Please could you tell me how many different jobs you've done in your life and how old you are?

[mustytrusty]

Just that really. I have just been out with some friends and it came up that they were laughing at the number of different jobs I've had in my life and were taking the piss out of me about it.

For some perspective I am 55 and have had maybe 10 different jobs. By which I mean actual different job titles rather than different workplaces. So for example I've been a PA in 3 different organisations but I'd class that as one job, or I've worked as a carer for 3 different companies and I'd class that as one job.

Two of the people I was with are teachers and do nothing but moan about their work but have been teachers for years so have only ever done one job. One of the others has never worked anywhere (family wealth) and the other did two jobs then retrained as a nurse which is what they do now.

So I am the odd one out for having done a few different job roles. And I have never been out of work or been off sick with work-related stress or similar, unlike at least one of the others.

I just feel upset that they thought that my different range of jobs were somehow lesser than their jobs that they've stuck in for years and that I am somehow fickle or less good than them as I haven't stuck in a job that has made me ill or made me moan about.

But it also made me wonder if I am somehow weird for having a lot of different job roles over the years. So, how many job roles have you done and how old are you, please?

tell me how many different jobs you've done in your life and how old you

I'm retired now but have had plenty of varied jobs:

Holiday job (clerical) for British Gas
Bank manager's secretary
Part time bar work in a naice hotel at the same time
Administrator - local government
Teaching assistant
Librarian

I think having plenty of different jobs gives you valuable and varied experience that you take to the workplace. Also I'd hate to look back and think I hadn't had that variety of experiences.

Aged 51.
I've had 8 different roles though most were in a related industry. For the last 10 years though, I've been in the same role/job title but at 3 different companies.

Since I graduated, five...
Technical support
Technical sales
Product marketing
General marketing
Marketing management

As a teenager, I was also a cleaner, a bar maid and worked in a factory.

While studying, I was a bike courier in London

Why does it matter as long as you are enjoying your job and earning as much as you need?

Waitress
Personnel administrator
Canteen assistant
Barmaid
Desktop support (IT)
Sales Manager
Telecom sales manager
Training Manager
Relocation agent
Recruitment manager
Client account manager
Sales Director
Commercial Director
Business adviser
Policy Director
Investment Manager
Management Consultant
CEO

I'm 62.

Thanks for the thread, OP - that was quite fun thinking through all the jobs. Never had a career plan, just had a lot of luck in my life.

I am 41
I've had 4 and am currently in the 4th which I envisage will be it for me.
First was temping, then assisting someone who was self employed, then what I would call my major job which you would consider a career job which I gave up for children.
Now I remain in a job that suited my young children once they started school.

I’m mid 30s and have had loads of jobs 15+! I am similar to you in that my friends have made fun/ teased me for the different jobs I have had. It used to make me feel as if there was something wrong with me and that I was unable to find the right fit. Anyway I ended up having some counselling for a different reason and the ‘job issue’ came up and they advised me to see it differently and think of myself as someone who likes trying new things. This does ring true for me as I get a feeling to try something new and never regret leaving jobs really! Thought it may be useful if you saw yourself as someone who likes trying new things too 😊

46 and 13 different job titles but 6 different Employers and just the two employers since I got my first 'proper' career related job at the age of 22.

I’m mid 40s and have had 13-18 jobs including short term roles. All fairly short term until the last ten years where I’ve settled into one type of role, although within that role type I’ve been promoted and moved teams several times so it’s still been varied. Not sure how to split the last ten years into different “jobs” hence guessing the total 🤣

After failing my nursing diploma, I switched to retail for a couple of years, then I went on London Underground (TfL) and I've been there ever since. I'm 47. People tend to stay for the excellent benefits. Even though the shifts and the customers are a PITA.

From age 16-18 I worked I'm a bakers shop on a Saturday.,
I then worked in the NHS in the same role until I retired.

@TeaDrinkerCosy thanks - yes, up until now I've always thought it was a good thing as I know I'm easily bored and the thing that motivates me is that I like to learn new things and to be honest I was a bit shocked that people viewed me negatively for it! I thought it was a bit mean to be honest.

Plus I am making myself feel better by hearing others stories and seeing that I am actually adaptable and good with change.

Well I started as as a Saturday girl in a vets, had a few different bar jobs and McDonald's through uni, was a pa in a legal firm, then moved into a professional role and have changed companies three times in 21 years

3 jobs

I'm 57

11. I'm 55. I hope to make it 12 before I retire.

Blimey I would find it hard to count! Jobs as an adult, in no particular order:
groom at a riding stables, visitor services in a museum, security officer in a museum, archive assistant, library assistant, librarian, project manager, selling perfume in Boots, account manager for Dior fragrances, working in Greggs.
Numerous retail and catering jobs while at sixth form/uni. The odd stint in telesales. Market research. Charity fundraising.
I've probably forgotten some!

40 - I've had loads of temp jobs especially post post uni, working in fast food, retail, cleaning, festival jobs running workshops, teaching assistant, warehouse work, running gigs, club nights, producing larger scale events. But then lots of temp and permanent admin roles too - finance, HR, marketing and events, supplementing income with making stuff. Rare to have a job for life these days and I'm expecting to change careers again soon.

Well various retail/bar/ waitressing jobs I did whilst a teen/ student but wouldn’t necessarily count those.

4 - marketing role, project manager, retrained as a teacher, left teaching after 16 years and current role involves some aspects of all of the previous ones really!

I'm 44

I'm 60 and not including student jobs I've worked at 6 different organisations. The first one was for 8 years and I had four different roles there as I progressed in my career. Another was for 14 years.

My current role I've been there 3 years and will likely stay till retirement.

If I included student jobs that would add 3 more jobs I think.