Everyday jobs that you've found fun and enjoyable... part 2.
December 27, 2014 6:29 PM Subscribe
4 years ago mtphoto posted a great question. I really liked some of the answers you gave him then, but I also have a few more questions to add.
Hello!
4 years ago mtphoto posted a great question . I really liked some of the answers you gave him then, but I also have a few more questions to add.
I am in my early 20s and my situation is pretty much the same as mtphoto's back then. I have studied graphic design (didn't like it very much), philosophy (no money...) and now translation, but that's pretty new.
I was the kind of kid who thought you got your degree first and then you started to work, and that was a big big big mistake since it didn't help in figuring out what to do with my life and I realized that studying is not the same as working. I have worked in a call center and as a teacher (for 3 years), but I realized that I don't really like teaching. Too much stress and not enough money. So now that I'm still young, I would like to try different things and see what I like and don't like doing.
I really liked some of the suggestions for that question and 1. I'd like to hear more ideas like those! But I also have a few more questions:
2. Is it bad for your resume to get a job that is not as "well-regarded" as your previous job? So far I have had 3 jobs, and they have always been better than the former. I thought that was the way to go in terms of progress but I really don't care about that anymore, I just want to be happy to go to work, no matter what that is. I wonder if future employers could have a problem with that or if it could make me lose better opportunities.
3. I study and read a lot for school, so I would like to have a job that is not *too* intellectual and/or sedentary. Also, I would like to meet new people and have a chance to talk to them. One of the things I loved most about my previuos job was that I taught classes in different companies and I got to know interesting people and places.
4. Also, how can I make my resume attractive to employers in fields where I have zero experience in? What can I do to get an interview? And once I get it, how do I "sell" myself?
I hope that borrowing (or resusitating) a question is not breaking the rules :P
Thank you guys. And have a happy new year!
tl;dr: jobs that are enjoyable, interesting, not (so) stressful, that don't require a degree or very specific skills that I don't have and how to get them
Hello!
4 years ago mtphoto posted a great question . I really liked some of the answers you gave him then, but I also have a few more questions to add.
I am in my early 20s and my situation is pretty much the same as mtphoto's back then. I have studied graphic design (didn't like it very much), philosophy (no money...) and now translation, but that's pretty new.
I was the kind of kid who thought you got your degree first and then you started to work, and that was a big big big mistake since it didn't help in figuring out what to do with my life and I realized that studying is not the same as working. I have worked in a call center and as a teacher (for 3 years), but I realized that I don't really like teaching. Too much stress and not enough money. So now that I'm still young, I would like to try different things and see what I like and don't like doing.
I really liked some of the suggestions for that question and 1. I'd like to hear more ideas like those! But I also have a few more questions:
2. Is it bad for your resume to get a job that is not as "well-regarded" as your previous job? So far I have had 3 jobs, and they have always been better than the former. I thought that was the way to go in terms of progress but I really don't care about that anymore, I just want to be happy to go to work, no matter what that is. I wonder if future employers could have a problem with that or if it could make me lose better opportunities.
3. I study and read a lot for school, so I would like to have a job that is not *too* intellectual and/or sedentary. Also, I would like to meet new people and have a chance to talk to them. One of the things I loved most about my previuos job was that I taught classes in different companies and I got to know interesting people and places.
4. Also, how can I make my resume attractive to employers in fields where I have zero experience in? What can I do to get an interview? And once I get it, how do I "sell" myself?
I hope that borrowing (or resusitating) a question is not breaking the rules :P
Thank you guys. And have a happy new year!
tl;dr: jobs that are enjoyable, interesting, not (so) stressful, that don't require a degree or very specific skills that I don't have and how to get them
In answer to #2, happiness is always a fine reason to switch jobs.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:23 PM on December 27, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:23 PM on December 27, 2014 [2 favorites]
#1: National Park or State Park ranger. Or a standardized patient actor.
For #2: What do you mean by "well-regarded"? Prestige of firm? How much the job paid? In general, nothing is really bad for a resume if you can spin it in a positive way. So much of it is about spin and providing a cohesive narrative as to why you chose to pursue certain opportunities and what you learned or got out of it.
#4: Depending on the industry you are looking to go into, you do not always need relevant work experience. Rather, you need experiences that can serve as evidence that you are an adaptable, quick learner who works well with others, reliably pulls your weight on a team, and possibly has leadership ability. Once you get it, do a good job researching the company / position you want to work in, ask a few people who are in the industry for any industry-specific suggestions they may have, and show your enthusiasm for the position. It goes without saying to make good eye contact, dress appropriately, show up on time, and so on for the interview itself.
posted by gemutlichkeit at 7:38 PM on December 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
For #2: What do you mean by "well-regarded"? Prestige of firm? How much the job paid? In general, nothing is really bad for a resume if you can spin it in a positive way. So much of it is about spin and providing a cohesive narrative as to why you chose to pursue certain opportunities and what you learned or got out of it.
