How Profitable is your current job?

Just how profitable is your current job? The chances are you have a hard time answering that question. After all, the term “profit” belongs to the world of business – in careers we are used to words like “salary”, “fulfillment” and “compensation”.

However, when I work with individuals on either their business or career – on moving them forward – I find that applying the framework of profit as we review your career can be both enlightening and rewarding.

In business terms – we understand profit to mean revenue minus costs – and the focused business owner looks to develop a growing business with a healthy profit margin. A margin that they can profit from and fund their lifestyle and adventures.

But, how do we apply this profit framework to your current job?

Well, let’s think about:

• The effort, experience and learning that you put into a job (cost)
• Your employer enjoying a return from your efforts (revenue)
• The reward that you reap – a margin if you like – above and beyond your pay and conditions (profit)

This “profit” may be:

• Monetary – added bonuses and incentives – they are the most obvious.
• Lifestyle – your role gives you benefits such as the ability to travel the world OR have flexible time to spend with your children etc – whatever you consider a benefit based on where you are in life at the moment.
• Learning and Experience – your work provides you with valued learning and experience that you enjoy – and will make a large impression on your CV into the future.

Is your job currently providing you with one or more of these types of profits?

I know a lot of people who answer No to that question – they are currently working to cover costs and bills – there is no “profit” for them and they live in hope that something better will come along. And there is no plan to move things back into profit.

If this sounds like you, it may be time to move on to a more profitable phase in your career.