Logging back into work after a luxurious holiday break can often stir unrealized feelings of dissatisfaction about your current role, team, or company. Feeling that post-break dread after the time off? You’re not alone. A 2023 poll revealed that a staggering 85% of people are unhappy in their jobs, with only 15% reporting feeling truly engaged at work. But here’s the thing— not everyone shares this sentiment.

Professionals across every industries were invited to share why they genuinely love what they do. They shared what makes their current roles stand out from past ones and their advice for anyone searching for a fulfilling career. Their insights paint a clear picture. Those who thrive at work have roles that align with their strengths, a work-life balance that’s more than just lip service, and a boss that provides unwavering support inside and outside of the workplace. In short, the right environment, team, and fit doesn’t just make work bearable— it makes it worth showing up for day in and day out.

Ashley Strahm, Director of Content at The Lactation Network

I tell the stories of breastfeeding families and care providers to create equitable access to lactation care.

My company asks, “What do you need in order to be at your best?” And then they listen to my answer. They expend resources to ensure I get what I ask for. I have never worked at a company willing to create first-time policies, eliminate barriers to leadership, and create unique opportunities for life-altering resources like The Lactation Network does. I do my best work when I can explore and invest in global communities, and my organization, regardless of where I live.

I truly believe companies want to do right by offering unique benefits and solutions for employee needs. However, some leaders stop short of getting curious enough to ask what might work. The Lactation Network is far and away the best in class — and made so by a concentrated effort from our CEO to build, lead, and support strong, effective teams.

Advice for others looking for a job they love: Be relentless in your self-advocacy during job interviews.

Megan Scache, Lead Executive Assistant at Cencora

I get to manage my executives’ calendars, book travel, and figure out logistics in a way that helps them thrive in their work.

The company values each employee and that shines through in the day-to-day of the business. The work-life balance is also outstanding. As a working mom of two girls, this is a non-negotiable for me. Censora also supports your career development wholeheartedly if you choose to branch out of the executive assistant role into another one within the company.

When you feel valued, seen, and heard, you want to go above and beyond for your company. In previous roles, I was micro-managed with little to no flexibility or work-life balance. It was a recipe for resentment and burnout. I was unhappy and tired all the time. Company fit is so important.

Advice for others looking for a job they love: Really dig deep and think hard about what you truly value in a role and company.

Josh Cohen, Director of MBA Entrepreneurship Programs and Startup Recruiting at Duke University

I coach and support MBA student entrepreneurs or those who want to work in startups.

My job aligns with my strengths. That doesn’t mean every day is sunshine and roses, but it does mean the core responsibilities don’t feel hard because I leverage the way I naturally think, feel, and act. Being in an environment where the default mode is growth, potential, and optimism is intoxicating for me.

In prior roles, I was less intentional about aligning with my strengths or finding an environment where I could thrive. With this job search, I was much more intentional about that alignment.

Advice for others looking for a job they love: Take the time to codify your values, understand your strengths, and chart a course for where you want your life and career to go.

Beryl Rabindran, Senior Technical Business Development Manager at Amazon Web Services

I build relationships with researchers across the world who want to make their high-value datasets openly available to the public through AWS’ Open Data Program.

I get to use both my scientific background as well as my business school training in this role. I find a lot of meaning in being able to play a part in democratizing access to data for researchers globally.

This is the first role where I have been able to blend both science and business, which is exciting. Also, the team values me for the unique blend of skills I bring to the table.

Advice for others looking for a job they love: Don’t overlook an industry that may not seem completely related to your background.

Deborah Rose, Director of Programming at Start Lighthouse

I create the curriculum for the mission-driven weekly lessons each class receives in our Literacy Hubs within New York City public schools.

I love creating magical experiences for students in NYC Title 1 public schools. There is nothing better than watching children learn the power of a good story and finding joy in reading books.

