Do you feel successful professionally? What do you consider success in a job search? What do you consider success within your career? Societal values and pressures tend to frame what we define our own success. Reflecting on your own values and defining success for yourself provides an opportunity to measure against your own standards versus the broader societal standards.
Career transitions present two areas where we can reflect on and measure success. First, what is a successful job search? During a career transition we often set out with many objectives. Is success just about landing the job? Second, what does success in our work look like? Recognition and advancement certainly enhance feelings of success, but what are other ways we find success in our daily work?
Career Search Success:
Beyond Landing the Job
The obvious measuring stick would be: Did I get the job? Indeed, landing the job is important, but it is important to not make that the only outcome that matters. Landing a job that makes you miserable will only lead you to another job search. The rush of excitement when receiving an offer or meeting your new teammates quickly wears off and reality sets in.
Landing the RIGHT Job
Feeling urgency in a job search is completely normal, and sometimes financially necessary. Maintaining a focus on finding the right job is a key component of not having to start a new job search before you would like. Finding the right job will be defined differently depending on who you ask. For me, finding the right job is finding something where I feel challenged and that my skills are being fully utilized. Others may find a work-life balance to be more essential. A position in office could be ideal for some, while others need to be moving throughout their days. The key to your success is reflecting on what matters most to you.
Landing with the RIGHT Organization
Finding a job that fits many of your day-to-day requirements is a win but can still fall short of being a successful job search. If the organization is poorly managed, has poor culture and climate, or does not align with your personal values, you may find it to be a poor fit. Finding an employer that shares similar values can bring a higher sense of purpose and meaning to your daily work. Feeling like you are a part of something bigger than yourself can be very motivating and engaging. Researching employers and being selective in where you apply can improve the chances of a successful job search.
Salary & Title
Over the years I have read many articles that have ranked money lower on the list of factors that are important to job seekers. Job seekers have many motivations, but spoiler alert, money matters. Most of us are not independently wealthy and only working to occupy our time. We work to pay the bills, save for our future, and pay for the things we enjoy in life. Making enough to make ends meet is essential to finding satisfaction in any position.
Beyond the basic needs being met, I’ve found motivation in pushing myself to advance in every organization I’ve worked. Financial reward was always welcome, but the main reasons I pushed to advance was loving challenges and feeling like I was helpful and useful to those around me. Ambition is often rewarded in organizations, but it is ok for you to not value that as highly. Having led several teams in my career, I have teammates that are content with their roles can contribute just as significantly as those who have advancement goals. Success is achieved differently from their viewpoint. Reflect on how you want to achieve and contribute professionally and set your goals accordingly.
Success in Your Career:
So, you’ve landed in the right job at the right company. How are you measuring success now? Here are some of the questions I ask myself:
Are you satisfied with your contributions?
Humans are meaning-makers by nature. Do you find your contributions to be meaningful? Sometimes your job will create this meaning. I think of healthcare providers. A nurse doesn’t need to look long to find purpose in providing direct patient care. Other times, meaning and purpose is less obvious. If you are a leader, I encourage you to regularly identify the contributions of your team and specifically thank teammates for the unique value they bring. As an employee, I encourage you to regularly reflect on your value and pat yourself on the back. It’s ok! Others won’t always see (or acknowledge) your value, so embrace recognizing it in you and celebrate what you bring to the team.
Are you engaged?
Have you ever counted down the minutes until quitting time? Do you do this every single day? If so, how does this make you feel about your work? We all have those Fridays where we are just ready for the weekend to start but feeling that way daily is a concern. A sign of engagement for myself is getting so wrapped up in my work that I’m surprised by how quick the day is going. Losing track of time is an indication that I feel both interested in my task and a desire (or a little pressure) to get it done. That level of engagement connects back to seeing my value to the team and creates a positivity loop that feeds feelings of success and professional satisfaction.
Are you working toward something?
Working toward something could include participating in a major project with multiple stakeholders and critical importance to the company. Or it can be daily tasks that still carry significance (think company payroll duties, no one would say that’s unimportant). As a teenager, I worked in restaurants on the weekends and during summers. I really enjoyed the pace of work and connecting with coworkers and customers. I felt so proud to be working at a young age and enjoyed being able to buy things for myself that my parents couldn’t afford. I learned how to cook there and to this day I still enjoy preparing meals for family and friends. The satisfied silence as everyone takes their first bites signals their enjoyment and makes the effort of meal prep completely worthwhile.
Similarly, kitchen cleanup (or closing duties at the restaurant) is working toward a goal. Closing shop or cleaning the kitchen aren’t tasks where many find great purpose, but the satisfaction associated with everything being put away is real and you can find as much or as little satisfaction in that as you’d like. Personally, the moments of relaxation after cooking, cleaning up, and feeding the dogs are a special kind of satisfaction. Small success, but success nonetheless. Find what you’re working toward, either big picture or in daily work, and understand the inherent value in the journey toward that end.
Are you growing (not necessarily advancing)?
Growth could mean advancement, but growth can and should exist in the absence of advancement. Growth is a choice we make to not be stagnate. Each day presents us with countless opportunities to learn and grow. The tasks we complete and the interactions we have each day carry opportunities to develop professionally and personally. Good managers are sure to present growth opportunities to their team, but great employees find lessons often. Those that take responsibility for their growth and development are more likely to find success. Successful growth is an openness to learning, reflecting on the lessons, and adapting your approach.
The way you define and measure success is unique to you and your values. While these are aspects that I consider as I reflect on my professional journey, your list may look quite different. In fact, I’m sure my list has evolved over the years and will continue to evolve in the future. Take time to reflect on what is important to you and be sure to celebrate your successes, however you define those and however big or small they may be. Feel free to share your success measures and success stories in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
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