Do You Believe Some Things Just Aren't For You?

[TheUnthoughtKnown]

I'm really struggling right now. I'm stuck in a dead end job I really hate. I don't know how many times I've posted bout this issue on here, but I have to start coming to some rational conclusions.

 

1. Is it possible that I am not cut out for a job in a bar? How many others can do it seemingly easily, at least without much mental stress. They, like me, are post grads who can't get employment in their chosen field and so are forced to work in bars, or taxis or whatever. What if it depresses you? Can you reasonably leave? Is no job better than a job you despise?

 

2. What if I get too comfortable? Not comfortable as such but lazy. There's post grads in my work who've been there 4 years. I'm not altogether sure how they always seem to have more money than me given I'm on parity with them but the point is they don't seem happy. Happier than me, I'll grant you, but not happy in general.

 

And finally

 

3. Isn't life too short to be so unhappy all the time? I work a 40 hour week. That's a lot of hours to be unhappy in a week...

[White Wedding]

1. It's possible. I've spent years trying to make it work in physical labor. Each time I got told I was too slow, wasn't picking things up fast enough, etc. So I decided to identify my strengths and focus on a career path involving those instead.

 

Can you support yourself with no job while you look for other work? I had a job where I came home crying. Heck, I'd be fighting on the job because the environment was so bad. I quit. Having no job was NOT better than having a job I hated. It took me awhile to find a new one and in the meantime my life fell apart due to lack of finances. That was more depressing than my depressing job.

 

That being said, I personally don't think it's worth it to work in a job you hate. When I did it it spilled over into other areas of my life and I was an unhappy person. One 8 hour period in my day pretty much ruined the entire thing. But if you decide to quit, don't do it without another job lined up!

[Harradin]

I disagree, if you want something enough and you work hard enough you'll get it no matter what it is. But if you dn'tlike something don't do it .

[TheUnthoughtKnown]

1. It's possible. I've spent years trying to make it work in physical labor. Each time I got told I was too slow, wasn't picking things up fast enough, etc. So I decided to identify my strengths and focus on a career path involving those instead.

 

Can you support yourself with no job while you look for other work? I had a job where I came home crying. Heck, I'd be fighting on the job because the environment was so bad. I quit. Having no job was NOT better than having a job I hated. It took me awhile to find a new one and in the meantime my life fell apart due to lack of finances. That was more depressing than my depressing job.

 

That being said, I personally don't think it's worth it to work in a job you hate. When I did it it spilled over into other areas of my life and I was an unhappy person. One 8 hour period in my day pretty much ruined the entire thing. But if you decide to quit, don't do it without another job lined up!

 

Is this economy jobs are impossible to come by. I keep getting told I should consider myself lucky I've got this job. But it's making me miserable and it's having an effect on my home life. My gf says she's tired of me coming home in a bad mood and not talking to her and snapping at her over small things. I don't mean to do any of that but after a shift I feel mentally and physically worn out. I'm an introvert. I like not talking an awful lot, and getting lost in thought. I enjoy silence, peacefulness. In a bar I'm expected to chat to all the customers and be merry and funny. That's just not me. So when I come home I want to be alone. I've applied to lots of jobs and I've no reply. Took me about 6 months to find this one! Finally, this being Xmas, my work has been packed with customers recently and my shifts are now longer. For instance, I'm supposed to do a 12 hour shift today (I called in sick), where I usually would do a 7 or 8.

[Ross MwcFan]

If finances wouldn't be a problem, or not too much of a problem, then it sounds like you'd be a lot more happier not having a job at all than having a job like this that's making you feel miserable.

[TheUnthoughtKnown]

If finances wouldn't be a problem, or not too much of a problem, then it sounds like you'd be a lot more happier not having a job at all than having a job like this that's making you feel miserable.

 

Finances would definitely be a problem. I earn peanuts in my current job. Minimum wage just isn't enough to get by on. I feel like I'm in a state of arrested development because I can't get my own place again on my current wage, and I certainly won't be climbing the hospitality ladder. I'm going nowhere currently and I have to find a way to change that. I've got an interview with a Uni in September that could solve a good few of my problems, but I cannot stay in this situation till September. Especially since the longer I'm employed at my job, the more responsibilities they're going to give me, meaning it'll be even harder. If I could just quit and focus on my hobbies - writing, film-making - then I'm sure I'd be a little happier, although I'd have a lot less money...

