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| Office Lackey (Photo credit: esp22) |
When you are just getting started in your career you might
have to take a temporary job that pays the bills until you find the job that
your really want. There’s nothing wrong
with that. It keeps money in your pocket
and you can learn from every job experience and develop new skills. But the
temporary jobs are not always easy to live through.
Here are 6 ways you can survive your temporary job until you
find the job that you really want:
1. Stop saying “I’ll be happy when...”
Find things about your job that you like. It could be the people you work with, the
great food in the restaurant nearby or the park that you go to when you’re on
you’re lunch break. There’s always
something you can be happy with. Look
for opportunities to learn from experiences or from your co-workers.
2. Don’t limit yourself to labels
Just because you have a title it doesn’t mean that you have
to stick with that label. You might be a
receptionist but you likely do a lot more than that. Instead of telling people that you are a
receptionist, say, “I work as a receptionist but I also manage the hospitality
team for our company and I specialize in customer relations.” Be proud of what you do and realize that a
job title is just a job title. You are
so much more than that.
3. Don’t get involved in company gossip
While the gossip mill might be a fun distraction from your
day it is a big time suck and it wastes energy that you would be better off
spending elsewhere. Find something better to do with your time when things get
slow in the office or you are on a break.
Listen to music during your break to relax or if there is downtime do
some brainstorming that will lead you towards that job that you really
want. Those who spend their quiet time
with gossip are likely to still be working with the same company or in the same
kind of job 5 years from now. Will you?
4. A job worth doing is a job worth doing well
You’ve likely heard this old saying before. Basically, its saying, do your best no matter
what you do. Be proud of being the
person who does things the fastest or the most thorough even if that thing is
just answering the phones or counting widgets.
It matters. Do your best and you
can be proud of what you do, no matter what you do. And if you do it well, it is more likely to
be noticed and that means in the future you are more likely to get a good
reference from the company you work for.
5. Have a backup plan
Just knowing that there is another option can make it easier
to get through the day. It is those that
have no options and feel trapped that become miserable in their jobs. Keep an eye on the classifieds and know which
companies are always hiring. Do some
work from home by making money at something you love. Be prepared to walk off the job if it is
making you completely unhappy and be secure in knowing that you have an escape
plan.
6. Live like you
already have the job you want
Pretend that you are getting up to go to a job you
love. Live like you are already
responsible for a team and make decisions like the company depends on you. Dress well (don’t over dress but always make
sure your uniform or your outfits are clean and pressed). Not only will you feel better about your
current job but you’ll be inspired, too!
You may have to live with a job you don’t want to stay at
forever in the short term but it doesn’t have to make your life miserable. It
is just part of your journey so find a way to enjoy it.
