25 People Share Their Biggest Job Challenges
This week’s Afrogist episode delves into the “Biggest Job Challenges” experienced by our volunteers. Have you encountered workplace problems, from toxic environments to positive ones, while job hunting or finding your niche? If you landed in a fantastic and growth-oriented workplace on your first attempt, consider yourself among the fortunate few. What has been your biggest job challenge?
Feel free to share your experiences and let’s explore these common obstacles together in this week’s episode.
“My biggest challenge has been working without a single time for my own other activities. Working from Monday-Sunday 8-6… It is paying but very stressful and time consuming. No time to learn new skills or even invest in yourself.”
Gracious (F)
Abia State
“I once lied to my boss to cover up for a colleague. But then that very same colleague went in to tell the truth to make herself look better and made me look like an idiot. Never again sha!”
Spandex (F)
Lagos, Nigeria
“My worst job experience happened in the early stages of my freelancing career. I was underpaid, overstressed and even called “naive” because I asked for a pay raise. Then I worked with this rude editor that undermined my work to the extent that I began to doubt my own skill set. When I recall those dark times, I shiver, really.”
Destiny Senpai (M)
Lagos State
“Having worked with an Australian company that kept changing the project requirement continuously minutes to deadline, it was very difficult to work with. The specification kept changing and there weren’t reasonable reasons for it.”
Caveman (M)
Nigeria
“I had a freelance Job with a team of two other guys. The money was paid into the team lead account and after the project, he ghosted.”
caveman (M)
Nigeria
“Feedback from customers. Most customers find it hard to send feedback or remarks about the services rendered to them, and these remarks are things I feel can help the job grow.”
Samson (M)
Ibadan State
“Hmmmm… that’s a challenging one in itself. My biggest job challenge though should be that I have not garnered sufficient antecedents for the present position I’m either in or am eyeing. It feels like having a quiver full, a workable bow but messed up archery skills.”
Little Fangs (F)
Benin City
“Good”
Esther (F)
Ibadan, Nigeria
“So I had this girl who said I was proud and lofty where I worked, simply because I was not interactive like all the other work members that you’d know in the office. I just loved to stay away from trouble, and mind my business. This woman tagged me with ridiculous names, and made everybody feel the same about me. She had that kind of influence over everyone like that jare. I hated working there just because of one person.”
Hillgirl (F)
Lagos State
“The kind of workplace bullying I saw at my first job made me swear off working for anyone in my life again. It simply was unbearable. I was literally everyone’s errand boy. In fact, I was at some point begging to actually do my job, rather than spend my time on menial irrelevant tasks. To date, working with old people is a No-No for me. The experience was very terrible for me…because I would not even agree to go on errands in my fathers house, and here I was, being everybody’s personal menial boy, simply because of a job.”
Zenith (F)
Lagos State
“You think Harassment is something you only watch on tv until it happens to you on your job, and you find out that you can’t call it quits because Nigeria is such a messed up place, and chances are you could end up jobless on the streets with no other source of income to last you through for months. So you stay and watch it happen, and become one of those who never speak up, because you simply can’t, and because you have got to make a living at your job.”
Esther (F)
Lagos
“One day my boss caught me job searching and applying for a better job, during work hours, with the company’s WIFI. That day was the beginning of my torment in that office.”
Basil (M)
Lagos, Nigeria
“Helping a lie everyday just so that I can get away from my boss and his overachievement. Made me hate my job.”
Spider (M)
Lagos State
“Omo, there was a time I was spent and burned out at my job. I was practically a zombie every day at work with zero interest in internal affairs. Was a terrible period for me.”
Instantine (M)
Lagos State
“Commuting to and fro everyday for a long distance with only a pittance pay inside Lagos traffic was toxic to my health.”
Gracey (F)
Lagos State
“Working with a toxic boss is probably one of the worst things that could happen to anyone. I got a job at a firm, and the work culture was so poor as opposed to what I was used to. I regretted ever taking the job. How can I be creative and innovative on a job where there is no freedom of speech, and everybody just dey frown face like beans.”
Riches (M)
Lagos State
“Worked at a place where everyone was fighting for the boss’s attention. Created a very hateful work environment.”
Ameen (M)
Kaduna State
“All I can say is, HR people showed me shege!”
Faith (F)
Lagos, Nigeria
“Working with a man that wants to implement heaven and earth but can’t even put Legos together.”
Mr man (F)
“I’d say getting the job itself. People say getting a Job is a Job itself, and it’s really hard.”
Gee (M)
Benin, Nigeria
“Attachment. I often get so attached to work that I lose track of time. I actually enjoy what I do. I’m passionate about it, but the job no go let me see front.”
Gideon (M)
Abuja, FCT
“My greatest work challenge has been trying to stay creative and original week-in-week-out. Lol… I’m a writer and it’s imperative that I bring something new and fresh every time. It’s kinda challenging and frustrating sometimes being a true creative😪.”
Hoemozele (F)
Somewhere on Earth
“Having to always report everything to my superior, and especially when he was someone that didn’t like me 😩.”
Lon (M)
Abuja, FCT
“Ensuring Stock Availability and Shorter Lead Times to Handle Smaller, More Frequent Orders.”
Oyetunde Elija (M)
Lagos State
“Having to learn a hand skill. The first four months were cool and stressful, then I had to take a break because of my health. On my boss’s birthday, I decided to wish her a happy birthday. In the evening after leaving there, I told her I was coming back but I didn’t go back because it was late. Ever since then, she started giving me attitude, calling me names. I saw no meaning in not going back that day but guess I did the unexpected. She made my remaining days there hell.”
Dee(F)
Nigeria
If you find yourself in a workplace that isn’t boosting your growth and you have doubts about its future, don’t hesitate to consider leaving. Trust the process. It’s the best decision for both you and the organization. Your departure allows you to search for your dream job or dedicate time to self-improvement. Simultaneously, it grants the organization the opportunity to discover individuals who can truly contribute to its growth and catalyze positive change.
Embrace your job challenges as gateways to personal and professional growth. When you view these hurdles as opportunities for learning and self-improvement, you unlock a beautiful path forward.
Wishing all of you a wonderful weekend!
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