| Most of us have to work for a living. Since we | | | | requests are turned down because there are no |
| spend so many hours each week at our jobs, it's | | | | budget dollars available. Or you are not allowed to |
| very important that there is a good fit. If you | | | | participate in cross-functional teams that would |
| have been feeling less enthusiastic about your | | | | enable you to develop new skills. These blocked |
| work situation recently, maybe you have even | | | | opportunities may happen because your boss |
| begun to wonder if it is time to move on. | | | | may feel threatened, or he or she may fear |
| Here are seven signs that your job is no longer | | | | losing you if you develop too many skills. In some |
| the right one for you. | | | | cases, the boss just doesn't know how to |
| 1. You no longer look forward to going to work in | | | | develop people. |
| the morning. This may seem obvious, but many | | | | You may not have to leave your job to solve this |
| people overlook it because it happens gradually. | | | | problem. You can make a decision to manage |
| Think about how you felt when you first started | | | | your own career development. Take classes on |
| working at your company. Most people feel | | | | your own time. Join a professional association and |
| pretty excited about their work in the beginning, | | | | attend their meetings. Do everything you can to |
| looking forward to each day and thinking about | | | | keep growing. Eventually, of course, if your boss |
| the projects they will be working on. It's normal | | | | continues to limit you, you will feel the effects on |
| for that enthusiasm to tone down somewhat, but | | | | the job and you will have to decide when it is |
| if you notice that you are feeling bored, | | | | time to move on. |
| indifferent, or actually wish you didn't have to go, | | | | 5. You get stuck with low-profile assignments. This |
| maybe it's time for a change. This is especially | | | | happens to everyone at one time or another. It |
| true if you're spending 60 hours a week at your | | | | may be a one-time situation, where somebody |
| job, which is not unusual in today's workplace. You | | | | needs to do the project, and it's your turn. But |
| owe it to yourself to do something that gives | | | | what happens when one dead-end assignment |
| you satisfaction. | | | | follows another? This could become a problem if |
| Try to identify what part of your work situation | | | | you feel like you are drifting along with a series of |
| is bothering you. Distinguish between the aspects | | | | these projects. This could be a sign that you are |
| that you can fix and the things that you can do | | | | perceived as less competent and less valuable. |
| nothing about. If you can figure out how to spend | | | | If you think it is not too late to turn things |
| more time on the job doing things that you | | | | around, then resolve to regain control of your |
| enjoy, you may once again find yourself more | | | | place in the organization. Talk to your boss about |
| eager to get to work in the morning. | | | | what you want to do next. Ask what you need |
| 2. You have lowered your standards. Most of us | | | | to do to participate in more challenging projects. |
| take pride in our work and our careers, and | | | | Listen to your boss's feedback and do what is |
| therefore set high standards for ourselves. If you | | | | suggested. |
| have begun to allow yourself to turn in work | | | | 6. You have been pigeonholed. It is not |
| that's just good enough to get the job done, you | | | | uncommon to become identified with your first |
| have let your standards slide. This is dangerous | | | | position or with a project that you managed |
| because when you compromise your personal | | | | earlier in your career. Even though you learn new |
| standards, your self-esteem will fall. | | | | skills and get promoted, people may associate |
| To remedy this problem, think about why it is | | | | you with your previous experiences. This happens |
| happening. Maybe this kind of work no longer | | | | often to people who start their careers in hourly |
| presents a challenge to you. If that is true, | | | | or administrative jobs and earn promotions to |
| identify the types of projects that will get you | | | | management levels. Even though you are no |
| excited. Perhaps you can volunteer for | | | | longer a secretary, you are still asked to take |
| assignments outside your department. But if you | | | | minutes at the manager's meeting. The challenge |
| can't figure out a way to jump-start your job, | | | | is to find a way out of the pigeonhole and keep |
| you may want to start thinking about a change. | | | | your career from being stalled. |
| 3. You have lower self-esteem. If you no longer | | | | To resolve this problem, ask your boss to give |
| receive praise or acknowledgment for your work, | | | | you a chance to do a special project that will |
| it's normal both to wonder if the company no | | | | change the way people see you. This could be a |
| longer values you and to second-guess your own | | | | unique assignment that will require just a small |
| abilities. If you feel like you can discuss this with | | | | percentage of your time during a specified period. |
| your boss, do so. Ask for specific feedback about | | | | Offer to do the assignment as a test, and be |
| your performance. You will either learn that you | | | | sure to guarantee that you will do the rest of |
| are more valued than you thought, or you will find | | | | your job in a satisfactory way. If the project is |
| out what you need to work on. | | | | successful, both you and the company will benefit. |
| Another option is to talk with a trusted coworker | | | | If your boss agrees to this project, you may be |
| or with someone who knows your boss's | | | | able to move beyond the role you have been |
| leadership style. Maybe he or she gives people | | | | typecast in. If not, you will have to decide |
| feedback only when there is a problem. Some | | | | whether you want to stay with the department |
| supervisors don't understand that people need | | | | or the company. |
| feedback when things are going well, not just | | | | 7. You no longer respect the company you work |
| when there is a problem. If this is true, you will | | | | for. Most people want to be proud of the |
| have to decide whether you want to stay with a | | | | organization they work for. When you tell others |
| boss who keeps you in the dark. It may be | | | | what you do and you don't mention the |
| worth it for you to stay where you are, since | | | | company's name, that's not a good sign. It could |
| most bosses eventually move on. | | | | mean that your values are no longer in synch with |
| 4. Your supervisor doesn't help you grow and | | | | the company's values, and this is making you feel |
| develop. Without support for career development, | | | | very uncomfortable. If this is the case, and if it is |
| you will eventually reach a dead end. There are a | | | | unlikely to change, the best strategy may be to |
| number of ways this may be evident. Perhaps | | | | begin to look for an employer who shares your |
| you ask to attend professional conferences | | | | values. |
| (including inexpensive local ones), but your | | | | |