Marcus Mumford: What is the worst job you have ever had?

The question

What is the worst job you have ever had?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's long-running Q&A repeatedly asks this standing question, with minor tense variation.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Working in farming in Somerset at 18, there were elements that were awful, and they were all really edifying. I mean, feeding chickens in sleet was hard work but I am so glad I did it.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 February 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 230 →

Ricky Wilson Singer; frontman of Kaiser Chiefs

There have been things within the Kaiser Chiefs I’ve hated – some corporate gigs that I didn’t feel good doing.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 February 2020 source ↗

Angela Hartnett English chef

Washing up in the Ford factory canteen in Dagenham.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 August 2022 source ↗

Sheryl Crow American singer-songwriter

I’ve been lucky. When I was a kid, I babysat and was a lifeguard, which I didn’t hate; and then I was a teacher, which I liked.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 April 2017 source ↗

Adrian Dunbar Irish actor

Working in an abattoir.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 August 2022 source ↗