74% Say 'Meaningful Work' is Most Important Factor for Job Satisfaction: MyPerfectResume Report

Half of respondents would choose doing meaningful work over earning a lot of money

San Francisco, CA, July 17, 2023 – MyPerfectResume (MPR), a leading resource for resume advice, surveyed over 1,000 U.S.-based respondents in May 2023 to investigate key issues impacting job satisfaction. MyPerfectResume’s 2023 Job Satisfaction Report discovered that meaningful work (74%) is the most important factor contributing to job satisfaction, well ahead of flexibility at work (70%), high earnings (69%) and job prestige (68%).

When asked what option they would choose, doing meaningful work or earning a lot of money, respondents were split 50-50, further demonstrating the importance of valuing meaningful work. While fifty-three percent currently consider their job meaningful, nearly 1 in 5 (19%) say their job is completely meaningless.

Top ranked factors contributing to job satisfaction:

1. Doing meaningful work (74%)
2. Job security (72%)
3. Learning and career development (72%)
4. A good relationship with colleagues (70%)
5. Flexibility at work (70%)
6. High earnings (69%)
7. Being shown appreciation for my work (68%)
8. Job prestige (68%)
9. A good relationship with management (66%)

Overall, 77% report currently being satisfied with their jobs, with disparities among demographics.

• Women (83%) report higher levels of job satisfaction than men (71%).
• Workers with bachelor’s degrees (81%) report higher job satisfaction than workers without college degrees (64%).
• Those with 6+ years of work experience (82%) report higher job satisfaction than workers with less than 2 years (66%)

“Job satisfaction is an unbelievably complex issue, influenced by many factors, but the survey has made it clear that meaningful work is absolutely crucial to overall job satisfaction,” said Kellie Hanna, Career Expert at MyPerfectResume. “Given the importance respondents also placed on having strong relationships with their colleagues, having a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment also matters a great deal, as does working for a boss that actively gives praise,” Hanna added.

Job Satisfaction by Key Metrics

•  71% report being satisfied/very satisfied with their workplace atmosphere
• A positive workplace atmosphere correlated with respondents being 3.3x more likely to assess their overall job satisfaction as high.
• 70% report being satisfied/very satisfied with their manager.
• But a full quarter (25%) rarely or never receive praise from their manager.
• Employees who were often praised by their manager were 3x more likely to assess their overall job satisfaction as high.
• 68% report being satisfied/very satisfied with their opportunities for promotion in their workplace.
• Respondents with greater opportunities for promotion in their workplace are 3x more likely to assess their overall job satisfaction as high.
• 71% report being satisfied/very satisfied with their salary.
• Respondents who claimed to be happy with their salary were 2.3x more likely to assess their overall job satisfaction as high.
• However, 71% would quit their job if they were offered a higher salary elsewhere, even if they knew they would be less satisfied with their role.
• 74% of respondents were satisfied/very satisfied with their work-life balance.
• Employees who felt happy with their work-life balance were 2.3x more likely to assess their overall job satisfaction as high. 
• 69% are satisfied/very satisfied with their relationships with colleagues. 
• Participants having good relationships with their colleagues were 2.2x more likely to rate their overall job satisfaction as high.
• Blue-collar workers assessed their relationship with colleagues better than white-collar workers (85% vs. 63%, respectively).
• 55% would choose to have great relationships with their colleagues vs having a great relationship with their boss (45%).
• 87% reported having friends at work, and 72% liked socializing with their colleagues after work.

Additional Findings:

• Roughly two-thirds of respondents feel secure in their job (64%), with 14% insecure, and 22% neutral.
• Flexible working options, paid time off, and family-friendly perks (such as domestic partnership benefits, subsidized child care, scholarships, etc.) were the top 3 most desirable benefits in a job:

1. Flexible working options (70%)
   b. Paid time off (69%)
   c. Family-friendly benefits (68%)
   d. Retirement plans (67%)
   e. Wellness programs (67%)
   f. Remote working options (67%)
   g. Health insurance (65%)

To view the full report with more information, please visit https://www.myperfectresume.com/career-center/special-reports/job-satisfaction or contact Martyna Szcześniak at martyna@myperfectresume.com.

The above-presented findings were obtained by surveying 1039 U.S. respondents online via a bespoke polling tool between May 12–15 2023. They were asked questions about their fears and phobias that influence their work and career. These included yes/no questions, scale-based questions relating to levels of agreement with a statement, questions that permitted the selection of multiple options from a list of potential answers, and a question that allowed open responses. All respondents included in the study passed an attention-check question.

About MyPerfectResume
https://www.myperfectresume.com/ is the leading resource for resume advice and expert customer care to help professionals elevate their career with the perfect resume. Created to take the hassle out of resume-writing, the user-friendly program offers professionally crafted templates, expert tips, step-by-step guidance, and valuable career advice to effortlessly create an outstanding resume, CV, and cover letter. Since 2013, MyPerfectResume has helped more than 15 million job seekers create their perfect resumes and has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, and more. Stay connected with MyPerfectResume’s latest updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.