How do you know when you are in a dead-end job?
I have spoken to a lot of people who feel stuck in a dead-end job. When Sunday comes around, they dread thinking about going to work the next morning. On Monday mornings, they hit the snooze button multiple times and force themselves out of bed. They push themselves with positive affirmations or the opposite with “I hate my job” self-talk on the way to work.
🦋 Do you feel like you could do your job in your sleep?
🦋 Are there no advancement opportunities where you work?
🦋 Do you feel hateful and resentful when you walk through your workplace?
🦋 Do you get any acknowledgment for a job well done?
Well, here are some questions below to ask yourself. Answer them with the first reaction you have.
🦋 Am I learning any new aspects in my position?
🦋 Are my job duties challenging to me?
🦋 Do I enjoy going to work every day?
🦋 Am I motivated and strive to increase my productivity level?
🦋 Do I feel I am making a difference?
🦋 Are my coworkers positive at work?
🦋 Am I positive at work?
If you answered no to these questions, you might be feeling stuck in a dead-end job.
What are some options to improve my career situation?
Create a Career Journal to track your career goals, action steps, certifications, accomplishments, achievements, and references all in one area.
Making or adding to your career journal is a great way to be organized and refocus on your career path.
What’s in a Career Journal:
- Career goals and ideas
- Keep track of career progress
- Lessons learned
- Coaching strategies
- Advice from mentors
- A private place to vent career disappointments
- Keep positive affirmations and quotes
- Gain a new perspective
- Resume, cover letters, interview tips, interview questions, thank you notes, recommendations, references, and certifications
- Mission statement and values
- Develop a career action plan
- Keep motivated and inspired
- To celebrate the small successes
How to Get Started:
- Get a large binder; put all your career paperwork and ideas into it
- Then decide if you want to put all your information into a computer document, on-line journal, a book journal, or a binder
- Organize by categories
- Add to your career journal regularly
- Please keep it in a secure place
Self-Reflection Questions for Career Journal:
- What did I learn?
- What did I accomplish?
- Did I receive any compliments? If so, what was it, and who said it?
- How did I make a difference?
- Did I have any setbacks, and how did it affect me?
- How can I change my situation and get new career opportunities?
- Where should I start networking to meet new people and look for better job opportunities?
What to consider:
Should I stay at my current employment or move on?
Make a list of “why to stay” and “why to go.” Be upfront and honest. No holding back from the truth of the matter!
- What’s keeping me here?
- Are there other options?
- If, so what are they?
- A Transfer within the company?
- Start job hunting?
- Hire a career coach?
- Go back to school and learn something new?
- Retirement?
After making and reviewing the list to “stay or go.” What did this list tell you?
Take Away:
Don’t stay in a job where there is no opportunity for advancement. Leap of faith and try something different. You will have a career purpose with meaning again. Whatever decision you make to either stay or go, having a career journal will keep you organized and focused on your career goals and prepare you for the next career opportunity. ~ Patti
Comments are always welcome.
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