[SpiralOut]

1. Yes it's possible. Not every job is going to be the best fit for every person. I'm currently in a job that I dislike and the environment just doesn't suit me at all, so I can definately relate....

 

2. If you're worried about getting too comfortable, now is the time to prevent that from happening, by making goals and working towards them. Are you doing any volunteer work in your field? Are there extra courses or workshops you could take that would make you more hire-able? What are you doing to network?

 

And finally

 

3. I agree that 40 hours is a lot of time to spend in an unhappy job. Some people are able to manage just fine with it, others can't. It depends on what your priorities are.

[TheUnthoughtKnown]

1. Yes it's possible. Not every job is going to be the best fit for every person. I'm currently in a job that I dislike and the environment just doesn't suit me at all, so I can definately relate....

 

2. If you're worried about getting too comfortable, now is the time to prevent that from happening, by making goals and working towards them. Are you doing any volunteer work in your field? Are there extra courses or workshops you could take that would make you more hire-able? What are you doing to network?

 

And finally

 

3. I agree that 40 hours is a lot of time to spend in an unhappy job. Some people are able to manage just fine with it, others can't. It depends on what your priorities are.

 

I've been trying to network - I even managed to get an interview thanks to some contacts I made, but I didn't get the job. Apparently it was a very close decision and I would have had it if it weren't for my lack of experience. As for volunteering, I've been rejected for that too. On several occasions, in fact. I'm constantly on the lookout but my lack of experience and/or resources seems to go against me. I threw my hat in the ring to edit a short documentary a student was doing for a local TV station but when I told him I didn't have my own editing suite he suddenly stopped corresponding. Finally, I've applied to go back to Uni. It's a different facet of the same medium - less about broadcasting and technical details and more on the arts, specifically drama and theatre. It's actually quite prestigious and some very well known Hollywood actors graduated from there. As I said; I got the audition, but if I get in it won't be till September. I cannot do this until then. I will get out of that job by the end of January, if I'm not fired before then.

 

What do you mean when you say priorities? I'd love to force myself to like the job, or at least to cope with it, but I'm sick of looking at the clock every 2 seconds wishing I could leave already.

[SpiralOut]

I've been trying to network - I even managed to get an interview thanks to some contacts I made, but I didn't get the job. Apparently it was a very close decision and I would have had it if it weren't for my lack of experience. As for volunteering, I've been rejected for that too. On several occasions, in fact. I'm constantly on the lookout but my lack of experience and/or resources seems to go against me. I threw my hat in the ring to edit a short documentary a student was doing for a local TV station but when I told him I didn't have my own editing suite he suddenly stopped corresponding. Finally, I've applied to go back to Uni. It's a different facet of the same medium - less about broadcasting and technical details and more on the arts, specifically drama and theatre. It's actually quite prestigious and some very well known Hollywood actors graduated from there. As I said; I got the audition, but if I get in it won't be till September. I cannot do this until then. I will get out of that job by the end of January, if I'm not fired before then.

 

What do you mean when you say priorities? I'd love to force myself to like the job, or at least to cope with it, but I'm sick of looking at the clock every 2 seconds wishing I could leave already.

 

Okay well that's good you are making efforts. Do you have any idea of what type of job you'd like to get for January?

 

When I say priorities I am thinking of people who have family obligations. I once had a coworker who hated his job but he did it because the insurance allowed him to pay for his wife's medical bills. He was also saving up for a bigger house. Eventually he got hired somewhere else, but he stuck it out at our company for a looong time in order to meet his goals.

 

If this job isn't doing much for you then yeah by all means look for something else. No point in making yourself miserable. I am trying to follow this advice myself. haha.

 

Good luck with your audition, I hope you get in!

[FitChick]

Take a civil service test. Join the military. Work in a hospital. Work at Trader Joe's -- I think the starting salary is $40K and people seem to like their corporate culture.