I love teaching and learning from all kids, but in my current role, I feel like I am reaching and benefitting students who most need the experiences we provide, especially given the state of reading in America’s schools.

Advice for others looking for a job they love: Finding the right fit can take time and some bravery.

Claire Li, Program Manager, Revenue Strategy and Operations at Google

I lead projects that help Google’s ads business generate billions in revenue. This involves improving how we sell ads, how we track our performance, and how we serve our customers.

Google genuinely cares about and monitors our well-being through employee surveys. Our leaders truly listen— they share the results transparently and take concrete actions to address areas for improvement. I also feel empowered to take ownership of the projects I lead and feel comfortable voicing my opinions.

‘Employee well-being’ often felt like an afterthought or a box to be ticked. Work-life balance was more of a buzzword. Here, it’s woven into the fabric of the company. Before, I felt like I had to ‘manage upwards’ and carefully navigate office politics. At Google, I take true ownership and voice my opinion with senior leadership.

Advice for others looking for a job they love: Define your non-negotiables. Knowing what truly matters to you makes the job search process so much easier.

Will Ratliff, Innovation Project Manager at Duke Institute for Health Innovation

I design and implement innovations for Duke Health System to solve challenges for patients and clinicians.

I love that I can have a substantial impact on my community. I get to combine my knowledge of the healthcare provider space and electronic health records with my coding skillset to build something brand new and measure its impact.

Whereas I did have opportunities to use technology to augment clinical workflows, none of my previous roles involved building something from scratch, and none of them allowed me to be so creative with how I apply technology to solve a problem.

Advice for others looking for a job they love: Reflect on the aspects of your current and prior roles that motivate you, bring you joy, and make you feel proud and accomplished.

Greg Circcarelli, Research and Development Chief of Staff at Organon

I drive the Research & Development strategy in support of Organon’s mission of a better and healthier every day for every woman.

I’m motivated to advance Organon’s mission of a better and healthier every day for every woman. Making an impact on areas of huge unmet need is a major driver for me to want to put in my all. I feel valued and empowered to drive decisions and have open, challenging conversations across any level of the organization to do what’s best to advance the mission.

These attributes are huge motivators to make the day-to-day of a career feel fulfilling. We spend more time at work than we do in any other part of life, so it’s critical to me that what I am doing is making a difference and I feel respected and enjoy it.

Advice for others looking for a job they love: Be self-reflective on what brings you personal and professional happiness, stay true to that, and do your research on companies that may be a potential fit.

Mariana Pacheco, Global SVP, Group Account Director at Monks

I lead a global team of over 100 people and am the main point of contact for our top clients within the portfolio I manage, ensuring everything runs smoothly for them no matter where they are in the world.

I’m deeply passionate about storytelling and the entertainment industry. I’m fortunate to work for a company and clients that allow me to take that passion to the next level. I thrive on solving problems and connecting the dots for my clients, and I’m excited every day to leverage the diverse capabilities and tools my company provides to create impactful solutions.

I’ve never worked for a company that’s at the forefront of innovation, driving so many groundbreaking initiatives across marketing and technology. It’s truly inspiring.

Advice for others looking for a job they love: The better you understand your values, strengths, and interests, the more likely you’ll find a company that’s a great fit.

Finding a job that ticks all your boxes can feel like chasing a moving target. After all, the things we prioritize can change over time. But for those who love their current roles, a few key factors consistently stand out. It’s about more than just a paycheck. They value companies that embrace adaptable work-life balance and flexible setups, allowing them to prioritize what matters most in their life stages. They thrive in roles that align with their skills, let them give back to their communities, and bring a sense of purpose. They’re energized by leaders and team members who actively listen, challenge them, and push their creativity to new heights. Most importantly, they cherish roles that spark joy— in and out of the workplace. While no role can fulfill every need, taking the time to reflect on what truly drives you can transform work from a daily grind into a fulfilling journey.

These conversations have been edited and condensed for clarity.