Generally said career consultant’s help workers find jobs by helping them prepare to enter the job market with a sense of clarity, direction and game plan to compete in today’s job market. But career counselors also help working professionals assess the source of job dissatisfaction and discontentment by getting to the core of their disengagement.
It is in getting to the real reason is where we start to determine what they ultimately want in a job. One would assume that money or compensation is central to job choice and satisfaction. But truth be told it is never about compensation. Whether they make $50,000/yr or $500,000/yr, more money does not foster job satisfaction. The reality is everyone builds their lifestyle around what they make and the more they make the more trade offs and constraints come with it. So more money is not necessarily what workers want.
A few years ago there was a flurry of research done on the importance and impact of a positive work culture and how it contributes to job satisfaction. Some research even suggested that workers will bypass higher compensation for a better work culture.
But what about culture is key to understanding what workers want? Consistently when we ask our clients what they value most in a job the number one answer is ……….flexibility! It is the ability to come and go without being scrutinized. It is knowing they have the trust of their employer that the work will get done. It is the assurance that their performance will be evaluated based on outcome instead of face time. It is the confidence that their commitment to the work won’t be questioned if they have to run home to a sick child.
This is not where I advocate that employers implement flex schedules and telecommuting. The core of what workers want goes deep than that, it is about being trusted that they will get the job done.
Let us know what you want and value most in a job. Feel free to join the conversation on LinkedIn.
