What's Important to You?

Many people who contact us say they'd feel like their job had more meaning if they were doing something socially worthwhile or using a creative talent. But everyone is different and we all get meaning and satisfaction from a job for different reasons. Here we explore a range of different ways you can find meaning in a job.

I want to make a difference to people's lives
I want to fight for a cause
I want a creative job
I want a job that feels more real
What else can bring meaning to my work?
Where can I get help finding a more meaningful job?
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I want to make a difference to people's lives

Female Nurse If you work in a helping role you can get great satisfaction from knowing that your efforts can help to improve people's lives. You could improve people's health or help them develop and grow. If you're a people person and get a warm glow from helping others, take a look these job areas:

I want to fight for a cause

If you've got a passionately-held beliefs or opinions, it's likely you'd be motivated to work in a job where you put your passion into action. For example, if you feel strongly about third world poverty, you could join a charity that helps to bring clean water to villages.

Opportunities in the voluntary sector are growing all the time, and salaries are moving closer towards the public and private sectors. You could get some experience by volunteering at first, to find out how voluntary organisations operate.

You might even find that you already have the skills to transfer straight into the voluntary sector, even if you haven't worked in it before. For example, if you've got sales experience, you could be a charity fundraiser. Here are a few jobs to give you some ideas:

Voluntary organisations also employ people in general roles, so if you've got the right background you be an accounts clerk, a human resources officer or a project manager, for example.

If you've got strong political beliefs you could become a Member of Parliament (MP)....

I want a creative job

Creative jobs can enable you to make the most of your natural talents. You can feel you're bringing something of yourself to your job and that no-one else would have produced the same work as you. If you want to get those creative juices flowing, you could read up on the careers in these job families:

I want a job that feels more real

Man on Construction Site You might feel this way if in your current job you're part of a large process, or if you never get to see the impact of your work. If this is the case, you might find you're happier in a more practical job where you can see the finished product or the difference your efforts have made. There are many jobs like this, some of which you'll find in fields like these:

What else can bring meaning to my work?

The reasons above are common, but bear in mind that everyone's values are different. Making money might really fire you up, or it might give you more job satisfaction to set up your own business and do things your way. You could also gain meaning from your work by simply doing something you're interested in and you're good at.

Where can I get help finding a more meaningful job?

Our careers coaches can talk to you to find out what's important to you in work. Even if you're not quite sure what your values are, they'll help you to look at what you've enjoyed doing in the past and what you get from your personal interests.

You can call a careers coach on 08080 100 333. Lines are open 8am to 10pm seven days a week.