5 Lessons You Learn From a Job You Hate

Every single one of us will have to work a job we don’t like at some point in our lives. But if we start engaging and don’t let negativity consume us, your current bad job can result in real benefits, and here’s how.

If You Hate Your Job, You Aren’t Alone

Also, you’re definitely not alone if you find yourself really not liking your job. A Government report in the UK found that 64% of Brits would prefer a poorly paid job they loved. Another study by CV Library found that in a recent survey, 56% of British employees were dissatisfied with their current roles.

There are some skills that transfer across any industry, and the soft skills, like resilience and commitment that sticking in a job you don’t enjoy can teach you, are beneficial in the long run. Here are some valuable lessons you can talk about in an interview you get from having what you might see as a useless job:

While many of us wish for nothing more than to find the perfect job, the reality is often very different. It would be nice if we could all wake up one day and find that that’s happened, but sticking with your current job until the right job opportunities come along show current and future employers that you’re loyal and willing to give your employer the courtesy of putting in hard work even if it’s not part of your career path.

A career change is never out of the question; and with online courses allowing thousands every year to pursue their dreams, we sometimes need to hang onto our jobs until we’re at point where we’re ready to accomplish our career goals. What’s great about this, is that when the time comes, it shows future employers your work ethic, which in an era of fake resumes and bare minimum work ethics, shows them that you would be a better fit for their company than your coworkers and competitors.

There are some skills that transfer across any industry, and the soft skills, like resilience and commitment that sticking in a job you don’t enjoy can teach you, are beneficial in the long run. Here are some valuable lessons you can talk about in an interview you get from having what you might see as a useless job:

If you’ve had a part time job throughout studying, it shows that you know not to sweat the small stuff, and that you can manage the workload you’ll be given. Interestingly, one of the most respected positions on a resume is actually Mcdonald’s for those looking to enter the workforce. The reason why? Because Mcdonald’s, like many popular first jobs, teach very valuable skills in hard work, grit and determination. While it may lack glamour, be filled with long hours and rude customers; it reflects your ability to hold your ground and soldier through, even when things get tough.

If you’ve got a good attendance record at work it shows employers that you’re the kind of worker who will turn up on time every Monday morning, ready to get what needs to be done, done. Proven ability to attend a weekly morning meeting or a track record of always getting to work ready to learn new skills is valued by every single employer – sometimes more than the best grades or a fancy degree.

Working an average job will give you natural confidence in any workplace, since you already have experience with coworkers and working in a professional environment where you’re expected to earn a living. No employer wants to hire someone straight out of uni if they’ve never worked before!

Working in a job you hate is confidence coach – a way to build your confidence in a variety of ways that can be useful in the future, when you do get a job that you feel like give syou meaningful stimulus, a decent pay check and working conditions that suit you. Don’t ever undervalue what a crappy job can give you and teach you on the path to success!

Huge companies like Pricewaterhousecoopers, Ernst and Young and Penguin Random House have all recently dropped degrees as a requirement for some jobs, in preference of work experience and other skills

A lot of the time the reason we hate particular jobs is because they’re stressful or high pressure, maybe because of changes within the workplace or even just because of the nature of the work. But having worked in a high pressure environment is valuable to an employer. It means you have a real idea about what it’s like working under pressure, and depending on the job, may mean that you’re equipped to deal with a bad situation should it arise. Being able to cope with big changes or high pressure environments teaches you valuable skills about how to prioritise and deal with stress that you’ll value later, and may even give as career advice to others!

Some of the skills you’re able to gain while working in a job you don’t like are crucial for resumes. Nowdays, your skillset is more than just your ability to use Microsoft. Soft skills are becoming increasingly important.

According to a Linkedin survey of 1,200 hiring managers, some of the most valuable soft skills you can gain in a difficult job include:

In a new job, employers never really know if you’re going to decide that you don’t like the job and start rapid firing your resume out to competitor businesses. But if you’ve stuck with a bad job throughout your studies or other trials, despite the potential personal costs, they know that you have a positive attitude, or you wouldn’t have managed to stick it out. IT also implies that you’re an independent thinker, because you can see beyond the immediate desire to quit and resign that can be expressed in a negative workplace.

Being stuck in a job you don’t like can see like a life sentence, but it doesn’t have to be. For most, they’re only an obstacle that must be overcome in order to reach your end goal. If you feel you’re stuck in a rut, there’s no reason why you can’t work towards your dream career. Online courses, for instance, is a popular choice for those working full-time to build up their skill set in their own hours. You can earn money, while training and be well on your way to a career change in no time.

There’s some very common lies we tell ourselves to stay in a job we don’t like, but the thing you need to remember is that while it may not seem like it, you do have a choice. You can put your foot down and say no.

Some of the most common reasons people choose to stay in a job they don’t like are:

The above excuses are all based on one thing: fear. It can be scary to let go of that and take the leap; but you need to come to a stage where you decide that enough is enough. You can learn crucial skills in a job you don’t hate, but that shouldn’t be a position that you’re stuck in for decades. For most, things don’t always get better, the hardest choice is deciding that it’s time to make a change.

While it may seem like time rolls by slowly when you’re stuck in a job you hate, keeping your hatred for the job at arms length and recognising it for the remarkable opportunity that it is is one of the best career lessons you’ll learn. But you’ll always come to a point where you aren’t learning anything new, merely wasting time.
So if you want to start your journey and escape the troublesome 9-5, start exploring course options today!