Laboring in the Wrong Role? 4 Quick Questions to Ask Yourself
As Labor Day ushers in a new season, it might be a good time for a career assessment. Do you think you might be laboring in the wrong job, company, or even industry? Maybe it’s time to turn over a new (brightly colored) leaf in your work life. Well, we don’t want to belabor the point, so…
Here are 4 quick questions to ask yourself.
Finding room to grow?
If you’ve been stuck in a position and can’t see a pathway to advancement, it might be time to consider other options. First, discuss a possible promotion with your supervisor. Don’t let your silence indicate job satisfaction. Demonstrate that you’re interested in growing with the company. If you’ve made your point loud and clear and nothing changes, think about targeting job searches for positions with growth potential.
Focusing on your field of study?
A lot of people find themselves in careers that don’t necessarily match up with their educational background or college degree. Some are perfectly content with a vocation wildly different from their education. For others, it can be frustrating. Would you be happier in a role that allows you to use your hard-earned smarts? Make your knowledge known and offer to help. If your attempts to utilize your background are continually ignored, however, don’t be afraid to start seeking a more fulfilling role elsewhere.
Flexing your skills?
If a team leader doesn’t recognize your skill set and put it to use, it can be irritating. Think you would be a better asset to the company on another project or in a different role on your current project? Let them know. While most of us don’t want to be in the “hey, pick me!” position, giving your supervisor or team leader a little nudge might make all the difference in the world. If they don’t take the hint, it doesn’t hurt to look around for an employer who would be eager to utilize your skills.
Feeling okay?
If your physical well-being or mental health is being affected, that’s a red flag. Everyone has a bad day, week, or even month at work. However, if your role is a constant stressor for your mind and body, finding another position could be the only choice. If you are experiencing burnout, the first line of defense is to talk to a supervisor or human resources. A lot of your waking hours are spent at work, and it doesn’t benefit anyone to be miserable. If you can’t relieve the stressors or get assistance from your workplace to do so, it may be imperative to seek another role.
It’s never too late.
The perfect role might be right under your nose. Don’t overlook changing careers in your current company. No one likes to lose a good employee. Communicate with your supervisor. Start taking on responsibilities that align with your goals. Working towards a new path in your current company can be a good option for testing the waters. Even a lateral move could offer better job satisfaction.
However, if you’ve decided that you need to move on, start looking into positions that spark your interest. Don’t automatically discount roles that are vastly different from your current job. You never know what you might find. Consider going back to school for an advanced degree or a certificate program that points you down a more interesting and lucrative path.
Whether you fell into your current role or discovered it wasn’t a good fit after years of “laboring,” it’s never too late to turn over that new leaf.
