Sometimes, it is hard to decide why you do or do not like a job. To nail it down, first think about your company. What does it do and what is your role? Consider this context:
Products < Combination > Services
Products
Some people like dealing with tangibles. When a sale is complete and the product leaves the store, the customer is either happy with the purchase or not. Maybe they ordered something in red, but got blue. Or perhaps the person is pleased that they finally found shoes that fit!
As an employee, however, this can feel limiting. How many times do you want to discuss the differences between six mattresses at a department store? Or maybe you work at a consumer electronics store and the number of items sold is simply overwhelming, even if you are just the accountant!
Services
Services are less defined. If you are a public school teacher, your ability to help a child learn to read is real, but not tangible. If you are a bank teller, you do specific tasks like cashing a check or accepting a deposit. These are services.
This can be frustrating because whether you have done a job well or not is a matter of the customer’s opinion. You may think you did a great job, but someone else might disagree.
Combination of Products and Services
I am a professional resume writer, so my resumes are unique documents for someone to use for a job search. But I also have a clearly defined writing process that helps clients to carefully consider their careers and what they have to offer. I love that I can provide both a product and a service on a personal basis with people.
If your roof is leaking, the person who repairs it provides both a service and materials used to fix the leak. If you eat at a restaurant, the chef is providing a service by cooking food, which is a product. Then, the waitress brings the food to your table as a service.
If you know you have a preference for products, services, or a combination, it can be a useful perspective when making sure that you find a career that suits you.