How can I make my job more satisfying?
What am I missing in my current job?
Why am I not happy in my current job?
What is it that makes me happy at work?
Is it me, or is it the job or company?
Is this actually a good job?
Where am I in my career?
Should I take the job offer?
Should I change my job?
Should I leave my job?
Table of Contents
Job Evaluation Questions
How do you know you’re in a good company? What criteria should you consider? You feel something’s missing, but what is it? How do you compare job offers? What are some good questions to ask before accepting an offer?
I’ve collected a list of questions and other factors from various sources (see below) to provide a comprehensive list, slightly biased toward the software industry. The numerical results help identify what’s great and what could be better. It aids in comparing your current job, previous jobs, and potential offers.
I use these questions myself, and I share them with the people I serve as a manager or coach. Recently, I promised to share them more widely, so I’m doing so in the hope that they will provide you with valuable insights to navigate your life and career.
Download Questions (Excel)
Download the Excel file and use it privately to your benefit. If there is sufficient psychological safety, you may discuss it with your manager or during a skip-level meeting to trigger positive changes in your organization. In any case, a coaching session can help you explore both the questions and the results.
DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY (it’s free, no email required)
Job Evaluation Questions
Here is how it looks when you open the Excel file and fill in some numbers. The company names and the number of companies you’d like to compare can be adjusted to reflect your situation.
Sources
Gallup’s Employee Engagement Survey
- I know what is expected of me at work.
- I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right.
- At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day.
- In the last seven days, I have received recognition or praise for doing good work
- My supervisor, or someone at work, seems to care about me as a person
- There is someone at work who encourages my development.
- At work, my opinions seem to count.
- The mission or purpose of my company makes me feel my job is important.
- My associates or fellow employees are committed to doing quality work.
- I have a best friend at work.
- In the last six months, someone at work has talked to me about my progress.
- This last year, I have had opportunities at work to learn and grow.
- At work, I am treated with respect.
- My organization cares about my overall wellbeing.
- I have received meaningful feedback in the last week.
- My organization always delivers on the promise we make to customers.
The Joel Test
https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/08/09/the-joel-test-12-steps-to-better-code/
This list is strictly related to software development companies, and some of the questions may not align with your preferred practices. I am not taking a stance on these questions right now – they are presented as they are. Feel free to make your own decisions about interpreting the score, using, dropping, or modifying these questions.
- Do you use source control?
- Can you make a build in one step?
- Do you make daily builds?
- Do you have a bug database?
- Do you fix bugs before writing new code?
- Do you have an up-to-date schedule?
- Do you have a spec?
- Do programmers have quiet working conditions?
- Do you use the best tools money can buy?
- Do you have testers?
- Do new candidates write code during their interview?
- Do you do hallway usability testing?
Lou Adler – Comparing Job Offers
https://www.louadlergroup.com/comparing-job-offers/
- Compensation – Pay, Title, Location, and Job Prestige
- Manager and Team – Working with the right types of people and leaders
- Work Itself – Mix of more impactful and satisfying work
- Growth Opportunity – Learning, stretching and chance at becoming better
- Work-Life Balance – Flexibility & Everything outside of the job
- Company Culture – Mission, values, culture, industry
Daniel H. Pink – DRIVE
https://www.danpink.com/books/drive/
- Autonomy – the level of “freedom” and independence
- Mastery – the opportunity to grow your skills
- Purpose – how meaningful is the job for you
More questions
Missing a question or set of questions? You can add them to the Excel spreadsheet to personalize your copy. If you’re not familiar with Excel, feel free to reach out – I’m happy to add questions to the template. Simply recommend a question or share a new source, and I’ll consider including it.
Missing a question but unsure which one? That’s a perfect topic for coaching, as it’s a part of your self-discovery journey.