Where To Find The Best Jobs (And Job Satisfaction!)

If you’re looking for a job, now is a great time to find it—and new data suggests where to look and which careers are growing fastest. But in addition to looking for the opportunities which may be most prevalent, you’ll also want to consider salaries, the experience necessary and whether the job will increase your satisfaction.

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The market is healthy, and you’re wise to grab opportunities while they’re available. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an increase of eight million jobs between now and 2031—so the future is bright.

World renown hockey player Wayne Gretzky famously said, “I skate to where the puck is going to be.” This is apt for job hunting: Focus on where the economy, market and jobs are going—and growing most quickly.

Your Best Opportunities

The fastest-growing jobs fall into a few key areas, according to analysis by resumegenius .

• Technology: software developer; computer and information systems manager
• Healthcare: registered nurse; nurse practitioner; medical and health services manager
• Management: general or operations manager; financial manager; management analyst
• Marketing: market research analyst; marketing specialist
• Law: Lawyer

Interestingly, all of these require only a bachelor’s degree except for the lawyer and nurse practitioner roles.

And for some jobs, you don’t even need previous experience. In particular, the following tend to hire based on education, and not necessarily for experience in the area: software developer, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, lawyer, market research analyst and marketing specialist.

The top paying roles are a lawyer with a median annual wage of $135,740; a financial manager with $139,790 and an information systems manager with $164,070.

Discontent Drives Job Change

If you’re thinking about making a move, you’ll want to consider both why you want to leave and what you’ll get from a new role.

When people seek something different, it’s often because they want higher income (40% of people) or because they don’t believe they have adequate growth opportunities (34%). In addition, 25% of people say their workplace is toxic. All of this is based on data from a poll by Monster .

In addition, people tend to be motivated to move because they aren’t satisfied with networking opportunities (65%), growth or development (64%) or mentorship opportunities (63%), according to a poll by the Project Management Institute (PMI) .

But when you’re making a change, you’ll want to be sure you’re not just moving away from something, but also moving toward positive factors in an alternative role. Here’s what you should consider.

Pursue Purpose

Purpose is one of the most significant drivers of happiness and satisfaction with work. In particular, the PMI poll found 77% of people were more fulfilled when they believed their role provided value and 70% when it offered a sense of purpose. And for 74% of people, doing meaningful work was critical to their satisfaction, according to a poll by myperfectresume .

You’ll feel greater purpose when you see how your job connects to a bigger picture—not just toward an organization’s results, but contributing to people and society as well. You’ll also feel greater fulfillment when you see how your role and your skills make a unique difference to others. So, look for these in any job you choose.

Pursue Pay and Job Security

Purpose is important, but most people also want job security (72%), high earnings (69%) and job prestige (68%), according to the myperfectresume poll.

You’ll also want to consider the value equation of the job—including the perks and non-monetary value it offers. Flexibility is a great example of this kind of value and for 70% of people it ranks it among the most important drivers of satisfaction, according to the myperfectresume data.

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Pursue Growth

Learning is statistically correlated with happiness . When you’re pushing yourself, trying something new and developing your capabilities, you’re significantly more likely to feel joy in work and in life. For 72% of people in the myperfectresume poll, learning and development were critical.

Look for organizations which offer feedback, mentorship and development opportunities. Also look for companies where you want to build your career and grow for the medium to long term.

Pursue Your People

Another key element of happiness is feeling connected with others , and work is a primary place people report they make friends and create meaningful relationships.

In the myperfectresume poll, respondents agree. Fully 70% of people seek a good relationship with colleagues and 66% prioritize a positive relationship with managers. And people want to feel appreciated by others (68%).

When you’re finding your next opportunity, assess whether you like the people you’re interviewing with and whether you want to spend time with them working together on tasks.

You tend to build the strongest relationships when you have a lot in common with people, and statistically, people tend to gravitate toward professions based on personality characteristics. So, shen you find work you enjoy doing, you’re likely to feel a match with the people who are also working in that field.

Seize the Day

When you seek your next opportunity, you’ll join a whopping 83% of people who say they’re looking for a new job, according to Monster. But you can seize the day and skate to your next great role when you know the market and match what you need with what various jobs have to offer.

Employers value candidates who know what they want now and in the future. They also value people who focus not only on what the job offers them, but what they can contribute to the organization. These will help you land a great new role and capture your bight future.

By Tracy Brower, PhD, Senior Contributor