What is your contribution towards your job satisfaction?

VIQUÉ-OCEAN KAHINJU

Every employee seeks a dream career that guarantees job satisfaction, but many workers spend a life time searching for this gratification. Jorje Kamau, a human resource adviser, says it is both the employer and employee’s duty to work towards achieving job satisfaction. “There are certain things an employee cannot change about the nature or policies governing their employment to get job satisfaction. And often, it is the nature of working conditions that determine job satisfaction,” says Kamau.

He adds that the fact that employees dedicate long hours to their jobs, satisfaction is crucial. Kamau notes that this is why workers initially look for jobs that will make them happy because it impacts on the creativity and productivity in their areas of production. “Employers need to learn from successful organisations. Such firms retain their workers because they mastered the secret of fulfilling employee job satisfaction,” he says.

When an employee is happy, they are dedicated to their work, which leads to career growth. However, there are elements of work that affect job satisfaction such as salary level, employer-employee relationship and working hours that employees cannot control. “Even so, job satisfaction is achievable if an employee works towards it. Reliance on the employer to fulfil your career happiness is wrong because happiness begins with you,” Kamau advises.

“You can increase your own job satisfaction level once you understand the importance of career contentment in your career journey.”

Every worker has potential to increase their job satisfaction. Before you blame your lack of job satisfaction on your employer, ask yourself some questions about your contribution towards your job happiness and the role of your job in your life, says Dan Oboma, a human resource expert at Arche International Business Link. Deploy some steps to attain job satisfaction. It will lead to happiness in your life, thus impacting your career positively.

Know yourself
A worker who suffers from identity deficiency or lacks vision about the future of their career should forget about ever getting satisfaction in their job. Knowing yourself and what motivates you is a sure way of achieving job satisfaction. “Stop being emotionally drained because you cannot do what your co-worker does. Having private wars with yourself will only ruin your happiness at work and your career in the long-run,” Oboma says.

Search for what inspires you to work
“Working without inspiration is like throwing caution to the wind. In fact, this can cause loss of morale, which affects job satisfaction,” Oboma explains. In addition, an employee can increase their job satisfaction by challenging themselves in various ways connected to their careers. In case your work is not challenging enough, it means your career is going down the spiral.

Work to improve your competence
This means spreading your wings to learn other skills that are not necessarily applicable in your current job. Knowledge is power. Good or extra knowledge about different work areas is a source of job satisfaction. Therefore, consider grabbing every opportunity to enhance your career knowledge. “Being equipped with extra knowledge will not only keep you challenged but also open doors,” Oboma says. Knowing that options are open, you become more relaxed and feel better about yourself. However, being equipped with knowledge without positive thinking is wastage of time.

Have a positive outlook
This is vital, especially when things are not going the way you expected. “Has your promotion taken forever to come or has your salary been stagnant at a certain figure ever since you started working? Stay positive, things are bound to change for the better,” Oboma advises.