IDG Contributor Network: What Is a Job?

While speaking to a group participating in career transition in 2009, I was struck by the lack of understanding of the original meaning of the word "job." Everyone was talking about needing a job, changing jobs or leaving a job, but what was a job? I decided to do some research before my next speaking date.Sources are vague, but most point to the 1550s for the phrase jobbe of worke translated "piece of work." Indications are that work was paid on a piece rate. In other words, you give me thre