In-Depth

Career Satisfaction: Take Our Quick Quiz

Answer ten short questions to gain insight on how satisfied you are with your career.

• By Dr. Cheryl Leitschuh
• 09/23/2003

1. How old are you?
18-24: 8 points
25-28: 0 points
29-33: 4 points
34-38: 0 points
39-43: 8 points
44-50: 0 points
51-55: 4 points
56-60: 0 points
61-65: 8 points

2. How do you feel about your job?
Love it: 0 points
Like it: 4 points
Tolerate it: 6 points
Dislike it: 7 points
Hate it: 8 points
Used to like it, but tired of it: 8 points

3. How long have you been in your present career?
17+ years: 8 points
8-17 years: 4 points
1.5-7.9 years: 0 points
18 months: 4 points

4 .Which statement best describes you at work?
A: I am an extrovert: I like being around people most of the time
B: I am an introvert: I can interact with people, but I have to work at it some

If you chose A, rate your interaction with people on the job:
  Interacting constantly: 0 points
  Interact some: 4 points
  Don’t interact much: 8 points

If you chose B, rate your interactions with people on the job:
  Control interactions or don’t interact much: 0 points
  Interact some: 4 points
  Interacting constantly: 8 points

5. Do you have a personal strategic plan for your life/career?
Yes—I know where I’m going: 0 points
Sort of—I have some ideas: 4 points
No—I’m winging it: 8 points

6. What kind of job would you almost volunteer to do if you didn’t have to worry about practical considerations? How close is your present job to that kind of job?
Very similar: 0 points
Alike in some ways: 4 points
Not alike at all: 8 points

7. Do you have a set of written goals for your life?
Yes: 0 points
No: 8 points

7a. If you answered “yes”: is your present job directly related to reaching any of these goals?
Related to most: 0 points
Related to some: 4 points
Not related at all: 8 points

8. What fascinates you the most? What grabs your attention and interest in magazines, TV, or the news? Does your present job have any relationship to this interest fascination?
Yes, a lot: 0 points
Maybe, but not very much: 4 points
Not very much at all: 8 points

9. How would you feel if told that you would be in the same career you are in right now for another 7-10 years (assuming it progressed and changed the way you think it will)?
Lucky/excited: 0 points
There could be worse things: 4 points
Totally depressed: 8 points

10. Does your job in any way resemble what either your mother or father did in theirs?
Exactly the same: 4 points
Some significant similarities: 0 points
A few similarities: 4 points
Not anything alike: 8 points

Scoring

Total your points to see whether you have a Personal Strategic Vision or whether you are DisNavigated.

60-80 points: Sorry, you’re DisNavigated

You may be feeling somewhat dissatisfied with how your career is going, and you may not know how to figure out the next step.

The Upside: Now is an ideal time to think about your career strategically. You are undoubtedly open and ready for change. Creating a Personal Strategic Vision can help the changes you make in your career be positive ones.

41-59 points: You’re at a crossroad; time to make a decision

The Downside: If you are not DisNavigated now, you could be soon.

The Upside: You’re at a crossroad. You have some of the pieces of your personal vision, but looking at a larger picture of your life and career can really help. You are either ready for a change, or are fast approaching a time in your life when you will be open to change. Working on your vision can make that change happen in a positive, life-enhancing way.

21-40 points: Keep pushing; you’re close to a real career plan

The Downside: You may be satisfied enough that you don’t feel immediately motivated to get a strategic plan.

The Upside: You may have many of the pieces of your own personal vision. Start to integrate them into a Personal Strategic Vision—that is, getting your career to match your dream. This vision can move you in a very powerful and positive direction.

0-20 points: You have a vision?

You have many of the sources of a personal vision identified. You may be at a time when you feel “launched” and on your way. Working on a Personal Strategic Vision or refining the one you already have can prepare you for future twists and turns in your career.