What Is Job Fit and Why Does It Matter?

• By Team SP
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Person-Vocation Fit Person-vocation fit entails the extent to which you identify with your vocation. Note that your vocation is broader than your job or organization; it encompasses your occupation or profession at large. When individuals identify with their vocation, they feel as if their vocation appropriately represents who they are and what they care about as a person.

Interestingly, person-vocation fit has a relatively weak correlation with job satisfaction and work performance. Instead, this type of fit is a strong signal of your aspirations.

If you feel as if you don’t have person-vocation fit, it suggests that you don’t feel like you have reached your full potential. If this is the case, it might be time to reevaluate which professions you are drawn to. This is likely to help facilitate high-quality self-reflection as it relates to your career goals.

How All This “Fits” Together

Like it or not, your work fit will never be perfect. If it is, it’s unlikely to last forever. Think of job fit as four ongoing considerations that should be assessed and cultivated over time. If you can do that, you’ll increase your odds of being more satisfied and fulfilled at work.

So go ahead and take Steve Jobs' advice. Look in the mirror and ask yourself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” You don’t have to do anything drastic—sometimes small, targeted changes can make all the difference.

Scott Dust, Ph.D.