Job Therapy: Finding Work That Works for You

by Tessa West

A psychologist’s guide to finding your most fulfilling job yetWhen we’re unhappy in our jobs, we often attribute our frustration to a bad manager, boring tasks, and stressful workloads. But our dissatisfaction at work usually stems from a deeper psychological need that’s not being met at work, like not getting the recognition you deserve.In Job Therapy, Dr. Tessa West helps you figure out the real reason you’re unhappy and shows you how to find a new position in which you’ll thrive, whether in a different role, company, or new industry altogether. Through her research interviewing thousands of people who have recently switched jobs or undergone career changes, she found there are five common sources of career an identity crisis – does your sense of self no longer match your job?you’ve drifted-apart – do you no longer recognize the job you once loved? you’re torn between places – are you taking on too many roles at work, switching tasks too often, or stuck between two paths?you’re the runner up – do you always feel like you keep coming in second? you’re the underappreciated star – are you crushing it at work, but the people around you aren’t recognizing  your performance? Dr. West will guide you through a working week audit to help identify your unique psychological stressors and use that knowledge to understand what you want your future career/next job to look like. Presenting cutting-edge insights on networking and hiring, from Dr. West’s interviews with over 1,500 professional recruiters, Job Therapy will help you land your best role yet – one that guarantees happiness for years to come.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Business, Audiobook

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2024

Reviews

[CatReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tessa West is a professor of psychology at New York University; her research focuses on social communication in professional settings. In Job Therapy, she writes about five archetypes of people who are unhappy at work:

1. The Crisis of Identity - I thought this career was for me, but now I’m having second thoughts
2. The Drifted Apart - I used to love my job, but I no longer recognize it
3. The Stretched Too Thin - I’m everywhere all at once, and the struggle isn’t sustainable
4. The Runner-up - no matter how hard i try, I can’t make it to the next level up
5. The Underappreciated Star - I’m underpaid and undervalued compared to what I bring to the workplace

Most people can fit more than one archetype at once. For each archetype, she suggests methods for getting unstuck, which may or may not involve switching organizations and/or careers. Underlying all of these solutions is having honest, even blunt, conversations with people in your broader network (not just people at your current organization) and with hiring managers, recruiters, and coworkers in a potential new role/organization.

Further reading: other books I've found particularly helpful in navigating the workplace:
Strategize to Win: The New Way to Start Out, Step Up, or Start Over in Your Career by Carla Harris
So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love by Cal Newport

My statistics:
Book 250 for 2024
Book 1853 cumulatively

[Todd Kashdan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her first book, Jerks at Work, was fantastic. It is no easy task to pull off a practical, scientifically informed book that is really entertaining. But she did. This one is even better. Why? Because it is thought-provoking. Whether you are searching for work or trying to improve your existing career, this is of great value.

I already know a few high school and college graduates that I will be buying copies.

Of note, if you are unpersuaded by the book description, make sure to listen to her on a podcast. You will quickly realize she has the personality and expertise of an author worth reading.

[Sarah Cupitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

started as a good read and then seemed to focus more on advancing in a career or only taking on more work if it leads to a positive career trajectory? towards making more impactful contributions? "to do more of what's strategically beneficial for your professional development" OKAY AS SOON AS THIS STARTED TALKING ABOUT SKILLS THIS FELT EVEN LESS EMOTIONALLY DETACHED THAN THE START WARNING ABOUT THE 60% OF US DETACHED FROM WORK LMAO - 2 STARS BECAUSE WHAT THE HELL THIS SHOULDVE BEEN CALLED STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT FOR A TYPICAL CAREER TRAJECTORY AND NOTHING ACTUALLY PERSONAL EXCEPT WHAT YOU OFFER YOUR JOB

Important notes:
- Your job is part of who you are. If you're feeling a mix of emotions about your job, know that it's normal for work to feel as complex and fraught as any other aspect of your life.
- Despite the common belief that personal and professional selves should remain distinct, the reality is that most people spend more time at work than at home, making it a dominant aspect of their identity
- to feel happier and calmer at work, start documenting your daily stress triggers. By noting down anticipated stressors each morning and actual ones each evening, you can identify patterns and see which parts of your job are consistently more stressful than expected and which issues you might be overlooking.

