What's Your 1920s Job?

By: Zoe Samuel

5 Min Quiz

Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Everyone knows that a lasting career is no longer a sure thing. But 100 years ago, it was a lot easier to predict your lot in life based on the role you started out in. What would yours be?

What's your class background?

Working-class guy

Somewhere around middle or upper
Probably lower middle

Working-class gal

How long ago did your family arrive in America?

Before it was America

In the 1800s
In the 1910s

I am the first one to be here

What's your ethnicity?

It's impossible to tell

White, I guess
Jewish, Italian, Irish - probably not considered "white" back in 1925

None of the above

Which of these is among your top skills?

I am a team player

Skills? I don't need skills when I'm on a roll
I am smart and entrepreneurial

I am a hard worker

Are you afraid of closed spaces?

Nope

Yes
Sometimes

Not really

Could you do manual labor?

Yes, I'm built like a tank

No thank you, that's for plebians
Ok, but only to a point

Yes, I'm small but tough

How would you describe your smarts?

I am street-smart

What can I say, I like books
I'm pretty good with numbers

I am people-smart

Do you like being surrounded by people just like yourself?

I don't mind either way

I love it!
I hate it

I prefer a mix

Do you know how to make the best of a bad situation?

For the most part, but complaining is usually what helps me feel better

Hm, not sure I remember the last time I was in a real fix
Yes, by making it better

I sure do

Do you prefer to live in a city?

No thanks

I like the 'burbs
I go where the work is

Yes please

Are you willing to change jobs?

No, I like stability

Companies yes, jobs no
I'll do whatever it takes

I wish I could!

Do you want to be your own boss?

No thanks

It just sort of happened, I never thought about it
Yes please

That is an impossible dream

How important is money to you?

As long as I can care for my family, I'm good

It is the only thing
It's very important

I will never have any, so whatever

Are you good at working with your hands?

Yes, to a point

Nope
I am excellent

I am very good

Are you good with people?

If they're on my team

If they're the right sort
I take all kinds

I have to be, so I am

And how are you with numbers?

Not good

Very good
Excellent

OK, but if I had more education I think I could do more

Are you creative?

No

A little
Very

I don't have time to find out

Do you work well on a team?

Yes

I run the team
With the right folks, yes

I work hard no matter what

How are you at giving or taking orders?

Good at taking

Good at giving
Good at both

Good at looking like I took them then doing my thing

What uniform suits you?

Whatever is most functional. Boots never hurt.

Pinstripes
Blazer and slacks

Whatever they make me wear

Are you more a career person or a job person?

I like a stable career

I like a lucrative career
I take any job I can until I get the career I want

I don't expect to leap from job to career

Do you need a field with good growth prospects?

No, just predictable ones

Yes
I am happy to make the prospects for myself

I don't think that's the future for people like me

Could you handle the stress of running a business?

No

Sure, with assistance
Yes, all by myself if I must

We'll never know!

Do you feel strongly about job safety standards?

No

Yes
When I can, sure

I don't have time for that

Do you need to be part of something bigger than yourself?

I prefer that, yes

I prefer to own things bigger than myself
If possible but I'm not fussy

I just focus on what is in front of me

Do you mind getting dirty?

I love it!

I hate it!
I prefer not

I can handle it

Do you like to be in a client-facing position?

No thanks

Often
All the time

Sometimes

Do you mind a little (or a lot of) on the job harassment?

Um, yes I mind

Sounds fun! You meant for me to do to others, right?
I do not want to be around that but I will tolerate it if I must

I don't care - I'm so tough it's all water off a duck's back now

Do you only plan to do this for a little while and then marry your way out of this hole?

No, I will be doing this forever

I'm the one you marry, duh
My partner and I are in it together

I hope so!

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