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September 08, 2008
Top 5 Things My Bad Jobs Taught Me
When people find out I work for Monster, they often ask me for advice on their own careers. I give this standard guidance when people complain they have a bad job: Put your resume together, start looking and try not to let the situation get you down. It will pass.
But every experience, good or bad, teaches you life lessons, and work is no exception. Here are the top five lessons I’ve learned from jobs that were not a good fit:
- You Can Survive a Bad Situation: It may seem unbearable at the time, but you will muddle through and become stronger for it. At the very least, you’re earning a paycheck, and at most, you’re picking up experience and skills for your resume.
- Your Relationship with Your Boss Largely Controls Your Destiny at a Particular Job: Interpersonal difficulties complicate your working life, but never more so than when the problem is with your supervisor. Make every effort to build a great working relationship with your manager. And if you can’t? Time to update that resume.
- Having a Bad Job Will Make You Vet Future Opportunities More Carefully: Whether there’s a toxic boss afoot, an ill-fitting corporate culture or general dysfunction, oftentimes there are warning signs before you take the job. Learn to tune in before you say yes to the opportunity to save yourself misery later.
- Weekends Are Precious: This is true even when you’re happy at work, but when you’re miserable, Saturday and Sunday become an oasis. Soak these moments up.
- Quit the Right Way: I remember counting the days until I could give my notice at a particular job. I had all kinds of things to say to my boss saved up in my head. When the day finally came, I simply quit and left out the theatrics. As tough as it was, I’m glad I held my tongue. You never know where people will pop up next.
What have your bad jobs taught you? Leave us a comment below.
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Posted by Christine on September 8, 2008 at 03:00 PM in Career Development | Permalink | Comments (41) | TrackBack (0)
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I learned that no matter what even if you know the boss is 100% WRONG about something Kiss butt anyway and go along with it if you want to keep your job. If you sense something is up and your job is on the line... Have things ready ahead of time for a career move!! You never know people fire you even if you are the greatest worker, for reasons of their own.
Posted by: Denise | Sep 17, 2008 4:16:20 PM
Having a bad attitude at your job is not a good idea, if you don't get fired, you definitely take two steps back, but sticking up for your convictions is the right thing to do. If something is truly wrong, talk to the necessary people. Just be prepared to find another job, ASAP!
Posted by: natalie | Sep 23, 2008 6:49:45 PM
I have learned that working under a manager that has postively no communication skills and zero percent interpersonal skills can make a job you once loved a miserable place to be five days a week. Buy your time, save some money, pay off your debts and then you will financially be able to give notice and really focus on getting a job that you thought this one was. A manager should enhance his team and be a team player, not making them feel like he his on the opposing side.
Posted by: Angel | Sep 23, 2008 8:09:57 PM
I am going through a really tough time with a bad job experience that is not a good fit. I have been told to find another job within the company and am applying for all the jobs I qualify for. I hope that I will be able to choose the right job next time. I am really worried with the "what if's" right now. Such as what if no one will hire me. I transferred from another hospital under the same organization and wish I had not done so. I had to drive 37 miles one way each day and made less money but I wasn't made miserable each day like I am now. It is the worst experience I have ever been through. I feel as though they want to get rid of me (and they do). It is hard to take and I have done my very best to do the job well. Any suggestions or words of encouragement would be appreciated.
Posted by: Jane | Sep 23, 2008 10:31:06 PM
Some times things just do not work out. No matter how you leave, remember that the job did you a favor. Whether it was showing you what you really don't like to do (or are not good at) or opening the door of opportuity for a job that really does fit your needs, be thankful. There are many people who are happy just to have employment so count your blessings and keep that resume updated!
Posted by: Ariel | Sep 24, 2008 12:45:00 AM
What I can see thus far through two and half years of experience is that, employers would want to extract maximum from their employees so that they can offer their services at competitive prices. For that they play different strategies. Some employers create circumstances to cause a break-up with your kith and kins, so a feeling of lonelyness would want you work more for their employers. Some want to induce inferiority complex, so employees would strive to prove they aren't inferior! Some employers would want to misuse their power for their personal use. The reason why they want 'greatest worker' out of their work environment is because this worker can spread an environment of discontent amongst other less effective workers. Its always better to be unfair and lose one, than to be fair and lose many!
Posted by: Kanimau | Sep 24, 2008 4:22:00 AM
I finally have it through my thick skull that it just does not pay to think that co-workers can actually be your FRIENDS! If you sense that they have knives and are ready and willing to attack and give you that proverbial stab in the back...MOVE TO THE SIDE OR RUN LIKE HELL. My former boss would have me to her house to watch her 3 dogs while she was gone for the weekend and smile in my face but when her little sister decided that she wanted my job, OUT I WENT! Fired on the spot. I am still unemployed as it is a tough field to get into in the first place, but I can sleep at night. I don't know how she can.
