Job Satisfaction, Self-Esteem, and the Fit between Perceived Self and Job on Valued Competencies

Summary

The study investigated the relationship of the fit between perception of self- and job-competencies to work satisfaction and self-esteem. Ss were 130 sales personnel, male and female. Data were collected via questionnaires. Results indicated that good fit between valued self- and jobcompetencies was related to work satisfaction. Relationship to work satisfaction was reduced when nonvalued competencies were considered. Work satisfaction and self-esteem were positively related for undercompetent Ss and negatively related for overcompetent Ss. Overcompetent Ss also reported less work satisfaction, suggesting that boredom may be more dissatisfying than perceived inability to meet job demands. Self-esteem was not related to degree of fit between perceived self and job nor to work satisfaction, but was related to higher levels of self-competencies.