General notes:
- many of us find ourselves in careers or roles that initially promised fulfilment but now seem to drain our spirits and enthusiasm
- This sentiment of detachment and misery in the workplace is alarmingly common. According to a Gallup report, 60% of people feel emotionally detached at work, while 19% report they're downright miserable.
- In personal relationships, therapy is often sought to entangle complex emotions and conflicts. A similar approach can be beneficial in the professional realm to understand and resolve the emotional underpinnings of job dissatisfaction.
- the daily realities of a job can significantly deviate from what we might expect when entering a profession, leading to a gradual but deep disconnect
- Are these tasks truly contributing to your professional growth or simply adding to your workload? And will these efforts be acknowledged in discussions about promotions or other career advancements? If you do find yourself in this predicament, the proactive approach is to engage directly with your supervisor and clarify whether the additional work you're doing is likely to impact your career trajectory positively.
- people accurately predict their stressors only about half the time

[Allyssa Wood · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was excited about this book and then it ended being nothing what I expected. Let me help you skip reading this book and summarize it: don’t leave your job if you hate it because you won’t be able to find another one like it, yet network smartly. I felt like this book was my dad in the 90’s telling me how to have a work ethic. It was all common sense advice that I’m pretty sure most smart people already know. The one part that immediately turned me off was her talking about not leaving your job just because you don’t like it, since you’ll never be able to find another job like it. Considering she’s a psychology professor, there was nothing in there that felt like it came from a psychologist.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Job Therapy: Finding Work That Works for You by Tessa West is a practical and engaging guide for anyone feeling stuck or frustrated in their current career path. West, a social psychologist, offers research-backed strategies for identifying work environments that fit your personality, skills, and values. Through real-life case studies and insightful tips, she helps readers navigate toxic work cultures, career transitions, and finding fulfillment in their professional lives.

What I appreciated most was the blend of personal stories and actionable advice. West’s writing is clear, accessible, and grounded in psychology, making the book both informative and relatable. Some of the advice, however, felt a bit repetitive in places, which is why I rated it 4 stars instead of 5. Overall, Job Therapy is a valuable resource for anyone seeking more meaning and satisfaction in their work life.

[Adrienna · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's so much to take from this reading. Yet, I was intrigued by Tricia's story, in which she had one master's degree and, years later, returned to school to earn another master's degree to become a therapist. I am also overwhelmed about returning to school the first week. Can you afford an online program?

Overall, there were some nuggets you can take, relate to, or use for your future, and/or aspiring job.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Portfolio for my advance copy. My opinions are my own.

Coming out of pandemic, Tessa West began to observe that people often have deeper psychological reasons for not liking their respective jobs, and the language we use to talk about our jobs is similar to that we use to talk about relationships. So she thought, Therapy helps us manage all types of relationships so why not our careers too? Therapy helps us understand what drives our thoughts and behaviors and gives us tools we need—so why not use it to help us understand why we are unhappy at work and how to find something more fulfilling? This book is in support of her thesis that unpacking one’s work psychology is the first step in discovering happiness at work, and I found it to be both interesting and useful. Whether you are looking for a new job or just looking to level up your enjoyment of your current one, this book could be helpful in working through things and finding happiness at work.

[Maddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is for white collar workers who wish to find fulfillment by associating the majority of their identity to their career. This isn't really a read for people who are content just collecting a paycheck but want to find a bit more satisfaction in the fact they spend 8 hours a day, five days a week doing so. There are some useful tidbits for finding that satisfaction, but it seems like the gist of the recommendations are "network more" and "ask really hard questions" in order to improve your career if you're unhappy in it. There's no discussion about "act your wage" (to put it bluntly) to increase satisfaction because this feels very pro-employer and acting within the boundaries of your role would impact your employer. The quizzes and checklists aren't very engaging either and it feels like you need a math degree to score some of the quizzes. There's also a certain degree of privilege from the recommendations, like suggesting that having multiple simuleteanous jobs on a resume is an annoyance to future employers rather than a forced necessity for the employee. I didn't find a lot of personal fulfillment from this read.

Luckily, it's a pretty quick and digestible read though for me to hit my 50 book goal for the year so I was able to power through anyways.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not in the corporate world so I could not relate to everything.

[Rood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read on 81inklist.
I have the feeling that this book is totally detached from reality. It couldn't connect with me either.

[Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Job Therapy: Finding Work That Works for You", Tessa West delves into the emotional and psychological complexities of career satisfaction and provides actionable strategies for navigating workplace discontent. She begins by acknowledging a common problem many professionals face—the growing disconnect between the expectations we have for our careers and the reality we experience day-to-day. This book is essentially a guide to diagnosing and solving career ailments by drawing parallels to personal relationships, particularly those that involve therapeutic intervention.

West highlights the importance of self-reflection as the first step in addressing job dissatisfaction. She points out that many individuals struggle to untangle their conflicting feelings about work, often leading to frustration or emotional detachment. The solution isn't simply a structural change like remote work or a salary raise; these are temporary fixes akin to a larger house failing to solve a strained marriage. Instead, she emphasizes the need for a deeper emotional understanding of the factors contributing to unhappiness in one's job. By applying therapeutic methods, such as exploring mixed emotions or recurring dissatisfaction, individuals can gain clarity on the real sources of their frustration.

