder, from the gatekeepers to the founders. This ensures that the operations of the institution embody everyone’s perspectives, and in our current world, diversity is a forte in business. At the right workplace, your opinions are heard, analysed and adopted (accordingly). If this is not the case at your workplace, and you simply carryout orders mechanically, you are obviously in the wrong place of work.
9. Values and Missions Alignment
Money is the principal motivator for most workers out there. However, employee loyalty is only attained when employees can relate with the visions and missions of their workplace. The values and missions of your company should align with your personal values and missions—with your principles. Note that I am saying theirs should match yours, not otherwise. At the ideal workplace, you will not have to pretend or twist your visions and missions to fit in. If you do, it means you applied at the wrong place.
10. Your Guts Simply Say So
There will be situations when you are at a crappy job with a discouraging salary, with no visible growth opportunities, and a total disregard for your opinions from your superiors, but your gut will tell you to stay there and not bulge. That is alright. And there will be situations where your current workplace passes all the checks, however, surprisingly, you will feel uncomfortable and unwelcome there. That is alright too. Nonetheless be sure that it is your gut-sight advising you, not your fear of the unknown or repercussions.
Conclusion
We just discussed ten signs that show you are at the right job. When you are at the right workplace, your daily tasks will not feel like a chore, like an obligation. Therefore, before you apply for any job, research about the company’s work climate, its personnel satisfaction, its customer retention/feedback, and its vision and mission. If you are already employed, go through this article and check the points that apply to you. If they are below three, I seriously think you should redefine your career course. I know that the economy is in a valley right now with two sloppy, high hills on both sides, but you have to understand that your employer will not take you seriously if you do not take your career advancement seriously.
