It’s a Dead-End Job
It’s hard to recognize a dead-end job sometimes. Instead, it can look like you’re not putting in enough effort, or your career has grown stagnant. It’s hard to step back and take an objective look at the situation. Is there more to be done, or is it time to move on?
Ask yourself these questions:
- When you wake up is every morning beginning to feel like a Monday?
- Do you wish the weekend would never end?
- Does every day start with a groan as you realize it’s another work day?
- Do you dread walking through the door to your place of work?
- Do you find yourself daydreaming while you’re at work, wishing for a career that fills you with great satisfaction?
All of these are indicators that your current job may not be aligned with your career goals and path. It’s a dead end. You’re not going to get anywhere you want to go by staying.
So how do you know without a doubt that it is time to leave your current career path and fork out in search of a new fulfilling opportunity?
The love is gone.
Often times, the fire for what you do or the company you work for can burn out. Sadly, just like that flirtation you entertained in college with you-know-who that fizzled out by the end of the first date, so did your interest in your current job. The fire smoldered out. The excitement is gone.
Your daily responsibilities or the company’s mission do not ignite a spark within you any longer. You’ve been finding it more and more difficult in the last months (or even years) to find new challenges or ways to sharpen or expand your skills within your job path. And now you’re feeling unappreciated as your efforts go sadly unacknowledged. You haven’t spotted a new opportunity that’s stirred any passion in ages.
If any of these descriptions match your current position it may be time to reconsider your course. Actively search for a new organization that assimilates with your interests, goals, skills, and passions. Aim for the target where those four elements intersect. There you will find self-fulfillment and love for what you do. You will find the fuel and clarity to propel you to new career heights.
Opportunity isn’t knocking any longer.
Does your organization offer opportunities for growth or advancement? A chance to expand your genuine interests? Or perhaps the opportunity to tap into your skills by offering you more responsibilities? Are you getting the same promotion opportunities as your colleagues?
If the answer is “no” to some of these, you may be stuck in a career corner. It’s time to reevaluate the career path you are on. There comes a time to move on. Expand your horizons to other awaiting prospects. Make every effort to increase your opportunity stream. Get out there—network, attend conferences, meet more people and chances are your efforts will lead to advantageous beginnings.
You’re out of sync.
You’ve realized that your career goals and personal values aren’t aligned with your company’s. Are your organization’s work ethic, corporate culture, civic or environmental responsibility concerns (or lack thereof) making you uncomfortable? Do they show no interest in supporting you to reach your career aspirations or future plans? Are they hiring from outside the organization for higher-level positions rather than promoting from within?
Put your energies and efforts into opening new career doors. Your dreams and the road to pursuing them are your responsibility and not someone else’s. Take charge of that journey.
Growth is essential.
Do you feel your vision and skill set are not valued or being put to their best use? Having a hard time moving projects forward? Is the day-to-day drudgery or boredom causing you stress?
You’ve attempted to revitalize your job description and reshape your role. And your efforts are overlooked. So what are you doing? It’s time to look elsewhere.
Some industries, especially high-tech industries, encourage movement for breadth of knowledge and to keep pace with cutting-edge advances. Some see staying in a position too long to be stagnating. Other industries may view staying put as loyalty. Trust your judgment and desires. You know what’s best for you.
You are not alone.
When you are at a career crossroad, you need support from positive influences and relationships. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and challenge you. They’ll help you through the most difficult of days and tough decisions that you may have to make. Recovering from a dead-end job takes effort, time, and clarity.
Connect and network with people who are on a similar course. Sometimes a good place to start this process is with a professional who can walk with you on your journey. By doing so, you’ll have a partner to help direct your steps to career happiness and self-fulfillment.
Taking Every Opportunity
Our careers are made up many life experiences, events, different jobs and relationships that define and mold us. We should see each job as an opportunity to learn, to challenge ourselves, succeed, fail and learn from our missteps. It takes great commitment and effort to change careers, but once you have found the clarity to do so, do it, and do it well!
If you are ready to gain more clarity into your next steps for success, sign up for your Free Discovery Session.
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