I’m here to tell you that there’s something to gain even from crappy jobs. Instead of wasting your time looking for perfection, it may be more useful for your career if you focus on what you can gain from any professional opportunity instead of focusing on its imperfections.
Military spouses and Veterans often take the "right now" job because the perfect or slightly imperfect job just isn’t available, but that doesn’t mean it’s all fire and brimstone. See the good in those opportunities.
In that imperfect job, you are collecting a paycheck. No matter what you are doing, if you have to support a family, collecting a paycheck is a necessity. Even if your professional ego takes a hit, you are doing what you need to do.
In that imperfect job, you are making contacts and, hopefully, some friends. You are building your network.
In that imperfect job, you are gaining work experience. Your resume will not be blank.
In that imperfect job, you are developing soft skills, using your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and keeping your interpersonal skills fresh. You are learning from the good and bad that you encounter.
In that imperfect job, you are potentially building a bridge to a more perfect job.
You do not know where that imperfect job may lead.
But, you won’t see the opportunities if you are only looking at the imperfections of the job.
It isn't the job that should fulfill you; it's what you make of yourself inside each job that truly matters.
It isn't the job that should fulfill you; it's what you make of yourself inside each job that truly matters.