Is your career stuck in rut? Here's how to get out!

It’s early morning; you’re heading for work. Is this a good feeling, or are you simply looking at another day of the same old same old? If it’s the former, then congratulations. You’re one of the lucky few. However if it’s the latter, then at least you can be sure you’re not alone. Ask anyone about their job, they’ll often say something like: “Yeah, it’s OK - it pays the bills..”  But real job satisfaction? Nope. 

In fact, the majority often sees this elusive, so-called job satisfaction as unattainable. And, actively or passively, these people will be ‘looking around’ for something better. But reasons for this dissatisfaction can vary enormously: wrong culture; bad management; poor working conditions; low salary; lack of communication; zero prospects….the list goes on. But then the issue can simply be one of boredom: you’ve done the same job (well) for a number of years, there’s little hope of further promotion and the future stretches out in front of you like a road across the desert. You just need a change, or at least something to look forward to every day, every week…every month.

However, dissatisfaction can indeed be part of an unfulfilled desire to develop your career and so rise to a position of greater responsibility, financial reward and/or achievement. This requires your managers (and often your fellow workers) to see your skills and attributes so that they will promote you. The key to gaining this promotion is to ensure your efforts are being recognised for what they are, and not in a “Look at Me!” way. If these efforts remain unrecognised by managers, then dissatisfaction is bound to result.

This is time to take things into your own hands and not simply wait for Fortune to play your trump card. Getting advice from friends, family, Google and experts is an obvious start, and there are people and companies who can help. Another key plan is to review your CV, which can be a hugely revealing exercise on its own, or carry out a deep self-assessment of those skills and achievements referred to earlier. You must know the ‘product you’ that you’re hoping to market – and make sure you are offering exactly what the market wants or is looking for. Meet with as many contacts as possible, as they are the ones who will direct you to an opportunity. And take charge….

The main challenge here is being able not only to recognise the reasons for job dissatisfaction, but also to be aware of the remedy and put plans into action. Getting professional career advice, effective networking, using online help e.g. LinkedIn can all play a part. It’s now up to you to make it happen.