In a nation where graduate unemployment levels are continually on the ascendancy and where there is intense competition for the relatively few jobs on the job market, many are tempted to pursue and accept virtually any job offer. Many scramble for all kinds of jobs without giving thought to the potential hazards associated with such jobs and many other such factors. Education and experience coupled with observation has taught me some valuable lessons which I will attempt to distill for the benefit of many unemployed graduates and by extension, employees who on ‘the wrong job.’
Jobs which are evidently hazardous to your health
But for money, many employees and potential employees throw caution to the wind in their job search. You should never place your job or career over and above your health. If your job is proving hazardous to your health, you should quickly devise an exit plan. I had to quit my job as a Data Entry Specialist with a prestigious telecommunication company principally because I discovered my job was progressively hurting my ear. The nature of the job required that I make calls frequently and soon I began to experience incessant headaches, ear aches and blurred hearing. That I had bills to pay didn`t stop me from calling it quits, all for my health. Some employees have been injured and sometimes permanently scarred in their line of duty. Others have been under intense stress and depression and have developed life threatening ailments as a direct result of the jobs they consigned themselves to. This should not be your story.
Jobs which pay less than expenses associated with them
Many low paying jobs are advertised daily; in most cases than not, these are demanding jobs and ordinarily should attract better pay. Some companies choose to pay law salaries and wages, that, the pay some employees receive at the end of the month; salaries, incentives and all, falls below the cost the employee incurs in accepting that job offer; expenses on just transportation alone takes a chunk of the employee’s salary. As a matter of fact, the employee runs at a loss. Why take a job offer or remain at a job that makes you run at a loss; where you do not make financial gains but rather losses. Think twice if you find yourself in such a situation. I wouldn`t keep such a job; it simply isn`t worth it.
Illegal jobs
Some jobs are universally considered unlawful and consequently punishable when the long arm of the law gets a hold of culprits such as robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking and the likes. Surprisingly, some these illegal jobs pay well and individuals engaged in such jobs live large for as long as they are not caught.
Also worth-noting is the fact that, some jobs that may be considered illegal in a particular jurisdiction or country may be considered legal in another. For instance, prostitution and pornography are considered illegal in Ghana but legal in the United States of America. In Ghana, there is such a thing as illegal small scale mining. The caveat is that avoid illegal jobs per the laws prevalent in your place of domicile; avoid it at all cost.
Jobs that conflicts with your moral values
We all have certain standards we uphold, conditioned by our environment, upbringing and religious affiliation. Whereas some individuals and groups of persons may see absolutely nothing wrong with jobs such as prostitution, pornography, operating night clubs, carrying out abortions and the likes, others see such jobs as morally bankrupt. If ever you are offered a job that conflicts with your moral standards, flee. You certainly have no business taking that job offer merely for incentives you may be privileged to have.
Jobs that conflict with your religious beliefs
Some institutions and jobs are principally religious in belief systems, causes and modus operandi. I see no reason why the non-Christian will for instance apply to work with a Christian Institution, if he or she is not willing to subscribe to the belief systems, practices, and causes that are operative in such an environment. Why put yourself through such hassle if you know very well that your religious convictions are in conflict with that of institution you seek to work with. That you need money does not mean you should support a religious cause you do not subscribe to.
Jobs that rob you of time with family
Some employees work seven days a week and much of the day; they live for work at dawn and return at night. They return to the house tired but truth be told, some get well paid and are able to afford the luxuries of life but seem to never have time for their spouses and wards. While they climb high the corporate ladder, their families suffer. Before they know it, their children have become wayward and their marriages are on the rocks. Why chase after money, only to lose all that is dear to your heart; your family. If your job wouldn`t give you time for family and friends, you should advice yourself.
Jobs that make you miserable
Some employees work at jobs that constantly make their lives miserable and a living hell. They simply do not like their jobs but only keep those jobs because somehow the bills have to be paid. They work at these jobs but desperately long for other jobs. I remember while a staff at a junior High School as national service personnel, I knew a particular hardworking teaching staff who resented his job so much and was frequently heard blaming his dad for pushing him towards that career path. Soon, it began to tell on his output. Before I was through with my service, he had got himself a job with a government agency, quitting for good his teaching profession. If your job makes you miserable, consider a new career path or job as soon as possible. You can quit your current job once you get one you truly love and are passionate about.
Jobs which are incompatible with your temperament (s)
I am naturally introverted and consequently averse to jobs that require high mobility and frequent client contact. I love to work behind the scenes and at home with jobs that require relatively few client contacts and mobility. I remember taking a job offer barely two years ago as a Direct Sales Representative with an ICT Company which required that we meet certain weekly prospecting targets and monthly sales targets with specific focus on companies. As a naturally introverted person, I could not make a head way, as much as I tried; I found this job very frustrating and had to eventually tender my resignation. It is important to note that employees with the requisite knowledge base and skills-set may fair well in one job but fair poorly in another not necessarily because they are incompetent but because of differences that may exist between the nature of the job and employee temperaments and aptitudes.
On your route to gainful employment, though give some thought to the issues I have raised above. They may proof helpful in arriving at decisions regarding the job offers to accept and those to reject and may also prove helpful in your choice of a career path.
Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo || a Freelance writer, published author, Professional marketer and the founder of Top-notch Writing Solutions. I have written for several magazines including HR Focus Magazine, MM Focus Magazine, Optimum Magazine and Step Magazine. My articles, short stories and poems have also been featured in several newspapers in my home country and on over twenty websites and blogs. I am always available for hire. Email: dudelda3@yahoo.com
Blog: http://danieldeladunoo.blogspot.com / http://theroyalwordsmithgh.wordpress.com
