Enjoy Your Job

  • Comments posted to this topic are about the item Enjoy Your Job

  • Amen, brother!

    ---------------------------------------------------------
    How best to post your question[/url]
    How to post performance problems[/url]
    Tally Table:What it is and how it replaces a loop[/url]

    "stewsterl 80804 (10/16/2009)I guess when you stop and try to understand the solution provided you not only learn, but save yourself some headaches when you need to make any slight changes."

  • You bet. That's one of the reasons I moved to New Zealand.

  • Tis why I quit my job and went Freelance, money not as steady but at least my sanity is.

  • In the article, you mentioned in "...I picked jobs that would be good for me growth and development, would pay me more, or provide some exciting challenge. I was willing to put up with long hours, or lots of demands from the company. I even took jobs with people that I didn't like, or wouldn't bother to ever socialize with...". The first sentence still sounds like it would be worth using as a job requirement. What do YOU (I know it differs for everyone) now use as measures of a job that you would find enjoyable? Just wondering.

    Thanks...Chris

  • Whether you're permy or contracting, it seems to me that the three KPIs affecting happiness at work are money, people, and the actual work you're doing.

    All three and you're onto a winner. Don't tell a soul, they will want your job.

    Two - probably most of us - and you're happy enough but open (vulnerable?) to better offers.

    Only one and you're probably not going to stick around.

    It's not as simple as this though, the job climate has a profound effect on how we perceive our jobs. If work is thin on the ground I'll do practically anything as long as it's legal, doesn't hurt and doesn't smell.

    “Write the query the simplest way. If through testing it becomes clear that the performance is inadequate, consider alternative query forms.” - Gail Shaw

    For fast, accurate and documented assistance in answering your questions, please read this article.
    Understanding and using APPLY, (I) and (II) Paul White
    Hidden RBAR: Triangular Joins / The "Numbers" or "Tally" Table: What it is and how it replaces a loop Jeff Moden

  • I'd add location as a 4th item to Chris's list of 3. You can have the best job in the world, but if you hate where you live you'll always be looking for a chance to move someplace else. I currently "work" for a non-profit and I don't do it for money, the people are nice, the work isn't really great, and the location is 1500 miles from where my wife would like to live. We made this choice because we believe in what the organization does. It isn't a job it is a ministry for us. Does that mean we'll never leave it, no. Does that mean I want to get up and go to the office every day, no.

    At the end of the day I want to see that my work is having an impact and if it isn't then that is when I am looking to move on.

  • Jack Corbett (9/9/2010)


    ...At the end of the day I want to see that my work is having an impact and if it isn't then that is when I am looking to move on.

    That's the statement of a true professional.

    “Write the query the simplest way. If through testing it becomes clear that the performance is inadequate, consider alternative query forms.” - Gail Shaw

    For fast, accurate and documented assistance in answering your questions, please read this article.
    Understanding and using APPLY, (I) and (II) Paul White
    Hidden RBAR: Triangular Joins / The "Numbers" or "Tally" Table: What it is and how it replaces a loop Jeff Moden

  • I have stayed at jobs for a considerable time because I found a pretty high level of satisfaction there, even though the pay was pretty poor.

    Do what fits your life, brings you fulfillment and a sense of purpose and everything else should fall in line.

  • I couldn't agree more! But I guess I'm wondering how a person finds a job that they can really enjoy. Looking for a job is a lot like buying a used car - you don't really know what you are getting yourself in to. At least that's been my expereinces the last few years.

  • My last job I loved because of the technical challenges and great atmosphere, but I left becuase the company was being run into the ground by new management. I absolutely hate my job now. The pay is okay, the people are jerks, and being proactive and intelligent is totally frowned upon. I can't wait to start anew soon.

  • CGSJohnson (9/9/2010)


    ...What do YOU (I know it differs for everyone) now use as measures of a job that you would find enjoyable? Just wondering.

    Thanks...Chris

    Chris,

    The last few jobs I've had before this one, I've been mainly focused on two things: The people and the environment. It's kind of like location that Jack mentioned. I had a great job offer from DoubleClick about 10 years ago, but it was on the other side of Denver. An easy 45-60minute drive from my house. I couldn't do it. They offered me one day a week telecommuting, but I said I couldn't do it unless I got 2 or 3 days a week, or even alternating them. They didn't like that, and I didn't take the job after about a 6 hour interview.

    To me the job is the job. Unlike some others, I can find meaning in other areas, and as a production guy for the most part, I didn't derive any great satisfaction other than doing a solid job every day. The money has usually been similar to me, and it's enough, so the highest offer isn't necessarily the best.

    So I look at people. The people that I work with impact me. I see them as much as my kids and my wife many weeks, so it's important to me that we get along and enjoy the company. It's a guess, but I try to meet people and spend an hour chatting. Just learning to understand how we fit together.

    It's how I hire as well. You need some technical skills, but we can train you to have more. We can't usually train you to have a better personality.

  • In a perfect world, it would be great if everyone was able to choose the job that was perfect for them. However, this isn't a perfect world and the current economy is making it even less so. I know many, many people that have decades of experience and advanced degrees and they've been looking for a job, any job, for 3+ years. Some babysit in their homes & others work as store clerks just to make ends meet. I also know others that have applied at fast food places only to be told that they weren't hiring.

    In fact, the only reason my husband is employed after being laid off after a year was that his friend that got him into the company in the first place passed away and the company owner figured that bringing my husband back would be the best choice. He wasn't happy about the circumstances that got him rehired, he's not being challenged, he was moved to a different building so he no longer gets to see the people that he befriended during his first stint - but he brings home a paycheck which is what we need and the best that we can hope for right now.

  • If Information Technology ever stopped being fun and rewarding, civilization would soon collapse.

    "Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho

  • I count myself to be truely fortunate. After doing contract programming and database work in the public health field, I found that knowing that my work was doing something meaningful and helpful for someone brought me far more satisfaction than crunching code to generate revenue ever did. Now I work for a non-profit in the medical field, and I get direct feedback of the impact of my work on people's health and quality of life. I can't imagine ever going back to the for-profit corporate sphere. I've turned down offers that would have increased my salary, but I love what I do, I like my co-workers, and I believe in the work that we do. I'm happy to have found my niche.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 31 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply