What Do You Like Most About Your Job? (With Video)

Your leadership highlight reel:
Start by identifying what you like most about your job

What do you like most about your job? When you reflect on your career (so far) what’s the highlight reel? What are you most PROUD of in your leadership? What brings you JOY?

There are so many good reasons to reflect on this question. 

First, when you’re stressed, under pressure, or things just aren’t going your way, asking yourself “What do I like most about my job,” can be incredibly grounding. 

It’s also a great interview question (to ask or be prepared to answer). I almost always ask people I’m interviewing about what they like most (and least about their current job), and what they’re most proud of when they reflect on their career. 

What’s in your Leadership Highlight Reel?

I recently stumbled on one of my first media interviews in 2013 when I was wrapping up a two-decade career at Verizon and launching Let’s Grow Leaders. 

I was honored with Liz Wiseman’s Multiplier of the Year award (so they sent a film crew to my house to ask a few provocative questions). So exciting!

Nearly a dozen years later, I’m struck by my answer to this question.

“When you look back at your career at Verizon, what is the highlight reel?”

What strikes me watching my younger, less wrinkly, shorter-haired, self answer that question….

My answer would still be the same.

Growing Leaders.

(I guess that might have something to do with what I named my company 😉 It’s a quick video if you want the fuller answer.

For more about my journey from Verizon Executive to CEO to growing leaders around the world, you might be interested in these articles.

Succeeding as an Entrepreneur: Lessons Learned from My First 9 Months

Our About Page (Which includes our love story) 

And as the story continues, my 2024 Global Speaking Reel.

How to Answer, “What Do You Like Most About Your Job” in a Job Interview

It’s interesting. If you Google this question, here’s one of the answers you’ll receive.

“Focus on the work rather than the people”

Ideally, focus on your work and the role rather than the people with whom you work. Use the opportunity to highlight your responsibilities, different aspects of the job, and the skills you use to complete tasks. It’s an opportunity to emphasize specific job-related achievements. For example:“I really enjoy interacting with the different customers and knowing I’m having a positive impact on their buying experience. This is an aspect that I’ve focused on, and, as a result, I was the top customer service representative last year. I’m proud of the communication skills I’ve developed over my time in the role, and the fact that I’m more outgoing and confident than when I first started in the role.”

I disagree. Here’s why. 

Sure, I’d like to hear about what makes you a rock star in your role.  But you know what else I care about? How do you collaborate with others, particularly under pressure? Tell me what was great about the team, and your role in fostering productive collaboration. Tell me a about a time you overcame a conflict and what you learned. Talk about how your team works together to solve better problems and share ideas.

I’d hire a great collaborator over a lone wolf any day.

Your turn. What do you like most about YOUR job?

When YOU think back on your career (so far), if you had to pick one theme, what is it? What makes you proud and happy about your leadership?

What would you name your leadership highlight reel? 

Note: I’ve updated this article because it continues to be so popular. You’ll see lots of comments where people share what they like most about their job. I’d love to add yours to the mix.

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