Rajesh Athihalli, CEO, Metis ERC India

Why do some people find their jobs gratifying while others are constantly nagged by dissatisfaction at their workplace? The apparent reason may seem to be the gap between reality and expectations, but the issue is much more complicated than it appears. While job satisfaction is found to be low wherever expectations are very high, most people also believe that they can do better in other organisations. They are haunted by the grass-is-greener syndrome and after some time, find their own work a grind.

According to Rajesh Athihalli, CEO, Metis ERC India, the market is not being able to bring in an orientation to careers in the present scenario. Athihalli believes there are three core reasons which hinder the young employees in achieving job satisfaction. "First, mismatch of job to competencies. Secondly, when people get into jobs with focus on their long term career plans and this leads to job comparison with career line and lastly, when an individual does not realise that its not just performance which counts, but one needs to constantly learn for growth," adds Athihalli.

"The basic factors which contribute towards a professional staying in a job include coping with the stress of timely delivery, updating of skills and competencies, balancing personal life, being able to build relationships within the team, choosing the right organisation that provides a culture of opportunity to learn or grow," feels Athihalli.

"When these factors go missing, professionals make frequent moves and this hampers credibility, as it makes it difficult for one to master a skill. However, moves are not always negative if they are made at the right time, right frequency and to the right organisation."

It is obvious that job satisfaction is a culmination of both external factors and the individual's mindset. "For this HR can play a very important role and develop professionals with soft skill trainings, which enhance the competencies with relation to people management and leadership, professional efficiency, communication," concludes Athihalli.