OK, before anyone gets excited looking on my blog for naked bodies, there aren't any. BUT! Did you know that Jon Hamm worked in the adult film industry before making it big as Don Draper in Mad Men? However, don't go looking through the titles at your local Ann Summers, because you won't find him on any cast list; Jon was a set dresser, moving around cameras, beds and chairs between scenes.
This got me thinking; what undesirable jobs have people done before landing their dream job? Has your not-so-ideal job given you any skills that you have been able to carry through to a new role?
I've had some lousy jobs before. I spent one summer working for a family member's business which maintained and repaired council properties, mainly doing administration work. However, one property was due to be let to its new tenant, but the cleaning crew let us down, so I was encouraged* (*bribed) to do it myself. It took me all weekend, clearing rubbish and dirty nappies, scrubbing mouldy surfaces and filthy floors, and I really did earn every penny of the £300. Long afterwards though its given me the motivation to get stuck in with my team to get the job done, no matter how crap the job.
In another role, I had an emotionally unstable boss who at the time I hated, but in hindsight realise she was just out of her depth. Her worst sin was to lose her temper at us and throw a stapler and a hole punch at us. Not surprisingly, she left shortly afterwards to travel, and I do sometimes worry about the school children in Japan she was heading off to teach English to. However, I learnt from her that when things feel like its getting too much at work, its best to take five minutes out to calm down, whether its hiding in the ladies taking a few deep breathes or walking around the block. Losing your temper at work will never instill respect in your colleagues, and its always better to appear composed, even if you don't feel it inside.
I'm still not in my dream job. There are times when I'm not even sure what my dream job is, but I do believe that when I find it, whatever I've done before, will help me then.
This got me thinking; what undesirable jobs have people done before landing their dream job? Has your not-so-ideal job given you any skills that you have been able to carry through to a new role?
I've had some lousy jobs before. I spent one summer working for a family member's business which maintained and repaired council properties, mainly doing administration work. However, one property was due to be let to its new tenant, but the cleaning crew let us down, so I was encouraged* (*bribed) to do it myself. It took me all weekend, clearing rubbish and dirty nappies, scrubbing mouldy surfaces and filthy floors, and I really did earn every penny of the £300. Long afterwards though its given me the motivation to get stuck in with my team to get the job done, no matter how crap the job.
In another role, I had an emotionally unstable boss who at the time I hated, but in hindsight realise she was just out of her depth. Her worst sin was to lose her temper at us and throw a stapler and a hole punch at us. Not surprisingly, she left shortly afterwards to travel, and I do sometimes worry about the school children in Japan she was heading off to teach English to. However, I learnt from her that when things feel like its getting too much at work, its best to take five minutes out to calm down, whether its hiding in the ladies taking a few deep breathes or walking around the block. Losing your temper at work will never instill respect in your colleagues, and its always better to appear composed, even if you don't feel it inside.
I'm still not in my dream job. There are times when I'm not even sure what my dream job is, but I do believe that when I find it, whatever I've done before, will help me then.
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