Thursday, July 1, 2010

On being underemployed...

Other than the very unpalatable idea of not doing what you are really qualified to do, underemployment has some salient quirks about it, not all of which are negative (I know, incredible) -

* Just because your job doesn't deserve you, you cannot very well show up at work in your PJs and slippers. Getting up and ready for work feels that much more difficult (not worth the effort) but it is also good that you have to, otherwise you never might.

* It is actually irritating if you get a task that requires you to use your brain. Hey, if you want all this jazz, pay up!

* You don't feel guilty about doing non-work related things at office - checking your personal email, chatting, taking a coffee break, etc. Similarly, you don't feel the need to exceed expectations.

* Every day, you wonder if your time could not be put to better use.

* Every time you think you have made up your mind to quit and look for a real opportunity, someone or something will remind you that it is always better to be somekindofemployed other than un.

* Most lunch options irritate you - Bah, for the peanuts I make, I am actually having to spend money on this fancy pants lunch.

* You don't care to hide the fact that you are actively seeking other opportunities.

* Filling out time sheets feels strangely depressing. Oops, that's one more week.

* You think thrice before getting that ridiculously over-priced Starbucks mocha to satisfy your entirely ignorable, mid-afternoon caffeine drenched chocolate craving. In fact, you skip it on most days. Good for the wallet and the body. Tastes even better on the days you do buy it. Win-win-win situation.

* Your boss is actually nicer to you than he probably would be if he were paying you what you deserve (to be fair to him, this is just a logical deduction - I am, obviously, comparing him to other bosses I have had in the past). It's almost as if he knows that the money is not enough to keep you if anything else pisses you off.

* There is no need to participate in office politics. Meetings are really to the point. There is no pressure to make an impression on the 'right' people. Sweet.

All in all, it is a mixed bag. Just like... about everything else.

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