Signs of career stand-still
Many signs could suggest you’re at a stand-still in your career. Here are some of them to watch out for:
You get the Sunday night blues
Sunday nights aren’t considered the end of a great weekend but the beginning of something neither the child nor the adult is looking forward to. But there’s a difference between being sad because the weekend is coming to an end, and feeling anxious because you’ve got to get through another excruciating week at work. You need to ask yourself ‘why’?
Is it because you no longer find enjoyment in your work?Are you just tired of doing the same tasks day in and day out?
There are many ways you can overcome the Sunday blues, depending on what exactly brought them on. If you’re anxious about what you’ll be faced with on Monday, start preparing for the week ahead as much as you can on Friday, like making a to-do list.
You might even want to consider scheduling something to look forward to on Monday, like a lunch date with your work colleagues or dinner with your friends/partner after work to end the day on a positive note.
You’re bored at work
If your job is no longer challenging you, and has limited variety, and you feel like you’re on a constant treadmill, it might be because your job is static. This can lead you to make careless mistakes, as you’re no longer putting in the effort that’s needed.
A good way to deal with boredom and a boring job is to try to find new tasks to complete to make your job interesting again. If there’s something you know needs doing, even if it’s a simple task like clearing the shared drive and organising it, take it upon yourself to manage it. You could even form a social club to boost the overall morale of the company — just be sure to run it past your boss first!
You’ve stopped learning
Has it been a while since you’ve stopped learning anything new? Do you feel that you know everything there is to know about your job, but haven’t grown within the organisation? A sudden halt in your career’s development can cause alarm.
Volunteering yourself to take the lead on new projects like giving a presentation or taking on a new client or proposal, might just give you a new lease of excitement in the workplace. Not only this, but it will also allow you to research new ideas and use your brain in ways that it’s not used to.
You’re earning the same money you started on
If you’re still earning the same money you started on or barely saw an increase in salary over the years, despite all your hard work and commitment, it might be a sign that you’ve stayed in the same role for far too long. You’ll need to get to the root of the problem. Is it because you’re working at a small startup with limited funds, or your manager simply doesn’t value you?
You’re passed over for a promotion
Are other people in the company jumping the ropes? People who joined the company after you are passed over for promotion after promotion can understandably be quite demoralising, to say the least.
A good way to approach this particular situation is to first make a list of all your accomplishments at the company. Then arrange a meeting with your manager and ask them why you’re not getting promoted when everyone else is (and you’ll have your list of accomplishments at hand to show why you deserve to be). Remember, though, that the reason you’re not moving up the ladder might be simply because you’re the only one who knows how to do your job. If there’s no room for you to move up, then suggest an alternative, like a pay rise.
You’re not using all your skills
You were initially hired because you brought a specific skillset to the table, but you may have realised after a few years that you’ve not used any of those skills and that there’s been no change in your role. This can leave you feeling frustrated and even overqualified for the job.
Before you give up you need to assess whether you really are in a dead-end job, or you just don’t like what you’re doing. In this case, you could consider asking to move to another department or even suggesting an entirely new role that would be a better fit for you.
You clash with your boss
Do you never see eye to eye with your boss? Do they constantly put you down, making you feel incompetent? Do you dread going to work every day because you’ll have to spend the day with them?
Rather than letting all that anger build up, which in effect can ruin your overall career development, it’s best to start exploring other options and find a job somewhere where your values align with those of the organisation.
You lack motivation
The most obvious sign of all is a lack of motivation. Do you struggle to get out of bed in the morning, get dressed, and make it to work on time?
If that’s the case, you might need to identify where your dissatisfactions lie and then find ways to overcome them. You could start by making a to-do list you’ll start feeling much more motivated when you tick off the tasks you have accomplished.
Set clear goals
To get started, ask yourself what skills could benefit you in your current role or the next one you’d like to pursue. While some skills are transferable, others may have to be developed from scratch. Online courses, books, and podcasts are excellent ways of getting new knowledge
Since your current role is draining you, to begin with, set smaller goals and realistic time limits. The more achievable your desired outcome, the more likely you are to stick to your learning plan.
Keep your skills up to date
Skill shortages and changes in the economy are just some of the things that impact the job market. With new trends emerging constantly, it’s important to keep an eye out for the latest updates in your industry. An up-to-date skillset can both keep you engaged in your profession and show your boss dedication.
Stay open to challenges
One of the biggest tell-tale signs of lack of excitement is that you drag your feet to work, slump at your desk, and mumble to yourself all the way home. Taking on a new role or responsibility can bring back that spark.
Lastly
If all fails then maybe it’s time for a career change, Contact Dr. Expat for the best advice, and check out our socials for up-to-date jobs available
Written by Farzana Patel
30th March 2023
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