Knowing how you like to work

Before changing job it's useful to understand how you like to work and the sorts of working conditions you prefer.  Use the checklist below to record your preferences, print it out and refer to it when considering changing jobs.

Work hours

9 to 5
flexible hours
self-employed
part-time
shift-work

Co-workers

work alone
work with other people
work with people of my sex only
work with older people
work with younger people
work with people of a similar age to me
work with other cultures
work with my own culture
work with people I mix with socially

Working conditions

work outdoors
work indoors
work in an office
work quietly
work surrounded by activity
answer to a boss
have autonomy
have my own office

Security

need a very secure job
like the excitement of less security
prefer working in a well-established role
prefer working for a newly-created company

Leadership

prefer to be led
want to lead others
need to admire and respect my boss
want to help others
don't need feedback
need plenty of feedback
want rewards for jobs that I do well
need to feel my boss is approachable

Rewards

good starting salary
good future prospects
commission work
performance bonuses
overtime pay
plenty of holidays
lots of travel
fringe benefits (eg company car)
staff discounts

Work challenges

prefer routine work
like working to deadlines
want plenty of variety
need lots of challenges
seek the chance to be creative and innovative
prepared to work up from the bottom

Now choose the five most important things for your job satisfaction and list them in order of their importance.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.