More often than not, people describe what they do as “just a job.” As someone who has always loved her job, I’ve found this sentiment surprising and decided to do some research. What makes someone love her job instead of hating it? More importantly, is there anything you can do to turn a job you hate into your dream job?
After years of working, coaching, and mentoring, I decided to run an informal survey on the topic. What I found were the top five reasons people who answered loved their jobs:
1. The Challenge
One hundred percent of the people who loved their jobs cited the challenge of their work as the single biggest reason they enjoyed what they did. They solved problems and put their skills to good use. No two days were the same; the job provided variety, and they learned something new every day.
2. Great Bosses
Almost everyone who loved their job cited their boss as a key factor. But when I delved into this in more detail, it was largely because their boss allowed them to experience the challenge I describe above and recognized them for doing so.
3. Great Coworkers
Most of the respondents who loved their job also cited their coworkers. They felt they were part of a “team” and believed everyone was marching toward the same goal (although not necessarily always in step). Many recognized their coworkers as talented and caring.
4. Work That Matters
For many, their satisfaction came from doing a job in which they felt they made a difference. They didn’t have to save the world, but they felt they improved it in some way. Helping others and achieving a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day made the hard work worthwhile—even if their time on the job exceeded a typical eight hour workday.
5. Being Employed
It’s a statement on the current economic environment that many people responded they loved their jobs because they had one. Having friends and family who had to restart their careers after a layoff made them glad to be working regularly.
Other positive comments included flexibility and work/life balance. What was interesting is that not a single respondent mentioned salary or benefits as the reason for loving their job. Not surprisingly, the first few reasons people hate their jobs correspond to the top reasons the “I love my job” camp loved theirs.
