In an ideal world, employees will continue to be promoted until there is no longer room for promotion, then as the company grows, they will too. Looking at a career path from a long-term viewpoint will generally help an employee recognize when it is time to look for a new career opportunity. Realizing when a job no longer serves the employee is the initial step to distinguish a dead end job from an opportunity.
52.3% of employees in America are unhappy with their current jobs.
They should consider following these 4 steps to recognize if the job is a dead end.
Repetition
Constantly working on the same projects and tasks for months is repetitive and stunts skill improvement. Day-to-day tasks and projects should challenge employees. Candidates should always be improving their skills, so when it is time for a review they can prove how much they have grown within their position. If their skills are being underutilized there is most likely no prospective advancement in their career.
Company culture
Jiving with the company culture is essential for an employee to enjoy where they work and the people they work with. If the turnover rates are consistently high, it usually means people are unhappy with the company culture. If an employee is mentally, physically, or emotionally unhappy with their work and their job, it may be time to start looking for a better opportunity that serves the employee’s overall wellbeing.
Underappreciated
Being overworked while being underwhelmed by a salary is a bad combination . This does not mean that every person needs to enjoy every minute of their job, however, it is important to know where to draw the line between work and misery. Feeling underappreciated can cause employees to be less productive and. They don’t necessarily need an abundance of praise, but an occasional job well done will go a long way and encourage a positive work environment. If employee’s ideas are frequently rejected, they will feel discouraged and neglected which causes them to have an impression of being left out of the company’s voice and direction. Employees should know the overarching strategy of the company or the department. If they do not understand the strategy the company is trying to implement, they cannot help the company grow.
Growth potential
Recognizing if there is a Glass Ceiling is the first step to distinguish growth potential. When considering if the job is a dead end, it’s important to realize that the only option for promotion or personal growth is to get out and move on. This is not necessarily due to poor work ethic, but could be an unfair boss favoring other employees where it is not deserved. Realizing if and when coworkers are given opportunities that an employee worked hard for and deserves are signs there is a lack of growth potential. Ultimately, if the job does not serve the career path the employee ideally wants to take, then it is time to find a different opportunity that will advance them in their career and fulfill them personally.
Sources:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2014/06/20/most-americans-are-unhappy-at-work/#429fae4e5862
