Do you know if you are in a better place in your career than a year ago? Do you know how to tell if your stalled in your job field? Or worse yet, you’re in a dead end job?
There are some very telling ways to understand when you’re just treading water in the pool of business.
Dead end job?
You’re Still Doing the Same Thing
Has your job description or job title not changed for a few years?
If so, you may want to assess your spot in the company. This can be a big red flag of a dead end job that they do not see you in other roles or suited for a higher position.
However, this could also be because you are perfectly suited for your spot and they can’t fathom you being elsewhere. If this bothers you, tell them that you are looking to rise in the company and seek their suggestions.
Meeting Shutout
Were you once invited to many of the business meetings your company had but no longer?
This is a very big sign that you aren’t a crucial member of the team any longer and have reached a holding pattern for the job you hold (which means…dead end job!). If they aren’t including you in meetings or other events that you were once privy to, you can bet that you aren’t going to move upwards in the company.
Skipping Seniority
What this means is that you start to notice that people who were hired after you were are getting raises and promotions, while you aren’t.
If you have been or are constantly being skipped over for newer employees, then you are definitely in a stalled career path in a dead end job and aren’t likely to see any forward mobility. This is a very bad career sign.
Horizontal Shuffle
Have you been part of a horizontal shuffle?
This means that you have been going from one job to another without any change in salary or your job title. If you are still getting the same salary as you were years ago no matter what company you are with, then you are in a horizontal job path, one that is indicative of a stalled career and dead end job.
Dread and Despair
Sometimes you can just tell by how you feel if you are in a stalled career.
If you hate going to work, dread its existence, and wait for the clock to chime release, your career could be stalled. Many times the employee will feel like a victim when a rising career path will show the employee as the hero.
Don’t just live with a stalled career or dead end job, there is plenty of time to change your path.
Get started with fixing these warning signs and your career can take off. Or, consider a new career if you are stuck in a dead-end location and don’t see a way to get yourself out of it.
Only you can determine which of these decisions is the right one for you.
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