Posted by: Kim | Sep 24, 2008 7:56:36 AM
I have found that taking on a job with a company that does not provide a good training program and very little communication is a recipe for disaster. I have also discovered that employers promise everything during the interview but rarely deliver. The employers I have worked with over the last few years are practiced liars. I have been a victim of bait and switch. I was hired for one job at one educational level at one pay rate. Then when I was in the job, additional duties were given to me, the educational requirement was reduced and my salary through no fault of my own. I refused to
accept this and resigned. I am now unemployed but still glad I left.
Posted by: Ava Clark | Sep 24, 2008 8:35:04 AM
I learned to find out about getting the benefits straight after my previous employer took my family benefits away from me, after he promised to give them to me after six months.Also THE insurerance company for the company doctors refued to pay the full amount for the on the job injury i got.I do not know what to do about the last one I'm at my wits end.If anyone sees comment and knows how to handle this matter please contact to let them know what to tell me how handle this matter.Thank You.
Posted by: Thomas | Sep 24, 2008 10:20:10 AM
I've learned that you should evaluate all situations before accepting a position that you may not become a "disgruntle employee."
Such as;
*Temperament of employees: are they quiet and just smiley.
*Value: how does the company value its employees, are they willing to pay you atleast the minimum of what the going rate is for your job title.
*Environment: do they respect employees...Is the "employers rights and responsibilities" poster displayed for all to view (check lounge)?
*Overtime: Does the company offer overtime or does the company expect you to work overtime off-the-clock...or, have they created some method of adding everything you do in your hourly rate in order to not pay you for time you've worked over.
Last: DO NOT KISS BUTT...do your job and if that is not enough for them find a new job. By kissing up, you will only make the environment worst for other employees when you accept anything someone dishes out. If they know that you are willing to accept anthying they will continue to treat you like that and feel its okay to treat the rest of the employees that way as well as creating an environment of "everyone just kissing butt."
Posted by: rawtalk | Sep 24, 2008 10:26:06 AM
I had a toxic boss for the last three years of a seven year job. I held on because I loved the job, but the frustration of putting up with the bad boss brought me to a sleepless and miserable end. Finaly, I had a job offer and I took it only to find a job that just didn't fit and I had to leave it too. I was able to quickly get another job and I held on to it for three years until they fell into financial trouble and laid off the staff of five. I've recently been to an interview for a great job and in the interview discovered that my potential new boss is a close personal friend of the husband to the woman that I worked for in the seven year job. Don't burn your bridges and make peace on your way out the job. Old bosses can be the gatekeepers of tomorrow's job opportunity.
Posted by: Mr. Compliance | Sep 24, 2008 10:30:10 AM
Never, ever, ever, ever, ever take anything personal- people have so many of their own personal dramas, learn to set emotional boundaries and say ITS THEIR PROBLEM, do not take it on yourself for a second, it takes from your productivity and the co's bottom line. Be OBJECTIVE and professional at all times (by the way none of this is easy, but it gets easier the more its practiced). I have gotten fired and rehired (begged back) by the same companies 2 times in my lifetime-that's why its good to be professional and not get involved in the "other stuff". I always choose and told people I don't gossip, never allowed slander and gossip, that always kind of made me "safe". I'm not trying to be "preachy" but hey, it worked! I was trusted and confidential-that followed me back to the rehiring process.
"this too shall pass""" Have a great Week!
Posted by: diana | Sep 24, 2008 11:20:11 AM
I learned that having a hobby, such as gardening and remodeling, helps to get you through those tough times, when you have the job from below. Struggle to right the situation, but when all else fails get out, some places will never change. And as far as burning bridges, the place I left had blown up the bridge a long time ago.
Posted by: Bernadine | Sep 24, 2008 11:46:48 AM
Absolutely true Denise...even in a good job situation reorganizations, downsizing, or reassignments can happen. Always keep your resume and reference information up to date. Don't believe everything you hear as rumors as simply that, but remember the admins and secretaries to executive staff unsually have access to very privaledged information.
Posted by: Ernesto | Sep 24, 2008 11:50:46 AM
I am trying to leave a job right now but I don't want to hang my employer out to dry. My wife is living in a different city and she wants me to move up there right away. The date I want to leave is earlier than my employer wants. What should I do?
Posted by: George | Sep 24, 2008 12:20:56 PM
#5 is a MUST. It's one of the most important. I left a job that was going nowhere fast but taking all my time to start at another company. While I got along fine with my boss at the time, there were a couple of people in the dept. that were extremely annoying and insulting to me. I would have liked to give them a piece of my mind but took the high road and didn't. Five years later my new company went bankrupt and I was looking. One of the annoying/insulting folks contacted me about a position working for him (he was now a VP). Just goes to show you, you NEVER know who will be your boss next. I stayed at that job for 8 years.
Posted by: Karen | Sep 24, 2008 12:23:57 PM
My worst jobs taught me to stick to my principles, no matter what. My father has a saying, "Some money is too expensive." I can always get another job, but I can't fix my principles after going along with toxic, incompetent, or cowardly bosses and corporations.
