Are you at a standstill in your career?
You probably don’t need us to tell you if you are, but if you are in any way unsure, you are probably at a standstill if…
a) You are bored with what you are doing and have lost your passion
b) There is no scope to do something ‘different’ than what you have become used to
c) There is no possibility for a rise in salary
In short, if there is no growth in any area, then you are probably at a standstill. Of course, this might not bother you. You might be bored with your job, but if you are comfortable with the routine, you might not want to shake things up by looking for something else. Similarly, you might be perfectly happy earning your current salary, even if there is no chance of a rise.
On the other hand, you might not be happy at all! And to be honest, we wouldn’t blame you if unhappiness has set in. Not many of us enjoy being stuck in a job that holds little scope for growth. So, if you are in a standstill, and you want to break out of that, there are a few things you might want to consider.
1. Start Looking For Another Job
Before looking for another career (which is our next suggestion), the fault might lie within the company you are in. Your boss might be restricting pay rises and job promotions, so research similar companies in your field. If you discover better possibilities elsewhere, begin to apply for those other jobs. You might let your boss know you are doing this as well. Rather than risk losing you as a valued employee, he/she might pay you more and/or give you new duties to keep you on board.
2. Consider A New Career
Moving into a new career is a scary prospect, as it will invariably mean a period of retraining. Quitting your job to do something new isn’t easy, either. Still, you can fit in courses such as this MSW online program around work, giving you a smoother transition into something new. So, think about your skills, passions, and ideas of a dream job, and then consider the career possibilities that await you. Take this career aptitude test to narrow down your choices.
3. Start Your Own Business
Get out of the rat race altogether and start up on your own. There are some startup ideas here, so have a look, or consider any other business ideas that may be more suited to you. Provided you choose something that is affiliated with your skills and interests, the issue of boredom shouldn’t come into play. Of course, starting a business isn’t easy, and there are financial risks at the beginning.
However, you might start your business while still working in your job, and when you start to make a profit, and when you start to gain confidence, you might then leave your job and work on your business full-time. Check out this step-by-step guide to starting your own business if this is something that appeals to you.
You don’t need to be at a standstill forever. There are options available to you, so consider our suggestions, and then start to move forward. We wish you the best of success, in whatever you decide to do.