How many of us know people who are doing a job they truly love? One where they wake up every day feeling grateful to do the one thing they’re passionate about? Where their purpose in life is genuinely being met?

Well, from personal experience, it’s not something I come across every day. In fact, Indeed’s 2022 Work Happiness Score survey found that only a third of UK workers are generally happy in their jobs most of the time, while over one in three people (36%) are unhappy in their jobs.

It’s a reality that many people know all too well, as they spend their lives navigating jobs that they may not be passionate about but pay the bills – but we are beginning to see a shift as more women are increasingly seeking jobs that give them purpose.

Research from Samsung found young women are increasingly seeking a job that enables them to make a positive change in the world (41%), do rewarding work (41%), and gives them the opportunity to make technology more inclusive to women (40%).

But being able to put yourself in a position where you are doing something you truly feel gives you purpose doesn’t come easy though, so we spoke to two careers experts about how women can understand how to find their purpose at work. 

What does it mean to find your job purpose?

Finding purpose at work can come with many positives. From navigating a better work-life balance to feeling better job satisfaction, doing something that feels purposeful can help lead a more fulfilling life, according to experts.

“It can bring people a lot of joy and satisfaction,” says Robbie Bryant, a career and education expert from Open Study College.

“Knowing that you are making a difference can give you a sense of purpose at work, along with being challenged or just having lots of fun.”

“When people talk about their ‘job purpose’ or ‘finding purpose at work’ it means that they have a clear view about why they do the work they do,” says Iris Smyth, a career change coach.

“Whether that’s to learn a new skill or to make a positive impact on the world, ultimately, what this means is that their work gives them the opportunity to make progress on or engage with things that give them meaning and energy.”

Why is it important to find your purpose at work?

Finding purpose in your current role or in a completely new job is important for various reasons, including your own wellbeing, according to Bryant.

“Research has shown that people who get purpose from their work feel more satisfied both at work and outside of work, have more energy, enjoy better health, perform better at work and are more resilient,” he says. 

Finding purpose at work can also help you to feel more motivated. However, as Smyth notes, purpose can be found in many forms.

“It’s about understanding what purpose means to you,” she says. “Would you feel happier if you were paid more or worked less? Perhaps you would like to leave the corporate world and focus your work on benefiting the community. Purpose varies from person to person, but ultimately feeling satisfied at work is a great thing to strive for.”

How can people balance their financial needs with finding work that they feel gives them purpose?

The current economic climate means that for many, the desire to maintain or find work is taking precedence over finding jobs that give them purpose. But getting some form of job satisfaction does play a role in overall wellbeing and can’t be ignored.

“Job purpose is only one part of the picture. It’s not the whole picture,” says Smyth. “The other part is your life/personal purpose. 

“Ultimately, what everyone is looking for when they’re trying to find purpose is feeling like what they do matters, and that they’re not just idling through their days. In this current economic climate, it might not be possible to make an immediate change to your job situation – and that’s OK. You can shift your focus on your life/personal purpose.

“Focus on things like engaging in personal growth and working on building and maintaining meaningful relationships with yourself and others. 

“This can give you the feeling like what you do matters, and that you’re making progress on things that give you meaning and energy.” 

How can people go about finding their purpose at work if they’re unhappy in their current role?

When feeling dissatisfied at work, leaving doesn’t necessarily have to be the first option. “If you’re not feeling satisfied with your career, it’s best to speak to your employer and see if there are other areas of the business that might be a better fit for you,” suggests Bryant. “Not all companies can facilitate these kinds of changes, but a lot of employers will be happy to help as it may even benefit the business. You will probably perform better and be happier at work too, and therefore stay longer.”

Smyth advises that people think about what’s currently giving them the most dissatisfaction. “Ask yourself: ‘What do I work for? What do I want to achieve?’ The answer to this can be anything: creating financial independence, personal freedom, location independence, expressing creativity and so much more.

“What gives me energy? This could be working with smart and ambitious people, working with creative people, working by yourself, variety in work, doing work that’s fun, doing work that gives me a sense of purpose, building something that’s my own (eg becoming your own boss, starting your own business), writing, doing research, teaching, etc. This question can help you inject more of what gives you energy into the work you already do. Speak with your boss and see if you can take on new projects that match the things that give you energy.”

However, if you do feel like leaving your current job to find your purpose is needed, it’s important to ask yourself some key questions.

“Firstly find what you’re passionate about: what do you like and enjoy? What do you find interesting? Then, become qualified in this area,” says Bryant. “There are hundreds of courses that can be completed from home or anywhere in the world. So do some research and see if your true purpose lies elsewhere.” 

Image: Getty