职场课堂：从坏工作中我们能学会什么？

A bad job can be the result of a range of issues. Perhaps it's a lack of growth opportunities for a sales coordinator who's held the same role for four years. Or maybe it's a work/life imbalance for an executive assistant who spends late nights at the office and still has to catch up on projects at home.
一份坏工作可能有许多原因。对于一名在同一个职位上干了四年的销售协调员来说可能是缺乏升职的机会。对于一名加班到深夜，还要把工作带回家的执行助理来说可能是工作和生活无法平衡。

We've all had a bad job at some point along the way. If your list of cons is longer than your list of pros, don't fret. There are tactics you can employ to tip the scales back in your favor.
在人生的某个阶段我们都会遇到一份坏工作。如果这份工作的坏处超过了它的好处，别郁闷。这里有些办法可以让你重新喜欢上这份工作。

Here are five ways to find the upside no matter how bad a job may seem.
下面这五种办法可以让你发现这份工作的优势，无论它看上去有多么糟糕。

1. Connect with new people
1. 扩大交友圈

The biggest asset at your disposal may be the people you work with. Expanding your circle to cross-departmental colleagues can bring about unexpected benefits.
这份坏工作里最大的财富也许就是和你一起工作的人们。把你的交际圈扩大到部门之外的同事，这会给你带来意外的收获。

For one, they might become sources of support and friendship, helping to improve your job satisfaction. Further, they may be able to expose you to new projects or areas of the company that could hold appeal.
一方面，他们也许会成为你的支持者和朋友，有助于提升你对工作的满足感。不仅如此，他们可能还会向你介绍公司里那些有吸引力的新的项目和领域。

So be a part of the office dynamic. This makes it easier to reach out to an extended group of people. Take part in hallway chats, attend birthday events and bring a casserole to the monthly potluck or the summer picnic. When new people join the company, welcome them and express your interest in learning from each other.
所以努力成为办公室动力的一部分。这会让你更容易接触到更多的人。参与在走道里的聊天，出席生日活动，带着菜去参加每个月的聚会或者夏季野餐。当有新人加入公司时，向他们表示欢迎，并且让他们知道你有兴趣相互了解。

Remember not to mention your discontent. You're not looking for others to gripe with. Simply focus on areas of interest. Any shared experiences or knowledge can open up a useful conversation. Follow up later via email and build a continued dialogue over time.
记住，不要提到你对工作的不满。你不是在找人来发牢骚。只用专注于你们感兴趣的领域。任何相互分享的经历或知识都可以开始一段有用的对话。之后可以通过电子邮件进一步交流，让对话持续下去。

Bonus tip: In addition to peers, consider connecting with managers and even executives. You can still look upward when networking internally.
额外建议：除了同事，还可以考虑和经理甚至和主管联系。哪怕是内部的人际关系，你也可以向上看。

2. Tap your potential
2. 开发你的潜能

Ask for projects that allow you to stretch your abilities and develop new skills. You may find that you enjoy whatever it is you begin working on and that your dissatisfaction is not so much with the company but with your current duties. An added benefit: You also can include action verbs, such as "managed," "mentored" or "developed," on your résumé.
寻找那些允许你充分发挥自己的能力，而且可以培养新技能的项目。你也许会发现不管是做什么，刚开始的时候你都很享受，而你的不满其实和公司关系不大，而是关于你目前的职责。另一个好处是，你可以在简历上加上诸如“完成”“指导”或“开发”这样的动词。

Bonus tip: Ask your supervisors how you're doing with a new assignment. If you get words of appreciation, thank them and keep any glowing emails or reviews for your records. You can use these as a résumé addendum or for your cover letter.
额外建议：问问你的上司，你在这个新任务中表现如何。如果你得到了赞许，向他们表示感谢，并且把那些有溢美之词的邮件或评价留做记录。你可以用它们作为简历附录或者用在求职信中。

3. Investigate your industry
3. 调查你所在的行业

One thing a bad job can still help you do: explore your industry in greater depth. Many companies pay for memberships to industry associations and conferences, making it easier -- and more affordable -- to interact with your peers. By doing so, you can bring added value to your job, expand your professional network and potentially learn about future career paths.
一份坏工作对你还有一个帮助：更深层次地探索你的行业。许多公司付费加入行业协会或者参加行业会议，这让你和同行接触变得更容易也更可行。这样，你可以为自己的工作带来额外的价值，扩展自己的专业网络，还能潜在地了解未来的职业道路。

You may even realize you're not as passionate about your profession as you once were. Instead of pinning your discontent on your current job, it may be the business that's not working for you. Sometimes it's hard to tell.
你甚至可能会发现你对自己的专业已经不像从前那样热情了。别在把不满归结于你目前的工作，也许这份工作根本就不适合你。有时候这很难说。

Bonus tip: Consider not just attending but speaking at an industry event. It's easier to get accepted as a speaker while employed, and being a featured presenter can boost your credentials in the eyes of future employers.
额外建议：不仅要参加行业活动，而且考虑在会上发言。找工作时作为一名发言人更容易被接受，而且在未来雇主的眼里会提升你的含金量。