One of the key concepts West explores is the relationship between personal identity and professional roles. She stresses that work is more than just a place we go—it’s deeply tied to our sense of self. Drawing from the story of Trisha Baker, a school psychologist whose role evolved in ways that no longer aligned with her personal fulfillment, West argues that many people face similar identity crises in their careers. The expectations and demands of their jobs may not match their core interests or strengths, leading to a disconnect that results in dissatisfaction. The author advises readers to embrace these mixed feelings, as they can serve as the starting point for a thoughtful reevaluation of career choices.

Feedback plays a crucial role in aligning one's career path with personal and professional goals. West suggests that employees often take on additional responsibilities without considering whether these tasks contribute meaningfully to their career growth. She encourages readers to have open, proactive discussions with supervisors to clarify whether their efforts will be acknowledged in future promotions or career advancements. Seeking feedback is essential for mapping out a strategic path, ensuring that the extra work being done is in sync with both organizational and personal goals. West’s approach is not just about working harder, but working smarter—focusing on contributions that will have the most impact.

A key theme in "Job Therapy" is the importance of managing workplace stress. West presents findings from studies, such as the MyVP Lab app, which revealed that individuals often misjudge what will cause them stress at work. By tracking actual daily stressors and comparing them with anticipated ones, professionals can better understand the true sources of stress in their jobs. This type of documentation allows for more informed career decisions, enabling individuals to plan future roles or transitions based on a clearer understanding of what truly affects their work-life balance. Recognizing these patterns empowers employees to make adjustments that align more closely with their emotional well-being and career aspirations.

When it comes to career transitions, West advocates for a thoughtful, incremental approach. She advises readers not to rush into drastic changes but to take the time to evaluate their existing skills, interests, and values. Rather than leaping into an entirely new field, many people may find fulfillment by applying their current strengths in a new context. This process involves networking and conducting field research to uncover the less obvious aspects of potential new roles. Through careful exploration, individuals can balance their emotional needs with practical considerations, ensuring that any career moves are well-informed and aligned with their long-term goals.

Ultimately, "Job Therapy" offers a holistic approach to tackling career dissatisfaction. By focusing on the emotional and psychological aspects of work, and by using therapeutic strategies, West provides readers with the tools to make gradual, meaningful changes in their professional lives. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding one's relationship with work, recognizing stress triggers, seeking feedback, and taking incremental steps toward a more fulfilling career. With these insights, individuals can bridge the gap between their expectations and reality, leading to a more satisfying and balanced professional journey.

[Beth Melillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to finding a new job, or a new career, it can be tempting to just think "Anything but the one I have right now!" or "More pay will fix this problem!" but jobs also provide many of us with recognition, meaning, identity, interesting challenges, and a sense of belonging.

This book is more around diagnosing what psychological needs aren't being met for you in your current role. Then, figuring out how to change your situation, whether through a new job, or a reframe and reappraisal of the job you have, or establishing boundaries.

The book is organized around the 5 profiles of 'career goer's and West is clear you may find you fit into more than one. Two roles ago, I definitely fit into 2 very distinct categories. Once done diagnosing yourself, you can get down to the exercises and recommendations for change.

There are 5 chapters in the book, each one organized around a profile. There are many diagnostic activities and self-examination questions, and these are not for the weak. Instead, the direct, frank, questions will ask you to consider about your status, role, and actual and perceived behavior on the job.

Each chapter also contains helpful advice on networking and questions to ask in informational or job interviews as you position for the future. These techniques are the most practical parts of the book for the job search process. However, the real strength of the book in my opinion, is the self-awareness questions and exercises and the case studies from the interviewees.

I'd recommend the book for people who feel a moderate to great sense of dissatisfaction in their current career, or simply can't figure out what felt off in a past role. It's also helpful for those who are just starting to consider where to go in the future, but not urgently searching for a new job. It's a reflective kind of book, not a solution for a crisis. It's likely most useful for those who already have 5 or more years of work history; new grads may not find this book helpful. In early career stages most people are looking for a good industry and role fit, or acquiring the important skills to be successful in the future, not wondering why they aren't getting promoted or thinking about changing careers after a successful decade in say, marketing.

Many of the sections helped me clarify what felt 'off' about past roles I had, and gave me ideas for how to handle the same situation if it happens in the future. It also helped me feel a sense of closure about decisions I made and situations I'd been in. In that sense, it was definitely therapeutic and lived up to the title!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Job Therapy: Finding Work That Works for You" by Dr. Tessa West is an absolute game-changer for anyone seeking a more fulfilling career.

