What percentage of what you can do are you using in your current job?

Nice Q, I’d say about 50%. I don’t think I’ve ever used 100% of what I can do on any one thing. Directing and choreographing musicals in high school all the while doing cancer research came pretty close to 100% though.

I’d say about 20–30% – maybe.
My percentage and my work satisfaction are strongly correlated. I hate my job.
Yes, I would gladly take a pay cut to increase the percentage (and therefore my happiness).
I used 100% when I was in college, but haven’t used close to that since graduation. No doubt this is why I miss school and can’t wait to go back.

1. 75%
2. I am 90 percent satisfied with that.
3. A pay cut from €2,30 per half day would be ridiculous.
4. This is a voluntary/volunteer job that I am doing and I am pretty satisfied.
I hope I understood the questions totally.

(1) This week, about 95%.
(2) Too much. Not satisfied.
(3) Fuck no.
(4) Probably, yeah.

What about you, @Jeruba?

I never found a job that used 100% or even came close. My last job (in technical documentation) used about 20%. At the most satisfying and productive stage of my career, it would have been closer to 60%. And I would gladly have taken a pay cut to increase it. But in fact all that was available to me was more pay with less challenge, so I took that when it was offered.

To me, using what I can do has always been one of the three biggest factors in job satisfaction. The other two are the opportunity to learn and the recognition of my peers.

I’ve found that certain kinds of volunteer work put me at about 80%, and I thought that was great. It feels wonderful to use what you’ve got and to give all those muscles a workout. Organizations that use volunteers are typically much more frugal with the talent at their disposal and get as much as they can out of any one contributor.

These days I’m semiretired (meaning retired, but working a little). I get to pick and choose jobs. I don’t take on many big challenges, but when I do, I want to feel those muscles.

I use about 10% I think. I don’t hate my job but it is the most purposeless job I have ever had but pays twice what I have ever made. I found it difficult to live on the salary I made when I was actually making a difference in someone’s life. I used to work in hospice and I have worked as a children’s case manager for kids with mental illness and as a crisis counselor. I enjoyed the work but also steady bitched about the amount of paperwork, when you have to document that you are documenting, well that is just too much dang documenting! I also hated the pay. I work for a government contractor now tracking 150 million dollars worth of industrial property, I think a monkey could do the job. I do enjoy having my toys though so I will keep it up! I am also just so thankful to have such a good job in this economy.

If I could have a job that used my creative side I would be thrilled. The only job I really loved getting up and going to was in a shop where I got to be creative.

32% Running a successful manufacturing company requires a lot but I can do so much more and do. ;)

I’d say 50% because the intrinsic gifts of organization etc. are there day by day. I am coasting along with good pay for responsibility level and certification required. Most of us have a “if money were no object” dream that we don’t put in the effort to make come true. However, on personal time many of us have the time to tap into aspects of involvement in what we would do if we were footloose and fancy free. Why is it that we have to make these career choices at a time in our lives when we really don’t recognize where we best fit for our life’s purpose.??!!

Well, all jobs and study combined, I’d say it’s pretty close to 100%.

My main job is probably around 10%, which suits me well. It’s the sort of work that allows me to switch off and get on with it. If the rest of my skills weren’t being used at university/in my other jobs though, I’d definitely feel unsatisfied.

At a guess, about 20%. I know I am not using my full potential and this shows in my pay cheque each months. I am not completely satisfied but my (full time) job is easy and generally stress fee and so I don’t hate it. I enjoy the actual work but it is rarely challenging and I know I can do much more.

[mod says] This is our Question of the Day!

I’m a teacher—the work takes about 25% of my skills but 99% of my energy and time. Sometimes I’m even expected to come up with energy and time for 110%. I’ve lost hours and hours of sleep, weekends, evenings for my job. Satisfaction? Ha… the morale at my school’s so low and with the crap I put up with, the percentage’s about the same—25% satisfied. I’ve had better teaching jobs in the past with way more satisfaction. .

Yes, I’ll take a pay cut for increased satisfaction and use of my skills. I might be doing that next year if I decide to go for my PhD (still undecided).

I probably use 75% of what I can do working for Fluther, which is the best percentage I’ve ever achieved at any job. Managing, ‘customer’ service, basic computer skills and writing all come into play, along with new skills I’ve had to learn along the way (technical website type things and video conferencing). About the only skills I’m not using are telephone communication, accounting, and art/woodworking skills. I’d say I’m 85% satisfied in this position. The reason for the higher satisfaction is probably the wonderful people in the community. When you work with/for great people, it really does make a difference.