My Journey Through Jobs: From the Worst to the Best
As an SEO professional, it's fascinating to see how our work environments can shape our lives and influence our happiness. My personal journey through various jobs has taught me a lot about what makes a job either the best or the worst. In this article, I will recount my experiences and share the key takeaways that can help others find the right job suited to their personality and talents.My Worst Job: Toy Demonstration at a Department Store
The worst job I ever had was demonstrating battery-operated toys in the toy department of a major department store before Christmas. It was a challenging and draining experience that tested my patience and resilience.As a toy demonstrator, I was required to handle returned items, fix them if possible, and resell them. My main responsibility was to meet sales targets, which I was only paid on a commission basis. The pressure was immense as I had to report my sales figures every Friday. My role also involved being on duty at all times and dealing with customers, including parents who would leave their children with me while they shopped.
The job took a physical and mental toll on me, especially when I had to undergo a security search at the end of the day. Additionally, the responsibility of looking for a bomb in the event of a scare added to the stress. Despite the hardships, I knew this was a temporary role, and I took solace in knowing it would end once the holiday season was over.
My Best Job: Director of a Children’s Centre
In stark contrast to my worst job, the best position I held was as the director of a voluntary sector children’s centre in an inner-city area. This job offered numerous benefits and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community.My role allowed me to develop services to meet the needs of children and their families. I was responsible for building and supporting the staff team, and securing funding for special projects such as a sensory play room, inclusion support worker, outdoor play space development, and a course for childcare workers moving into leadership roles. Being in a position of leadership, I enjoyed the ability to shape the services and assist in the personal and professional growth of my team members.
Current Best Job: IT Service Desk Manager
Currently, I work as a service desk manager at one of the main universities in Leeds. This job is the epitome of a dream position for me. It offers me a stable income and excellent colleagues. I collaborate with teaching staff and students, and I don’t have to work on bank holidays or during the festive season. I get to do what I'm good at, and I truly enjoy every moment of it. Having been here for nearly 9 years, I am still as enthusiastic about the job as I was on my first day.I was once a sales assistant at a local supermarket, where the experience was far from positive. The management appointed by the company’s head office training facility lacked both competence and empathy. They were either clueless or megalomaniacs with no understanding of how to motivate the workforce. The morale of the staff plummeted, and it was a challenging environment to work in. I managed to stay for six months before resigning before my frustration could reach a boiling point.
The supermarket was placed in special measures after receiving poor reviews, and a new team was brought in to address the situation. My negative experiences were so profound that I would avoid shopping there for several years following my tenure. I have not worked in retail since.