How To Find A Job You’ll Love

Written October 21 2024

Est. 4 minute read

This article draws heavily from 80,000 Hours (see their up-to-date entry here).

[Open books written by different authors that all read the same text on the pages - “find your dream job by reflecting on your values and lifestyle” to indicate the flawed, repetitive nature of normative career advice]

If you want to be satisfied at work, what should you look for? Prestige, money, something you’re passionate about, a corner office? Books on career guidance often start by asking you to consider your values and desired lifestyle, and then to find a job that matches them. But why expect this approach to work? Research has shown that the only thing that’s consistently present in satisfying jobs is that the work itself is engaging. This aligns with Colossians 3:23, which encourages us to "work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men," emphasising that genuine fulfillment in work comes from serving a higher purpose. Thus, finding engaging work should be the starting point for a satisfying career. What makes work mentally challenging is broken down into five qualities:

Independence – To what extent does your work allow you to make decisions and exercise the gifts God has given you in a way that aligns with His purpose?

Sense of Completion – How much does your job enable you to see the fruits of your labor, where your contributions are not just a small piece but a vital part of a larger mission that glorifies God?

Variety – In what ways does your work challenge you to utilize a diverse range of skills and talents that reflect the unique abilities God has bestowed upon you?

Feedback from the Job – How does your work offer insights and encouragement about your performance, allowing you to grow and serve more effectively in your calling?

Contribution – How significantly does your role impact the lives and well-being of others, fulfilling Christ’s command to love and serve our neighbors?

[Line graph showing positive correlation with job satisfaction on the y axis, and motivation, productivity and commitment on the x axis]

A large meta-analysis of survey results showed that each correlates with job satisfaction (mean r=0.41), as well as with motivation, productivity and commitment to your employer. Job complexity and the degree of information processing required are similarly strong predictors, but the evidence is weaker.

There’s also some indirect support for this conclusion.

First, employee surveys about job satisfaction have shown that “interesting work” turns out to be what’s most important to people, as opposed to pay or status.

Second, the five characteristics, in particular feedback from the job and sense of completion are similar to the conditions needed to enter a state of flow - the pleasurable state of being so immersed in an activity that you’re completely free of distractions and lose track of time. Csikszentmihalyi has argued that being able to enter states of flow is key to having genuinely satisfying experiences, so we’d expect this link.

The characteristics contributing to job satisfaction align closely with the principles of intrinsic motivation outlined in Self-Determination Theory, which identifies three core elements: Autonomy, the freedom to make choices in your work; Competence, the feeling of being skilled at your job; and Relatedness, the sense of connection with others, reflecting the biblical call to love and serve one another. Competence can be nurtured through a sense of completion and feedback from engaging work, reminding us of the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where being faithful in our work leads to greater rewards. Relatedness emphasizes the importance of community and fellowship, as we are called to support and uplift each other in our endeavors. In the book Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller, he highlights the significance of purpose in work, which resonates with the Christian understanding that our work should serve a higher calling and contribute to the well-being of others. Ultimately, the impact of our work on the lives of others enhances our overall satisfaction and aligns with the biblical principle of stewardship. While engaging work is essential for all, it is especially important for those who seek personal growth and find joy in fulfilling the tasks God has set before them, making it vital to prioritize finding work that glorifies Him and serves others.

Am I Different?

This discussion focuses on averages, but it’s easy to see how personal preferences and unique talents can overshadow what makes most people happy at work. Sure, meaningful work is important, but other things like earning a decent income, making a difference in society matter too.

While it’s good to consider individual feelings, it makes sense to start by looking at what usually leads to job satisfaction according to God’s design for work. Personal experiences—like past jobs that brought joy—can help adjust expectations about what will bring happiness, rather than just relying on what works for the average person. This way, it’s easier to avoid the mistake of focusing too much on personal experiences at the expense of broader trends.

Also, when trying to find work that feels purposeful, it’s important to be aware of the biases that can cloud judgment about what truly brings joy. These biases remind us that when searching for a job that aligns with faith and values, it’s essential to pay more attention to what typically leads to fulfillment and happiness according to God’s plan.

Trusting in God’s guidance and praying for wisdom can help people connect their work with their values and purpose. This ensures that choices reflect personal journeys and contribute to the greater good that God intends.

Summing Up

  • Fulfilling work is rooted in engaging tasks that reflect God’s purpose.

  • The five qualities of meaningful work—independence, completion, variety, feedback, and contribution—enhance job satisfaction.

  • True fulfillment comes from motivation based on God-given autonomy, competence, and relationships.

  • Serving others and making a positive impact aligns with God’s calling and brings joy.

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Do you have any career uncertainties? Click here to read our article on three big career uncertainties you can trust God with.