What sets this book apart is Dr. West's ability to identify and address the common sources of career frustration—such as identity crises, feeling undervalued, and role overload. Her insights are backed by extensive research and presented in a relatable and practical manner. The 'working week audit' and other actionable strategies she offers are incredibly valuable for anyone looking to navigate their career path more effectively.

[Russell Yarnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you feel some frustration with work, read this book. It has sections that you can read what pertains to you. My suggestion is to read them all. You might identify with one situation and yet have a couple other that influence your decision making. It gives a good pathway to have conversation and how to determine what you are experiencing.

Downside, the author loves the word "ambivalent", and Tessa uses it a lot. Lots of quoting statistics. I love numbers and dislike the use of citing statistics. Grouping into major themes would have been better.

[Judith Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a new reader to Tessa West, I found this book by happenstance in the self help section of my favorite library. I went into it with no expectation.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised throughout its reading as Tessa is able to place workplace under-culture into words. I also appreciate the ability to navigate to segments of the book most applicable, vs droning on in areas that simply do not apply. I do feel the under appreciated star section can apply beyond its title and encourage others to incorporate it into their reading. Overall good business read and insightful.

[Brittany]

I was job searching when I read this & this was immensely helpful. I wasdesperate for a source of income, as living in the SF Bay Area is incredibly expensive.

However, I think the tenets that this book presents are really important, as you want to meaningfully reflect on what it is you're looking for in an occupation. If you work full-time, it's where you spend 40+ hours weekly, and it has a long-term impact on your overall wellness. I highly recommend to everyone, even if you're not currently job searching!

[Vanessa Bohns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa West gives great advice. She's super insightful while also being funny, and you always feel like she has your back. Plus, she's got the research bonafides to back what she says. Tessa is the smart, successful big sister everyone needs to tell them how to get their (work) life together. Practical and entertaining.

[Mir Shahzad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:

Using therapeutic techniques helps you dive into the mental side of work and spot where your expectations don't quite match up with reality. By tracking daily stressors, applying your skills in new ways, and making smart moves through networking, you can make gradual changes that steer you toward a more fulfilling career.

[Synthia Salomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jobs satisfaction starts with self reflection.

Using therapeutic techniques helps you dive into the mental side of work and spot where your expectations don't quite match up with reality. By tracking daily stressors, applying your skills in new ways, and making smart moves through networking, you can make gradual changes that steer you toward a more fulfilling career.

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book that gives specific tools and questions to help you evaluate what is working and what is not with your work life and specific tips and tricks to make improvements. Could better recognize systemic issues around work.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through research, Job Therapy five different types of job frustration. I found myself closely related to two of them.

While I don’t think the advice in how to address those challenges was particularly suited for me, it was reassuring to read about these struggles.

[Emmanuel Ayeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a holistic way to look at job fulfilment and satisfaction. Great blink

[Ran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some useful notes on stretched too thin

[Prasanta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok

[Katrina Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good for you to evaluate your career whether you are looking for a job or not. This approach gives you good prompts to go and look at the difficulties you may be dealing with on a day to day basis and skills to cope with them better or better outlooks for how to deal with them.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Portfolio for my advance copy. My opinions are my own.

Coming out of pandemic, Tessa West began to observe that people often have deeper psychological reasons for not liking their respective jobs, and the language we use to talk about our jobs is similar to that we use to talk about relationships. So she thought, Therapy helps us manage all types of relationships so why not our careers too? Therapy helps us understand what drives our thoughts and behaviors and gives us tools we need—so why not use it to help us understand why we are unhappy at work and how to find something more fulfilling? This book is in support of her thesis that unpacking one’s work psychology is the first step in discovering happiness at work, and I found it to be both interesting and useful. Whether you are looking for a new job or just looking to level up your enjoyment of your current one, this book could be helpful in working through things and finding happiness at work.

[Beth Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of hearing this author speak at the Morristown Book Festival in New Jersey in October, 2024. She was remarkably articulate and her talk was fascinating. I was motivated to buy the book even though I’m already semi-retired. Her concepts about what drives career goers to switch jobs and/or careers rang very true. For example, the “Crisis of Identity” employee may have years in their field but now daydreams about doing something entirely different. Another concept is the “Stretched Too Thin” worker who feels trapped in a job that demands too much. How do we get ourselves into these career traps? West explains and give lots of practical advice for getting out of miserable jobs and into something better. If you can relate to being dissatisfied with your work life, I recommend this book. There’s a lot of food for thought here for anyone who is having doubts or dissatisfaction in their job or career.