Have you been out of work so long that your savings account has dried up? Has your unemployment ran out and dried up? Have you maxed out all of your credit cards trying to pay your living expenses? Have you searched high and low for a job in your career field and nothing is available? If any of these situations sounds familiar, it’s probably time to do what you have to do and consider a ‘survival job’.
Survival jobs are generally not considered career jobs. They are simply jobs that individuals take in order to survive hard economic times. These types of jobs are generally low-paying, low-end jobs, but they can keep your head above water until the job market improves.
Many people who have had successful careers or who are highly educated, but who are currently unemployed, often have trouble going out and applying for survival jobs. They view these types of jobs as something that is far below their capabilities. Some people even view taking these types of jobs as demeaning and/or humiliating.
Yes, when it comes to survival jobs you should plan to work longer hours and possibly do harder type of work for less pay. However, if you really need to find work and nothing is available in your career field, what other option do you have? If taking on a survival job such as babysitting, working in a restaurant or fast food, sacking groceries, cleaning, mowing lawns and other types of jobs of this nature are messing with you—get real and check your ego at the door. If you don’t, you may find yourself on the verge of bankruptcy or having your home taken from you.
While there are many negative things associated with survival jobs, there are some positives. Here is a list of both:
Pros of Survival Jobs
Confidence Booster - If you have been unemployed for a very long time, it has probably messed with you mental health. You probably feel useless and helpless. Taking on a survival job, no matter what it is, can give your confidence a boost. Doing something, anything, to help your current situation will help the helpless feeling pass. This boost in confidence can help keep depression from settling in.
Income - A survival job will not give you a huge bank account, but you will be bringing income into your household. Generally, a survival job can go far in covering basic living expenses. Having these basics covered can go a long way in relieving stress and anxiety. Knowing that you can feed your family and the utilities aren’t going to get cut off is a great relief and the biggest benefit of taking a survival job.
Busyness/Productivity - If you have been out of work a while, you may have found yourself feeling unproductive and bored. Taking a survival job can make you feel productive and it can keep your work ethic in shape. It can also help to pass the time until the job market in your career field improves.
Self-Respect - While some individuals view survival jobs as demeaning, others don’t. Being employed, no matter where and doing what, helps some people keep their self-respect. In addition, potential employers respect individuals who are willing to take menial jobs when they are going through a period of unemployment. It shows potential employers in your career field them that you have a strong work ethic and that you don’t let your ego get in your way.
Cons of Survival Jobs
Time - When you work a survival job it will take time away from searching out jobs in your career field. It will also make scheduling job interviews a little more difficult as you will have to work around your work hours.
Wages - Survival jobs do not pay much. This means you will have to make huge cuts in your lifestyle. You may even have to take on more than one job so you are bringing enough income into your household so you can continue to survive until the job market improves.
If you have found yourself unemployed and the job market in your career field has dried up, consider a survival job. While it may not be what you had planned for yourself, go with the hand you are dealt and make the best of it. When the time comes that you are able to return to work in your career field you will appreciate it. You will also have a new respect for the people you come in contact with on a day-to-day basis who are working survival jobs.
Recommended Reading
For more information and advice on survival jobs and how to find work, take a look at the following books:
44 Insider Secrets and Tips that Will Get You Hired
Get The Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring
Get Hired Now! A 28-Day Program for Landing the Job You Want
Fired to Hired: Bouncing Back from Job Loss to Get to Work Right Now
Survival Jobs: 154 Ways To Make Money While Pursuing Your Dreams
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