Beat the Career Killing Pop-Up Job

Actress Holland Taylor just popped up on an episode of “Billions.” If you don’t know her, she’s had a multi-faceted, decades-long career. Her “Billions” cameo reminded me of her Emmy win at age 56. She began her acceptance speech by joking, “Overnight!”

Let’s face it: We all want to be an overnight success. But success doesn’t happen automagically. Success materializes by showing your career care, intention, and dedication. That’s why you want to rethink pursuing career killing Lazy Girl pop-up jobs. They’re the fast fashion of work. They start off well but can fall apart in no time!

Let’s meet someone who shows why playing the long game is where it’s at.

Every Project Builds Wisdom

Jorja knocked on Keith’s office door, and he motioned her in with one hand and kept typing with the other. “Just a second before our mentoring session. OK! I’m all yours” he sighed. “What’s on your mind?”

“It’s that v-team I mentioned. I thought I would only need to pop up, but we’re going into our second month!” Jorja said, rolling her eyes. “I’m going to drop out until they follow-up with me.”

Keith took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair. “Are you sure dropping out makes sense?”

Jorja was dumbfounded. “I want something with higher visibility and more impact, not a project going in circles. Why don’t you have my back on this?!” she demanded.

“I do have your back—that includes helping you have a long career,” Keith replied. “Sure, the project has gone sideways. But have you considered what you’re gaining?”

“Gaining? That’s a laugh,” Jorja said skeptically.

Keith was insistent. “Think about this: You’re learning about the Project Lead. That means you’ll think twice about working for them down the line. You’re meeting new people. And people are getting to know you and what you bring to projects. Wanting to exit is understandable. Just be careful so you leave behind people who sing your praises.”

Get Ready for the Golden Opportunity

In the September series, Beat Three Lazy Girl Career Killers, we’re discussing how to avoid potential missteps of the Lazy Girl trend. One of the negative aspects of the Lazy Girl fad is searching for jobs where all you have to do is pop up. Those jobs may seem cool, but here’s the nasty secret no one has mentioned: Pop-up jobs are dead end jobs.

They can be career killers because while you think you’re off chasing the next high-profile opportunity, other people may get the wrong idea and think of descriptors like “short-sighted” or “uncommitted.” Once you get tagged with those descriptors, you could get pushed to the slush pile. Then what happens? People hired after you—perhaps some you trained—may get the opportunities, the promotion, and the salary you want.

Relax—you can skip this nightmare scenario by honing your work skills like smart choices and adaptability. That’s the lesson the mentor in the case study tried to relay.

So, the next time you’re faced with challenges requiring tenacity and dedication, think how you’re building emotional maturity and valuable experience. Marketable skills in your back pocket means you’ll be ready when a golden opportunity shows up out of nowhere—and that’s the kind of pop up you want!

Here are three ways to practice playing the long game:

1. Ask yourself The Big Question, “How can I get creative and be dedicated to an outstanding career?”
2. Swap career killing pop-up jobs and pursue interesting work with these mindset swaps:
   1. I’m only interested in today becomes I’m interested in my career every day.
   2. A series of pop-up jobs are no big deal becomes I show how I’m consistent and trustworthy.
   3. Where’s the fun in this job? I’m over it! becomes Every job has routine tasks. I bring the fun!
3. And inspire yourself by affirming, “Every work experience helps me build in-demand, marketable skills.”

Uncomfortable situations come with the territory, but don’t let them be the boss of your work life. Instead of engaging some of the time, build your career all the time.