THAT JOB THAT MAKES ME CRINGE

There is a lot of talk these days about finding one's dream job in life. While the dream job is not easy to come by, there are so many jobs out there to make ends meet while we patiently wait for that dream job.

There are plenty of jobs I could see myself doing to make ends meet, but I'll never work as a marketer again. Even if the pay is mouth-watering, I would still reject it. You may be wondering why, and the reason is very simple. I had a bad experience with it in the past as a young graduate in Nigeria.

MY EXPERIENCE AS A MARKETER
Several years ago, as a young graduate searching for a job, you know how difficult it is to land your dream job in Nigeria. After searching to no avail, I decided to go with any job to pay my bills. I had the opportunity to work as a marketer in a production company. Then it wasn't as easy as now when we have digital marketers. I didn't know much about the job, it was explained as something easy. I just thought it would be a great way to enhance my career and pay my bills.

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On the first day, we were called into the meeting room and they gave me and other colleagues fliers that contained various products that we could sell. We were to go out on the streets and convince people to buy the products. I wasn't comfortable because I didn't even know how to talk to people not to talk of convincing people to buy products but I had to continue because of bills.

To my uttermost shock, most of the people I encountered were either annoyed, uninterested, or ready to throw insults at the mention of anything that involved buying a product. It was so frustrating and humiliating. Sometimes, I felt I was losing myself. I had to convince people in all ways possible even if it meant manipulating them somehow because my pay depended on a target I needed to meet. So I had to make sales in all ways possible.

I realized that the job wasn't for me after three weeks of trekking under the hot sun looking for customers and I quit. Whenever I see ads for marketing jobs I cringe. I understand that some people are good at this marketing job but it's a no for me. No amount of money would make me want to do it again. However, I learned a lot of skills that still help to date.

We all have our limits when it comes to certain jobs. I respect those who can handle marketing jobs well, it takes a lot of zeal and effort. But it's a no for me. The bottom line is to do what works for you life is too short.