I've also learned to leave in different ways - either secretly, without upsetting anything if the people don't have the capacity for self-reflection, or more honestly if what they're doing is truly injurious, immoral, or illegal.
Working shouldn't be an invitation to abuse, or an excuse to behave dishonorably just because I'm getting paid. If we can't stand up and hold each other accountable, then how does the world - and especially the world of work - get better?
Of course, I'm in a very highly educated field, so I'm not flipping burgers or working in retail or something. But even when I did work in jobs that required less education, I didn't allow the job to force me to be an agent for toxic bosses or policies. Fight the power!
Posted by: Rutha | Sep 24, 2008 12:29:19 PM
Never burn a bridge!!!! I tell that to my students all the time. You are right you never know where someone may show up and who knows they may be unhappy too. Different Place Different Situation. Time off should be Time Off. I still have problems with that sometimes. Working in Non-Profit, I guess any career you need to learn to leave work at work. Always be willing to learn, you can learn from bad situations just as well as in good situations.
Posted by: Jill | Sep 24, 2008 12:37:51 PM
One thing I have learned after working all these many years, is what comes around goes around.
Posted by: Carol | Sep 24, 2008 2:21:12 PM
I am the blade, they are the flint. I have found that in all the job I hated that I worked in, I have leaned so much. Dealing with a hard boss taught me how should be more flexible with others. In another siuation, dealing with customer who are unsold, gave me the skill to overcome any objective. I feel the harder the situation, the more I can be learn. I sharpen my blade aginst the flint of adversity.
Posted by: Hannah | Sep 24, 2008 2:29:21 PM
Write up your departing comments and put them in your back pocket, this will help you to keep your focus when the time comes.
You will feel so much better by getting it off your chest and I doubt you would work for any of them in the future. Since all you were saying was the truth anyway and needed to be said who could fault that?
I did and was I happy with the results though sorry I lost the job, one that I really liked! The aftermath was they lost their jobs too.
What a bunch of klutzes!
Posted by: BMac | Sep 24, 2008 2:39:09 PM
That is interesting. I learned something from a job. I wasn't liked. But, got along with others. people might have experienced this already, but, look at the good side of the job, as do the what you can.
Posted by: pat g | Sep 24, 2008 2:52:58 PM
Yes, it happens, but sometimes you cannot prepare for it. I learned that people in jobs don't care. even if you are a good worker. And this does happen anywere.
Posted by: pat g | Sep 24, 2008 2:55:36 PM
One thing I have learned while on the job, for either good or bad, is that "It's not all about ME." People (and companies) have their own, "unspoken" agendas -- you may never know what is really going on. Most often those agendas, which may be driving you crazy, have nothing to do with you. Here's my best advice to anyone in an uncomfortable work situation (especially if you want to keep the job until you find another or work out a transfer).
1) BE POLITE. To ALL your clients and customers, no matter how difficult. To ALL of your co-workers, no matter how difficult. This includes apologizing to clients or co-workers who have been inconvenienced by you or your company. Being polite means: acknowledging someone's presence, responding to questions -- even to tough ones -- calmly and honestly, LISTENING and PAYING ATTENTION to what others say, saying "Please," "Thank You," and "You're Welcome" (which is MUCH more polite than saying "not a problem"....), and letting others speak without interrupting them.
2) BE PROFESSIONAL. Dress appropriately and modestly for the job (clean, neat, cleavage covered up -- you know who you are...). Arrive at work AT LEAST a little EARLY each day. If at all possible arrive before the boss does. Don't curse -- and that includes the word "sucks." Perform quality work.
3) DO NOT GOSSIP. Period.
4) DO NOT COMPLAIN OR GOSSIP ABOUT THE CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS. Ever. Even when they might deserve it. Even when they yell at you. The money that pays your salary comes from them. You never know, they may be grouchy from THEIR rotten job......
5) BE HONEST. Always. Period. If your boss or co-workers want you to cheat or steal, I would suggest getting out of there as fast as you can.
6) BE CHEERFUL. If nothing else, it will drive the mean people crazy....
7) If you have a boss or someone other co-worker who is "bad news" for whatever reason. Just smile and be polite and spend as little time as possible with them. If you have to work with them on a project, double-check all of your work, document what you have done, do not leave the work where it can be sabotaged, make a backup of your work and keep it with you, and DO NOT DEPEND UPON THE OTHER PERSON, EVER. In other words, don't turn your back on them. Once I had to spend almost an ENTIRE WEEKEND (day and night) reconfiguring a computer class training room (and rebuilding the computers...), when I had left the room completely set up and ready to go on the Friday before. It's a good thing I checked back in Saturday noon -- my boss had completely moved all the computers, furniture, training manuals and then put them back in a shambles - I had to put everything back in place, re-install OS, software and datasets and databases for 8 high-powered graphics workstations -- but I did it!
Posted by: MJ | Sep 24, 2008 3:20:42 PM
I learned that if you hate your job or employment situation, you will lose it. So either learn to like it and keep it, or find something else before they find someone else.
Posted by: amel | Sep 24, 2008 3:27:01 PM
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