Hundreds of emails and no sleep: does this sound like a satisfying job

Questions & Answers:

Q 1: Do you think that only certain individuals are attracted to these types of job? or is it the characteristics of the jobs themselves that are satisfying? The jobs seem extreme in nature with exceptional long and irregular hours of more than the normal 40- hour work week, constant travels and serious lack of work-life balance. Only certain individuals would be attracted to these jobs. These individuals are willing to sacrifice family time for job sake. Looking at the extreme nature of the jobs they are far from satisfying any normal worker, even if compensation is considered, but the jobs would be satisfying to a special breed of people who find the jobs as challenging.

The four individuals displayed high levels of job satisfaction, job involvement and organizational commitment that enable them to accept the hardships as a positive challenge. These individuals are positive people because negative people are usually not satisfied with their jobs, more so if the jobs are as stressful as mentioned in the case.

Do you think only certain individuals are attracted to these type of jobs or is it the characteristics of the job themselves that are satisfying?

When we talk about an individual, or certain group of individuals, job satisfaction solely depends on their perspective. For them, job satisfaction need not be high salary, better position or other job conditions. What factors may motivate us, may not give us happiness. Personality plays a very important role in job satisfaction. People who believe in their inner self and basic competence are more satisfied than those who don’t have self core evaluation. Hence only certain individuals are attracted to these type of jobs, and it’s not just the characteristics of the job.

2. What characteristics of these jobs might contribute to increased levels of job satisfaction?

Rajesh bisht is an investment banker. The way it has been described about Mr. Rajesh here shows that he is very enthusiastic about his work, which implies that he loves what he does. Being an investment banker requires strong background in finance as it involves a lot of financial analysis of a company or an organization. The work requires him to analyze and give solutions to an organization which might be in crisis. So the entire organization is dependent on Mr. Rajesh’s analysis. This job requires more involvement and Mr. Rajesh likes his responsibility. In Ravi Goyal’s case, he heads the international marketing team of an engineering firm. Ravi Goyal is always and ever ready to work because his work involves maintaining relationships globally.

CASE 2: Long hours, hundreds of emails and no sleep: does this sound like a satisfying job?

Observations:

Characteristics of the 4 jobs were quite similar.

John Bishop: good stable job, irregular long hours (90 to 100- hour work week), no complaints, willing to take things to the extreme Irene Tse :good stable job, long hours (80 – hour work week), no complaints, willing to take things to the extreme and highly motivated Tony Kurz : good stable job, long irregular hours, constant travels, highly satisfied with job, prefers job more to personal relationships David Clark: good stable job, long irregular hours (60- hour work week), frequent travels, need to attend to many emails daily, serious lack of work-life balance, highly motivated.