Do you really need to like your job? Let’s talk about it

Do you dread your morning alarm because you don’t want to wake up for work? You’re definitely not alone. Earlier this year, Fortune reported that 79% of U.S. employees feel disengaged from their work. Perhaps that’s no surprise because you and your friends talk about it too. But here’s a thought worth exploring: Do you actually need to like your job?

We spoke with Jessica Roper, director of career services at University of Phoenix, about whether you need to like your job and what she hears from students entering the workforce (or already in it). Roper says she often hears from students that there are two driving factors when entering the workforce: the desire for financial stability and the desire to do something meaningful.

“I think it can be a helpful goal [to] find work you enjoy and feel connected to … but it can also set one up for unrealistic expectations if not careful,” Roper says. She continues: “Work, even if it is meaningful to you, is still work, and you are going to have hard days where you don’t love every minute of it. Often, people think that finding passionate work means they will always be happy and satisfied in the job, but even something you love deeply can burn you out or frustrate you.”

As you can see, it’s normal to have mixed feelings about your job. One key to feeling more satisfaction in the workplace is finding balance. Balance can help you feel more grounded and fulfilled in your career journey. Also, keep in mind, balance can look different for everyone. So, how do you find it? 

The idea of finding a job you’re passionate about sounds great in theory, but you may decide you are just never going to like your job. One thing to keep in mind is that passion, or even general interest, isn’t always immediate. Interest and appreciation can grow over time — especially when you assign your own value to what you do.

“The truth is interests and desires change over time. Something you feel passionate about today might not excite you in five years,” Roper says. “You don’t have to build your entire career around one big passion. It’s more about aligning your work with your strengths, values and lifestyle and allowing your interests and work to evolve and grow as you do.”

For example, let’s say you’re passionate about gaming after work. While you could look for work at a gaming company, you could also ask yourself what it is you like about gaming so much. Is it because you enjoy challenges, teamwork and communication? These are qualities you can seek in roles outside of gaming.

Or perhaps you have an eye for photography and enjoy taking photos. Is it the storytelling aspect that appeals to you? If you have a visual and creative eye, perhaps you could consider a career in design or marketing if photography isn’t a viable pathway.

The goal is to go beyond what you’re passionate about to understand what it is about those passions that appeals to you. Focusing on the why or what behind the passion allows you to distill qualities to look for in roles. So, whether you’re particularly passionate about that exact thing five years from now, the qualities you enjoy about it may still be there. 

If you don’t like your job much, it’s OK: There may be a learning curve that makes it feel hard or like it’s a bad fit. Also, you may be able to change your attitude just enough to make the job hold more value for you.

According to Roper, finding value starts with your mindset. Instead of focusing on what you don’t like, consider ways you can shape your role to fit your needs. Have you learned valuable skills in this position? If not, are there opportunities within your current role that can teach you new skills that may serve you well in future positions?

“I also encourage people to look for ways to take on projects or professional development that align more closely with their interests,” Roper says. “This might look like asking your boss if you can collaborate with another department on a project, volunteering for a new initiative, getting involved in a company employee resource group, or taking advantage of training or learning opportunities.”

She offers a helpful reminder that one benefit of working a job you don’t love is a better understanding of the kinds of roles that don’t work for you. It may just be time for not only a job change but also even a career change. Whatever you choose, if you decide to look for a new role, you can focus on positions that have responsibilities that better match the parts of your current role that you enjoy.

Here are reflective questions that can potentially guide you toward a better fit:

• What problems do I feel driven to solve or care deeply about?
• What activities at work energize me or make me feel engaged?
• Where do I see myself in five years, and how does my current role help me get there?
• What do I believe my greatest strengths are and what do my manager or close colleagues say I’m best at?
• What trade-offs am I willing, or not willing, to make for a higher salary? 

If you don’t like your job, you may be considering changing your career. University of Phoenix alumna Jennifer Craig knows what it’s like to pivot in one’s career. She has experienced four distinct career changes throughout her professional journey, and she says a different need guided each shift.

“When I left the alcohol industry, I was looking for a position that would push me and keep me engaged and learning while also providing a higher salary,” Craig says. “When leaving the marketing coordinator role, I was looking for a position that valued me and my experience.”

To make each of her career shifts, she turned to education so she could add to her knowledge and skill set — ideally becoming more valuable to potential employers. Her other advice? Give serious consideration to new roles and, when you take them, give yourself time to acclimate. It can take time to figure out what you want to do or if the job is the right fit. It can also take time to master the learning curve at which point you may find a new career or position actually aligns with your values and strengths better than you originally thought.

“I took chances, took classes, trusted some amazing mentors, and embraced change,” Craig adds.

Does job satisfaction come purely from your paycheck? Well, let’s hope not. Finding deeper satisfaction in your work may help your overall happiness. So, how do you find that?

According to Roper, satisfaction is rooted in alignment. Even if you’re not passionate about your job, at least ensure it speaks to your strengths and values. She said that passion can grow over time when you’re in the right environment.

Finding such strengths-based roles can help you like your job better and potentially make your work feel easier. You likely have more than one strength, so start by compiling a list of everything you’re good at. Then, make a list of your values. Using these two lists, you can then attempt to find companies with values that align with yours or roles that may offer responsibilities that speak to your strengths.

You might also look to a professional mentor in your field or a career advisor to ask for guidance. 

If you love what you do, that’s amazing. But it’s also important to remember that it’s OK if you don’t really like your job. Sometimes a job is just a means to an end — but you can also assign it the value you want. Reshape your attitude toward what you are obligated to do. Passion can grow from the meaning you find in it. You have the power to define what career success looks like for yourself. If you’re rethinking what meaningful work looks like for you, exploring in-demand skills that align with your interests can be a good place to start. University of Phoenix offers flexible, online programs that may fit your goals.

Additionally, explore these career resources:

• Career Services for Life^® commitment: Available to UOPX students and graduates, this offering comprises complimentary career coaching, including guidance on how to build a personal brand and write a resumé.
• Free career resources: Browse a range of downloadable guides and templates to help you optimize your LinkedIn^® profile, get ready for a job interview and write a resumé and cover letter.
• Career With Confidence™ newsletter: Get career insights every week via UOPX’s LinkedIn newsletter.

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