What Really Makes a Career “Great”? Here’s How to Define It for Yourself
We toss the word “great” around a lot when it comes to careers.
A great opportunity.
A great company.
A great job.
But have you ever paused to ask—great by whose definition?
Is it great because of the salary? The prestige? The benefits? Or is it great because it makes you feel alive and seen?
For a long time, I thought a great career was one that made sense on a résumé. You know the kind—linear, polished, impressive on paper. But what I’ve come to understand, both from my own nonlinear path and from years of working with hybrid professionals, is that a truly “great” career isn’t always tidy or obvious.
It’s deeply personal. And complex. And multi-dimensional.
So instead of asking, “Is this a great job?”—what if we asked, “Is this great for me?”
To help people like us—multi-hyphenates, shape-shifters, and hybrid professionals—reflect more holistically on our work, I created a tool I call The Dimensions of a “Great” Career.
Why These Dimensions Matter More Than a Job Title
Job titles and industries are outdated metrics for meaning. They tell the world what you do, but not who you are or whether your work fits you.
These 9 dimensions help you analyze your career from your point of view—taking into account your values, your lifestyle, your energy, your growth, and your sense of purpose. Because what good is a job that sounds impressive if it makes you miserable or forces you to leave parts of yourself behind?
These dimensions are especially powerful for hybrid professionals—people who wear many hats and bring together seemingly unrelated skill sets. If you’ve ever felt like a square peg in a round hole, this framework is for you.
The 9 Dimensions of a “Great” Career
(And How to Use Them)
1. Personal Growth
Does your work stretch and evolve you?
Ask:
Am I learning something new?
Does this role align with my values?
Am I proud of what I’m becoming?
Try this: Journal about the last time you felt truly proud of your work. What were you doing? What part of yourself were you using?
2. Work/Life Balance
Does this job support your whole life—or consume it?
Ask:
Am I burned out or energized?
Do I have time for the things (and people) I care about?
Is the pace sustainable?
Tip: Don’t confuse flexibility with freedom. True balance supports your needs without asking you to overperform or shrink yourself.
3. Skill Fit
Are you being underused, overextended, or just right?
Ask:
Am I using my core strengths here?
Is there room to level up and deepen my skills?
Does this challenge excite or exhaust me?
Bonus reflection: What’s a skill you haven’t used in a while that you miss?
4. Purpose & Satisfaction
This is the dimension of fulfillment.
Ask:
Do I feel like I’m making a meaningful contribution?
Does this role reflect my calling?
Am I on a path to reach my potential?
Why it matters: Careers that align with purpose are more likely to lead to long-term engagement and career belonging.
5. Education Investment
Not all great careers require degrees—but some do.
Ask:
What would it take to break into this field?
Is the investment (time, money, energy) worth the return?
Hybrid note: You may already have the knowledge, just not the credential. Can you reposition your skills instead?
6. Impact
How much does this work matter to the world?
Ask:
Am I solving a real problem?
Do I feel like I’m making a difference?
Will this work have a legacy?
Thought experiment: If your work disappeared tomorrow, who would notice?
7. Social & Cultural Fit
Belonging matters. So does being respected for your full self.
Ask:
Are my friends and family supportive?
Does this career feel inclusive and safe?
Am I navigating unnecessary bias or barriers?
Note for hybrids: This is huge. If your identity doesn’t fit the mold, it doesn’t mean you are the problem. It means the mold is too narrow.
8. Financial Stability
Because money isn’t everything—but it does matter.
Ask:
Does this meet my lifestyle needs?
Are the benefits solid?
Can I grow wealth here?
Reframe: Financial stability includes salary, yes—but also benefits, time off, growth potential, and financial peace of mind.
9. Market Relevance
It might be great now—but will it still be great in five years?
Ask:
Is this field growing or shrinking?
Will this skill set be in demand down the line?
How secure do I feel?
Planning tip: Don’t chase trends—chase values that endure. Relevance doesn’t mean trendy. It means resilient.
How to Use These Dimensions
You can treat these like a checklist, a journaling tool, or even a conversation guide with a coach or mentor. Try ranking the dimensions from most important to least—then score your current role on each one.
This exercise is especially helpful during a career transition or when you’re questioning your next move. You may find that a role you thought was “perfect on paper” fails to meet your deeper needs—or that a less flashy job hits all the right notes.
A Final Thought: Make “Great” Yours
There’s no universal blueprint for a great career. That’s why these dimensions are a tool—not a test. They help you make your own meaning in a work world that’s changing faster than ever.
You don’t have to check every box. But you deserve to know which boxes matter most to you—and to shape your career around them.
🔍 Which of these dimensions do you value most right now?
💬 I’d love to hear—what does a “great” career look like for you?