#4: Depending on the industry you are looking to go into, you do not always need relevant work experience. Rather, you need experiences that can serve as evidence that you are an adaptable, quick learner who works well with others, reliably pulls your weight on a team, and possibly has leadership ability. Once you get it, do a good job researching the company / position you want to work in, ask a few people who are in the industry for any industry-specific suggestions they may have, and show your enthusiasm for the position. It goes without saying to make good eye contact, dress appropriately, show up on time, and so on for the interview itself.
posted by gemutlichkeit at 7:38 PM on December 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
Hrm... One of my first jobs was working at the beach. That is, selling tickets for rides or making food for people on vacation. It was a job for teenagers, not well regarded, but it was a job.
Perhaps you would like to look at jobs at Jackson Labs.
Pretty much a lot of people in Maine have worked at call centers, because that is a lot of the employment here. Just give it "customer service" on your resume. No worries.
Translation: you don't say what language. Spanish? French?
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 7:58 PM on December 27, 2014
Perhaps you would like to look at jobs at Jackson Labs.
Pretty much a lot of people in Maine have worked at call centers, because that is a lot of the employment here. Just give it "customer service" on your resume. No worries.
Translation: you don't say what language. Spanish? French?
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 7:58 PM on December 27, 2014
Depends on your personality and how you deal with stress but I always loved restaurant and (even better) bar work. I did it for over a decade and have been out of it for almost as long now and I still mostly remember it fondly (occasional asshole customers and managers notwithstanding) and appreciate all it taught me. I stay in touch with many of the people I met over the years. The money can be very good and the social life excellent. Quite a few of the people I worked with parlayed the experience into related careers in hospitality and management.
posted by Cuke at 8:16 PM on December 27, 2014
posted by Cuke at 8:16 PM on December 27, 2014
Re 2) - not so much regarding "better" or "worse" jobs so much as just too many different things - it's good to try things out, and you definitely have some leeway for a few years after graduating, but it's not great for you to have 10 years of experience in 5 entry-level jobs in totally different fields. It makes it harder to put together the kind of easily scannable narrative that a lot of HR people want to see.
(You can finesse your resume to make connections and present arguments in your cover letter, but they're used to seeing certain titles in certain sequences, and too much deviation from their expectations gives them a reason to put your resume in the No pile. They are basically looking for reasons to do this with every resume, given the huge numbers of applicants for most jobs.) Whatever you choose (more or less prestigious or whatever), employers like to see focus. People who make career changes these days tend to branch off their existing experience, rather than totally reboot. You probably have a few years, just saying, try things, but with a view to making a decision.
This, actually, helps with 4). If you can show commitment to a particular direction (in the ways gemutlichkeit described), that's a massive plus.
My favourite "everyday" job was teaching adults (non-educational setting).
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:20 PM on December 27, 2014
(You can finesse your resume to make connections and present arguments in your cover letter, but they're used to seeing certain titles in certain sequences, and too much deviation from their expectations gives them a reason to put your resume in the No pile. They are basically looking for reasons to do this with every resume, given the huge numbers of applicants for most jobs.) Whatever you choose (more or less prestigious or whatever), employers like to see focus. People who make career changes these days tend to branch off their existing experience, rather than totally reboot. You probably have a few years, just saying, try things, but with a view to making a decision.
This, actually, helps with 4). If you can show commitment to a particular direction (in the ways gemutlichkeit described), that's a massive plus.
My favourite "everyday" job was teaching adults (non-educational setting).
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:20 PM on December 27, 2014
I've been working as a fresh produce clerk for the past 7 years. It was one of my first jobs and I kind of got thrown into it, but I love it. Easy work, I don't get bored, and I'm not dealing with customers in a line all day but still interacting with them.
At least for me, I don't have a college degree. So the jobs and career growth I can get are very limited. But depending on where you live, there are companies that allow you to move up without a degree or even any experience.
Sure, working retail pays like crap when you first started out, but its provided many with a career when they had no other option.
posted by signondiego at 9:12 PM on December 27, 2014
At least for me, I don't have a college degree. So the jobs and career growth I can get are very limited. But depending on where you live, there are companies that allow you to move up without a degree or even any experience.
Sure, working retail pays like crap when you first started out, but its provided many with a career when they had no other option.
posted by signondiego at 9:12 PM on December 27, 2014
Assistant/docent/tour guide/education-something at a zoo or aquarium. The large aquarium near where I grew up certainly has part-time hires to man the touch pools and lead little classes and tours (especially for kids). They always look like they're having fun!
posted by jrobin276 at 1:35 PM on December 28, 2014
posted by jrobin276 at 1:35 PM on December 28, 2014
Response by poster: Thank you guys!
Your ideas so far are great and sound awesome, but I live in Uruguay (should have mentioned that, sorry!) so some of them are just not possible, such as ski slope, state park ranger, etc. :(
Translation: you don't say what language. Spanish? French?
English, actually. Spanish is my native language.
posted by divina_y_humilde at 4:16 PM on December 29, 2014
Your ideas so far are great and sound awesome, but I live in Uruguay (should have mentioned that, sorry!) so some of them are just not possible, such as ski slope, state park ranger, etc. :(
Translation: you don't say what language. Spanish? French?
English, actually. Spanish is my native language.
posted by divina_y_humilde at 4:16 PM on December 29, 2014
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posted by bluedaisy at 7:11 PM on December 27, 2014 [1 favorite]