How to Survive in a Very Boring Job

There you are waiting by the phone for a call back to the second out of three interviews for your dream job. You know the competition is tight. After all, they told you that you were among 500 applicants. You have also applied for a less exciting position, which would still put your talents to good use and look great on your resume. Then there is that third job, that one you didn't really want to apply for, but practicality got the better of you and, with loan payments coming due, not to mention it's nice to eat, you applied for the very boring job at the really good company.

The phone rings and you know who it is. The job is so boring that they are practically putting out the red carpet for you if you accept it. Can you stave them off, you wonder? You know you cannot call that dream job and demand they choose you, that they are the losers if they do not. You know the less exciting position won't be starting until the middle of next month even if they do hire you. On the third ring, you pick up the phone and, sure enough, you are offered the very boring job with the really good company and they want you to start ASAP.

You put them off for two weeks, with the excuse you have to give notice. They agree to the two weeks and you cross your fingers in anticipation of hearing that you at least get called for the second interview at the dream job.

Two weeks pass, you have heard nothing and there you are starting your new and boring job. Short of blatantly playing backgammon, solitaire or internet poker, signing on to YouTube or shopping online, here are a few suggestions to make a boring job more exciting:

1. If you are a writer, you have it made in the shade. Yes, your co-workers will wonder what you are typing all day, as they know you have a "cushy" job and do not have much work to do, but let them wonder. As long as you stay alert and are willing to drop your creation when asked to help, you can write to your heart's content. I hired a temp once, and though most of us knew he was writing his thesis, he was always so pleasant and prompt when asked to do such mundane chores, such as copying and running to the mail room, that no one cared he was earning his degree on government time.

2. If you are not a writer, then ask your boss if there are any projects that need loose ends tied up. Perhaps you could draft correspondence for the documents your boss is working on. Suggest to your boss that perhaps there are things left unfinished that you could put together. Be discerning as to whom you ask for projects. You don't want to end up doing the things your co-workers simply do not want to do, such as filing and copying!

3. Learn a new skill online. Many work places no longer mind if one brings in earphones. There are many courses one can take online and simply find one that has a connection to your position. You could learn power point, for instance, if you know you could be asked to do presentations. You could study web design or anything that you already know, but in which you would like to become more advanced.

4. If there is still nothing to do after exhausting the above suggestions, then ask your boss if he minds if you read. I mean a book, not the Internet. Some offices encourage their receptionists to read a book or a magazine, for instance, rather than sit there and stare into space.

If you are successful at being the chosen one for that dream job, you may then resign from the boring job with the really good company. You will know that you at least made an effort to assist and to be creative, and this will not go unnoticed by either your boss or your co-workers.