List Only - What is a "dead-end job"? What is it about these jobs that make them "dead-ends"?

What is a "dead-end job"? What is it about these jobs that make them "dead-ends"?

Will no one hire you if you worked at a Wal-Mart for two years? If one has the qualifications to work at a higher-up job, will they frown upon that person if he worked at a Wal-Mart for a while? Thank you all for your answers. I am a cashier at a Wal-Mart and I actually enjoy the challenges I face because my associates treat me with respect. I not only cashier but I also do other things for when people call out and need someone to lend a hand. I want to work on concept art for science fiction games and perhaps write my own books, and simply thinking about those sort of things and knowing I have the energy to do it keeps me optimistic for the future. My artwork I did at college was praised by my drawing teacher and my classmates so I know I still have the talent. The reason I work at Wal-Mart is because I need to stay close at home to help with my baby brother who has a mobility handicap. I will use this as an explanation for my next job and also say that I learned how to be a productive employee, a proficient speaker, and fast typist there (with the keys and buttons on the control panel) :-P

Public Comments

It's not about where you work, but the quality of the work you do and what you can contribute to a new job, whether it's sales skills, leadership, etc. A dead-end job is one in which there is no growth potential, such as being made a manager but never being promoted above that.
A dead in job is lilke the one I have in retail. Nowhere to go and no chance of ever making a good wage. The harder you work, the more they expect of you with no incenitives.
dead end job is one where there is no chance of promotion, raise or benfits. more or less simple grunt work. depends on what the new job is. everyone knows someones gotta start somewhere so chances are they really won't care. some who are picky will look for more pertinent experience relevant to the job duties. but, simply point out that your tenure there was worht while and that you learned alot but now are trying to pursue more professional goals and ambition.s
A dead end job is a job that does not allow for advancement. As an employer I would look at your most recent occupation and if I saw it was Wal-Mart (I'm a publisher) then I would overlook you for someone who worked in the printing and graphics industry.
There are no dead end jobs, just dead end people. If you are a clerk at a gas station, people think that's a dead end job, but I know someone who started that way and now owns the gas station, because he was a loyal employee and the owner trusted him, and eventually turned more and more of the business over to him. It makes taking a vested interest in what you're doing, not just an hours work for an hours wage. I would hire someone who cleaned toilets for two years, because that is someone who does what needs to be done instead of thinking that they're too good for any job. Why you do what you do is part of who you are. I took a huge demotion at my job, but I went from being 2 hours from work to 20 minutes - because I chose to spend more time with family and less time on the job - and yes, every year that $$$$ less hurts, but I never regret that change. I see resumes of people who have big lapses in their career, and they write in their cover letter how they took off to care for an elderly parent who was in hospice, who's going to hold that against a potential employee?
Dead-End Job? Seven Signs Do the dividers of your cubicle seem to be closing in on you? Is that awful sound coming from your office actually your career gasping for breath? Does work seem to drone on, week after week, with each day the same as the last? If so, you may be experiencing what Sander Marcus, Ph.D., a professional career counselor with Friedland & Marcus in Chicago, calls "Career Depression Syndrome." Career Depression Syndrome, or discouragement or unhappiness in your job, could stem from high stress levels at work, job burnout or a turbulent job market. Read through this list to see if you recognize yourself in these situations and to find out if you could be at risk for Career Depression Syndrome. 1. Overload When people leave your company, instead of being replaced, are the remaining employees expected to pick up the slack and work two jobs for the price of one? Doing double-duty temporarily until the department is reorganized or a replacement is hired is fine. However, you cannot continue like this for long. 2. Unsung Hero Are your extra hours and "go the extra mile for the client" attitude unrecognized or unrewarded? If so, you need to start making some noise about your accomplishments. "Sometimes, you can?t just do your best," Dr. Marcus advises. "You have to let people know you?re doing your best. Show how your actions positively impact the company." 3. Out of the Loop Has a change in management left you out in the cold? Heed the signs. This could bring your career to a screeching halt or worse, signal the end of your job. "Always keep an updated list of accomplishments ready," Dr. Marcus says. "This information may help influence your new boss, or it makes it easier to update your resume if you think your job is in jeopardy." 4. Looming Dread Do you dread getting out of bed in the morning because it means you have to face another day at work? Is your weekend cut short because Sunday is spent dreading Monday and the return to grind? Then it?s time to rejuvenate your interest in your job. Set some new goals for yourself and stick to attaining them. 5. Is this All There Is? Do you find your productivity slipping and that you lack a general interest in your job? It could mean it?s time for some career enrichment. "Take courses, seminars. Find out what?s new in your industry. These are necessary moves to keep you interested and from becoming obsolete," Dr. Marcus warns. 6. Temper, Temper Do you find minor challenges either at work or at home touch you off more often? Then it?s time for an attitude adjustment. "Don?t ever lose your professionalism even if you are being treated poorly," Marcus says. It?s never a good idea to burn bridges. 7. Alienation Do you no longer feel like investing emotionally in your co-workers? If you start daydreaming when your co-worker tells you the funny thing her cats did last night, or if the extent of your participation in lunch room conversations is, "Uh-huh," in your mind you may already have one foot out the door. If you?ve answered, "Yes," to five or more of these questions, your job is most definitely at a dead end and you are at risk for Career Depression Syndrome. It?s time to look at the "big picture" of where your career is headed and map out a strategy to get you where you really want to go. If you see yourself in three to four of the situations described, your career is definitely on cruise control. You need to revisit your career plan and get yourself back on the right path. If only one or two of these scenarios look familiar, you?re probably OK, but keep an eye out for the symptoms which can lead your career down a dead end.
No its the glass ceiling effect! You get a job and can't get moved up but you can still see other people getting better positions! Alot of jobs only have so much growth potential...I was a delivery driver, went to asst. manager, and the last stop would be Manager. No other options beyond that!!
Working at Wal-Mart would just be viewed as prior experience. A dead-end job would be any job for which there is no chance of advancement.
A dead-end job is just that. You go to work for the 'man' and one day you wake up and you're life has passed you by. The 'Man' kept you hangin on by paying you just enough to get you by but did nothing to help you prepare yourself for anything else (including retirement). Don't worry about the Walmart thing. Prospective future employers will view that experience as an entry level position providing you with your next stepping stone.
It's a dead end job because you have no hope of moving up within the company. Coca Cola is another place that is good at handing out Dead End Jobs. (They like to leave their employees doing the same job for 50 years and then lay them off.)
You have to start somewhere. Whether it be flipping hamburgers, bagging groceries, or working at wal mart... we all have those jobs in our past and they are the building blocks to better things. The thing is to use what you learned at wal mart whether it be handling money or customer service or supervising to your advantage to get that "higher up job". Keep trying dont give up.. the right job is out there. Dont use working at wal mart as an exuse not to move up. Good Luck!
A dead-end job is a job that isn't going to take you far unless you stay in that chain of jobs. Working at Swiss Chalet and McDonalds a lot of times are dead end jobs because once you get the management, there is a next-to-none chance that you are ever going to get above that. You have to be happy in your job and you don't want to be flipping burgers for the rest of your life, I'd look for another job. I worked at Swiss Chalet for 6 years, and I'm working in a daycare now... I don't think your previous experience has anything to do with promotions in terms of "frowning" upon.