Job satisfaction: the 6 pillars that decide whether work energises you
The work itself, growth, recognition, people, pay and values — find out which pillar is creaking before you quit everything or stay too long.
"Do you like your job?" is a question most of us answer evasively — because the honest answer consists of six smaller ones.
The six pillars of satisfaction
Meta-analyses of job-satisfaction research (incl. Judge et al., 2001) show that overall contentment at work stands on several independent pillars: the work itself (are the tasks interesting), growth (are you growing), recognition (does anyone see your work), people (does the team add or drain energy), pay (do you feel fairly treated) and value fit (does what you do clash with who you are).
The crux: these pillars are surprisingly independent. You can have a great team and salary and still fade, because the work means nothing to you. Or love the mission and burn out through lack of recognition.
Why measure it
Without the pillar breakdown, career decisions get made in "all or nothing" mode: hand in your notice or grit your teeth. A pillar-by-pillar diagnosis opens a third way — fixing the specific element. Recognition creaking? That is a conversation with your boss, not a resignation. The work itself creaking? Maybe a project change is enough, not a company change.
Our 10-question test shows you the profile of all six pillars. Take the result for a walk: it is a map for your next conversation about your job — with your boss, or with yourself.
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