My dad could fix anything, and I mean anything. I remember growing up watching him work on our dryer, our dishwasher, the storm windows, the air conditioner, the plumbing…there were three kids in an older home – it took some abuse. He was a mechanic by trade and was the head diesel mechanic at CCX when he passed. And I remember watching him work on our cars and being amazed at his expertise and how gracefully his hands moved under the hood of a car. My dad was my hero, the little guy scared the crap out of me growing up, but I admired him more than any man I’ve ever known.
I could call my dad and describe some strange noise that the car was making and over the phone he would make a perfect diagnosis and proceed to explain just what I needed to do to get home safely so he could take care of it. In my eyes and mind my dad could do anything. He fixed absolutely everything on a car – but he refused to change the oil. Never once did he ever change the oil in any car. I asked him about it once and he said he could do it but it hated it so he would gladly pay someone to do it for him.
As difficult as it may be to find the right job, or in some cases, any job it is important to realize what you will and will not do for that next position. If I were to find an office position I would love one that I would be able to meet, greet and interact with clients – I’m a talker. If there were Filing Clerk position open instead that paid twice as much I would have to say no.
I hate filing. As much as my dad hated changing the oil I’m the same about filing but much, much worse. I can file but I don’t want to, or as little as possible. It would be ridiculous for me to get a job doing the one thing I hate, it would spell disaster. Not for their filing system, but for my own peace. Why on earth would I want to go in every day and do something I don’t like?
There are skills that we have that are necessities or acquired along the way. We may be able to do them just fine but we do not enjoy them. If you seem desperate to find a position do not take that step down a dark path by getting a job doing what you don’t like. I understand it pays but your mental and physical health are more important.
I had a client that was quite skilled in two different areas. When we were creating his resume he wanted me to include the one that he hated to do, but I refused. I was not going to put him in the position of obtaining a job that in all likelihood he would end up hating and ultimately quitting or sabotaging himself into getting fired. After explaining this to him he said it was probably just as well, he was not getting any jobs for that skill either.
That brings up another point: just increases your anger and frustration in applying for a position for which you don’t like and not being accepted for the job. You don’t want to do it in the first place so why be mad that you didn’t get the job? Because no one likes rejection. Save yourself, don’t apply.
When pursuing your options be mindful of what you do NOT want to do, it is just as important as what you do what to do. Be honest with yourself and think carefully. It may take a little longer when you are a bit pickier, but you will be much happier in the long run.
Lisa K. McDonald, CPRW
Career Polish, Inc.
http://www.CareerPolish.com