How To Know Whether You’re In The Right Job (10 Quickfire Questions)

Whether you like it or not, finding the right job is one of the most important challenges that anyone faces in life. After all, it has a huge influence on virtually every other aspect of your world and can be the foundation for building the life you deserve.

The big question, then, is whether a job is right for you. Whether weighing up a new job offer or trying to determine if you need to start looking for a different role doesn’t matter. The questions below will point you in the right direction.

Q1: What are the financial rewards like?

First and foremost, the purpose of your career is to provide an income. Therefore, any job you take must be capable of paying the bills. Not least due to inflation and the cost of living crisis. While we can’t all earn a six or seven-figure salary, you deserve to be paid fairly for the job you provide. Checking the average remuneration package for a job like yours should be a key part of your research for any job.

Asking about pension contributions, commissions, and financial matters is also key. It will let you make a calculated decision.

Q2: Does it allow you to make a difference?

Most workers like to know that their work adds value to the world. This could manifest itself in several ways, such as working in a field like renewable energy. Alternatively, you may wish to focus on helping people. Acquiring a chaplaincy certification, for example, will open the door to helping workers across the country. It’s an opportunity to support people through tough life circumstances ranging from grief to mental health problems.

The knowledge that you’ve changed situations for the better will deliver a sense of self-satisfaction. Frankly, it’s a great thing for your job to provide.

Q3: Are you able to work on something you enjoy?

Making a difference is wonderful. For the best results, though, you should also try to work on your passion. Even when doing something worthwhile, it’s inevitable that your job will serve up some testing moments. If you love the work, though, this will become a far smaller issue for you. Besides, your passion is likely to shine through. This means you’ll produce better results thanks to your expertise.

Better still, your positivity will spread to others. From inspiring other workers to impressing customers, the benefits will be huge.

Q4: Is there a good work-life balance?

While it is important to be happy at work you must remember that there are more important things in life. Ultimately, the reason for wanting a successful career is that it can open the door to a better quality of life. Therefore, it’s imperative that you take the hours into account. This is one reason why local jobs and remote positions often stand out. Or you may want a role where you work lots of hours followed by extended time off.

There is no single right or wrong answer except the solution that works for you. If the job aligns with your life, though, it will be more enjoyable.

Q5: Does the job offer long-term growth opportunities?

Finding a job that satisfies your immediate demands is essential. However, long-term stability and prospects are hugely important too. A company that boasts a solid reputation for training employees and using internal promotions should be seen in a positive light. While the average person tends to change their job every four years, the majority would view staying put as the preferred route. As long as it makes sense to.

If nothing else, a job that offers long-term prospects will keep you engaged. So, you will be less likely to fall into a period of stagnation.

Q6: Is the workplace culture right?

The average worker spends 40 hours of each week at work. This is far too long to be exposed to toxic environments. So, it’s important to consider whether the company you work for shows signs of a positive or negative culture. This includes having protocols in place, such as mental health first aid, to put things right should a problem surface. Crucially, you should feel capable of communicating with confidence.

If there is a risk of falling victim to workplace bullying or other unenviable situations, it’s time to look elsewhere. You cannot afford to hesitate and regret it.

Q7: Do you feel in control of your destiny?

Many workers wish to feel in control of the journey ahead. It is one of the reasons why many people flock towards starting businesses and working for themselves. Aside from having the potential to earn lucrative sums, it offers you the chance to be in charge of major decisions. It may range from analyzing real estate investment opportunities to deciding which product to focus on. Either way, feeling in control is a wonderful thing.

It’s not something every worker desires. If you are one of them, though, it is likely to play on your mind until you launch a startup or side hustle that scratches the itch.

Q8: Does it make me feel proud?

Working a job that makes you feel proud is unlikely to be the #1 item on your checklist. Still, it is a hugely beneficial ingredient in the recipe for success. Jobs that carry status or sound impressive when talking to others are ideal. This can include careers that sound cool, such as working in the arts. Alternatively, it could simply mean following the path that you pictured as a kid.

Only you know whether you can lie down at night and feel a sense of pride from your work. It will have an influence on your overall relationship with the work.

Q9: Are you able to test yourself?

Pushing yourself to your full capabilities is another factor that can make a job far more fulfilling. Finding a job that enables you to do this is, therefore, highly advised. Working in a developing field is an effective solution. Crucially, you should wish to seek employment at a company where you are allowed to innovate and show autonomy. Only then will you be truly positioned to show what you can do.

Aside from making the job more engaging, it will give you the best chance of impressing bosses to climb the career ladder.

Q10: Does the company have a future?

Finally, it’s not only important to think about the job within the context of personal desires. Frankly, it’s equally crucial to know whether the business has a future. If it does not, you will soon be forced to find a new role. It’s probably best to start the search now while you are not under pressure. Otherwise, you may be forced into taking any job that pays a wage following the closure of your current company.

When you have the right job at the right company, your situation will look far brighter. Frankly, it is the least that you deserve.