What would you need to really like your job? Serious cash? A chance to better mankind? Or just a cube with a view? More than likely, there are several criteria that would need to be met for you to love your job. Although some criteria -- like a paycheck -- may be obvious needs, other less tangible factors also influence your overall job satisfaction. How well does your current position fulfill those needs most important to you? Ask yourself these questions:

Social Needs

Can you imagine making it through your day without seeing your buddies for lunch, a coffee break or just a quick chat in the elevator? For many people, the camaraderie developed among coworkers fulfills an important social need. It can be difficult to thrive professionally in a situation where you haven't formed a connection with those around you. On the other hand, if your coworkers pressure you to play on the company softball league or go out for drinks after work, your company's social expectations may not meet your needs.

Professional Needs

If you need to be creative, take risks or further your education -- whatever is important for you to grow professionally -- are you encouraged to do this at your job? Do you like the look of the career path ahead of you? Do you need a job that taps into your natural strengths and provides a good match with your personality, skills and interests, or are other considerations more important?

Emotional Needs

How important is it to you to feel good about what you do? Do you receive recognition, praise or appreciation for your work? If you are like many people, a significant part of your identity is defined by what you do. Do you feel good about that identity?

Monetary Needs

Do you make the kind of money you need or want? If you want stock options, a retirement plan or other monetary incentives, does your company provide them? How important is salary in determining your overall job satisfaction?

Work/Life Balance Needs

What needs do you have outside work? How important is it to have a short commute, not travel overnight or work 8-to-5? Is working for a family friendly company or one offering flextime, job share or telecommuting opportunities necessary to strike a balance between work and the rest of your life?

Work Environment Needs

What kind of needs do you have for the physical environment in which you're spending eight or nine hours a day? For some, having an office with a window is an absolute must -- or an ergonomic chair or the latest computer setup. For others, working in a cube or under fluorescent lights is enough to make them start scanning the job postings on Monster.com. Whatever your work environment expectations are, the desire to be comfortable can be an important need to fulfill.

In what way are you needy at work? What needs would you sacrifice to fulfill others? Determining your needs will help you understand exactly why you may be unhappy in your current position and will point toward the types of questions you should ask in your next job interview.